Synsedimentary Chert Breccia: A Mississippian Tempestite

Abstract

ABSTRACT A section of crinoidal calcarenites of the Lower Burlington Limestone, Middle Mississippian, displays an occurrence of chert nodules penecontemporaneously brecciated by a short-lived and localized high-energy event interpreted as the touch-down of a tornado system. This example of tempestite demonstrates the syngenetic generation of completely indurated and fragile chert nodules within an unconsolidated carbonate sediment. It is speculated that such an early origin of cherts is more widespread than generally assumed.