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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Bulletin

Abstract


Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology
Vol. 38 (1990), No. 1. (March), Pages 165-166

C.S.P.G. 1990 Convention, "Basin Perspectives"

Mannville Group Strata of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin [Abstract]

Hayes, B.J.1, Christopher, J.E.2, Tremblay, Y.M.3, Minken, D.F.4, Rosenthal, L.5, McKercher, B.6, Los, G.7, Fennell, J.W.8

ABSTRACT

Strata of the Mannville Group and equivalents are recognized across the entire Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Continental sediments dominate the Mannville, except for a limited marine transgression in the mid-Mannville, which affected sedimentation basin-wide, and marine deposition of equivalent units in the cratonic seaway to the north.

In the Atlas, the Mannville is split into Lower Mannville and Upper Mannville units. The boundary is related to the mid-Mannville transgression, generally separating fresh to brackish strata below from fully marine

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deposits above, and is placed at the top of the Calcareous, Ostracode, Cummings, McMurray, Gething or McCloud in various parts of the basin. Even this basic subdivision is difficult to make in places because of the extreme geographic variability of Mannville strata.

Although finer subdivisions of the Mannville cannot be made basinwide, examination of several more local depositional situations clarifies the overall sequence and style of sedimentation. These situations include the following:

  1. Erosion at the basal Cretaceous unconformity, immediately beneath the Mannville, features several major valley and ridge systems. Certain Lower Mannville units, such as the McCloud and Cut Bank members, were deposited as valley-filling successions.
  2. Deposition of shoreline sand complexes (e.g. the Hoadley-Strachan complex) is associated with minor relative sea-level changes in the mid-Mannville (Moosebar) seaway.
  3. Major structural features, such as the Peace River Arch, Sweetgrass Arch and Swift Current Platform, influenced Mannville sedimentation patterns.
  4. Development of the Pense Basin across Saskatchewan and parts of eastern Alberta in latest Mannville time, produced consequent deposition of the Pense Formation.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ASSOCIATED FOOTNOTES

1 Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd., Calgary T2P 3A8

2 Consultant, Regina S4R 4L2

3 Glyde Resources, Calgary T3C 3J9

4 Maryanne Petroleums Ltd., Dewinton T0L 0X0

5 Consultant, Calgary T3G 1G1

6 IPC, Calgary T2P 1G2

7 Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd., Calgary T2P 3A8

8 Consultant, Calgary T2W 0H7

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