About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Journal of Sedimentary Research (SEPM)

Abstract


Journal of Sedimentary Petrology
Vol. 44 (1974)No. 4. (December), Pages 1251-1261

Origin of Massive Banded Carbonates with "Bluebird Structures" in the Cambrian of the Eastern Great Basin

John C. Kepper

ABSTRACT

Massive, banded, black and light brownish gray lime mudstone and coarsely crystalline dolostone containing millimeter to centimeter size, discrete white carbonate spar features known as "bluebird structures" are typical of the Middle Cambrian in the eastern Great Basin.

Association of the lime mudstones with grainstones and stromatolitic algal boundstones indicates that the carbonate fines accumulated in calm water areas within an island and shoal complex and to some extent on tidal flats. Banding appears to be a function of the preservation of organic material due to varying redox relationships in poorly circulated waters of intershoal basins and island embayments.

"Bluebird Structures" were formed by the calcitization of scattered patches of coarsely crystalline dolomite. The structures typically show centripetal and centrifugal fabrics which were produced by pore filling and replacement processes. Pore-filling fabrics are associated with the centrifugal replacement of ferroan dolomite; nonferroan dolomite appears to be centrifugally replaced by the growth of internal calcite inclusions.


Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24