Gamma ray spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility of stratigraphic sequences in the Wheeler Formation, West Central Utah

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Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Mines & Earth Sciences
Department Geology & Geophysics
Author Harris, Nancy J
Title Gamma ray spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility of stratigraphic sequences in the Wheeler Formation, West Central Utah
Date 2008-09-29
Description Gamma ray spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility can be used to help recognize stratigraphic sequences in a formation. Relative water depth is usually determined by examining the lithologic characteristics and sedimentary structures. Trends of shallowing upward and deepening upward are determined and, from these, the system tracts are determined. This study examines the utility of two geophysical field techniques, spectral gamma ray and magnetic susceptibility, in determining relative abundance of carbonate vs. terrigenous components in sedimentary rocks. These data can be used in conjunction with sedimentary facies to identify variations in relative water depth for the Wheeler Formation, in western central Utah. The Wheeler Formation is a Middle Cambrian formation consisting of alternating shale and limestone. Exposures of the Wheeler Formation were examined at the Marjum Pass (House Range) and the Drum Mountains. During the Middle Cambrian, the area was a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic ramp, and strata in the Drum Mountains were deposited in a more proximal environment, whereas strata at Marjum Pass were deposited in a more distal environment. Thus, the Wheeler Formation in the Drum Mountains has a higher level of carbonate than at Marjum Pass. The first Transgressive Systems Tract (TST) was determined to be between 0-80 m above the Swasey/Wheeler Formation boundary in the Drum Mountains, and 0-30 m above the Swasey/Wheeler Formation boundary in Marjum Pass. The first Highstand Systems Tract (HST) was determined to be 80- 170 m in the Drum Mountains and 30-100 m in Marjum Pass. Between 170-200 m in the Drum Mountains, and between 100-115 m in Marjum Pass, may be a Lowstand Systems Tract (LST) or the beginning of the second TST, an unconformity for the LST. The second TST was determined to be between 200- 240 m in the Drum Mountains and 115-130 m in Marjum Pass. The second HST was determined to be between 240-278 m in the Drum Mountains and 130-160 m in Marjum Pass.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Sequence stratigraphy; Gamma ray spectrometry
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "Gamma ray spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility of stratigraphic sequences in the Wheeler Formation, West Central Utah" J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections QE3.5 2009 .H37
Rights Management ©Nancy J. Harris
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 16,783,563 bytes
Identifier us-etd2,109976
Source Original: University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections
Conversion Specifications Original scanned on Epson G30000 as 400 dpi to pdf using ABBYY FineReader 9.0 Professional Edition.
ARK ark:/87278/s6571sf6
Setname ir_etd
ID 192161
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6571sf6