Poster Session #1: UC South Ballroom
INFLUENCE OF SALT TECTONICS ON THE CHINLE FORMATION
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Marc Hendrix
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Geosciences
Abstract / Artist's Statement
The Chinle formation is an Upper Triassic sedimentary deposit that stretches across the northeastern Paradox basin of Utah. Within the Chinle evidence of salt-sediment interaction during deposition is characterized by numerous angular unconformities, differences in stratigraphic thickness, and changes in fluvial facies architecture. Two major fluvial sequences are bounded by an angular unconformity that divides the Chinle into an upper and lower member. The lower member consists of isolated to multistory fluvial-channel sandstone, where as the upper member is primarily composed of grated channel sandstone grating into overbank mudstones and isolated channel-fill sandstone. The upper most Chinle represent the end of the Triassic and consists of Eolian-reworked fluvial deposits. Prior research has indicated that changes in stratigraphic architecture throughout the Chinle are marked by thickening and tilting of strata in response to fluctuating topographic relief above salt pillows and buried salt walls. We purpose that structural deformation of fluvial sediments within the Chinle can be attributed to syn-sedimentary salt tectonics. We will focus on correlations between stratigraphic sections by tracing bedding plane thickness along angular unconformities. Local salt influences on fluvial facies will be identified by mapping paleocurrent flow direction on photomosiacs. Furthermore, structural deformation in fluvial sediments will illustrate the changes in accommodation space produced by salt movement.
INFLUENCE OF SALT TECTONICS ON THE CHINLE FORMATION
UC South Ballroom
The Chinle formation is an Upper Triassic sedimentary deposit that stretches across the northeastern Paradox basin of Utah. Within the Chinle evidence of salt-sediment interaction during deposition is characterized by numerous angular unconformities, differences in stratigraphic thickness, and changes in fluvial facies architecture. Two major fluvial sequences are bounded by an angular unconformity that divides the Chinle into an upper and lower member. The lower member consists of isolated to multistory fluvial-channel sandstone, where as the upper member is primarily composed of grated channel sandstone grating into overbank mudstones and isolated channel-fill sandstone. The upper most Chinle represent the end of the Triassic and consists of Eolian-reworked fluvial deposits. Prior research has indicated that changes in stratigraphic architecture throughout the Chinle are marked by thickening and tilting of strata in response to fluctuating topographic relief above salt pillows and buried salt walls. We purpose that structural deformation of fluvial sediments within the Chinle can be attributed to syn-sedimentary salt tectonics. We will focus on correlations between stratigraphic sections by tracing bedding plane thickness along angular unconformities. Local salt influences on fluvial facies will be identified by mapping paleocurrent flow direction on photomosiacs. Furthermore, structural deformation in fluvial sediments will illustrate the changes in accommodation space produced by salt movement.