Architecture of the upper Sego Sandstone, Book Cliffs, Utah

Abstract

This study maps the facies architecture and geometry of stratigraphic surfaces within the tide-influenced upper Sego Sandstone exposed in the Book Cliffs between Crescent Junction and Thompson Springs, Utah. A bedding diagram was constructed by correlating 32 measured stratigraphic logs across this 8.5 kilometer strike-oblique outcrop to interpret depositional environments and the sequence stratigraphic setting of this tidally-influenced sandstone. Five facies associations are defined: marine shale, lower shoreface, tidally-influenced bedsets, heterolithic tidal bedsets, and tidal flat deposits. Vertical facies trends define two sandy intervals separated by a marine shale, that are interpreted to record episodic progradation of deltaic shorelines. Erosion surfaces at the base of these intervals are interrupted to record tidal scouring of the sea floor during falling stage regression. Sandstone-bodies within these intervals shingle westward recording delta lobes that thinned and became more heterolithic. Although sandstone intervals are interpreted to record progradation, internal cross stratification is dominantly tidal-flood oriented. This is interpreted to record preferential preservation of bedload transported by flood tidal currents onshore, even though net sediment was directed offshore in a suspended ebb-oriented hypopycnal plume and as fluid mud during uncommon river floods. Deposits above high-relief erosion surfaces observed to cut down into the upper Sego Sandstone do not meet the criteria for incised valley fills. These surfaces are interpreted to record tidal current enlargement of distributary channels after abandonment. Such incisions thus do not necessarily record changes in sea level.