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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Special Publications

Abstract


The Mesozoic of Middle North America: A Selection of Papers from the Symposium on the Mesozoic of Middle North America, Calgary, Alberta, Canada — Memoir 9, 1984
Pages 281-304
Biostratigraphy and Chronostratigraphy

Ichnology of Storm-Influenced Shallow Previous HitMarineNext Hit Sequence: Cardium Formation (Upper Cretaceous) at Seebe, Alberta

S. G. Pemberton, R. W. Frey

Abstract

Ichnofossils are diverse and well preserved in the Cardium Formation at Seebe, Alberta; 15 ichnogenera have been recognized: Chondrites, Cochlichnus, Cylindrichnus, Diplocraterion, Gyrochorte, Muensteria, Ophiomorpha, Palaeophycus, ?Phoebichnus, Planolites, Rhizocorallium, Rosselia, Skolithos, Thalassinoides, and Zoophycos.

Although intergradational, individual ichnofossil suites tend to be correlative with major depositional cycles, each of which coarsens upward. Lower argillaceous sediments are characterized by ichnogenera indicative of offshore, quiet-water conditions (the Cruziana ichnofacies), whereas upper arenaceous sediments are characterized by ichnogenera indicative of nearer shore, higher energy conditions (the Skolithos ichnofacies). However, arenaceous beds are typified by hummocky cross-stratification, representing storm events: thus, in loco fluctuations of energy levels within the depositional environment probably exerted greater influence upon burrow distributions than did Previous HitdepthTop of water or distance from shore per se. Components of the Skolithos ichnofacies evidently represent colonization of newly available substrates by an opportunistic, pioneer community of endobenthic: animals. Components of the Cruziana ichnofacies, in contrast, represent the indigenous, stable offshore community. In the most distal quiet-water environments, distinct physical and biogenic sedimentary structures tended to be destroyed by intense bioturbation.


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