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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Special Publications

Abstract


The Mesozoic of Middle North America: A Selection of Papers from the Symposium on the Mesozoic of Middle North America, Calgary, Alberta, Canada — Memoir 9, 1984
Pages 413-429
Specific Field Studies

The Lower Cretaceous Sparky Formation, Aberfeldy Steamflood Pilot, Saskatchewan: A Wave-Dominated Delta?

S. R. Smith

Abstract

The Sparky Formation of the Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group consists of four depositional units in the Aberfeldy area of Saskatchewan (in ascending order):

(a) The basal Sparky is a wavy-laminated to bioturbated mudstone of restricted marine origin (lagoonal).

(b) The lower Sparky has three coarsening-upward sequences which generally display a sheet-like geometry. Wavy-bedded mudstone, siltstone and sandstone grade upward into coarser grained and better sorted sandstones. Typically the sandstones are homogeneous to laminated, very fine to fine grained and quartzose. Slight to moderate bioturbation exists throughout the sequence.

(c) The upper Sparky is a bioturbated, carbonaceous mudstone that grades upwards into bioturbated to wavy-laminated sandstone. Discontinuous mudstone or siltstone interbeds are common.

(d) The Sparky coal consists of interbedded silty sandstone and mudstone that grade upwards into carbonaceous mudstone with rootlets and finally into a coal bed.

The basal Sparky underwent erosion prior to the deposition of the lower Sparky. The Sparky Formation is interpreted to represent parts of a wave-dominated deltaic environment in which lower Sparky shoreface deposits are disconformably overlain by interdistributary bay and crevasse splay deposits of the upper Sparky. Interdistributary bay filling and channel abandonment were followed by deposition of channel-fill, root zone, and extensive marsh sediments of the Sparky coal unit.


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