<p> Extensive bedding plane exposures in the Ludlowville shales along Cazenovia Creek near Spring Brook, New York display the spatial distribution of the skeletal remains from a marine faunal assemblage. Fossils typically occur in aggregates that are subcircular in plan view and plano-convex in cross-section with the convex side down. The clusters measure 1 meter in diameter and 2 centimeters thick at the center. This dispersion pattern has led to a general consideration of the different mechanisms responsible for creating fossil aggregations. Possible mechanisms, a spectrum from biological to geological, have been categorized into reproductive, ecological, postmortem redistributional, and preservational modes of formation. </p> <p> Quantitative sampling of the most abundant species, Ambocoelia umbonata, in four successive 5 millimeter layers within three clusters was carried out to determine which process is responsible for cluster formation. Between level variation in shell parameters demonstrates that fragmentation, distortion and valve ratios are independent of trends in position, density, and disarticulation. The trends are not controlled by geological agents, but rather result from ecological conditions. Furthermore, the size distributions of Arnbocoelia are bimodal and have to be explained on a biological basis. This has led to an interpretation of cluster development involving initiation by occasional spat survival on a somewhat "lethal" substrate, subsequent succession and regulation by ecological requirements, and final termination due to failure of spat recruitment probably because of fecal and/or decay toxin buildup. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This thesis has experimentally studied the strength and stiffness properties of bedding planes and discontinuities in the immediate roof layers overlying Herrin No. 6 coal seam in Illinois. Rock joints and bedding planes are typical discontinuities in bedded rock mass and they control failure initiation and propagation of failure through the rock mass. Strength as well as deformation properties of bedding planes, joints and discontinuities are influenced by their surface roughness, inclination, intact rock properties, and pre-mining stress values and their orientation. The strength and deformation properties (stiffness values) are characterized by peak and residual strength values. Since support loads in excavations are due to deformations of the rock mass, their analysis should consider their strength and stiffness values. The overall goal of this research is to determine the shear strength and associated stiffness properties of bedding planes and joints of the immediate roof strata rocks within 25-30 ft. (7.5-9 m) overlying Herrin no. 6 coal seam (within the pressure arch zone) using direct shear tests. A shear test loading device was designed and integrated into the 150 t (1,334 kN) [*]Forney compression loading machine in the department. It was used to perform direct shear tests in accordance with ASTM D5607-08 " Standard test method for performing laboratory direct shear strength tests of rock specimens under constant normal force". The equipment also allows for determination of peak and residual friction angles along with the dilation angle. A total of 49 bedding plane samples were tested, out of which 46 (36 intact and 10 relatively weak and loose) samples passed QA/QC procedures in accordance to ASTM D5607. Samples from eight (8) different bedding planes- shale/limestone (SL), shale/sandstone (SSs), shale/bone (SB), laminated sandstone (LS), shale/shale (SS), bone/bone (BB), bone/limestone (BL), and limestone/limestone (LL) were tested. The number of samples tested for each bedding plane were: SL- 11, SSs- 8, SB- 5, BB- 4, LS- 6, SS- 9, BL- 1, and LL- 2. Moisture content and as-received unit weight values of samples range 0.9% to 5% and 111 pcf (17.5 kN/m3) to 165 pcf (25 kN/m3), respectively. Shear strength values were developed at 400 psi (2.75 MPa) normal stress. Upon failure, residual shear strengths were determined at 600 psi (4.13 MPa) and 800 psi (5.5 MPa) normal stresses to calculate the angle of sliding friction and to develop the failure criterion for each rock type. Peak and residual shear strength values at 400 psi (2.75 MPa) normal stress range 153 - 907 psi (1.06 - 6.26 MPa) and 119 - 600 psi (0.82 -4.14 MPa), respectively. The average normal and shear stiffness values are 44,000 psi/in (11.98 GPa/m) and 11450 psi/in (3.11 GPa/m). Dilation angles are typically very low (<10◦) and negative in some cases. Joint roughness values with JRC index were typically below 10. Angle of sliding friction values range from 9◦ to 42◦. Failure criterion for different bedding planes and a composite failure criterion representing the behavior of all bedding planes were developed using linear regression. A numerical modeling case study of remnant pillar stability in a southern Illinois mine was performed that used the shear strength and stiffness parameters developed above. FLAC3D, Phase2D, and LaModel were also used to assess the stability of remnant pillars. This study would significantly aid in the design and stability analysis of both surface and underground mines. Data developed can be successfully implemented in safe geotechnical design of any surface and underground structure (both civil and mining) viz. slope stability of open pit mining, subsidence prediction during longwall and room and pillar mining. Results from this thesis would significantly improve in the safe and accurate design of mine excavations. * Equipment mentioned is not for endorsement

Almost all sandstone beds occurring in the Upper Miocene formations at the Los Angeles basin were deposited by turbidity currents. Primary textures and structures indicative of turbidites occur in fair abundance throughout all three Upper Miocene formations. All accessible outcrops of the Puente, Modelo, and Upper Miocene portion of the Monterey and Capistrano Formations were scrutinized for sandstone beds containing primary sedimentary structures. Through study of these structures, the direction of current movement was determined. The pattern of current movement displayed reveals that sediment was being transported into the Los Angeles basin from all sides. Current directions and mineralogic studies indicate that essentially three source areas were supplying sediment into the basin. These source areas are 1) the San Gabriel Mountains, 2) an area to the east of the Santa Ana Mountains, and 3) a ridge of metamorphic rock paralleling the present coast line. The majority of sediment was derived from an area in the San Gabriel Mountains located northeast or the basin. This is evidenced by the fact that the thickness, grain size, and total sand content of the Upper Miocene units decrease southwestward across the basin.

The Dakota Group surrounding Las Vegas, New Mexico, consists of three units: 1) a basal, predominately trough cross-stratified, conglomeratic sandstone, 2) middle intercalated, thin-bedded sandstone and carbonaceous shale, and 3) upper, predominately tabular-planar cross-stratified, sandstone containing trace fossils. These units represent, respectively, 1) a fluvial piedmont plain, 2) fluvial coastal plain, and 3) a beach, littoral, and shallow marine complex. The cross-stratification in the lower sandstone unit indicates an easterly paleoslope. The cross-stratification in the upper sandstone unit has a bimodal distribution almost at right angles to the paleoslope, suggesting deposition by longshore currents. The standard deviation of the cross-stratification in the lower sandstone unit of 78° is typical of fluvial deposits. The standard deviation in the upper sandstone unit of 97° indicates a marine origin.