The Pennsylvanian Pewamo Formation and Associated Haybridge Strata: Toward the Resolution of the Jurassic Ionia Red Bed Problem in the Michigan Basin, U.S.A.

Abstract

Two distinct and newly recognized, formation-scale stratigraphic units, predominantly red-bed sandstones and shales, are found on the surface and in the shallow subsurface of the central Michigan region. Here, we use core, field, and laboratory observations to document these strata, which we propose as one new formation, the Pewamo Formation. The Pewamo Formation consists of eolian quartz sandstones with red coloration due to iron-oxide diagenesis, and interbedded interdune lacustrine siliciclastic mudstones. We also describe for the first time the Haybridge strata, which contains red sandstones, red and gray shales, and coal, and has plant fossils and paleosol features. Macroscopic plant fossils and palynomorphs suggest a Pennsylvanian age for both units. These newly described continental deposits provide data about past environments, life, and climate for the late Carboniferous of Michigan. In addition, this study is an evaluation of Michigan's controversial ''Jurassic red beds'' and ''Ionia sandstone.''

The paleoclimatic and geochronologic utility of coring red beds and evaporites: a case study from the RKB core (Permian, Kansas, USA)

“…Many of the proxies most commonly applied to paleoclimatic reconstructions in, e.g., modern/recent, organic-rich lacustrine units (e.g., organic biomarkers, pollen, and redox-sensitive transition metals) are considered to be compromised in oxidized systems. Yet examples of remarkable preservation in red bed strata do occur, such as the presence of (1) superparamagnetic magnetite and the accompanying magnetic susceptibility record in Permian red beds (Soreghan et al 1997) and (2) pristine pollen and spores in Cenozoic and Pennsylvanian red beds (Benison et al 2011;Oboh-Ikuenobe and Sanchez Botero 2013;Sánchez Botero et al 2013). Moreover, in red bedevaporite successions, the evaporites-if protected from dissolution and alteration caused by post-depositional infiltration of dilute waters-can yield a variety of high-resolution quantitative and qualitative paleoclimate data (e.g., Benison and Goldstein 1999;Sánchez Botero et al 2013;Zambito and Benison 2013).…”

Ancient Aeolian Reservoirs of the East Siberia Craton

“…This feature was also detected in other formations all over the world belonging to various geological times. However, in most cases, it is explained by the concordant work of wind and glacial-fluvial transported sediments [34,[84][85][86][87][88] because it is very difficult to distinguish aeolian deposits after they have been mixed and reworked with fluvial material [89].…”

Evaluation and Clustering Maps of Groundwater Wells in the Red Beds of Chengdu, Sichuan, China

“…Although red beds [3][4][5][6] and the groundwater in red beds [7][8][9] have been studied, no comprehensive scientific examinations of groundwater wells in red beds have been conducted. Generally, exploiting the groundwater found in red beds is not abundant for inland cities, approximately 350,000 people face water scarcity due to poor soil and water conservation.…”