The Permian Hutchinson Salt Member of Kansas: Marine, Continental, or Transitional?

The science and industry of the Permian Hutchinson Salt

“…Additionally, displacive halite crystals were observed in some shale and gypsum/anhydrite beds. Preliminary observations indicate that during deposition, shallow brines experienced cycles of fl ooding, evapoconcentration, and desiccation (Andeskie and Benison, 2018).…”

“…The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) 2 core examined during this fi eld trip is being used for the fi rst modern sedimentological evaluation of the Hutchinson Salt regarding depositional environment and diagenetic history (Andeskie and Benison, 2018). The AEC 2 core was drilled in Lyons, Kansas, in October 1970 and accessed the Hutchinson Salt at depths of 225.5-355.2 m with a recovered thickness of 109.7 m. Preliminary observations confi rm and add to Dellwig's (1968) descriptions; in addition to chevrons and cumulates in bedded halite and mudcracks and ripple marks in the interbedded shales, discontinuous, wavy beds, ripple cross-beds, and dewatering structures were also noted.…”

“…Unaltered primary fl uid inclusions are aligned along growth bands in chevrons and cumulates in the bedded halite of the Hutchinson Salt. These inclusions may be all-liquid or liquid with solids (Andeskie and Benison, 2018). The fl uids likely represent depositional waters; the solids are crystals of other minerals that existed in the brine at time of precipitation of the halite.…”

“…Displacive halite, anhydrite nodules, and intergranular halite cement formed early by saline groundwaters. Late-stage diagenetic features include halite dissolution pipes fi lled with clear halite cement (Andeskie and Benison, 2018 The eastern depositional limit of the Hutchinson Salt is buried by Pleistocene and recent sediments east of U.S. Hwy I-135 near this stop (Fig. 1).…”

“…Fluid inclusion petrography is essential to discern primary from secondary fl uid inclusions. Within primary fl uid inclusions, Permian depositional waters, crystals, air bubbles, and microorganisms can be observed (Andeskie and Benison, 2018). (2610 S. Mohawk Rd., Hutchinson, Kansas 67501; N 38° 01′ 17.59″, W 97° 59′ 34.05″ -WGS84 Datum) Stop 3.1.…”