Petrology, sedimentology, and stratigraphic implications of the Rock Canyon Conglomerate, southwestern Utah (MP 91-7)

R. L. Nielson

Deposition of the Rock Canyon Conglomerate in southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona resulted from infilling of topography that was cut during the late Permian and early Triassic Periods. Three lithofacies are recognized in the Rock Canyon Conglomerate: 1) a chert pebble conglomerate characterized by lens shaped deposits of cross-bedded lithic conglomerate and quartz wacke deposited as point bars in fluvial channels and alluvial fans; 2) a chert pebble breccia characterized by circular deposits of cross-bedded siliceous and calcareous breccia deposited in doline features; 3) thin breccia and conglomerate deposits , exhibiting irregular lamination and pisoliths produced by pedogenic processes.

The objectives of this study were: 1) study the lithologies, distribution, stratigraphic relationships and depositional environments of the Rock Canyon Conglomerate in southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona; 2) determine the stratigraphic relationship of the Rock Canyon Conglomerate to the Harrisburg Member of the Kaibab Formation below the Permian-Triassic boundary and Timpoweap, Lower Red and Virgin Limestone members of the Moenkopi Formation above; 3) study the patterns of sedimentation along the Permian-Triassic boundary; and 4) relate the sedimentary history of these units to the tectonic activity during late Permian and early Triassic Periods.

Other Information:
Published: 1991
Pages: 65 p.
Location: Iron County and Washington County
Media Type: Paper Publication