Mid-Continent Section

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Type Mayes Group of northeastern Oklahoma: Conodont biostratigraphy and revised stratigraphic framework

Abstract

Application of modern biostratigraphic and lithostratigraphic concepts to the Type Mayes Group has resulted in significant revisions that potentially impact interpretations of Middle and Upper Mississippian strata in the subsurface of Oklahoma. The revised Mayes Group is Chesterian in age and records an overall shallowing upward within a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic system. It is bounded above and below by regionally extensive surfaces and consists of several internal bounding surfaces of variable stratigraphic importance. Based on the observed distribution of lithofacies with respect to these boundaries we have constructed a stratigraphic framework consisting of three primary lithologic cycles. In ascending order these are: 1) Bayou Manard-Lindsey Bridge cycle, 2) Ordnance Plant cycle, and 3) Hindsville cycle. Within these primary cycles we also recognize multiple higher-frequency cycles. The Hindsville Formation (cycle) everywhere consist of multiple meter-scale cycles. Likewise, the Ordnance Plant Member (cycle) appears to contain meter-scale cyclicity in the type area. Meter-scale cyclicity in the early to mid-Chesterian coincides with many estimates of the onset of Late Paleozoic Glaciation. Results also suggest the possibility of higher-frequency cycles within the Bayou Manard-Lindsey Bridge Cycle. Examination of shallow subsurface cores in Mayes and Okmulgee Counties, Oklahoma suggest that these cycles are expressed in more distal positions.