Abstract

Sedimentary structures and facies relations of the sandstone tongue of the Wasatch Formation in Fossil Basin, Wyoming are interpreted as indicative of a rapidly prograding bird's foot delta. Two upward coarsening siliciclastic sequences that contain bottomset, foreset, and topset beds were studied over an area of approximately 400 square kilometers. Vertical and lateral sedimentary changes within this sequence were documented by the measurement and study of over 35 stratigraphic sections. High and low angle cross-bedded sandstone units within the siliciclastic sequences thicken northward significantly before rapidly thinning and grading into the lacustrine Green River Formation. Field observations. lateral correlation of measured sections. and construction of sandstone isolith and sandstone/mudstone ratio maps reveal that the sandstone units, for the most part. form notheasterly trending finger-shaped bodies. Sedimentary structures including ripple-cross lamination, planar cross bedding, trough cross bedding, and parting lineation indicate north to northeast paleocurrents.

A gastropodal limestone varying in thickness from 30 cm to one meter separates the siliciclastic sequences in outcrops over nearly the entire area. This limestone is interpreted as representing a minor lacustrlne transgression separating deposition of the siliciclastics. The uppermost siliciclastic sequence is succeeded by lacustrine carbonates indicating a major lacustrine transgression.

The sandstone tongue of the Wasatch Formation in Fossil Basin documents a unique record of deltaic deposition. Excellent exposures over a wide geographic area allowed detailed recreation of the shape. rate of deposition. and geologic history of a Gilbert-type and Catatumbo River-type delta system.

LLU Discipline

Geology

Department

Geology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

H. Paul Buchheim

Second Advisor

Knut Andersson

Third Advisor

Ivan G. Holmes

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1987

Date (Title Page)

6-1987

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Paleolimnology -- Wyoming -- Lincoln County; Paleolimnology -- Wyoming -- Uinta County; Deltas; Geology; Stratigraphic -- Eocene

Type

Thesis

Page Count

ix; 217

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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