Abstract

Detailed facies characterization of the Middle Devonian Geneseo Formation in the Northern Appalachian Basin (NAB) shows a rich assembly of sedimentary features and textures that suggest shelfal mud deposition in a storm-dominated, shallow epeiric sea. At the time of deposition, Acadian uplift supplied fine-grained detritus from the east and stimulated delta growth. As sediment was shed from the hinterland, distribution of mudstone facies was controlled by a combination of autogenic processes and a general rise in sea level.

The vertical and lateral distribution of nine mudstone facies observed in this succession indicates an overall shallowing-upwards trend (westward progradation of Catskill delta) with multiple modes of sediment transport and deposition. The water column became more oxygenated upsection as indicated by an increase in benthic fauna diversity (e.g., Leiorhynchus and Orbiculoidea), increasing bioturbation diversity (e.g., Chondrites, Palaeophycus, Planolites, Teichichnus, Thalassinoides, and Zoophycos), and a decline of organic-carbon content (via oxidation and consumption). Physical and biological attributes of this mudstone-dominated succession are used to reconstruct sedimentary processes and depositional conditions.

Although a stratified-basin model has previously been proposed for the Geneseo Formation, observations made in this study do not support that interpretation. Collectively, our observations indicate shelfal mud deposition above storm-wave base, in a relatively energetic environment with persistent lateral transport and advection by oscillatory flow, wave-induced currents, river-flood, and storm-wave generated offshore-directed underflows, as well as storm setup-relaxation flows.