Utah State University

Title

Geochemical Provenance of Clastic Sedimentary Rocks in the Western Cordillera: Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oregon.

Author

John Aaron Peterson, Utah State University

Date of Award:

5-2009

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Geology

Advisor/Chair:

John W. Shervais

Abstract

Sedimentary rocks are an important source of information about previous orogenic conditions and the composition of which may describe the evolution of provenance and tectonic setting. Many factors influence sediment composition, namely, source rock composition, chemical weathering, climate, transport burial, and diagenesis. As the sediment composition changes through time, the geochemical characteristics of the sediment can be used to understand its geologic history.

The geochemical characteristics of clastic sedimentary rocks are useful in determining the depositional setting and its associated provenance. Although many different studies have used geochemical discriminants to evaluate provenance and tectonic settings, none have used a defined geochemical method. This study evaluates the present-day geochemical approaches to see which, if any, are the most useful.

Recommended Citation

Peterson, John Aaron, "Geochemical Provenance of Clastic Sedimentary Rocks in the Western Cordillera: Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oregon." (2009). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. Paper 439.
http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/439