Longshore-drift dispersed, storm-generated cross-stratified sandstone from some Cretaceous shallow marine strata, Rocky Mountain region

Conference · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:7061020

Gustason, E R ^[1]

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1. BP Exploration, Houston, TX (USA)

Most Cretaceous shallow marine strata of the Rocky Mountain region are characterized by asymmetrical upward-coarsening and upward-thickening sequences. The strata typically contain similar lithofacies (i.e., normally graded planar parallel laminated claystone, siltstone, and sandstone; hummocky cross-stratified sandstone; symmetrical and asymmetrical ripple cross-lamination; and trough and planar tublar cross-stratified sandstone) and display an upward increase in the thickness and frequency of sharp-based sandstone beds that grade into amalgamated cross-stratified sandstone. Most workers agree that sharp-based sandstone beds and hummocky cross-stratified sandstone are storm generated. However, the origin of trough and planar tabular cross-stratified sandstone is controversial. Most workers interpret these sedimentary structures as deposited from either storm-generated traction currents or combined flow currents on the shelf, tide-generated traction currents, or tidally dispersed, storm-generated suspension clouds. Detailed analysis of three-dimensional outcrops has revealed several significant features of these sedimentary structures that indicate they may have been deposited by longshore drift dispersed, storm-generated suspension clouds. Sets of trough and planar cross-stratified sandstone form medium-scale discontinuous, irregularly shaped sand bodies, bound by erosional surfaces and composed of unidirectional dip-oriented cross strata. Individual cross stratum commonly have a sigmoidal shape, are bound by either reactivation surfaces or mudstone drapes, and contain normally graded concordant laminae. Top-set laminae, are truncated by the upper set boundary, whereas bottom-set laminae, become asymptotic to the lower set boundary and commonly are reworked and overlain by wave generated, ripple cross-lamination or mudstone drapes.

• OSTI ID: 7061020
• Report Number(s): CONF-900605--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA) Journal Volume: 74:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
LITHOLOGY
MESOZOIC ERA
MOUNTAINS
ROCKS
ROCKY MOUNTAINS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS