Evolution of Early to Middle Cambrian carbonate platform, southwest Virginia Appalachians

Conference · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6438230

Barnaby, R J; Read, J F

Three core transects through the Early to Middle Cambrian continental shelf margin (Shady-Rome sequence) allow its evolution to be established. The sequence was initiated on a drowned clastic shelf to form a ramp with downslope mud mounds. Overall subsidence rates are estimated to be 5-10 cm/1000 years. Mud mounds consist of rare Archaeocyathid reefs that cap stromatactis MS/WS core facies and form upper parts of shallowing-upward sequences whose basal portion is shale and nodular bedded limestone. Individual mounds (1-30 m thick) are laterally extensive; some are over 3.5 km wide. Depositional slopes on the flanks range from < 0.5/sup 0/ to > 5.0/sup 0/. Three periods of backstepping of the mud mound sequences resulted from sea level fluctuations (average period approx. = 2 m.y.). Following the second backstep, regressive shelf sands and basinal turbidites formed. Later transgression led to development of mud mounds and patch reefs above the sands. Sea level fall during Rome regression caused widespread deposition of cyclic red beds and carbonates on the slowly subsiding shelf interior. On the more rapidly subsiding outer platform where subsidence rates exceeded sea level fall, an algal reef-rimmed shelf formed landward of earlier ramp buildups. Seaward of the shelf were thick deposits of periplatform talus and foreslope sands. Small-scale shallowing-upward sequences record 10/sup 4/ to 10/sup 5/-year sea level fluctuations superimposed on longer term cycles. The platform was exposed during major regressions, resulting in meteoric diagenesis of the platform as well as the off-platform talus, which provided conduits for deeply circulating meteoric fluids.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg
• OSTI ID: 6438230
• Report Number(s): CONF-870606-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 71:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
&amp; Exploration
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
CAMBRIAN PERIOD
CARBONATE ROCKS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
DEPOSITION
FEDERAL REGION III
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
MOUNTAINS
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOZOIC ERA
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USA
VIRGINIA