Red Beds - Diagenetic Red Beds

Diagenetic Red Beds

The formation of red beds during burial diagenesis was clearly described by Walker (1967) and Walker et al. (1978). The key to this mechanism is the intrastratal alteration of ferromagnesian silicates by oxygenated groundwaters during burial. Walker’s studies show that the hydrolysis of hornblende and other iron-bearing detritus follows Goldich dissolution series. This is controlled by the Gibbs Free Energy of the particular reaction. For example, the most easily altered material would be olivine: e.g.

Fe₂SiO₄ (fayalite) + O₂ → Fe₂O₃ (hematite) + SiO₂ (quartz) with E = -27.53kJ/mol

A key feature of this process, and exemplified by the reaction, is the production of a suite of by products which are precipitated as authigenic phases. These include mixed layer clays (illite – montmorillonite), quartz, potassium feldspar and carbonates as well as the pigmentary ferric oxides. Reddening progresses as the diagenetic alteration becomes more advanced and is thus a time dependent mechanism. The other implication is that reddening of this type is not specific to a particular depositional environment. However, the favourable conditions for diagenetic red bed formation i.e. positive Eh and neutral-alkaline pH are most commonly found in hot, semi-arid areas, and this is why red beds are traditionally associated with such climates.