Earth History GEOL 2110 The Paleozoic Era Cambrian and Ordovician History of Minnesota and Wisconsin
Mar 23, 2016
Major Concepts• When sea-level rose in the Cambrian and Ordovician (Sauk and
Tippecanoe Trangressions), the mid-continent of Laurentia was low lying, but with some broad topographic highs (Wisc. Dome, Transcontinental Arch, Sioux Highland, Taylors Falls Volcanic Islands) and lows (Hollandale Embayment).
• Four major transgressive cycles are represented by stratigraphic sequences of sandstoneshalelimestone in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Regressions are marked by regressive sands capped by unconformities.
• The purity and coarseness of the Cambrian and Ordovian quartz sandstone formations have made them important sources for glass –making and other industrial uses over the decades. However, they are currently highly sought after as sources of natural proppants for use in hydrofracing extraction of oil and gas.
1,000,000,000 Years AgoMinnesota becomes the
stable interior of the North American Continent
500,000,000 Years AgoShallow seas begin to
periodically flood Minnesota
Distribution of Cambrian Sediments over Laurentia
Warping of the Craton• Broad horizontal
tectonic stresses related to plate motion
• Sediment loading• Isostatic adjustments
due to different densities within the crust
MCR
The Actual PictureStorms, Trans-Regress Mini-cycles
From A. Runkel (MGS)
Greatly Vertically Exaggerated
Ordovician Rocks of the Mississippi River Bluffs
Indian Mounds Park
Minnehaha Falls
Ford Dam and Lock
P-Platteville Limestone G-Glenwood Shale S-St. Peter Sandstone
P
P
P
G--G--
G--
S
S
S
Silica Sand Resources in SE Minnesota and SW WisconsinMined since the late 1800’s
silica-rich sandstonecurrent and proposed sand mines
In 2012, 70% of US silica sand goes to
30% to Hydro-
fracking for Oil
and GasCurrently 36 in WI, 7 in MN, 178 in US
Use Silica Sand in Hydrofracing for Oil and Gas DrillingIdeal Proppant Characteristics• Strong - crush resistant• Med-crs sand size (16-70 mesh)• Rounded and well sorted• Homogeneous physical properties• Low specific gravity• Low cost and accessible
OPPOSITION TO EXPANSION OF SILICA SAND MINING Concerns:- Transportation (truck traffic, road degradation, noise, safety, dust)• high road use taxes, noise and dust abatement- Air quality, silicosis?• wetting, minimal crushing - Water quality and quantity issues• recycling-Landscape alterations• reclamation plans up front- Opposition to end use-hydrofrac drilling for oil and gas
Most operations are currently regulated to varying degrees by State and County level ordinances.
Key questions How does SS mining differ from aggregate mining that has been practiced and regulated for decades?
What is the magnitude and duration of the expansion?