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Maya Elrick
Carbonate Stratigraphy, Paleoceanography, Paleoclimatology

   


Publication List

Recent Abstracts

Curriculum Vitae

Current Research Projects

  Students

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

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Publications

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.

Dehler, C.M.*, Elrick, M., Karlstrom, K.E., Smith, G.A., Crossey, L.J., Timmons, J.M., 2001, Neoproterozoic Chuar Group (800-742 Ma) Grand Canyon: a record of cyclic marine deposition during global cooling and supercontinent rifting, Sedimentary Geology, v. 141-142, p.465-499.

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.

Ketner, K.B. Day, W.C., Elrick, M.,Vaag, M.K. Zimmerman, R.A., Wardlaw, B.R., Taylor, M.E., and Harris, A.G., 1998, An outline of tectonic, igneous, and metamorphic events in the Goshute-Toano Range between Silver Zone Pass and White Horse Pass, Elko Co., Nevada: A history of superposed contractional and extensional deformation, U.S.G.S. Professional Paper 1593, 12 p.

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.

Read, J. F., Osleger, D. A., and Elrick, M., 1990, Computer modelling of cyclic carbonate sequences: G.S.A. Short Course, Dallas, Texas, 54 p.

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: U.S.G.S. Bulletin 1725.

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.

* denotes graduate student

Recent Abstracts

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



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Curriculum Vitae

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

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Current Research Projects


OXYGEN ISOTOPES FROM APATITIC CONODONTS (EXTINCT MARINE MICROFOSSILS) FOR INVESTIGATING PALEOZOIC-TRIASSIC PALEOCEANOGRAPHIC CHANGE (collaboration with Zach Sharp and Viorel Atudorei, UNM)

(1)  Third-order (1-5 My-scale) transgressive-regressive sequences are pervasive in Precambrian through Phanerozoic marine deposits.  The origin of eustatic sea-level changes generating such sequences is not understood because there is no known glacio-eustatic climate driver occurring these time scales and tectonically driven changes in mid-ocean ridge volumes are too slow to account for such sequences.  To address the origin of persistent Paleozoic 3rd-order sea-level changes, we are analyzing the d18O values of apatitic conodonts from both greenhouse and icehouse 3rd-order carbonate sequences to determine if there is a systematic relationship between transgressive-regressive facies and d18O values. In contrast to CaCO3, phosphatic minerals are particularly resistant to diagenetic alteration and provide an excellent proxy for determining changes in ice volume and seawater temperatures.  If the sequences were generated by climatically driven processes (glacio- or thermal-eustasy), then transgressive facies should record smaller d18O values then the overlying regressive facies.  No such relationship should exist if the sequences were generated by tectonic processes.

Two of four globally correlative Middle Devonian 3rd-order sequences (~40-200 m) from the Great Basin (central Nevada) was sampled every 2-8 m.  Conodont samples weighing between 300-600 µg (5-30 conodonts) were converted Ag3PO4 to assure only the P-bound oxygen was analyzed.  Preliminary results indicate that conodonts from transgressive and maximum flooding facies have gradually decreasing d18O values and highstand facies and the sequence boundary record increasing d18O values; trends consistent with a glacio-eustatic sea-level change.  The magnitude of isotopic shifts range from 1 - 1.5 permil which equates to ~75-110 m sea-level changes or roughly 4-7°C seawater temperature changes—surprising for an apparent Middle Devonian greenhouse climate!!  We are presently sampling conodonts from coeval 3rd-order sequences from southern France (Montagne Noire) and the Barrandian basin (Prague) to test whether these isotopic results are global in nature.

Preliminary results from a Middle Pennsyvlanian 3rd-order sequence in central New Mexico reveals systematically lower d18O values in the transgressive and highstand facies followed by larger d18O values in the highstand and sequence boundary, again consistent with a glacio-eustatic origin.  The ~1-2 permil isotopic shifts are minimum values as many of the limestones have disconformities at their tops indicating the full extent of sea level is not recorded at this shelfal location. On going work on these sequences, associated sequences, and coeval sequences across North America and Europe are in the works. 

This study highlights the use of apatitic conodonts for understanding the controls on My-scale infilling of marine basins as well as a powerful tool for Paleozoic-Triassic paleoclimatic investigations.

(2) Additional studies include using oxygen isotopes of conodonts from coeval offshore and nearshore biofacies to address whether the conodont animals lived in predominantly surface waters, in deeper parts of the water column, or even on the seafloor.  This question has important paleoclimatic relevance for reconstructing marine temperatures, salinities, and seawater isotopic compositions.

(3) We are also using the d18O values of conodonts to investigate the origins of meter-scale (5th order) upward-shallowing cycles which formed in greenhouse and icehouse climate.


Pennsylvanian conodont elementsPennsylvanian conodont elements


MILLENNIAL-SCALE PALEOCLIMATE FLUCTUATIONS RECORDED IN PALEOZOIC DEEPER WATER MARINE CARBONATES OF NORTH AMERICA (collaboration with Linda Hinnov, Johns Hopkins University)

    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).

marjum


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)

madera penn

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.

huasteca

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Students


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

Gabriella Savarase
Matt Tremblay

Elizabeth Langeburg-Trace element geochemistry of Neoproterozoic Chuar Group dolomites.
Leoandro Habib-
Early silicification of Upper Ordovician limestone-chert rhythmites, central Nevada.
Linnah Neidel-
Oxygen isotopes of Middle Pennsylvanian apatitic conodonts.
Michelle Leister-
Origin of Eocene upward-shallowing carbonate sequences using oxygen isotopes, northern Spain.
Daniel Dehn-
Petrography and provenance studies of mid-Cretaceous foreland basin sandstones, southern Mexico.
Michael Emms- Origin of Middle Pennsylvanian 3rd-order sea-level changes using oxygen isotopes of apatitic conodonts


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