REFINING SYN-TECTONIC DIAGENETIC AND STRUCTURAL HISTORY OF THE ARBUCKLE MOUNTAINS

The Arbuckle Mountains (OK) consists of an inverted aulacogen uplifted during the Pennsylvanian. Although the principal tectonic phase is linked to the Arbuckle Orogeny, other deformation events have been documented on the field, suggesting a long lasting and complicated tectonic history, and associated fluid-flow. Based on stable and radiogenic isotope approaches, previous studies have attempted to document the diagenetic history of the Arbuckle Mountains. Whereas results from these studies suggest that the diagenetic history was structurally controlled by fault systems, the tectonic evolution of this massif is not fully resolved yet.

In order to document the different tectonic phases affecting Arbuckle Mountain and their absolute timing, we conducted a detailed field-based structural analysis coupled to in-situ U-Pb analyses on fault related carbonate veins. In addition, we performed ∆47, O and C isotope analyses on carbonate veins and their host rock to document the diagenetic alteration related to each recorded tectonic event.

Our results demonstrate the Arbuckle Mountain anticline is affected by at least 3 distinct tectonic events: the main Pennsylvanian-Permian shortening event (D1) related to the Arbuckle Orogeny. At macroscale, this deformation event is associated with the development of bedding-parallel calcite veins and extension veins. A Permian/Triassic extensional event (D2), and an early Cretaceous strike-slip event (D3) related to the Washita Valley Fault System. Finally, based on the integration of all our datasets, a tectonic-related diagenetic model will be discussed.