Paleopalynological biostratigraphy, organic matter deposition, and basin analysis of the Triassic-Jurassic Richmond Rift Basin, Virginia, USA

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6827666

Ediger, V S

The Productive Coal Measures are the most important unit because major coal deposition in this basin is unique for the Newark Supergroup. There is a good relationship between the rock color, specific gravity, and organic matter content of the carbonaceous mudrocks of the Vinita Beds. These mudrocks show cyclic stratification whose average thickness is about 13 m. The variation of some sedimentological and palynological parameters suggests that these lacustrine meso-scale cycles were formed as a result of cyclic variation in depth and extent of the Richmond lake every 42,000 years, approximately. Ninety-three fossil spores-pollen taxa are encountered from the Productive Coal Measures and Vinita Beds. The Productive Coal Measures flora is dominated by spores, especially Aratrisporites, whereas the Vinita Beds flora by gymnospermous pollen. A transitional flora also exists between them. As a result of correlation between them. As a results of correlation between the European and North American biozonse, it is concluded that the paludal Productive Coal Measures are probably synchronous with European Lettenkohle which is of late Ladinian age in most part. The lacustrine-deltaic Vinita Beds were deposited in latest Ladinian-early Carnian. Sedimentation of these units lasted about 4 million years starting from 232 Ma. Paleogeographic studies show that the sedimentation in the early rift basins was strongly influenced from the transgression of the Tethys Sea into the depressions of the proto-Atlantic region. The presence of coal in the Richmond Basin and vicinity may be related to changes in the sedimentary-tectonic pattern or in climate caused by transgressions, and the initiation of earliest rifting around the Carolina Trough.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6827666
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CORRELATIONS
DENSITY
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FOSSILS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
ORGANIC MATTER
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011000* - Coal
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