The marriage of eolian rock properties and the style of structural deformation of the Nugget Formation; Anschutz Ranch East field: Northeast Utah and southwest Wyoming

The Nugget Formation in the Anschutz Ranch East field, northeast Utah and southwest Wyoming, provides an example of how eolian rock properties have considerable influence on the style of structural deformation. Both new and existing subsurface data were integrated for a detailed characterization of sedimentologic and diagenetic heterogeneities, which demonstrate relationships with different styles of structural compartmentalization.;Three cores were analyzed, to investigate brittle deformation in eolian facies; dune, apron, and interdune. Selected cores are located along the back limb of the main structure and are nearly perpendicular to the fold axis. Each eolian facies appears to have a distinct style of deformation that is associated with this tectonic setting. This relationship between facies and rheology also correlates with porosity. These results support the hypothesis that high porosity rocks tend to be weaker and develop deformation bands, while low porosity rocks with greater strength deform brittlely.