11.04.2013 Views

Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America

Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America

Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

SESSION NO. 9<br />

SESSION NO. 9, 8:00 AM<br />

Thursday, 2 May 2013<br />

Sedimentology & Stratigraphy (Posters)<br />

Schneider Hall, Courtyard<br />

9-1 BTH 20 Thomka, James R. [218312]<br />

MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE LATEST TELYCHIAN-EARLY SHEINWOODIAN<br />

(MIDDLE SILURIAN) SUCCESSION, SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA AND NORTHERN<br />

KENTUCKY: IMPLICATIONS FOR STRATIGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION OF DIAGENETICALLY<br />

ALTERED UNITS<br />

THOMKA, James R. 1 , LIST, Daniel A. 1 , and BRETT, Carlton E. 2 , (1) Department <strong>of</strong> Geology,<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Cincinnati, 500 Geology-Physics Building, University <strong>of</strong> Cincinnati, Cincinnati,<br />

OH 45220, thomkajr@mail.uc.edu, (2) Department <strong>of</strong> Geology, University <strong>of</strong> Cincinnati,<br />

500 Geology/Physics Building, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0013<br />

Magnetic susceptibility (MS) values are technically independent <strong>of</strong> lithology; however, there are<br />

overarching controls on the distribution <strong>of</strong> clay minerals, coarser detrital particles, carbonate<br />

production, and diagenetic processes that genetically link MS patterns to facies shifts that can<br />

be predicted <strong>with</strong>in a sequence stratigraphic framework. Silurian strata in the Cincinnati Arch<br />

region, comprising mixed carbonate-siliciclastic deposition in an epeiric ramp, provided an<br />

opportunity to test these relationships. Samples were collected from the latest Llandovery-early<br />

Wenlock Osgood, Lewisburg, and Massie Formations, as well as portions <strong>of</strong> the underlying<br />

Brassfield and overlying Laurel Formations. Bulk low-field MS measurements <strong>of</strong> irregular lithic<br />

fragments revealed consistently low values for the transgressive, carbonate-dominated Brassfield,<br />

Lewisburg, and Laurel sediments, as well as the silty to calcarenitic falling stage sediments <strong>of</strong><br />

the upper Massie Formation. High MS values are characteristic <strong>of</strong> the clay-dominated highstand<br />

sediments <strong>of</strong> the lower Massie Formation. Most interesting, however, is the upward decrease in<br />

MS values observed <strong>with</strong>in the Osgood Formation: although the entire formation is characterized<br />

by rhythmically alternating argillaceous dolostones and dolomitic mudstones, the highest MS<br />

values <strong>of</strong> the entire section occur in mudstones and tabular carbonates low in the Osgood,<br />

whereas values equal to or below those <strong>of</strong> the Lewisburg occur in mudstones and carbonates<br />

in the upper Osgood. This suggests that the dolomitized carbonates and mudstones <strong>of</strong> the<br />

lower Osgood represent highstand conditions and are highly condensed; high MS values reflect<br />

increased siliciclastic clay influx, possible oxidation <strong>of</strong> pyrite during re-working, and potentially<br />

even deposition <strong>of</strong> eolian ferromagnetic particles during sediment-starved intervals. In contrast,<br />

the upper Osgood represents falling stage conditions wherein increased influx <strong>of</strong> detrital<br />

carbonate and quartz silt resulted in low MS values. Hence, even in units where dolomitization<br />

has obscured primary sedimentary fabrics, fossil content, and other facies indicators, MS patterns<br />

can shed light on eustatic processes and differentiate between carbonates <strong>of</strong> dramatically<br />

differing origins.<br />

9-2 BTH 21 Donoghue, Kellie [218362]<br />

FLUID INCLUSION STUDIES OF PROMINENT NATURAL FRACTURES IN THE NEW ALBANY<br />

SHALE, KENTUCKY, USA<br />

DONOGHUE, Kellie, <strong>Geological</strong> Sciences, Indiana University, 1005 E 10th Street,<br />

Bloomington, IN 47405, kdonoghu@indiana.edu and SCHIEBER, Juergen, <strong>Geological</strong><br />

Sciences, Indiana University, 1001 East 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405<br />

The Middle to Upper Devonian New Albany Shale is an organic-rich black shale succession that<br />

has been <strong>of</strong> economic interest since the late 1850s for its gas productions. Natural fracture sets<br />

have been observed in this succession, though little research has been conducted to determine<br />

their origin. With renewed interest since the advent and use <strong>of</strong> hydraulic fracturing and horizontal<br />

drilling, it is <strong>of</strong> particular importance to investigate existing fractures in the New Albany Shale.<br />

These fractures are from a few centimeters to more than a decimeter in width, filled <strong>with</strong> quartz<br />

and dolomite, and locally contain pockets <strong>of</strong> bitumen that must have been part <strong>of</strong> the fluids that<br />

passed through them from underlying stratigraphic intervals. The dominant fracture set is oriented<br />

NE and the conjugate set is oriented EW, consistent <strong>with</strong> the NE trending Wabash Valley fault<br />

system and the EW trending 38th parallel lineament. The fractures can be seen throughout the<br />

New Albany Shale, but are particularly prominent in outcrops near the Cincinnati Arch. Vein<br />

morphology has been affected by post-vein compaction <strong>of</strong> the New Albany Shale. The veins<br />

in the lower Blocher member appear strongly contorted, whereas veins in the overlying Camp<br />

Run and Clegg Creek members have been “telescoped” by compaction. Fluid inclusion analysis<br />

was initiated to determine the type and temperature <strong>of</strong> fluids that created the veins. Using a<br />

Linkam THGMS 600 heating-cooling stage, preliminary analysis shows that primary and pseudosecondary<br />

fluid inclusion assemblages exist around and in the quartz crystals. Fluid inclusions<br />

range in size from 1 micron to 30 microns, and daughter minerals, predominantly halite, are<br />

present in the larger inclusions. No gas bubbles have yet been observed in our preliminary<br />

sample set, but this could change once a larger sample set is examined. At the moment, absence<br />

<strong>of</strong> gas bubbles is interpreted to indicate comparatively low fluid temperatures <strong>of</strong> 40°C or under.<br />

Further analysis will address the possibility <strong>of</strong> multiple episodes <strong>of</strong> fluid expulsion and vein<br />

formation in the New Albany Shale.<br />

9-3 BTH 22 Hess, Rachel [218696]<br />

VARIATIONS OF FLAT-PEBBLE CONGLOMERATE STRATA IN HINTZE’S SECTION C AND<br />

MOUNT LAW<br />

HESS, Rachel, Geography, Geology, and Planning, Missouri State University, Springfield,<br />

MO 65804, rachelchess@hotmail.com, EVANS, Kevin, Geography, Geology, and Planning<br />

Department, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave, Springfield, MO 65804-0089,<br />

and DATTILO, Benjamin, Department <strong>of</strong> Geosciences, Indiana University Purdue University<br />

Fort Wayne, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499<br />

Flat-pebble conglomerates (FPCs) are deposits that contain various tabular clasts <strong>of</strong> carbonate<br />

facies. They are commonly observed in strata <strong>of</strong> shallow marine successions during the<br />

Cambrian and Ordovician time periods. They are rarely found in post-Ordovician strata. Previous<br />

interpretations have suggested they are storm deposits, cycle caps, or products <strong>of</strong> sea level<br />

change. Detailed analysis <strong>of</strong> FPCs may allow better understanding <strong>of</strong> their origins, including<br />

events and processes associated <strong>with</strong> meteorite impacts, tectonic activity, superstorms, slope<br />

failures, and mass wasting events.<br />

This study examines FPCs based on intrinsic features and documents patterns <strong>of</strong> secular<br />

variation in selected Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician intervals from west-central Utah. The<br />

principal stratigraphic units include the Steamboat Pass Shale Member <strong>of</strong> the Orr Formation<br />

12 2013 GSA <strong>Abstracts</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Programs</strong><br />

(Furongian Series), upper and lower parts <strong>of</strong> the Fillmore Formation (Stairsian and Blackhillsian<br />

series), and Kanosh Shale (Mohawkian Series). Clast heterogeneity, sorting, normal or reverse<br />

grading, apparent dip and imbrications were measured though descriptions <strong>of</strong> clasts lithology,<br />

matrix lithology, lateral distribution <strong>of</strong> clasts along selected horizons, and observations <strong>of</strong> stratal<br />

architecture. Statistical analysis, clast-size frequency analysis, serial sectioning <strong>of</strong> oriented<br />

samples and petrography supplements field collections.<br />

Observations from Hintze’s Section C show various grading patterns <strong>of</strong> three distinct<br />

lithological clasts in a grainstone matrix. Clast frequency analysis and scour marks indicate<br />

a storm deposit. The features in this stratum are consistent <strong>with</strong> tsunamis; however, initial<br />

geochemical data favors a storm deposit. In contrast, the FPC from Mt. Law indicates a debris<br />

flow. This stratum tapers out, clasts features show a flow direction, and clasts are monomictic,<br />

probably derived from single strata. The differences in these two FPCs strata show multiple<br />

processes and origins.<br />

9-4 BTH 23 Elson, Joshua D. [218349]<br />

CLASTIC DIKES WITHIN THE SWAN CREEK SANDSTONE, SOUTHWEST MISSOURI<br />

ELSON, Joshua D., LARSON, Mark O., TALARICO, Joe M., and IVES, Brandon T.,<br />

Geography, Geology, Planning, Missouri State University, 901 S. National, Springfield,<br />

MO 65897, jde419@live.missouristate.edu<br />

The Swan Creek sandstone is an informal member <strong>of</strong> the Early Ordovician Cotter Dolomite in<br />

southwest Missouri. The Cotter generally is a peritidal carbonate, but laminae and interbeds<br />

<strong>of</strong> quartz grains become more prevalent near the top. The Swan Creek is the thickest <strong>of</strong> these<br />

sandstones and is present locally <strong>with</strong>in the top ~20 m <strong>of</strong> the Cotter. The Swan Creek is a quartz<br />

arenite which displays herringbone and low-angle cross bedding, indicating a high-energy, nearshore<br />

depositional environment.<br />

Clastic dikes emanating from the Swan Creek intrude the Cotter’s carbonate beds at various<br />

locations in southwest Missouri, but are ubiquitous in the type area near Sparta, MO. Here dikes<br />

<strong>of</strong> various thickness cut across cross bedding <strong>with</strong>in the main sandstone body and <strong>with</strong> their own<br />

sets <strong>of</strong> laminae subparallel to the dike walls. In plan view the thinner dikes form an anastomosing<br />

network resembling both shrinkage cracks and boxwork weathering, but vertically they span >2m,<br />

and the material <strong>with</strong>in the dikes is heavily cemented quartz arenite that clearly originated <strong>with</strong>in<br />

the Swan Creek.<br />

The age <strong>of</strong> the dikes is poorly constrained. They formed sometime during or after the Early<br />

Ordovician and before complete cementation <strong>of</strong> the main sandstone body. The larger dikes reach<br />

15 cm in width and have a preferred northwest – southeast orientation, the same approximate<br />

orientation as the major faults in southwest Missouri. Thus, these dikes may be related to both<br />

local and regional tectonic events.<br />

9-5 BTH 24 Wagenvelt, Kirk A. [218718]<br />

USE OF ORGANIC THERMAL ALTERATION DATA TO INVESTIGATE ANOMALOUS/<br />

ACCELERATED MATURATION RELATED TO THE MID-CONTINENT RIFT SYSTEM,<br />

MICHIGAN BASIN, USA<br />

WAGENVELT, Kirk A., BARNES, David A., KOMINZ, Michelle A., and SAMSON, Josh B.,<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Geosciences, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave,<br />

Kalamazoo, MI 49008, kirk.a.wagenvelt@wmich.edu<br />

Large volumes <strong>of</strong> historic hydrocarbon production (167 million m3 ; 1.4 billion barrels <strong>of</strong> petroleum<br />

and over 200 billion m3 ; 7 trillion cubic feet <strong>of</strong> natural gas) in the Michigan basin indicates the<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> major deposits <strong>of</strong> organic compound (C )-rich rock strata. Geologic processes<br />

org<br />

that control the generation <strong>of</strong> hydrocarbon deposits are either biodegradation (near surface)<br />

or by heating <strong>of</strong> the C in source rocks by geothermal processes, normally associated <strong>with</strong><br />

org<br />

gradual, sedimentary basin subsidence and burial to significant depth in the subsurface. The<br />

Michigan Basin experienced long-lived subsidence during the Paleozoic Era <strong>with</strong> the base <strong>of</strong><br />

the sedimentary succession now at ~5000 m. After over 100 years <strong>of</strong> commercial hydrocarbon<br />

production in the basin, the geologic controls on time-temperature dependent thermo-maturation<br />

<strong>of</strong> commercial hydrocarbons from C -rich source rock strata remain unclear. Previous studies<br />

org<br />

have observed anomalous thermal maturity <strong>of</strong> C -rich strata in the Michigan basin from<br />

org<br />

compilations <strong>of</strong> available data. More recent work has pointed to the Mid-Continent Rift system<br />

as a possible locus for most anomalous thermal maturity measurements. A detailed study is<br />

currently underway using a large, newly released organic geochemical data set in order to better<br />

document and understand the spatial distribution <strong>of</strong> anomalous thermal maturity <strong>of</strong> C -rich strata<br />

org<br />

in the basin.<br />

Maps were plotted to determine the spatial distribution <strong>of</strong> available analytical data relating<br />

to thermal maturation in the Michigan basin. The data are composed <strong>of</strong> two general sources.<br />

The first source is composed <strong>of</strong> recently published data pertaining to thermal conditions during<br />

alteration <strong>of</strong> the basin strata. The second source is newly released (from proprietary hold)<br />

analytical data generated by industry sampling <strong>of</strong> curated rock samples. The combination <strong>of</strong> the<br />

data sets provides a more comprehensive view <strong>of</strong> the spatial distribution <strong>of</strong> thermal anomalies<br />

associated <strong>with</strong> C -rich strata and possible insight to the origin <strong>of</strong> accelerated maturation<br />

org<br />

although additional sampling may be needed to document the influence <strong>of</strong> the deeply buried Mid-<br />

Continent Rift on thermal alteration.<br />

9-6 BTH 25 Camaret, B.N [218172]<br />

DETERMINING STORM EVENTS THROUGH MICROFAUNA-DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS:<br />

A SEDIMENTOLOGIC STUDY OF PONDS ON SAN SALVADOR, BAHAMAS<br />

CAMARET, B.N, KROSSMAN, K.E., MCLEAN, Colleen, and MATTHEUS, C.R., <strong>Geological</strong><br />

and Environmental Sciences, Youngstown State University, One University Plaza,<br />

Youngstown, OH 44555, bncamaret13@gmail.com<br />

The Bahamian island <strong>of</strong> San Salvador is frequented by strong storms and hurricanes that<br />

influence deposition in coastal hypersaline ponds across the island. Cores were studied from<br />

ponds along the island’s eastern and southern shores as part <strong>of</strong> an ongoing investigation into<br />

effects <strong>of</strong> shoreline orientation and topography, coastal vegetation, and nearshore morphology on<br />

storm-sedimentation patterns. Storm deposits in these coastal ponds, traditionally recognized as<br />

sediment layers containing high sand percentages, were evaluated for their foraminiferal content<br />

to evaluate the potential <strong>of</strong> these microscopic organisms as additional storm indicators in the<br />

sediment record <strong>of</strong> San Salvador.<br />

Microscopic analysis <strong>of</strong> interpreted storm-sediment facies revealed mature and juvenile species<br />

<strong>of</strong> benthic foraminifera, which mainly inhabit reef environments around Florida and the Bahamas:<br />

Archais angulatus, Peneroplis bradyi, Laevipeneroplis proteus, and Homotrema rubrum. Their<br />

occurrence in these particular sediments suggests that these ocean-dwelling foraminifera<br />

were deposited by storm-surge and beach over-wash events, making them a suitable proxy for<br />

investigating down-core trends in storm activity in addition to grain size, which is shown to not<br />

always demark storm layers clearly from background sedimentation.<br />

Future analysis <strong>of</strong> micr<strong>of</strong>auna should play an integral part in resolving San Salvador’s historic<br />

storm record. A current investigation is underway to evaluate site-specific differences in storm

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!