Publication Date:
2014-01-07
Description:
Differential cement mineralogy is influenced by depositional textures, structural deformation, pore fluid chemistry, and ultimately influences landscape evolution by introducing heterogeneities in erodeability. In southern Utah, the region west of the Kaibab uplift known as Mollies Nipple (Mollies) in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, exhibits a complex history of fluid-sediment interactions, which has resulted in a localized zone of anomalous diagenetic iron sulfate (jarosite) mineralogy in a well-exposed dune-interdune deposit within the Navajo Sandstone. Mineralogy and geochemistry of cements within this region are examined using reflectance and imaging spectroscopy, field investigations, microscopy, and whole rock geochemical analyses. These data show the in-situ jarosite cement is localized to a plane along the highest ridge of the butte, providing an armor along with other secondary cements, which controls the butte's geomorphic evolution. The jarosite cement is associated with other mineralogies suggesting the sulfate was one of the latest fluid-related precipitates in the paragenetic sequence. It was preceded by a regional bleaching event, precipitation of clay cements, some localized concretionary iron oxide precipitation, and formation of deformation bands. At least one generation of dense iron oxide mineralization is associated with cataclastic brittle deformation pre-dating the sulfate precipitation. Trace element geochemistry of cements shows certain metal oxide populations associated with extremely high (〉2000 ppm) arsenic values. We interpret the combination of spatial mineral distribution, observed paragenetic sequence, and trace element geochemistry to suggest this region experienced acid sulfate diagenesis along fracture-controlled fluid conduits related to weathering of proximal, unidentified, sulfides or H 2 S associated with deep source beds. Jarosite is highly soluble and its presence suggests abundant fluid-flow has not occurred in this region since its formation. This terminal cement-forming event must have occurred prior to sandstone exhumation and erosion to form the current extreme landscape at Mollies. This site exhibits the influence that fluid geochemistry, sedimentary mineralogy, and structural fabric have on geomorphic evolution. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Print ISSN:
1468-8115
Electronic ISSN:
1468-8123
Topics:
Geosciences
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