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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Special Volumes

Abstract


Pub. Id: A155 (1986)

First Page: 597

Last Page: 622

Book Title: M 41: Paleotectonics and Sedimentation in the Rocky Mountain Region, United States

Article/Chapter: Structurally Controlled Sediment Distribution Patterns in the Jurassic Morrison Formation of Northwestern New Mexico and Their Relationship to Uranium Deposits: Part IV. Southern Rocky Mountains

Subject Group: Structure, Tectonics, Paleostructure

Spec. Pub. Type: Memoir

Pub. Year: 1986

Author(s): A. R. Kirk, S. M. Condon

Abstract:

Active Jurassic structures, inferred from structural contour and isopleth maps, significantly affected depositional patterns in the Westwater Canyon and Brushy Basin members of the Morrison Formation in the southern San Juan basin, New Mexico. Isopleth maps illustrate the geometry of the major depositional units, the distribution of sandstone depocenters, and large-scale lithofacies variations within the units. A reconstruction of topography at the base of the Westwater Canyon Member shows a series of subparallel paleotopographic highs and lows that trend east-southeast. The Westwater Canyon is thick and sandy along paleotopographic lows but is thin and has a lower sand content over the structurally controlled paleotopographic highs. These relationships suggest active str ctural control of facies distribution by differential subsidence along east-southeast-oriented folds or faults during deposition of the unit. Locally, east-southeast-oriented basement faults that were episodically reactivated through time have been detected by detailed seismic reflection studies. Depositional patterns and lithofacies distribution, in turn, appear to have controlled the location of uranium deposits. Primary uranium ore in the Westwater Canyon Member is restricted to depocenters defined by anomalously thick and sandy facies that trend east-southeast. Redistributed ore deposits are also localized in the vicinity of anomalously thick zones of the Westwater Canyon but in rocks with relatively low sandstone:mudstone ratios. The location of redistributed deposits, however, is m ch more closely controlled by the position of a regional oxidation-reduction (redox) interface whose three-dimensional configuration was apparently influenced both regionally and locally by Laramide and younger structures. Remnant ore deposits are relict primary deposits that occur in locally preserved, chemically reduced rocks. They occur updip of the redox interface and display sedimentologic controls similar to those of primary ore bodies. These remnant deposits appear to have been shielded from oxidation by an unusual stratigraphic or structural setting.

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