Contrasting styles of aeolian, fluvial and marine interaction in the Cutler Group of the Paradox Basin, SE Utah, USA

The Permian-Pennsylvanian Cutler Group of the Paradox foreland basin of southeast Utah is characterised by a variety of styles of interaction between coeval aeolian, fluvial and marine environments that have resulted in the generation and preservation of a complex suite of stratal architectures. Detailed 3D architectural element analysis has enabled the nature of these interactions to be interpreted in order to constrain both the spatial and temporal scale over which competing processes operated. Of four formations that comprise the Cutler Group, detailed examples of aeolian-fluvial-marine interaction from two localities are presented here; firstly from the upper part of the Lower Cutler Beds and secondly from the upper part of the Cedar Mesa Sandstone and its transition with the overlying Organ Rock Formation.