Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2009. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed November 11, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-87).

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In contrast to early work establishing the importance of earthquake-induced liquefaction in producing soft-sediment deformation (SSD) of the Navajo Sandstone, this report advances the use of SSD analysis to: characterize wet climatic conditions and flood events during the depositional history of ancient eolianites; discriminate the signatures of multiple deformation events from those of complex deformation features formed in a single event; and to document the occurrence of liquefaction features unrepresented in modern Earth analogues. The diversity of deformation styles, presented here, is very unusual in a report from a single formation; yet the high resolution of interpreted time relationships between various processes of deposition, erosion, water table fluctuation, and deformation is even more notable. These exceptional features derive from the extraordinary outcrops of the Colorado Plateau, which expose many large-scale (tens of meters) features throughout their entire extent and reveal an extended history of episodic deformation through thick (hundreds of meters) sections of cross-bedded units, which frequently continue along several kilometers of cliff face. Prior studies of fluid escape from unconsolidated sand that support the present work are outlined in Chapter II. These include laboratory simulations of liquefaction and fluidization as well as analyses of analogous deposits, both ancient and modern. Chapter III provides an overview of outcrop evidence, gathered during the course of this study, for dramatic alterations in the topography and sedimentation patterns of the Navajo erg. Interpreted perturbations include: the foundering of active dunes; sediment eruptions; and the subsidence of interdune surfaces. Chapter IV constitutes an example of the detailed analyses that support the overview of Chapter III. Outcrop features from a site in West Canyon, Arizona provide the basis for interpreting the subsidence of a dry interdune surface to a position several meters below the contemporary water table, followed by the filling of this depression with a succession of mass flow, lacustrine, and eolian deposits. Chapter V outlines the implications of various outcrop features for the prevailing model of soft-sediment deformation in the Navajo Sandstone. Proposed modifications of this model accommodate a broader range of deformation dynamics and specifically incorporate the impact of wet climates.

In contrast to early work establishing the importance of earthquake-induced liquefaction in producing soft-sediment deformation (SSD) of the Navajo Sandstone, this report advances the use of SSD analysis to: characterize wet climatic conditions and flood events during the depositional history of ancient eolianites; discriminate the signatures of multiple deformation events from those of complex deformation features formed in a single event; and to document the occurrence of liquefaction features unrepresented in modern Earth analogues. The diversity of deformation styles, presented here, is very unusual in a report from a single formation; yet the high resolution of interpreted time relationships between various processes of deposition, erosion, water table fluctuation, and deformation is even more notable. These exceptional features derive from the extraordinary outcrops of the Colorado Plateau, which expose many large-scale (tens of meters) features throughout their entire extent and reveal an extended history of episodic deformation through thick (hundreds of meters) sections of cross-bedded units, which frequently continue along several kilometers of cliff face. Prior studies of fluid escape from unconsolidated sand that support the present work are outlined in Chapter II. These include laboratory simulations of liquefaction and fluidization as well as analyses of analogous deposits, both ancient and modern. Chapter III provides an overview of outcrop evidence, gathered during the course of this study, for dramatic alterations in the topography and sedimentation patterns of the Navajo erg. Interpreted perturbations include: the foundering of active dunes; sediment eruptions; and the subsidence of interdune surfaces. Chapter IV constitutes an example of the detailed analyses that support the overview of Chapter III. Outcrop features from a site in West Canyon, Arizona provide the basis for interpreting the subsidence of a dry interdune surface to a position several meters below the contemporary water table, followed by the filling of this depression with a succession of mass flow, lacustrine, and eolian deposits. Chapter V outlines the implications of various outcrop features for the prevailing model of soft-sediment deformation in the Navajo Sandstone. Proposed modifications of this model accommodate a broader range of deformation dynamics and specifically incorporate the impact of wet climates.

Salt water is produced from the Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale in central Utah as part of the production of coalbed methane (CBM) and is disposed of by injection predominantly into the Navajo Sandstone between 4,500 feet to 7,300 feet and is considered to be a hazardous waste. Local government agencies are concerned about the potential impacts on shallow groundwater because of this disposal method. Water samples were gathered from four shallow water-supply wells, and nine salt water disposal (SWD) wells to compare hydrochemistries as an indicator of potential mixing. Shallow water-supply wells are likely recharged by local precipitation while the source of CO2 is from atmospheric and/or soil CO2 gas and comparatively, are low in total dissolved solids. Carbonate mineral dissolution is the source of CO2 in the SWD wells and is exceptionally high in TDS. The SWD water appears to be old water and displays an evaporative signature. A geologic analysis was conducted for the Drunkards Wash gas field using 479 digital gas well logs. Three subsurface faults were identified with one fault in the north and the other two in the central part of the gas field near the eastern and western flanks. These faults were further confirmed by comparing average monthly gas and water production from the first 24 months in these faulted areas to adjacent control areas. Areas near faults reveal two to six times greater gas production than that of the associated control areas, and water production is greater by nearly an order of magnitude. This difference is likely due to the fracturing associated with the damage zone near the faults allowing for increased flow of gas and water. Due to the high injection pressures the vertical hydraulic gradient has been reversed from downward to upward. However, due to the thick sequences of shale separating the disposal aquifers and the shallow aquifers the estimated time required for the disposal waters to migrate to the surface would be at least 2,000 years. I conclude that the saline waters produced from the Ferron Sandstone are being safely sequestered in deeply buried, extensive and geologically-sealed aquifers.

Thesis (Ph. D. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-133).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Geology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-88).

Geochemistry has been used to determine the provenance and diagenetic history of eolian sandstone deposits. However, the grain size, sorting, cementation, and detrital composition of eolian units can change along dune foreset laminae. The purpose of this study was to test for consistent trends of compositional change along dune foresets. Such trends could increase the quality of geochemical sampling of eolian sandstones and possibly aid in estimating the original height of ancient sand dunes. XRF data was gathered for both major and trace elements from the Pennsylvanian to Permian Weber Sandstone, Early Jurassic Navajo Sandstone, and modern Coral Pink Sand Dunes of southern Utah. Data was plotted using both 2-dimensional scatter plots and 3-dimensional principal components analysis (PCA) plots. The PCA plots proved to be the most informative and suggest that there are no consistent, statistically significant geochemical trends within or between the three units sampled. However, this study found that PCA was able to show significant geochemical differences between the three units sampled, even when they are all dominated by a single mineral (>90% quartz). The Weber Sandstone had the most varied composition, and dunes within the unit could be highly dissimilar to each other. The Navajo Sandstone had less overall geochemical variability than the Weber Sandstone, and individual dunes were similar to each other. The modern Coral Pink Sand Dunes had much less compositional variation than either of the other two units, and dunes in this unit were very similar to each other.

Reservoir heterogeneity plays an important role in oil field economics and completion strategies. We herein characterize the reservoir heterogeneity of the Early Jurassic Navajo Sandstone in the Justensen Flat/Devils Canyon area of the San Rafael Swell, Utah. These outcrops are located approximately 60 kilometers (45 mi) east of the recently discovered Covenant oil field which is located in the central Utah thrust belt exploration play. The reservoir for the Covenant field is the Navajo Sandstone. This study can serve as an outcrop analogue for this developing play and other eolian reservoirs worldwide. There are eight facies within the Navajo Sandstone in the Justensen Flat/Devils Canyon area based on differences in primary and secondary sedimentary structures, sedimentary texture, petrology, porosity/permeability, and other macro-scale features of the outcrop. Three facies were deposited by eolian dunes. These serve as the primary reservoir facies of the Navajo in the Justensen Flat/Devils Canyon area, displaying relatively high porosity and permeability (approximately 28 percent porosity and 100 mD of permeability). Five interdune facies display finer grain size, more abundant cement, and relatively lower porosity and permeability (approximately 18 percent porosity and 29 mD of permeability). Four of the five inderdune facies have variable porosity and permeability or are not laterally extensive (tens of meters). These four facies act as baffles to fluid flow within the reservoir. One interdune facies, the Wavy Algal Matted facies (WAM), displays very low porosity (10 percent) and permeability (0.265 mD) based on 4 samples, and is laterally extensive in the field area (greater than 1 km2). There are nine facies in the Wolverine Federal 17-3 core from the Covenant Field, four of which are tidally influenced. This is unique compare to the Justensen Flat/Devils Canyon outcrop. Tidal influence was apparently present in western Utah but did not have a direct influence on sedimentation 60 kilometers (45 mi) to the east. The Large Trough Cross-stratified (LTC) facies, which serves as the primary reservoir of the Navajo Sandstone, was observed in both outcrop and core. The laterally extensive, low permeability WAM facies was also present in both core and outcrop, suggesting the possibility of reservoir partitioning within oil fields having eolian reservoirs similar to the Navajo Sandstone.