Pedogenesis and paleoclimatic implications of the Chamberlain Pass Formation, basal White River Group, Badlands of South Dakota

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:5589708

Terry, Jr, D O ^[1]; Evans, J E ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States). Dept. of Geology
2. Bowling Green State Univ., Bowling Green, OH (United States). Dept. of Geology

The Chamberlain Pass Formation is a new lithostratigraphic unit representing the first phase of deposition of the Paleogene White River Group in western South Dakota. The Chamberlain Pass Formation is entirely nonmarine, and has been subjected to intensive pedogenic modification. Pedogenic features within the distal overbank deposits of the Chamberlain Pass Formation have long been recognized, and classified as the Interior Paleosol Series. This study focuses on pedogenic features preserved within the channel sandstone and proximal overbank deposits of the Chamberlain Pass Formation, and proposes a new pedostratigraphic unit called the Weta Paleosol Series, to describe these features. The Interior and Weta Paleosol Series have a catenary soil relationship, based on differences in parent material and soil moisture conditions. A major difference between the two is the presence of pedorelicts within the Weta Paleosol Series, demonstrating sequential modification of soils as moisture conditions changed from wet to dry. The types of pedogenic features present within the Weta Paleosol Series, which include silcretes, calcretes, and zeolite mineralization with particular soil horizons, suggests that while previous interpretations of paleoclimates were essentially correct, paleosols of the Chamberlain Pass Formation were also subjected to periods of dryness. Counting of superimposed paleosols suggests a minimum of 60ky for deposition and pedogenic modification of the Chamberlain Pass Formation prior to a major period of incision and deposition of the overlying Chadron Formation.

• OSTI ID: 5589708
• Report Number(s): CONF-921058--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 24:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EROSION
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGY
MINERALOGY
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
PALEONTOLOGY
SOILS
SOUTH DAKOTA
STRATIGRAPHY
USA
WEATHERING