Nearing the area of early uplift to the Southwest, the Kootenay lies conformably on the Fernie in the Alberta syncline, and progressing east and northward, the Cretaceous lies in turn on the eroded Jurassic and Madison formations. The fresh to brackish water deposition of the Cretaceous ended approximately with the emission of the Crowsnest Volcanics, which is probably responsible for the Red Speckled Shale Zone of the Colorado group of the plains area. The Marine Colorado formation was deposited when the sea migrated westward and eventually covered the entire area. The Milk River formation marked the beginning of the retreat of the sea. This retreat was not complete until the end of Pakowki time, when a second major uplift and its erosion contributed rapidly to the Belly River group. The Bearpaw formation represented a final short invasion of the sea and the Blood Reserve formation represented the deltaic deposition of its retreat. A final fresh water type of deposition is represented by the St. Marys River and Willow Creek formations. The reddish coloration of the Willow Creek formation was probably a result of weathering conditions and is suggestive of a climatic change.

Abstract by M. Fuglem, P & N G Conservation Board.

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