See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Hypogenic Karst: Shedding Light on Once Poorly Understood Hydrologic and Morphologic Features
Abstract:
Brecciation is common throughout the Castile Formation, indicating subsurface dissolution and collapse. Blanket breccias and subsidence troughs are suggestive of confined horizontal flow, while breccia pipes have been formed from upward stoping of subsurface voids. Calcitized evaporites are extensive throughout the region and are frequently associated with zones of brecciation. Deposits of native sulfur have also been observed in association with zones of brecciation, calcitized evaporites, and selenite masses.
The close proximity of hypogene caves, breccias, native sulfur, selenite masses, and calcitization suggests that hypogene processes have dominated sulfate diagenesis in the Castile Formation. Hypogene processes have provided pathways through which hydrocarbons from the underlying Bell Canyon formation have migrated upward and contributed to the calcitization of the Castile Evaporites. Hydrogen sulfide or native sulfur produced in this process has continued to migrate upward or laterally into oxic regions where selenite has been deposited. Significant overprinting due to surface denudation and epigenic processes has resulted in complex speleogenetic evolution within the Castile Formation.
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Hypogenic Karst: Shedding Light on Once Poorly Understood Hydrologic and Morphologic Features