Field test of autogenic control on alluvial stratigraphy (Ferris Formation, Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene, Wyoming)

Research Article| November 01, 2012 Field test of autogenic control on alluvial stratigraphy (Ferris Formation, Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene, Wyoming) E.A. Hajek; E.A. Hajek † 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, 511 Deike Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA †E-mail: hajek@psu.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P.L. Heller; P.L. Heller 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar E.L. Schur E.L. Schur 3Department of Geology, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55104, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information E.A. Hajek † 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, 511 Deike Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA P.L. Heller 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA E.L. Schur 3Department of Geology, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55104, USA †E-mail: hajek@psu.edu Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 09 Apr 2011 Revision Received: 14 Apr 2012 Accepted: 19 Apr 2012 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 © 2012 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2012) 124 (11-12): 1898–1912. https://doi.org/10.1130/B30526.1 Article history Received: 09 Apr 2011 Revision Received: 14 Apr 2012 Accepted: 19 Apr 2012 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation E.A. Hajek, P.L. Heller, E.L. Schur; Field test of autogenic control on alluvial stratigraphy (Ferris Formation, Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene, Wyoming). GSA Bulletin 2012;; 124 (11-12): 1898–1912. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B30526.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Internally generated (autogenic) sedimentary processes can obscure signals of tectonic movements, climate conditions, or sea-level fluctuations in alluvial basins. The stratigraphic effects of autogenic dynamics have been considered negligible on time scales of 104–106 yr. However, recent physical and numerical models have shown that over basin-filling time scales, self-organization in sedimentary systems can produce stratigraphic patterns similar to those resulting from changing basin boundary conditions. Here, we present the first field-based test for autogenic control on stratigraphy in an ancient alluvial basin. The Ferris Formation (Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene, Hanna Basin, Wyoming) is composed of clusters of closely spaced channel deposits separated by intervals dominated by overbank material—a pattern that has been proposed as an example of a potentially autogenic stratigraphy. In order to evaluate controls on Ferris Formation stratigraphy, spatial patterns of key channel properties were analyzed. These variables (including sand-body dimensions, paleoflow depth, maximum clast size, paleocurrent direction, and sediment provenance) were chosen because they can change in response to climate, tectonic, or sea-level forcing and are commonly measurable in ancient alluvial successions. No clear statistical trends were detected in the measured variables, which suggests that external forces did not likely control stratigraphic organization in the unit. This study demonstrates that autogenic dynamics in natural, field-scale systems can produce organized stratigraphic patterns over much larger spatial and temporal scales than is typically presumed. This finding emphasizes the need for further understanding of autogenic stratigraphy and greater care interpreting climate, tectonic, and eustatic changes from alluvial basins. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.