Influence of paleotopography and active basement structures on depositional patterns, middle to late Jurassic, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming
Parcell, William C. Baker, Mitchell Dalton, Jack Schwartz, Julia Nichols, Johnathon
Parcell, William C.
Baker, Mitchell
Dalton, Jack
Schwartz, Julia
Nichols, Johnathon
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2024
Type
Conference paper
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Keywords
Incipient paleotopography,Depositional patterns,Jurassic,Bighorn Basin
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Citation
Parcell, W., Baker, M., Dalton, J., Schwartz, J., & Nichols, J. (2024). Influence of paleotopography and active basement structures on depositional patterns, middle to late Jurassic, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 56(5). 10.1130/abs/2024AM-401648
Abstract
Incipient paleotopography and syndepositional tectonic activity influenced the distribution of sedimentary facies across local Jurassic basins and margins in present-day northern Wyoming. The Middle-Upper Jurassic Ellis Group and Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation are characterized by irregular internal facies distribution, abrupt lateral facies changes, and local unconformities resulting from variable erosional relief and active basement structures. Local basement structure activity may be associated Intermontane belt tectonics in Pacific Northwest which has been recognized as the source of some detrital sediments in the Ellis Group (Fuentes et al., 2009).
Effects of incipient paleotopography and syndepositional tectonic activity are recorded by the variable thicknesses of units and distribution of depositional facies. Topographic relief influenced distribution of facies ranging from saline basins depositing localized gypsum beds, carbonate storm and shoal grainstone deposits, shallow-water microbial mats, and concentrated dinosaur footprint trace fossils. The Ellis Group was deposited during a series transgressive-regressive episodes related to inundation of a foreland basin in the Western Interior. Transgressive episodes in present-day Wyoming were dominated by carbonate and evaporite deposition related to variable ocean chemistry and accommodation space. Regressive periods are distinguished by progradational supratidal redbeds and detrital clastics and trace elements. Likewise, facies distribution in the Morrison is influenced by syndepositional topographic relief, such as embayments, paleohighs, and active basement structures. For example, bentonite thickness distribution in the Morrison may also correlate to syndepositional topographic lows, such as filling of lakes with volcanic ash.
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Description
Four Wichita State students presented their research at the National Geological Society of America meeting Sept. 22-25, 2024, in Anaheim, California. The students were accompanied by faculty researchers Dr. Will Parcell, chair and associate professor of geology, and Julia Schwartz, assistant educator in geology.
The students contributing to this research included: Mitch Baker, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science Jack Dalton, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science Ricky Nichols, senior in geology and secondary education in earth and space science
A list of WSU research presented at the conference can be found here: https://news.wichita.edu/2024/09/25/geology-students-present-research-at-national-conference/
The students contributing to this research included: Mitch Baker, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science Jack Dalton, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science Ricky Nichols, senior in geology and secondary education in earth and space science
A list of WSU research presented at the conference can be found here: https://news.wichita.edu/2024/09/25/geology-students-present-research-at-national-conference/
Publisher
Geological Society of America
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Series
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs
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Archival Collection
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0016-7592