Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
The intention of this research project was to study the mineralogy and geochemistry of what were originally thought to be metavolcanic clasts in the Potomac Formation, Virginia. However upon sample collection in the Puddledock quarry, many of the clasts turned out to be mylonitic. Nonetheless, felsic volcanic clasts are also present. All clasts show highly elevated levels of KO, which manifested itself in the form of K-Feldspar. This forced an expansion from the original scope and goal of the project to include these unexpected results. These samples were all analyzed for mineralogy and whole-rock chemistry, and were found to be metasomatized. This report concludes that these clasts found in the Potomac Formation have been metasomatized, leading to abnormal whole-rock analysis. This metasomatism most likely occurred during a period of transgression by the Atlantic Ocean while the current day Coastal Plain was being deposited.
Date Awarded
2015
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Brent E. Owens
Recommended Citation
Larson, Michael K., "Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Clasts in the Potomac Formation, Coastal Plain, Virginia" (2015). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 341.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/341
