Jurassic Navajo Sandstone
Chan's group has been conducting research on the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone for over two decades. This eolian deposit was the largest desert or sand sea erg in the geologic record. Chan's studies have examined aspects of sedimentology and diagenesis in this important reservoir unit. Sandstone coloration and concretions (cemented mineral masses) tell a complex story of fluid fluid over time. This unit also contains spectacular examples of soft-sediment deformation that may be a stratigraphic marker of past earthquake motion.
Chan’s group is also looking at soft-sediment deformation and clastic pipes in other Jurassic units such as the Carmel Formation (above).