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Paleozoic carbonate gravity-flow deposits, and relationships to changes of relative sea level, Southernmost Appalachians

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6592029
The Jumbo Dolomite, deposited during a sea level fall at the end of the Early Ordovician, consists of lenticular carbonate masses embedded in the Mount Zion Formation, basinal shales deposited seaward of a Cambrian-Early Ordovician carbonate shelf. Stacked gravity-flow deposits include: (1) early massive debris-flow beds, with allogenic carbonate, chert, and sandstone clasts in a micritic matrix; (2) thick to massive debris-flow beds, with authigenic clasts in an argillaceous micritic matrix; and (3) late, fine-grained carbonate turbidites with partial Bouma sequences. Interbedded basinal shales (Bouma E) are more numerous in the upper part of this third unit. Gravity-flow deposits in the Athens (Middle Ordovician) and Floyd (mid-Mississippian) Shales were deposited during sea level rises. Argillaceous micrite turbidities in the Athens were derived from shallower bathymetric levels of a carbonate ramp. Gravity-flow deposits in the Floyd are individual tabular debris flows of skeletal debris and authigenic shale clasts in a micritic argillaceous matrix. Discrete gravity-flow beds deposited during sea level rises may be attributed to platform margin collapses. Stacking of flow deposits in the Jumbo indicates point-sourced flows localized by channels. The succession in the Jumbo represents stages in the fall, stabilization, and rise of sea level relative to the shelf; unit 1 represents early exposure and erosion of the shelf, and units 2 and 3 indicate the cessation of coarse debris input as a low-relief subaerial surface developed and sea level stabilized. Interbedded shales near the top of unit 3 represent sediment starvation associated with the subsequent rise of relative sea level.
OSTI ID:
6592029
Report Number(s):
CONF-880301-
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
BATHYMETRY
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CARBONATES
DETRITUS
DOLOMITE
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGY
LEVELS
MAGNESIUM CARBONATES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALOGY
MINERALS
MISSISSIPPIAN PERIOD
MOUNTAINS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
ORDOVICIAN PERIOD
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALEOZOIC ERA
PETROCHEMISTRY
PETROGENESIS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEA LEVEL
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEDIMENTS
SHALES