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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Bulletin

Abstract


Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology
Vol. 30 (1982), No. 1. (March), Pages 9-28

Sedimentology of the Neocomian Parsons Group in the Subsurface of the Mackenzie Delta Area, Arctic Canada

James Dixon

ABSTRACT

The Parsons Group in the subsurface of the Mackenzie Delta area consists of three formations: in ascending order, the Martin Creek, McGuire and Kamik. A Late Berriasian to Middle Hauterivian age is indicated for the group. Sandstone is the dominant lithology in the Martin Creek and Kamik Formations, whereas mudstone is dominant in the McGuire Formation.

Martin Creek strata are interpreted as barrier-island deposits, with offshore, shoreface and lagoonal sediments identified from core material. The McGuire Formation consists mostly of bioturbated mudstone with thin interbeds of sandstone, and is interpreted to have formed in a nearshore setting. Fluvial-channel, floodplain, lagoon and marsh deposits are present in the lower third of the Kamik Formation. In the upper two-thirds, inner-shelf and littoral deposits are arranged in a series of stacked barrier-island successions. Tidal-delta deposits are interpreted to be present within these barrier-island successions.

Rocks of the Parsons Group were deposited during two depositional episodes. The Martin Creek Formation and the uppermost beds of the underlying Husky Formation were formed during the older, Berriasian to earliest Valanginian, episode. During this episode a northwesterly prograding barrier island developed under a generally high wave-energy regime and microtidal conditions. McGuire and Kamik strata were deposited during the younger, Early Valanginian to Middle Hauterivian, episode. Early Valanginian nearshore deposits were quickly succeeded by alluvial sediments. The final phase of sedimentation was an episodic transgression when several stacked barrier-island deposits were formed.


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