Pennsylvanian fluvial systems in southwest Missouri, USA: A possible link to fluvio-deltaic sedimentation in the Boston Mountains and Arkoma basin

Abstract

On this trip, we review and examine depositional environments, sediment routing, and compositional trends of Carboniferous strata in northern Arkansas and southwest Missouri, USA. We demonstrate the likelihood that, during the Pennsylvanian, Appalachian sediment was routed southward through Missouri within incised channels and into Arkansas. Some of these channels are still preserved. They are subparallel and oriented approximately north to south; cross-bedding and clast imbrication consistently indicate southerly flow. Sandstone within the channels has very little feldspar with almost no igneous rock fragments but does contain significant amounts of metamorphic rock fragments. This composition points to the Appalachians as a major source area. The composition of the channel sandstones is close to those of Morrowan and Atokan fluvio-deltaic sandstones in the Boston Mountains, which were deposited by southward flowing streams. It takes but little interpolation to connect these deposits and conclude that the channels in southwest Missouri transported sediment to the Boston Mountains and possibly as far as Arkoma basin.

Department(s)

School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.1130/2025.0072(01)

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Journal Title

GSA Field Guides

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