Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Evaluating The Biogenicity Of Fluvial-Lacustrine Stromatolites From The Mesoproterozoic Copper Harbor Conglomerate, Upper Peninsula Of Michigan, Usa, Nicholas David Fedorchuk

Theses and Dissertations

The Mesoproterozoic (1.09 Ga) Copper Harbor Conglomerate represents alluvial fan, fluvial and lacustrine deposition in the Midcontinent Rift System. The formation outcrops in the Keweenaw Peninsula in the northwestern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where it contains carbonate stromatolites preserved within both siltstone and conglomerate facies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biogenicity of these stromatolites, which lack direct microfossil evidence. The stromatolites were placed into their depositional context, their macro-scale features and thin section microfabrics were analyzed, and growth angles were measured of cobble-draping samples to determine if a phototrophic response existed. A methodology …