SEM microfabric analysis of glacial varves, Geneseo, N. Y
- Potsdam Coll., State Univ. of New York, Potsdam, NY (United States). Geology Dept.
A detailed study of the microfabric of Pleistocene varved silty-clay from Geneseo Valley (Geneseo, N.Y.) indicates rapid deposition of sediment in a flocculated state into a glacial lake. Ten varve couplets of a 10 cm thick sample were studied using the Scanning Electron Microscope to determine their microfabric. Each varve ranges from 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm and represents an annual ( ) deposit. Varves consists of a lower light colored, coarse zone of silt and clay, and an upper darker colored, organic fine clayey zone. Graded bedding is observed in each couplet, and random clay particle orientation is dominant throughout a varve, with the exception of the top 0.5 mm of the fine layer. The upper and lower contacts are sharp. Fabric features are instrumental in reconstructing a depositional environment. Microfabric results of the glacial unit indicate that an initial heavy concentration of clay and silt was introduced into the basin in a single pulse during spring runoff. The majority of silt settled together with clay in a flocculated or aggregated state, forming the lower coarse zone of random orientation. As the silt concentration diminished, the clay continued to flocculate and settled as a fine clay aggregate. It is proposed that the settling took place during the spring and summer months. Finally, during the winter months, the sediment surface of the varve was disturbed by nemotode burrows, which reoriented the clay flakes into a zone of preferred fabric. Microfabric analysis of these glacial varves, thus suggests that sediment was rapidly deposited in a flocculated state.
- OSTI ID:
- 5588266
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9303211-; CODEN: GAAPBC
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Vol. 25:2; Conference: 28. annual Geological Society of America (GSA) Northeastern Section meeting, Burlington, VT (United States), 22-24 Mar 1993; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
DEPOSITION
PETROLOGY
STRATIFICATION
NEW YORK
SEDIMENTS
MICROSTRUCTURE
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GLACIERS
LAKES
MORAINES
PLEISTOCENE EPOCH
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
STRATIGRAPHY
CENOZOIC ERA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGY
MICROSCOPY
NORTH AMERICA
QUATERNARY PERIOD
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VARIATIONS
580000* - Geosciences