About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 52 (1968)

Issue: 3. (March)

First Page: 548

Last Page: 549

Title: Analytical Approach to Niagaran Stratigraphy, Michigan Basin: ABSTRACT

Author(s): John T. Sanford,

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Analytical techniques utilizing very small samples make it possible to work with drill cuttings as well as cores and surface samples and obtain quantitative chemical analyses of the hydrochloric acid soluble

End_Page 548------------------------------

parts of carbonate rocks. Reasonably small samples also can be used to obtain semiquantitative insoluble residue data. The combined procedures yield accurate classifications and descriptions of carbonate sediments. The data are plotted as varying ratios in obtaining curves which are susceptible to visual correlation. These procedures yield common denominators which are applicable equally to surface rocks. They also equate with electric logs so that detailed analysis of all sections is unnecessary.

Reliable correlations generally place considerable dependence on a genetic interpretation of the sediments involved. The data permit some generalizations regarding the origin of carbonate rocks, particularly dolomite, as well as forming a basis for the interpretation of the carbonates in the northern part of the Michigan basin.

A continuous core for beginning the study was available from Grand Traverse County and surface exposures also occur in the northern part of the basin. The core from Carter Oil Company No. 1 Lemcool included all but the top 17 ft of the Niagaran and extended into the Alexandrian. Some rotary samples and surface collections also are being analyzed. In all, approximately 475 analyses are available at the writing of this abstract.

On the basis of the analytical data, subdivision of the subsurface sections into stratigraphic units is possible although this becomes difficult if formations are dolomitized extensively. The process of dolomitization appears to result in unconformity of some of the parameters and implies chemical equilibrium within these rocks so that correlation is more dependent on the residues.

Although the subsurface stratigraphic units appear to correlate with surface stratigraphy, these are not necessarily time correlations in a strict sense. Layers with arenaceous foraminifers do not appear to have equivalence. The petrogenesis of the rocks can be interpreted and facies relations determined but the correlation of time-stratigraphic units, at least in this area, may be an ephemeral concept.

End_of_Article - Last_Page 549------------

Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists