Glacial marine sediments in the precambrian Gowganda formation at Whitefish Falls, Ontario (Canada)

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
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Abstract

Study of a well-exposed section of the Gowganda Formation at Whitefish Falls, Ontario, suggests criteria for the recognition of glacial marine sediments. Thickness of hundreds of feet, lateral continuity, faint internal stratification, sorted lenses of sandstone and conglomerate, and dropstones characterize much of the tillite. Thickness of hundreds of feet, lateral continuity, and marked development of irregular and lenticular laminae instead of varve structure characterize much of the argillite. These characteristics, together with evidence for a nearshore, marine-to-deltaic environment for the overlying beds, suggest a glacial marine interpretation even though no fossil evidence is available.

Massive tillite, tillite containing faint stratification and lenses of sorted conglomerate and sandstone, and dropstone-bearing argillite, all of which interfinger, suggest a glacial marine environment composed of: (1) a subglacial facies; (2) a periglacial facies; and (3) a facies of marine ice rafting, respectively. Separation of the two tillite-bearing members by as much as 700 ft. of argillite containing no dropstones suggests two distinct ice ages during Gowganda time.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Glacial marine sediments in the precambrian Gowganda formation at Whitefish Falls, Ontario (Canada)
Series title Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
DOI 10.1016/0031-0182(71)90015-0
Volume 9
Issue 1
Year Published 1971
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Description 19 p.
First page 7
Last page 25
Country Canada
State Ontario
City Whitefish Falls
Other Geospatial Gowganda Formation
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