Fourier grain shape analysis: a means for correlating alluvial deposits at the Nevada Test Site

Quartz sand derived from alluvial fans that drain different lithologies at the Nevada Test Site can be distinguished on the basis of grain shape as described by the Fourier series in closed form. Specifically, we examined tuff units from the Piapi Canyon and Indian Trail Formations as well as carbonate-bearing clastic units from the Eleana Formation. Discrimiation between rock types was accomplished by examining the mean harmonic amplitude spectra and the grain shape frequency distributions at those harmonics that exhibit significant chi-square values. The results of these analyses indicate that the tuffs can be easily distinguished from the clastics. However, differences between samples from genetically similar rock types are not as prominent. Grain shape frequency distributions of tuffs and clastics show such strong differences that they can be characterized by standardized distributions. By comparing the shape frequency distributions of mixed sediment samples, it is possible to determine the relative contribution of tuff and clastics to any sediment sample taken within the drainage network. The Piapi Canyon, Indian Trail, and Eleana Formations have produced the thick alluvium sequence in the Rainier Mesa region of Yucca Flat. We believe it is likely that these grain shape relationships can also be applied tomore » subsurface samples. Not only would this extended application enable more accurate correlation of alluvial layers, but more precise determination of the clastic-tuff contact within the alluvium sequence might also be possible.« less