T247 Sigma Gamma Epsilon Undergraduate Research (Posters)

Tuesday, 29 October 2013
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Hall D

DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF CARBONIFEROUS GLACIOGENIC CLAY DEPOSITS, WITMARSUM, PARANA STATE, BRAZIL

Paper number: T247-59
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

Glacial striated pavements in Witmarsum, Parana State, Brazil are evidence of terrestrial or grounded glacial activity. Recently exposed massive and laminated clay deposits suggest a relatively deep-water marine environment, not previously documented in the Witmarsum area. The goal of this study is to determine paleo environment and glacial conditions during the deposition of the laminated clays. The relationship of the laminated clay unit to the surrounding geology will lead to better understanding of the glacial history of the Witmarsum area; including number of advances, position of the paleo-grounding line and ice shelf conditions.

Analysis of the outcrop included description of the clay and variations between the different clay layers to determine possible deposition process. Clay samples taken from multiple sites were tested for grain size characteristics and palynomorph content. These analyses will determine the depositional environment of the clay along with the possible glacial marine influence.

Research for this study was funded by a grant from the N.S.F.-R.E.U Program (NSF-EAR 1262945).