Gypsum lakes, sandflats and soils revealed from the Triassic Red Peak Formation of the Chugwater Group, north‐central Wyoming

Abstract Bedded gypsum is relatively common in bedded evaporites associated with red bed siliciclastics of Permo‐Triassic Pangea. However, little attention has been paid to the textures of ancient gypsum, which can be used to refine interpretations of depositional environment and diagenetic history....

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Main Authors: Maya Yamei Bradford, Kathleen C. Benison
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-02-01
Series:The Depositional Record
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/dep2.273
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author Maya Yamei Bradford
Kathleen C. Benison
author_facet Maya Yamei Bradford
Kathleen C. Benison
author_sort Maya Yamei Bradford
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Bedded gypsum is relatively common in bedded evaporites associated with red bed siliciclastics of Permo‐Triassic Pangea. However, little attention has been paid to the textures of ancient gypsum, which can be used to refine interpretations of depositional environment and diagenetic history. This project describes the textures of bedded gypsum from an outcrop of the Triassic Red Peak Formation (Chugwater Group) near Greybull, Wyoming. Fieldwork, petrography and X‐ray diffraction reveal three distinct lithologies of bedded gypsum: bottom‐growth gypsum, laminated gypsum and clastic gypsum. Bottom‐growth gypsum precipitated at the bottom of shallow saline surface water bodies. Laminated gypsum probably formed in shallow saline lakes and mudflats. Clastic gypsum units are composed of aeolian‐reworked bottom‐growth gypsum crystals deposited in sandflats. Red siliciclastic mudstones are characterised by their massive nature and abundant blocky peds. Detailed study of this outcrop of the Red Peak Formation shows that it formed in shallow saline lakes and associated mudflats, sandflats and desert soils.
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spelling doaj.art-0ca4bd4ba563429e9f901ba6b33280242024-02-26T12:06:59ZengWileyThe Depositional Record2055-48772024-02-0110126027810.1002/dep2.273Gypsum lakes, sandflats and soils revealed from the Triassic Red Peak Formation of the Chugwater Group, north‐central WyomingMaya Yamei Bradford0Kathleen C. Benison1Department of Geology and Geography West Virginia University Morgantown West Virginia USADepartment of Geology and Geography West Virginia University Morgantown West Virginia USAAbstract Bedded gypsum is relatively common in bedded evaporites associated with red bed siliciclastics of Permo‐Triassic Pangea. However, little attention has been paid to the textures of ancient gypsum, which can be used to refine interpretations of depositional environment and diagenetic history. This project describes the textures of bedded gypsum from an outcrop of the Triassic Red Peak Formation (Chugwater Group) near Greybull, Wyoming. Fieldwork, petrography and X‐ray diffraction reveal three distinct lithologies of bedded gypsum: bottom‐growth gypsum, laminated gypsum and clastic gypsum. Bottom‐growth gypsum precipitated at the bottom of shallow saline surface water bodies. Laminated gypsum probably formed in shallow saline lakes and mudflats. Clastic gypsum units are composed of aeolian‐reworked bottom‐growth gypsum crystals deposited in sandflats. Red siliciclastic mudstones are characterised by their massive nature and abundant blocky peds. Detailed study of this outcrop of the Red Peak Formation shows that it formed in shallow saline lakes and associated mudflats, sandflats and desert soils.https://doi.org/10.1002/dep2.273aeolianChugwatercontinentalgypsumlakespalaeosols
spellingShingle Maya Yamei Bradford
Kathleen C. Benison
Gypsum lakes, sandflats and soils revealed from the Triassic Red Peak Formation of the Chugwater Group, north‐central Wyoming
The Depositional Record
aeolian
Chugwater
continental
gypsum
lakes
palaeosols
title Gypsum lakes, sandflats and soils revealed from the Triassic Red Peak Formation of the Chugwater Group, north‐central Wyoming
title_full Gypsum lakes, sandflats and soils revealed from the Triassic Red Peak Formation of the Chugwater Group, north‐central Wyoming
title_fullStr Gypsum lakes, sandflats and soils revealed from the Triassic Red Peak Formation of the Chugwater Group, north‐central Wyoming
title_full_unstemmed Gypsum lakes, sandflats and soils revealed from the Triassic Red Peak Formation of the Chugwater Group, north‐central Wyoming
title_short Gypsum lakes, sandflats and soils revealed from the Triassic Red Peak Formation of the Chugwater Group, north‐central Wyoming
title_sort gypsum lakes sandflats and soils revealed from the triassic red peak formation of the chugwater group north central wyoming
topic aeolian
Chugwater
continental
gypsum
lakes
palaeosols
url https://doi.org/10.1002/dep2.273
work_keys_str_mv AT mayayameibradford gypsumlakessandflatsandsoilsrevealedfromthetriassicredpeakformationofthechugwatergroupnorthcentralwyoming
AT kathleencbenison gypsumlakessandflatsandsoilsrevealedfromthetriassicredpeakformationofthechugwatergroupnorthcentralwyoming