Abrasion resistance of muscovite in aeolian and subaqueous transport experiments

Anderson, Calvin J.; Struble, Alexander; Whitmore, John

doi:10.1016/j.aeolia.2016.11.003

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Mica is expected to be absent in eolian sandstones due to the difference in hardness between mica (Mohs = 2.5) and quartz (Mohs = 7). Observations and experiments show that ballistic impact of grains rapidly abrade and disintegrate mica during wind transport (Anderson et al 2017(Anderson et al , 2013Marsland and Woodruff 1937). Water, however, provides a cushion between the grains, lessening grain collisions and allowing mica to survive, as suggested by Anderson et al in their papers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), will likely bolster our conclusion that these sandstones were deposited in a subaqueous environment, such as provided by the Genesis Flood. We also encourage further experimentation on the conditions under which mica disintegrates, such as those performed by Anderson et al (2017), in order to determine what exactly is the mechanism that preserves mica for long transport distances underwater.…”

Section: Further Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To investigate the durability of mica in experimental eolian and subaqueous environments, Anderson et al (2017) devised a series of experiments (also Anderson et al 2013). To simulate an eolian transport environment, a small amount of muscovite-rich sand was placed in a one-gallon glass jar with an RC airplane propeller attached on the inside of the lid.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The significance of micas in ancient cross-bedded sandstones

Borsch¹,

Whitmore²,

Strom³

et al. 2018

PICC

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The cross-bedded Coconino Sandstone is almost certainly within the stratigraphic range of the Flood, however it is commonly cited by conventional geologists as the classic example of an eolian deposit, and thus an argument against the scientific viability of the Flood. In our petrographic study of the Coconino Sandstone, we discovered muscovite mica (and sometimes biotite mica) in almost every thin section. This is surprising given that micas have not previously been reported in this, or any, "eolian" cross-bedded deposit. The mica found is detrital in character (i.e., it is not an alteration product) and thus is part of the primary depositional fabric. This led to the investigation of other cross-bedded sandstones from around the world, especially those of similar stratigraphic age, all of which have been conventionally interpreted as wholly or partly eolian-the same frequent occurrence of micas was observed. Previous laboratory experiments have provided some framework for understanding this discovery. Based on those experiments, it was found that mica cannot survive continuous transport much more than four days (or about 500 km) by simulated eolian processes, but can last for more than a year (or about 7,500 km) when transported continuously by simulated subaqueous processes. Field observations confirm that modern ergs contain virtually no micas, of any size, except in cases where mica sources (such as granite outcrops, beach sand or fluvial sand) are located in the immediate vicinity (~<10 km) of the erg. By contrast, the Coconino sand body and its correlative stratigraphic units stretch for many hundreds of kilometers across (with a total area of 2.4 million km 2), and therefore the interior of the deposit should be virtually mica-free if formed by eolian processes. We catalog and illustrate a large number of cross-bedded sandstones that contain mica grains (mostly muscovite) as an accessory mineral. The dominant conventional view is that these sandstones are eolian in origin, but experimental data and field observations suggest otherwise. The presence of micas in cross-bedded sandstones is a previously neglected criterion that can be used to argue for a subaqueous depositional environment for the formation of cross-bedded sandstones. KEY WORDS experimental mica abrasion, cross-bedded sandstones, muscovite, biotite,

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Further Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The significance of micas in ancient cross-bedded sandstones

Borsch¹,

Whitmore²,

Strom³

et al. 2018

PICC

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“…As Anderson et al (2017) have shown, muscovite flakes rapidly deteriorate (within days) with constant eolian action, but can last more than a year with constant aqueous tumbling. Mica was sparse in our investigations of modern ergs and only occurred when a crystalline rock source was nearby.…”

Section: Muscovitementioning

confidence: 97%

The Coconino Sandstone (Permian, Arizona, USA): Implications for the origin of ancient cross-bedded sandstones

Whitmore¹,

Garner²

2018

PICC

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The Permian Coconino Sandstone is one of the most prominent layers of rock in the Grand Canyon and is important to creationists because it has often been used by conventional scientists to discredit the Bible since it is a supposed windblown (eolian) deposit. Their argument is that deposits like this would be impossible to form in the midst of a global flood as described in Genesis. Over the past forty years, new data has been collected by us and others that we believe indisputably identifies the Coconino as a subaqueous sandstone-data that will be difficult for our critics to counter. These data include evidence from petrology, fossil footprint studies, sedimentology, regional stratigraphy and soft sediment deformation features. In our studies we found that there are many misconceptions or "urban myths" about the Coconino Sandstone including its grain roundness, grain sorting, grain frosting and angle of cross-bed dips. There are no modern analogs that match the precise sedimentology of the Coconino, but we believe that subaqueous sand waves may be a start in the right direction to understand how the Coconino was deposited. Instead of the Coconino being a problem for creationists, it can be one of our most powerful arguments in support of the biblical account of the Flood. There are many other similar cross-bedded sandstones around the world; the Coconino may be the key to unlocking their origin as well.

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“…This would indicate formation under sediment-deprived conditions, most likely the development of vegetation over the former lakebed depriving the dune of fresh incoming sediments, especially of easily-removable mica (cf. Anderson et al 2017).…”

Section: Past Sedimentary Processes At Varesmetsamentioning

confidence: 99%

Macro- and micro-scale study and chronology of Late Weichselian aeolian sediments in Estonia, north-eastern European Sand Belt

Kalińska

Hang

Jõeleht

et al. 2019

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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Patchy aeolian landforms, representing the NE part of the European Sand Belt, occur in NE Estonia, between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Peipsi. The dunes are restricted to the former glacial lakebed, thus lying directly in contact with glaciolacustrine sediments, and have so far prompted different opinions regarding their genesis and age. This study aims to answer these open questions regarding the age and origin of these landforms and to provide information on the associated past sedimentary processes. To achieve this, we combine macro-scale (sedimentary structures and ground-penetrating radar survey) and micro-scale (grain-size, shape and character of quartz grain surfaces and mineral composition) studies with optically stimulated luminescence dating. The glaciolacustrine fines in the study area are wavy stratified, with the occurrence of mica horizons and prevalence of quartz sand grains with aeolian characteristics. Therefore, these sediments argue for near-standing/low-energy water conditions in the glacial lake, where allochthonous material was delivered by wind. A fall in the lake level and the occurrence of dry land on the northern coast of the regressive Late Weichselian Lake Peipsi favoured aeolian activity from ca. 13.5 to 10.5 ka in the region. The aeolian accumulation was brief-as apparent from the results of the micro-scale study-and lacks evidence of sediment recycling. Only easily-removable mica was deflated at the end of the aeolian depositional phase. Aeolian activity terminated ca. 10.5 ka due to a rising groundwater level that is apparent from the onset of paludification in the region.

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Abrasion resistance of muscovite in aeolian and subaqueous transport experiments

Cited by 8 publications

References 8 publications

The significance of micas in ancient cross-bedded sandstones

The significance of micas in ancient cross-bedded sandstones

The Coconino Sandstone (Permian, Arizona, USA): Implications for the origin of ancient cross-bedded sandstones

Macro- and micro-scale study and chronology of Late Weichselian aeolian sediments in Estonia, north-eastern European Sand Belt

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