Award Date

1-1-2002

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geoscience

First Committee Member

Margaret N. (Peg) Rees

Number of Pages

254

Abstract

Several methods of analysis were used to test the robustness of sea level signals recorded in Middle to lower Upper Cambrian shallow-water carbonate rocks in the southwestern United States and to refine stratigraphic correlation of this interval. Embedded Markov chain and cycle architectural analysis define the high-frequency accommodation signal, whereas cycle grouping pattern and facies proportions analysis reveals low-frequency sequence stratigraphic accommodation changes. Gamma analysis and Fischer plots were unsuccessful in deciphering the signature of high or low frequency signals; Six low-frequency accommodation events are present in the Middle to lower Upper Cambrian Highland Peak Formation. Each sequence is bounded by minimum accommodation zones that are correlative across the shallow-water carbonate platform and thus, record platform-wide relative sea level change. Two of these minimum accommodation zones record eustasy.

Keywords

Analysis; Cambrian; Carbonates; Cyclic; Eastern; Formation; Highlands; Nevada; Peak; Shallow; Water

Controlled Subject

Geology

File Format

pdf

File Size

6686.72 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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