ABSTRACT

Conventional cores, thin section analysis, and subsurface mapping were used to determine the depositional environment and petrology of the Middle to Upper Devonian Misener Formation in northcentral Oklahoma.

The Misener was deposited in topographic lows on the post-Hunton unconformity surface and is comprised of a well sorted, mixed quartzose-carbonate sequence interbedded with laminated shales. In the northwest portion of the study area the sandstones are quartz-rich with minor amounts of detrital and authigenic dolomite. Towards the southeast the sandstones become more dolomitic, most of which is detrital.

Intrabasinal glauconite, Devonian conodonts, and bioturbation are evidence for a marine setting. The Misener is comprised of a series of stacked sandstone beds. These individual beds are commonly graded and contain scour surfaces suggesting rapid, episodic sedimentation.

Plate tectonic reconstructions place the study area between 10 to 25 degrees south of the equator during Upper and Middle Devonian. Present-day storm patterns are most intense at these latitudes suggesting that the episodic events are storm related.

The Misener contains an abundance of phosphatic lithoclasts and pyrite in the form of nodules and cement. Other cements include quartz overgrowths, dolomite, ferroan dolomite, and less commonly calcite. Thin section porosity ranges from 0 to 14% and much of it appears to be secondary.