Applications of Ichnology to Petroleum Exploration: A Core Workshop

The field of ichnology (the study of animal-sediment relationships) is undergoing rapid expansion. Increased significance is being attached to trace fossils in environmental and diagenetic interpretations of rock units and in establishing basic stratigraphic frameworks. The subject, therefore, is of importance not only for ichnologists but also for invertebrate and vertebrate paleontologists, paleoecologists, sedimentologists, stratigraphers, and resource geologists. The main purpose of this workshop is: a) to introduce the basic concepts of ichnology; b) to learn how to recognize basic types of trace fossils in core; c) to place these structures in their appropriate paleontologic, sedimentologic, and stratigraphic content; and d) to integrate this data with other lines of evidence to aid in petroleum exploration.
Ichnology and Event Stratigraphy: The Use of Trace Fossils in Recognizing Tempestites Available to Purchase
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Published:January 01, 1992
Abstract
Tempestites exhibit a characteristic suite of trace fossils that are related to the population strategies of benthic organisms. The general succession consists of: (a) a fairweather resident trace fossil suite; (b) a sharp basal contact, with or without a basal lag; (c) parallel to subparallel laminations (reflecting hummocky or swaley cross-stratification); (d) common escape structures; (e) the dwelling burrows of opportunistic organisms that colonize the unexploited storm unit; (f) gradational burrowed tops, representative of bioturbation resulting from subsequent burrowing by organisms from higher colonization levels; and (g) a fairweather resident trace fossil suite indicative of a return to quiescent conditions following storm abatement.