Abstract
ABSTRACTComplete petrographic analyses of modern deep‐sea sands are surprisingly rare, but are needed if problems such as the influence of tectonics on petrology, or changes in petrology due to diagenesis, are to be understood in ancient sandstones. This paper is a first attempt, using data from our own study of 80 sands plus data from the literature, to establish a baseline for modern deep‐sea sands with which ancient sandstones can be compared. We assigned sands to five plate‐tectonic categories, each of which has a distinct average petrologic composition: (1) basins associated with trailing‐edge continental margins, Q62F26L12; (2) with leading‐edge continental margins, either subduction, Q16F53L31, or (3) strike‐slip, Q34F39L27; (4) back‐arc basins, Q20F29L51; (5) fore‐arc basins, Q8F17L75. The amount and type of lithic fragments and the type of feldspar are particularly important discriminators, the amount of quartz less so. Trailing‐edge and fore‐arc basins have quite distinctive compositions, but back‐arc basins and basins near the two types of leading‐edge margins show some overlap, and thus may be hard to differentiate in ancient sandstones.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
