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Lacustrine and fluvial-deltaic depositional systems, Fort Union Formation (Paleocene), Powder River basin, Wyoming and Montana

Journal Article · · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7152938
The Powder River basin is a Laramide foreland basin that was filled by a combination of fluvial, deltaic, paludal, and lacustrine sediments. The depositional history of the Fort Union Formation was unraveled in a regional subsurface study using data from approximately 1400 geophysical well logs. The depositional model developed from the subsurface study was tested by selective fieldwork. The Powder River basin originated as a structural and depositional basin in earliest middle Paleocene. As a result of rapid subsidence, a lake (Lake Lebo) formed along the basin axis. Lake Lebo, documented in the mudstone of the Lebo Shale Member, spread rapidly to cover an area greater than 10,000 mi/sup 2/ (25,900 km/sup 2/). During the middle through late Paleocene, Lake Lebo was filled peripherally by fluvial-deltaic systems that are recorded in the coarser clastics of the Tongue River Member. Primary basin fill was from: (1) the eastern margin by elongate deltas fed by suspended to mixed-load fluvial systems issuing from the ancestral Black Hills, and (2) the southwestern margin by mixed to bed-load streams emanating from the Wind River basin. Secondary fill was from the northwest by an elongate delta system fed by a suspended to mixed-load fluvial system flowing from the Bull Mountain basin. 17 figures.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Texas, Austin
OSTI ID:
7152938
Journal Information:
Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 70:11; ISSN AAPGB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English