Ichnology and Composition of the Pinelog Formation Quartzite, Jasper, Georgia: Situating the Formation in the Geologic Record. Público

Abstract

Abstract
Ichnology and Composition of the Pinelog Formation Quartzite, Jasper, Georgia: Situating the
Formation in the Geologic Record.
By James Brandon Shope
The Pinelog Formation Quartzite is a low-grade metamorphosed quartz arenite that crops out
near Jasper, Georgia. Its lithology, physical sedimentary structures, and trace fossils indicate that
its sediments were initially deposited in a shallow, near-shore marine environment. The presence
of trace fossils (Palaeophycus) has been previously documented; however, this discovery was not
examined in detail and the full implications of these fossils remained unresolved. Furthermore,
despite this information about the original depositional environment of the Pinelog Formation, its
age and occurrence have not been clearly defined. Previous work has placed the Pinelog in the
Ediacaran Period; however, examples of Palaeophycus and trace fossils indicate the Pinelog is at
least of Cambrian age. Samples of bedding and fossil burrows were collected from two different
outcrops and burrow dimensions measured. These burrows are compared with descriptions of the
identified trace fossils in the literature to determine if their classifications were appropriate. The
mineral composition of each sample was analyzed through thin-section point counts, and mineral
proportions were compared with the Snowbird Group (Ocoee Supergroup) and the Chilhowee
Group to better determine the lithologic affinity of the Pinelog Formation. Locations of samples
and associated features were mapped using ESRI's ArcGISTM software, which was used to
show the distribution of physical and chemical features. Burrow samples collected by Martin and
Crawford (1996) were then re-measured and in one instance reclassified as Taenidium. The
presence of Taenidium indicates that the Pinelog Formation is at least Cambrian in age and most
probably belongs to the Chilhowee Group based on that age.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION….………………….………………………………………………………………1
TRACE FOSSIL DESCRIPTIONS...………………………………………………………………..3
METHODS..………………………………………………………………………………………….5
RESULTS.…………………………………………………………………………………………….9
DISC …………………………………………………………………………….......................19
CONCLUSIONS……………………………………………………………………………..........23
REFERENCES CITED...…………………………………………………………………….........25
APPENDIX A. COORDINATE AND SAMPLE ANALYSIS DATA...………………................27
APPENDIX B. IN-DEPTH SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS...…………………………………….....28
APPENDIX C. BURROW DIAMETER MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICS.....……………..38

FIGURES AND TABLES

FIGURE 1. LOCALITY MAP OF THE MIDDLE PINELOG FORMATION AT.....………………6
FIGURE 2. EXAMPLE OF DARKER, POSSIBLY REDUCTION SPOTS PROMINENT...……...6
FIGURE 3. THE DISTRIBUTION OF GRAIN SIZES BY SAMPLE LOCATION..……………..10
FIGURE 4. THE DISTRIBUTION OF PHYSICAL STRUCTURES OBSERVED...……………..11
FIGURE 5. THE DISTRIBUTION OF MATURITY ROCKS BY SAMPLE LOCATION.....…….12
FIGURE 6. DISTRIBUTION OF IRON STAINING IN ROCKS BY SAMPLE LOCATION...….13
FIGURE 7. MINERAL COMPOSITION OF THE HENDERSON MOUNTAIN.....……………..14
FIGURE 8. PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF THE HENDERSON MOUNTAIN QUARTZITE...…….15
FIGURE 9. SIZE-FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF PALAEOPHYCUS DIAMETERS.....….16
TABLE 1. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS FOR PALAEOPHYCUS FROM THE PINELOG........16
TABLE 2. Z-TEST FOR SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE MEANS OF OBSERVED……………..17
FIGURE 10. EXAMPLE OF PALAEOPHYCUS AND POSSIBLE TAENIDIUM......…………..18
FIGURE 11. TAENIDIUM ICHNOFOSSIL WITH A MENISCATE..……………………………18
TABLE 3.COMPARISON OF FEATURES DESCRIBED BY PEMBERTON AND........………..19
TABLE 4. COORDINATE AND SAMPLE ANALYSIS DATA.......………………………………27
TABLE 5. BURROW DIAMETER MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICS.......………………...38

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Environmental Studies
Degree	BS
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Mineralogy Paleontology Geology
Palabra Clave	Jasper Palaeophycus Pinelog Ichnology Taenidium Cambrian Quartzite Trace Fossil Henderson Mountain Skolithos Burrow
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Martin, Anthony, Emory University
Committee Members	Henderson, Stephen W, Emory University Size, William B, Emory University

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