--> ABSTRACT: Progradational Sequences in Lower Ordovician Portion of Deadwood Formation, Williston Basin, by Douglas Anderson; #91033 (2010)

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Progradational Sequences in Lower Ordovician Portion of Deadwood Formation, Williston Basin

Douglas Anderson

In the Williston basin, the Cambrian and Ordovician Deadwood Formation can be divided into six informal members based on gamma-ray log characteristics. Members C through F are Early Ordovician (Tremadocian to Arenigian) and consist of three progradational sequences.

In ascending order, the sequences consist of (1) a mixed sandstone-limestone lithotype, (2) limestone lithotypes ranging from mudstone to grainstone, (3) bioturbated, peloidal, calcareous, siliciclastic mudstone and siltstone, (4) bioturbated to planar-laminated, peloidal, calcareous siltstone and sandstone, (5) Skolithos-bored, cross-bedded to planar-laminated quartzarenite, (6) bioturbated dolomite and anhydrite-cemented fossiliferous quartz wacke, and (7) silty laminated dolomudstone. The asymmetrical sequences represent progradation of a siliciclastic shoreline, back-barrier lagoon, and intertidal algal flat over a siliciclastic shelf and a distal carbonate shoal.

The present distribution of the sequences and individual lithotypes in the Williston basin is a function of the limited eastward advance of the carbonate shoal during transgression, the limited westward advance of the shoreline during progradation, deep shoreface erosion of the previous sequence during rapid transgression, and Middle Ordovician erosion.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91033©1988 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section, Bismarck, North Dakota, 21-24 August 1988