Stratigraphy and depositional setting, Kingshill Limestone, Miocene, St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands

Journal Article · Tue Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1978 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7070181

Gerhard, L C ^[1]; Frost, S H; Curth, P J

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1. Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks

The Kingshill Limestone of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, was deposited during a transgressive-regressive cycle of the early and middle Miocene. Depositional bathymetry ranged from shallow lagoon and patch-reef environments to basin slopes, probably representing stranding to water about 500 m deep. Younger facies reflect a shoaling to probable subaerial exposure. Depositional processes included turbidity current movement of shallow-water sediments and benthic organisms into deep water, especially along the eastern margin of the depositional basin. Current indicators suggest that transport was largely toward the southwest or west. Sedimentation took place in a partly downfaulted basin that resulted from early Cenozoic vertical structural movements in the Caribbean. The basin now is the low-lying central plain of the otherwise mountainous island. Although the Kingshill has not been demonstrated to contain hydrocarbons, a relatively complete, albeit restored, stratigraphic section may aid in defining potential exploration targets in nearby areas of the Caribbean.

• OSTI ID: 7070181
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 62:3; ISSN AAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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