Petrology, heavy minerals and mechanical analyses were utilized in the study of the Viking Sandstone from three wells in west central Alberta.

The heavy mineral assemblage indicates that pre-existing sedimentary rocks were the major source of the Viking sediments, but igneous and metamorphic rocks have also made some contribution.

Mechanical analyses indicate a bimodal size distribution in the Viking Sandstone, for which two explanations are proposed.

A slight uplift in the highland to the southwest and the ensuing erosion of pre-existing sedimentary rocks contributed detritus to the rather shallow Viking sea. The presence of glauconitic and siderite associated with bands of black pyritic shales suggest slightly reducing conditions and a slow rate of sedimentary influx.

Potassium-argon dating on glauconite yielded a date of 78 m.y. This figure is thought to be low because of radiogenic argon loss under conditions of mild thermal metamorphism.

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