Abstract

The Camrose Member is a thin but areally extensive dolomite horizon developed in the Upper Member of the Ireton Formation of central Alberta. Following infilling of the late Frasnian basin subsidence of the Ireton shelf trapped terrigenous detritus in terrestrial environments and initiated carbonate deposition of the Camrose Member in most of central Alberta.

Detailed study has delineated six lithofacies representative of deposition on a shallow carbonate platform. Where the Camrose Member overlies Leduc reefal buildups, as in the Stettler area, the biohermal facies predominates. Lower portions of the Stettler D2 pool lie within the Camrose Member.

The return of terrestrial drainage systems to equilibrium with the rise in sea level allowed terrigenous detritus to again prograde into the area. It is present as a thin layer overlying the Camrose, however major terrigenous deposition took place beyond the limits of the Camrose Member.