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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Alaska Geological Society

Abstract


The Alaska Geological Society 2007 Technical Conference Abstracts Volume, 2007
Page 11

Alluvial Deposits from Low Energy Streams and Associated Floodplain Sedimentation: The Upper Cretaceous Prince Creek Formation, North Slope of the Brooks Range, Alaska - Abstract

Peter P. Flaig,1 Paul J. McCarthy,2 Erik Brandlen,3 Anthony R. Fiorillo4

A preliminary facies analysis of the Upper Cretaceous Prince Creek Formation along the Colville River between the Kikak-Tegoseakdinosaur quarry and the Liscomb bonebed, North Slope, Alaska, indicates that overall, the depositional environment was a swampy wetland alluvial/coastal plain. Typical facies include sandy, trough cross-laminated and rippled channel deposits, unconsolidated silt deposits and organic-rich siltstones and shales. Small, shallow, ribbon-like channels with sharp margins are surrounded by overbank mudstones. Channel facies are dominated by small, non-migrating (probably anastomosed) predominantly fine-grained sandstone channel fills, although larger, coarser-grained sandstone channel fills with well-developed lateral accretions surfaces (meandering channels) are less commonly observed. Non-channelized facies represent lake, lake margin, levee and crevasse splay environments and primarily poorly drained and weakly developed paleosols. Organic-rich siltstones and coaly shales indicate abundant plant material and hydromorphic environments. Root traces, organic debris and siderite are ubiquitous elements of overbank facies. Bentonites are locally present, becoming thicker and more numerous upwards within the section. Overall, these observations suggest that the Prince Creek Formation was deposited by relatively sluggish, fluvial systems that aggraded fairly rapidly and were subjected to frequent flooding.

Acknowledgments and Associated Footnotes

1 Peter P. Flaig: Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, and Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 755780, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5780;

2 Paul J. McCarthy: Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, and Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 755780, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5780

3 Erik Brandlen: Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, and Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 755780, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5780

4 Anthony R. Fiorillo: Museum of Nature and Science, P.O. Box 151469, Dallas, TX 75315

Copyright © 2014 by the Alaska Geological Society