Basin-scale cyclostratigraphy of the Green River Formation, Wyoming

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2013 Basin-scale cyclostratigraphy of the Green River Formation, Wyoming W. Aswasereelert; W. Aswasereelert † 1Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin, 1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA2Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Phahon Yothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand †E-mail: wasinee@geology.wisc.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S.R. Meyers; S.R. Meyers 1Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin, 1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A.R. Carroll; A.R. Carroll 1Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin, 1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S.E. Peters; S.E. Peters 1Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin, 1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M.E. Smith; M.E. Smith 3Department of Geology, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, California 94928, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar K.L. Feigl K.L. Feigl 1Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin, 1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2013) 125 (1-2): 216–228. https://doi.org/10.1130/B30541.1 Article history received: 10 May 2011 rev-recd: 20 Apr 2012 accepted: 30 Apr 2012 first online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation W. Aswasereelert, S.R. Meyers, A.R. Carroll, S.E. Peters, M.E. Smith, K.L. Feigl; Basin-scale cyclostratigraphy of the Green River Formation, Wyoming. GSA Bulletin 2013;; 125 (1-2): 216–228. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B30541.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The fluviolacustrine Wilkins Peak Member of the Eocene Green River Formation preserves repetitive sedimentary facies that have been interpreted as an orbitally induced climate signal. However, previous quantitative studies of cyclicity in this member have used oil-yield data derived from single locations. Here, macrostratigraphy is used to quantitatively describe the spatiotemporal patterns of three different lithofacies associations from 8 to 12 localities that span much of the basin. Macrostratigraphic time series demonstrate that there is a reciprocal basin-scale relationship between carbonate-rich lacustrine facies and siliciclastic-rich alluvial facies. Spectral analyses identify statistically significant periods (≥90% confidence level) in basin-scale sedimentation that are consistent with Milankovitch-predicted orbital periodicities, with a particularly strong ∼100 k.y. cycle expressed in all lithofacies associations. Numerous non-Milankovitch periods are also recognized, indicating complex depositional responses to orbital forcing, autocyclic controls on sedimentation, or harmonic artifacts. Although fluctuations in Lake Gosiute water level did affect basin-scale patterns of sedimentation, they are not directly related to the 100 k.y. short-eccentricity cycle, as previously supposed. Instead, 100 k.y. cycles are principally recorded by the recurrence of alluvial environments, which exerted a dominant control on basin-scale patterns of sedimentation generally. Thus, the hydrologic controls on lake level that have been classically linked to short-eccentricity actually occurred at finer temporal scales (<100 k.y.). Understanding the complex links between orbital forcing and sedimentation in the Wilkins Peak Member is facilitated by analysis of time series that reflect spatial as well as temporal variability in stratigraphic data. Macrostratigraphy is, therefore, promising as an analytical tool for basin-scale cyclostratigraphy. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.