--> Abstract: The Facies Architecture of from Arid Coastline within the Permian Rocks of Western Oklahoma, by T. Treece and A. R. Simms; #90090 (2009).

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The Facies Architecture of from Arid Coastline within the Permian Rocks of Western Oklahoma

Treece, Tyler 1; Simms, Alexander R.1
1 Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.

Many facies models have been developed for coastal systems. The most popular models focus on the interplay of wave, fluvial, and tidal influences. However, few studies have focused on the impact of climate on coastal shallow-marine facies models. In this study we examine the late Leonardian or early Guadalupian aged, Chickasha, Flowerpot and Blaine Formations from the southern midcontinent of North America. The Chickasha, Flowerpot and Blaine Formations were deposited along a saline epicontinental sea at the extreme northern edge of the Permian basin. Gypsum-shale cycles from the study area have been previously interpreted to represent relative sea-level changes. Within the study area these gypsum-shale cycles of the Blaine and Flowerpot Formations interfinger with sandstone and conglomerates of the Chickasha Facies to the east and south. As this change occurs the gypsums disappear and the mudstone conglomerates and sandstones appear. The Chickasha Formation has previously been interpreted as a birdsfoot delta. Through field mapping and detailed measured sections we find that the Chickasha does represent a marginal-marine coastal environment. However, the facies within this coastal environment do not fit the classic birdsfoot delta model. The facies present in the Chickasha include 1.) a fine grained well sorted sandstone with climbing ripples, 2.) cross-cutting mudstone conglomerates channels, and 3.) a distal facies of interbeded reddish-brown ripple laminated sands and thick red shales. The facies model developed for the Chickasha formation can also be applied to other arid coastlines.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90090©2009 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, June 7-10, 2009