Detailed Stratigraphy of the Inferred Oligocene Age Conglomerate at Boat Mesa

Baker, Jared

This study is a further step of the multi-phase study started by Stonnie Pollock on the conglomerate at Boat Mesa. Step one of the geological study was to an initial overview of the conglomerate at Boat Mesa, i.e., aerial distribution and rough stratigraphic section of the conglomerate. Step two of the geologic study of the conglomerate at Boat Mesa has been to take a further and more detailed look into the conglomerate with a more detailed stratigraphic section. The three main foci for this additional study and stratigraphic section are paleocurrent direction, lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy. The Conglomerate of Boat Mesa (Bowers 1972) is a seemingly isolated conglomerate in and near Bryce Canyon National Park. The clasts in the conglomerate consist mostly of differing amounts and sizes of dominantly tan and black chert and quartzite, with other minor colors. The matrix of the Conglomerate of Boat Mesa consists of silts, sands, shales, and limestones; becoming more limestone as one rises through the strata. The age deduced/inferred for the Conglomerate of Boat Mesa is Oligocene (37-24 million years ago). The Conglomerate of Boat Mesa sits on a gradational unconformity (disconformity) upon the upper white limestone member of the Claron Formation.