Stratigraphic revision of Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) rocks in the Henry Basin, Utah

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Mountain Geologist; (USA)

OSTI ID:6308229

Eaton, J G ^[1]

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1. Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff (USA)

Upper Cretaceous strata in the Henry Basin of south-central Utah include a 1,575 ft thick sequence of marginal marine and continental rocks of Campanian age. Stratigraphic study of this sequence indicates the need for changes in nomenclature and boundary definitions. Paleontologic study of the same sequence provides a basis for improved interpretations of depositional environments and age. The Mancos Shale of the Henry Basin is here redefined to include only strata up to the top of the Blue Gate Shale Member. The overlying Muley Canyon Sandstone and Masuk member are here removed from the Mancos Shale and given separate formation status. The lower and upper boundaries of the Muley Canyon Sandstone are redefined. The lower boundary is defined at the first prominent sandstone above the Mancos Shale. The upper boundary is defined at the base of the coal deposits overlying the bioturbated sandstones. The Muley Canyon Sandstone was deposited along a wave-dominated coastline and marks the final regression of Cretaceous epeiric seas from the area in the earliest Campanian. A type section of the overlying Masuk Formation is here designated and the formation is divided into three informal members. Abundant nonmarine molluscs and vertebrates have been recovered throughout the Masuk Formation and indicate a coastal floodplain depositional environment with only minor brackish influence. The vertebrate fauna supports an early Campanian age for the formation. The overlying Tarantula Mesa Sandstone and the beds on Tarantula Mesa are entirely nonmarine in origin, and fossils recovered from the beds on Tarantula Mesa support correlation of the unit to the lower part of the Kaiparowits Formation.

• OSTI ID: 6308229
• Journal Information: Mountain Geologist; (USA), Vol. 27:1; ISSN 0027-254X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
STRATIGRAPHY
UTAH
COAL DEPOSITS
AGE ESTIMATION
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DEPOSITION
FOSSILS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRATA
MODIFICATIONS
MOLLUSCS
PALEONTOLOGY
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THICKNESS
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ROCKS
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011000* - Coal
Lignite
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& Exploration