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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Williston Basin Symposium

Abstract

SKGS-AAPG

Fifth International Williston Basin Symposium, June 14, 1987 (SP9)

Pages 123 - 133

DEPOSITIONAL CYCLES IN THE MISSISSIPPIAN MISSION CANYON LIMESTONE AND CHARLES FORMATION, WILLISTON BASIN, NORTH DAKOTA

DOUGLAS L. WATERS, ARCO Alaska, Inc,. Anchorage, Alaska 99510-0360
WILLIAM J. SANDO, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C. 20560

ABSTRACT

Study of 29 cores from wells in the Mississippian Mission Canyon Limestone and Charles Formation (Madison Group) of western North Dakota resulted in recognition of five lithologic suites and two lithologic subsuites in each of three of these suites. These lithologic suites and subsuites represent the following depositional environments and subenvironments: I) Supratidal-intertidal environment having sabkha, tidal flat and evaporitic ponds, and lagoons; II) intertidal environment which can, in some places, be differentiated into subenvironment Ha, low-energy accumulations of tidal ponds, drowned tidal flats, and possibly lagoons, or subenvironment lib, higher-energy accumulations of shoals and tidal channels; III) restricted marine environment; IV) transitional zone differentiated into subenvironment IVa, a transitional zone between the restricted marine environment and open-marine environment, or subenvironment IVb, a transitional zone between the intertidal environment and an open-marine environemnt; V) open-marine environment differentiated into subenvironment Va, low-energy open-marine environment, and Vb, higher-energy open-marine environment representing offshore shoals or submarine banks.

Three regressive carbonate cycles that correspond to the Tilston, Frobisher-Alida, and Ratcliffe intervals of the upper part of the Madison are recognized. Each cycle shows a similar sequence of lithology, beginning at the base with rocks deposited under open-marine conditions (V) and followed by rocks deposited in progressively shallower marine environments (IV, III, and II), culminating at the top with rocks deposited in intertidal and supratidal environments (II and I).

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