Stratigraphy and depositional environment of middle member of Minnelusa formation, Central Powder River basin, Wyoming
Regional correlations of the middle member of the Minnelusa Formation (middle Upper Pennsylvanian) shed new light on the stratigraphic relationships of Pennsylvanian rocks in the central Powder River basin and serve as the basis for a regional depositional model. The two main factors influencing the depositional environments of the middle Minnelusa were paleogeography and sea level change. In the southeastern and south-central parts of the area, the proximity of the Lusk embayment and fluctuations in sea level caused frequent flooding of a broad, flat sabkha surface over which isolated dune complexes were migrating. The sediments deposited were subtidal carbonates and black shales interbedded with supratidal dolomites, evaporites, and eolian sandstones. Farther north, closer to the sand source, the dune complexes were larger, more continuous, and were affected only by major transgressive events. Laterally extensive eolian sands were also deposited to the west. The lack of black shales and presence of sandy dolomites with Skolithus burrow, however, suggests more normal marine conditions and deposition on a sand-dominated tidal flat.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie
- OSTI ID:
- 5589573
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8408161-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 68:7; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Marine carbonate embayment system in an Eolian dune terrain, Permian Upper Minnelusa Formation, Rozet Area, Powder River Basin, Wyoming
Depositional environments of middle Minnelusa Leo (Middle and Upper Pennsylvanian), Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska
Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
BLACK SHALES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CHATTANOOGA FORMATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGY
MATERIALS
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALES
PALEOZOIC ERA
PENNSYLVANIAN PERIOD
POWDER RIVER BASIN
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
USA
WYOMING