Sequence stratigraphy in a continental extensional basin: A case study from the Goshute Valley, east-central Nevada--Deja vu

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

OSTI ID:5806717

Strecker, U; Smithson, S B; Steidtmann, J R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States). Dept. of Geology and Geophysics

Previous tectonic interpretations of the Goshute Valley relied upon conventional line drawings of seismic reflectors and suggested an asymmetric basin-fill geometry in response to a listric master fault regime. However, a new interpretation approach using sequence stratigraphic principles not only modifies and adds to earlier structural analyses, but more importantly provides evidence for tectonically induced migratory facies patterns. The application of sequence stratigraphy reveals that the structural basin history is not that of a half-graben experiencing subsidence along a listric master fault. Instead, the basin is bounded by two, essentially planar faults, with greater displacements along the eastern margin fault. In addition, four stages of basin development, including initial sagging, syndepositional faulting, previously unreported tectonic compression, and deactivation can be documented. Tectonism emerges as a very important parameter in controlling the type and distribution of seismic facies, as exemplified by the oblique progradational facies (OPF). Moreover, the slope of a line connecting the inflection points of clinoforms within the OPF may serve to outline the relative importance of aggradation versus progradation within a sequence. This balance represents an independent mechanism to evaluate the rate of basin subsidence and requires further attention. Finally, the overall pattern of progradation present within each sequence suggests that sequences within the Goshute basin do not record a full retrogradational/progradational cycle, as do their marine counterparts.

• OSTI ID: 5806717
• 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
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
NEVADA
NORTH AMERICA
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
STRATIGRAPHY
TECTONICS
USA
VALLEYS