Eolian Dust and the Origin of Sedimentary Chert
This paper proposes an alternative model for the primary source of silica contained in bedded sedimentary chert. The proposed model is derived from three principal observations as follows: (1) eolian processes in warm-arid climates produce copious amounts of highly reactive fine-grained quartz particles (dust), (2) eolian processes in warm-arid climates export enormous quantities of quartzose dust to marine environments, and (3) bedded sedimentary cherts generally occur in marine strata that were deposited in warm-arid paleoclimates where dust was a potential source of silica. An empirical integration of these observations suggests that eolian dust best explains both the primary and predominant source of silica for most bedded sedimentary cherts.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2004 |
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Title | Eolian Dust and the Origin of Sedimentary Chert |
DOI | 10.3133/ofr20041098 |
Authors | C. Blaine Cecil |
Publication Type | Report |
Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
Series Title | Open-File Report |
Series Number | 2004-1098 |
Index ID | ofr20041098 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |