An undulatory discontinuity surface on a gently inclined muddy ramp: possible evidence of secondary helical flow from the geological record

Abstract

An unusual, somewhat cryptic, undulatory discontinuity has been recognized near the basal contact of the Wanakah Shale Member of the Middle Devonian Ludlowville Formation in western New York. It is in part marked by undulating diagenetic limestone beds and concretionary horizons, but can be traced continuously by subtle surfaces of fossil and pyritic lags. This surface marks the top of parallel, elongate mud ridges trending approximately N-S, perpendicular to the inferred E-W depositional strike of the Appalachian Basin in western New York. These ridges are observed in the field as irregularly spaced mud swells which have up to 1.5 m of relief, and vary from 30 to 50 m or more in width. The intervening, broad, flat‘channel floors’ are characterized by dense concentrations of diminutive brachiopods with gastropods and styliolinids, which are gradually replaced by thin styliolinid horizons with abundant pyrite nodules and pyritized burrows over the tops of the swells. Traceable shelly horizons are observed to pinch out over the swells, suggesting a period of relatively undisturbed sediment-filling following the formation of the channellized surface. The interval of nearly barren shale below this irregular surface, however, contains concretionary horizons and rare styliolinid pavements which are themselves irregular, possibly indicating a changing topography for this surface through time. Previous taphonomic and palaeoecological studies of the lower Wanakah Shale Member have disclosed a well-defined regressive-transgressive cycle with more subtle superimposed subcycles. The undulatory surface described here occurs within the early regressive part of this cycle, and appears to record an accentuated regressive kick of a lower-order subcycle. The formation of this surface is therefore interpreted to be a consequence of regressive submarine erosion and sediment bypass, together with redeposition from suspension. The development of the‘channels’ and parallel longitudinal mud ridges was probably controlled by helical flow cells within offshore-directed bottom currents. They may be the first recorded instance of sedimentary furrows described from the geological record. Taphonomic and biofacies data indicate relative depths below average storm wave-base, suggesting that sediment winnowing and redeposition occurred at depths only rarely affected by the direct impact of storm wave agitation.