Petrology and provenance of Norphlet Formatin, Florida Panhandle
The Norphlet Formation of the Florida Panhandle is primarily a sandstone that underlies the Smackover Formation and overlies the Louann and Werner Formations. Three lithofacies of Norphlet strata have been identified in the Florida Panhandle: an updip conglomerate, red beds, and an upper quartzose sandstone (Denkman Member). The Denkman Member consists of an upper gray and a lower brown to reddish-brown quartzose sandstone. Generally, these sandstones are fine- to medium-grained and well sorted with rounded to subrounded grains. The upper Denkman is massively bedded to faintly horizontally or wavy laminated; the lower Denkman is either horizontally laminated or has low to high-angle cross-stratification. The average composition of the member is 62% quartz, 26% feldspar, and 13% rock fragments. The red bed lithofacies has fine to coarse-grained, moderately sorted sandstones with subrounded to rounded grains. The most distinctive feature of the lithofacies is its closely spaced horizontal to slightly inclined (1/degrees/-5/degrees/) laminae. The average composition of the facies is 35% quartz, 16% feldspar, and 49% rock fragments. The conglomeratic lithofacies is a multilayered section of gray conglomerates and red, coarse-grained sandstones. The conglomerates consist of poorly sorted, subangular to subrounded, cobble to pebble-size plutonic and metamorphic rock fragments. Principal source areas for Norphlet sediments in the Florida Panhandle were the basement rock of the Conecuh arch (Talladega slate belt) to the north and the Pensacola arch (Piedmont belt) to the south and east. Additionally, contributions from the Eagle Mills, Werner, and Louann Formations probably were significant.
- Research Organization:
- Geraghty and Miller Inc., Baton Rouge, LA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6375051
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8810362-
- Journal Information:
- AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States) Vol. 72:9; ISSN AABUD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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