Maya Elrick
Department
of Earth & Planetary
Sciences
Northrop Hall, MSCO3-2040
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Phone: 505-277-5077, Fax 505-277-8843
dolomite@unm.edu
To return to the Faculty & Staff index page, click here.
To return to the Earth & Planetary Sciences Homepage click here
Elrick, M. and Hinnov, L., in press, Millennial-scale paleoclimate cycles recorded in widespread Paleozoic deeper water rhythmites of North America, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.
Latta,
D*.,
Anastasio, D., Elrick, M.,
Hinnov, L., Kodama, 2006, Milankovitch-timed depositional cyclicity
across the Lower Cretaceous carbonate platform, NE Mexico, Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, in press.
Latta,
D .,* Anastasio, D.,
Hinnov, L., Elrick, M.B.,
Kodoma, K., 2006, Magnetic record of Milankovitch rhythms in
lithologically noncyclic marine carbonates, Geology, v. 34, p. 29-32.
Latta, D .,* Anastasio, D., Elrick, M.B., Hinnov, L., Kodoma, K., in press, Milankovitch-timed depositional cyclicity across the Lower Cretaceous carbonate platform, NE Mexico: Climate variations encoded by rock magnetism, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.
Dehler, C.M.*, Elrick, M. , J.D. Bloch, L.J. Crossey, K.E. Karlstrom, & D. J. Des Marais, High-resolution d13C stratigraphy of the Chuar Group (~770-742 Ma), Grand Canyon: Implications for mid-Neoproterozoic climate change, 2005, GSA Bulletin, v. 117, p. 32-45 .
Scott, Lea Anne* and Elrick, M., 2004, Cycle and sequence stratigraphy of Middle Pennsylvanian (Desmoinesian) strata of the Lucero Basin, central New Mexico, in Carboniferous-Permian transition, Lucas, S.G. and Zeigler, K.E., eds., New Mexico Meseum of Natural History and Science Bulletin, n.25, p. 31-42.
Elrick, M. and Snider*, A. S., 2002, Deep-water stratigraphic cyclicity and carbonate mud mound development in the Middle Marjum Formation, House Range, Utah, USA, Sedimentology, v. 49, p. 1021-1047.
Munnecke,
A., Westphal, H., Elrick, M.,
and Reijmer, J.J.G., 2001, The mineralogical approach of
calcareous rhythmites: a new approach, Int. J. Earth Sciences (Geol. Rundsch),
v. 90, p. 795-812.
Karlstrom, K.E., Bowring, S.A., Dehler,C.M.*, Knoll, A.H., Porter, S.M., Des Marais, D.J., Weil,A.B., Sharp, Z.D., Geissman, J.W., Elrick, M., Timmons, J.M., Crossey, L.J., Davidek, K.L., 2000, Chuar Group of the Grand Canyon: Record of break up of Rodinia associated change in the global carbon cycle, and ecosystem expansion by 740 Ma, Geology, v. 28, p. 619-622.
LaMaskin, T.A.* and Elrick, M., 1997, Sequence stratigraphy of the Middle to Upper Devonian Guilmette Formation, southern Egan and Schell Creek ranges, Nevada: in Klapper, G., Murphy, M.A., and Talent, J.A., eds., Paleozoic Sequence Stratigraphy, Biostratigraphy, and Biogeography: Studies in Honor of J. Granville ("Jess") Johnson: Geological Society of America Special Paper 321, p. 89-112.
Elrick,
M., 1996, Sequence stratigraphy and platform evolution of Middle
Devonian carbonates, eastern Great Basin:
Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 108, p.
392-416.
Elrick,
M. and Hinnov, L.A., 1996, Millennial-scale climate origin for
stratification in Cambrian and Devonian
deep-water rhythmites, western U.S.A.: Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 123, p. 353-372.
Johnson, J. G., Klapper, G., and
Elrick, M., 1996, Devonian
transgressive-regressive cycles and
biostratigraphy, Northern Antelope Range, Nevada: Establishment of reference horizons for global cycles: Palaios, v.
11, p. 3-14.
Elrick,
M., 1995, Cyclostratigraphy of Middle Devonian carbonates in the
eastern Great Basin: Journal of Sedimentary
Research, v. B65, p. 61-79.
Elrick,
M., Read, J. F., and Coruh, C., 1991, Short-term paleoclimatic
fluctuations expressed in Lower
Mississippian ramp-slope deposits, southwestern Montana: Geology, v. 19, p. 799-802.
Elrick,
M., and Read, J. F., 1991, Cyclic ramp-to-basin carbonate
deposits, Lower Mississippian, Wyoming and
Montana: Acombined field and computer modeling study:
Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 61, p. 1194-1224.
Read,
J. F., Osleger, D. A., and Elrick, M.,
1991, Two-dimensional modelling
of carbonate ramp sequences and
component cycles: in Franseen, E.
K.,
Watney, W. L., Kendall, C. St., C.,
Ross, W. C., eds., Sedimentary Modeling: Computer Simulations
and Methods for Improved
Parameter Definitions,
Kansas Geological Survey,
Bulletin 233, p. 231-251.
Dorobek, S. L., Reid, S. K., and Elrick, M., 1991, Antler foreland
stratigraphy of Montana and Idaho: The
stratigraphic record ofeustatic fluctuations and episodic tectonic events: in Cooper, J. D. and
Stevens, C., eds., Paleozoic Paleogeography of the
western United States v. II, Pacific Sec. S.E.P.M., p. 487-508.
Dorobek, S. L., Reid, S. K., Elrick, M., Bond, G. C., and Kominz,
M. A., 1991, Foreland response
to episodic convergence: Subsidence history of the Antler
foredeep and adjacent
cratonic platform areas, Montana and Idaho: in
Franseen, E. K., Watney, W.
L., Kendall, C. St., C., Ross, W. C., eds., Sedimentary Modeling:
Computer Simulations
and Methods for Improved Parameter Definitions, Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 223, p.
473-488.
Poole, F. G., Elrick, M., Tucker, R. E., Harris,
R. N. and Oliver, H. W., 1987, Mineral resources
of the Goshute Canyon wilderness study area, Elko and White Pine:
Ketner, K. B., Day, W., Elrick,
M., Vaag, M. K. and Gerlitz, C.
N., 1987, Mineral resources of the Bluebell and
Goshute Peak wilderness study areas, Elko Co., Nevada:
U.S.G.S. Bulletin, 1726.
Elrick, M., Atudorei, V., Sharp,
Z., 2006, Challenges to Early-Middle Devonian greenhouse climate
interpretations: oxygen isotope evidence from conodont apatite, GSA
Meeting, Philidelphia, PA, Oct, 2006
Elrick, M., Atudorei, V., Sharp,
Z., 2006, Investigating the origin of Paleozoic 3rd-order sea-level
changes using oxygen isotopes of apatitic conodonts, European
Geophysical Union, Vienna, Austria, April, 2006.
Elrick, M.B., Emms, M.,* and
Atudorei, V., 2005, Using oxygen isotopes of apatitic conodonts to
understand the origin of 3rd-order Paleozoic sea-level fluctuations ,
Earth Systems Processes-II, Calgary, Canada,
Elrick, M.B., Neidel,
L.L.,* Scott, L.A.,* 2004, Estimating the change in
Pennsyvlanian ice volume using the oxygen isotopes of apatitic
conodonts, GSA Annual Meeting, Denver CO.
Elrick, M.B., and Molina-Garza, Robert, Paleoceanographic
changes across the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary (mid-Cretaceous) in
carbonates of southern Mexico, GSA Annual Meeting, Seattle WA, Nov.
2003
Scott, L.A.,* and Elrick, M.B., 2003, Meteroic
diagenesis of the Middle Pennsylvanian Madera Group, Lucero Basin, New
Mexico: Field, petrographic, and isotopic evidence, GSA Annual Meeting,
Seattle, Nov, 2003, p. 508.
Scott, L.A*., and Elrick, M.B., 2003, Cycle and
sequence stratigraphy of the Middle Pennsylvanian (Desmoinesian) Gray
Mesa Member of the Madera Group, Lucero Basin, New Mexico, NMGS Spring
meeting, April.
Elrick, M., Getty, S., Ebert, J.,
and Asmerom, Y., 2002, U-Pb isotopic age dating of
Devonian conodonts : A new method for dating Paleozoic marine
sedimentary deposits? GSA Rocky Mnt. Section, Cedar, Utah, May,
2002, abst. with programs, p. 52.
Dehler, C.M*., Elrick, M, Crossey, L.J., and
Karlstrom K.E., 2002, Lithostratigraphic and
chemostratigraphic relationships in the Neoproterozoic Chuar
Group, Grand Canyon: implications for controls on C-isotope
variability of Neoproterozoic oceans, GSA Rocky Mnt. Section, Cedar,
Utah, May, 2002, abst. with programs, p. 18.
Elrick, M. and Molina-Garza,
Roberto, 2002, Cycle stratigraphy and
chemostratigraphy of Cenomanian-Turonian (Late Cretaceous) shallow-
through deep- marine carbonates and siliciclastics, southern Mexico,
JOI/USSAP/NSF Workshop on Cretaceous Climate and Ocean Dynamics,
Florissant, CO, July, 2002, abst. with programs, p. 19.
Habib, Leoandro*, and Elrick, M., 2002, Early silicification of Upper
Ordovician, GSA
National meeting, Denver, CO, Oct, 2002, abst. with programs, p. 17.
Dehler, C.M.,* Elrick,M., Des Marais, D.J.,
Karlstrom K.E., Crossey, L.C. Sharp, Z., 2001, A high-resolution
C-isotope record from the mid-Neoproterozoic (800-742 Ma) Chuar Group,
Grand Canyon, GSA Earth System meeting, Scotland.
Elrick, M.B., and Snider, A.C., * 2000, Deep-water stratigraphic
cyclicity and carbonate mud mound development in the Middle Cambrian
Marjum Formation, House Range, Utah, Geological Society of American
Abst. p. A-278,
Nov.
Dehler, C.M.*, Elrick, M.B., Karlstrom K.E.,
Crossey, L.C., Smith, G.A., 2000, Cyclostratigraphy of the
mid-Neoproterozoic Chuar Group (800-742 Ma), Grand Canyon: A record of
climatic and tectonic transitions into the Sturtian glacial and during
Rodinia breaku, Geological Society of American Abst. p. A-375, Nov.
* denotes ME graduate student
EDUCATION
Ph.D. 1990
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (advisor J.F. Read)
M.S. 1985 Oregon
State University (advisor J.G. Johnson)
B.S.
1981 U.C. Santa Cruz
PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
1990- present
Associate Professor, University of
New Mexico
1981-1983 U.S.G.S. Field and Research Assistant
CLASSES TAUGHT/TEACHING
Oceanography,
Sedimentology-Stratigraphy, Carbonate Sedimentology-Stratigraphpy,
Earth History, Advanced Sedimentology, Field Camp, Basin Analysis
PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE
Geology Editorial Board 2004-2007
Associate Editor Journal of Sedimentary Research 2004-2007
GSA Joint Technical Program Committee 2000-2003
GSA Women and Minorities Committee 2003-2006
Reviews for:
GSA Bulletin, Geology, Sedimentology, JSR,
Sedimentary Geology, Precambrian Geology, AAPG, P-3
NSF, PRF, DOE
Pennsylvanian
conodont elements
One of the most striking features of Precambrian through Phanerozoic
deep-water carbonates is a bedding style characterized by thin,
even-bedded, fine-grained limestone layers rhythmically interbedded
with marl or shale layers ("rhythmites"). Individual
limestone-marl (or shale) couplets can be traced for hundreds of meters
to many kilometers. The origin of the rhythmites has been
attributed to primary depositional alternations between carbonate-rich
(limestone) and carbonate-poor (marl or shale) facies and are termed
"depositional rhythmites" (e.g., Elrick et al., 1991; Elrick and
Hinnov, 1996). Alternatively, the interlayering has been
attributed to differential diagenesis and unmixing of a relatively
homogeneous precursor and are called "diagenetic rhythmites" (Ricken,
1986; Munnecke and Samtleben, 1996; Westphal et al., 2000).
The origin and duration of at least 12 different
Paleozoic depositional rhythmites successions has been investigated,
and in each case, the individual limestone-marl/shale couplets
represent <3000 years of time and the main process influencing the
deposition of alternating lithologies was controlled by paleoclimatic
changes which controlled 1) the amount of eolian and/or fluvial
sediment input into the offshore basins, 2) storm-generated or dilute
density currents delivering fine detrital carbonate and sponge spicules
to the offshore basins, and/or 3) wind-driven upwelling currents which
supplied dissolved silica to benthic sponge populations. (various past
NSF and PRF funding).

CYCLOSTRATIGRAPHY AND SEQUENCE
STRATIGRAPHY OF PROTEROZOIC, PALEOZOIC,
MESOZOIC, AND TERTIARY CARBONATES OF THE WESTERN U.S., MEXICO, AND
SPAIN
Our research group has been studying the cyclostratigraphy and sequence
stratigraphpy of various Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Tertiary
marine systems across the western U.S., Mexico, and Spain. This
type of work forms the basis for all subsequent paleoceanographic,
paleclimatologic, or geochemical studies. (Work funded by various past
NSF funding)
MILANKOVITCH-SCALE
CYCLICITY RECORDED IN THE MAGNETIC SIGNATURE OF CARBONATE ROCKS
(collaboration with Dave Anastasio and Ken Kodama, Lehigh University)
Rock magnetic
variations record cyclicity within lithologically homogeneous, outer
shelf lime mudstones of the Lower Cretaceous San Angel Limestone,
northeastern Mexico. Variations in ferromagnetic mineral
concentrations, as measured by anhysteretic remanent magnetization
(ARM), occur at frequencies consistent with Milankovitch orbital
rhythms. Magnetic mineral composition, grain-size distributions, and
grain shapes from digested samples are congruent with far-traveled
atmospheric dust. Prevailing winds and the proximity of the Cretaceous
basin to an African eolian source support the encoding of orbitally
modulated changes in wind intensity or source area aridity within the
San Angel Limestone. ARM measurements offer great potential to
calibrate the pace of depositional processes in carbonate-dominated
sedimentary deposits and to investigate high-frequency orbitally driven
climate change in widely distributed basinal strata throughout geologic
time (from Latta et al., 2006, Geology, Latta et al., submitted
to P-3) (NSF funding).
INVESTIGATING
THE USE OF APATITIC CONODONTS FOR U-Pb AGE DATING OF PALEOZOIC-TRIASSIC
MARINE SEDIMENTARY DEPOSITS (collaboration with Steve Getty, James
Ebert, Yemane Asmerom,
Victor Polyak)
Conodonts are
phosphatic microfossils common in many marine deposits of Cambrian
through Permian age and they provide some of the highest resolution
biostratigraphic age control available for rocks of this
age. U-Pb isotopic age dates from conodonts would provide
much needed absolute age control for many stratigraphic successions
which contain conodonts. We are testing the utility of conodonts
for U-Pb isotopic age dating using limestone samples from the Middle
Devonian Onondaga Formation (Cherry Valley, New York) and compared the
U-Pb age to that of the well dated Tioga “B” bentonite which
immediately overlies the sampled limestone layer. Zircons and
monazites from this bentonite have been dated by Tucker et al. (1998)
and Roden et al. (1990) as 391 ±1.8 Ma and 390 ± 0.5 Ma,
respectively. Approximately 6 kg of skeletal limestone was
collected and 70-120 individual conodont elements were analyzed for
each data point using standard isotopic dilution techniques.
Preliminary results indicate that the conodont ages overlap with the
bentonite age; the conodonts are dated as 406 ± 18 Ma.
These promising results from the Middle Devonian conodonts may
partially be a function of the fact that the conodonts were partially
silicified which limited the affects of burial diagenesis.
PALEOCEANOGRAPHIC CHANGE RECORDED
IN THE C-ISOTOPE STRATIGRAPHY AND SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF
MID-CRETACEOUS (CENOMANIAN-TURONIAN) MARINE CARBONATES OF SOUTHERN
MEXICO (collaboration with Roberto
Molina-Garza, UNAM)
The Albian-Turonian Morelos Formation (>800 m) was deposited along a
westward-deepening carbonate platform in southern Mexico (Guerrero
state) and is composed of subtidal through peritidal skeletal
wackestone-grainstones. It is abruptly overlain by the Turonian Mexcala
Formation (1000 m), which is composed of pelagic carbonates and
siliciclastic turbidites. The higher sediment accumulation rates of
platform carbonates (vs. pelagic rates) permits previously unattainable
high-resolution data on the Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) boundary and the
relationship between nearshore physical/biologic processes (sea-level
and benthic biota changes) and geochemical processes (anoxia, stable
isotope, TOC, trace elements). In addition, these C-T boundary deposits
provide a much-needed record of Pacific/Caribbean ocean influences;
much of our present knowledge comes from C-T sections in the
proto-Atlantic or Western Interior seaway.
Only minor evidence of high-frequency sea-level
changes is observed (meter-scale upward shallowing cycles) and
systematic facies changes related to M.y.-scale sea-level change
(depositional sequences) are absent except for abrupt deepening just
above the C-T boundary. Three sections show similar C-isotope trends
over a 60-100 m-thick interval (~0.5 m sampling interval): relatively
uniform values positive values (over ~30 m), two abrupt 2-3‰ negative
shifts (<10 m), an abrupt 5-6‰ positive shift (<3 m), plateau of
uniformly higher values (~10 m), a gradual 2-6‰ decrease (~10 m),
followed by relatively uniform values (10<sup>+</sup>m).
TOC values are low (<0.2 wt%) and show no obvious stratigraphic
trends. Trace metal abundance anomalies (Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cs, W, Sb,
Mo, Ag, Se) across the Mexican C-T boundary are explained by magma
outgassing and hydrothermal exchange with seawater during volcanic
activity that built the Caribbean oceanic plateau at ~90-94 My,
supporting a possible link between the global C-T isotope excursion
(OAE-2) and large oceanic plateau formation.

Mark Tyra (2005-present)
PhD Late Ordovician paleoclimate studies using oxygen isotopes of
apatitic conodonts
matyra@unm.edu
Lea
Anne Scott
MS (2004)
Cyclostratigraphy and meteoric diagenesis of Middle Pennsylvanian
carbonates in
central New Mexico
Carol Dehler
PhD
(2001) Stratigraphy and carbon isotope stratigraphy of the
Neoproterozoic Chuar Group, Grand Canyon
chuaria@usu.edu
Anna Snider
MS (1997) Deep-water
stratigraphic cyclicity and mud mound formation, Middle Cambrian Marjum
Formation, western Utah
Todd LaMaskin
MS (1996)
Cyclostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy of the Upper Devonian
Guilmette Formation
tlamaski@uoregon.edu