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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Special Publications

Abstract


Intl. Symposium of the Devonian system: Papers, Volume II, 1967
Pages 653-672
Biostratigraphy

Conodonts and Biostratigaphic zones from the subsurface Upper Devonian of Alberta

Michael C. Mound

Abstract

Virtually continuous cores from six deep wells in west central Alberta have yielded conodont faunas varying in diversity and abundance. Over three thousand two hundred identifiable specimens, distributed among one hundred and seven species assigned to thirty five genera, were recovered. The strata represent the Beaverhill Lake Formation, the Woodbend and Winterburn Groups (Frasnian), and the stratigraphically higher Wabamun Group (Famennian). The Beaverhill Lake Formation is predominantly limestone and contains a moderately abundant conodont fauna. The Woodbend strata contain well-preserved and diagnostic conodont faunas that differ markedly from those of the younger Wabamun Group. In ascending order, the Woodbend Group includes the Cooking Lake and Duvernay carbonates, and the Ireton shales — all of which are in juxtaposition to reefs of the Leduc Formation. In the overlying Winterburn Group, the lowest formation, the Nisku, yielded a sparse fauna, while the Calmar and Graminia strata were unproductive. The evaporitic and dolomitic Stettler Formation and the upper Big Valley Limestone are included in the highest Devonian unit, the Wabamun Group.

The Alberta subsurface faunas correspond to other North American and western European faunas and include various widely distributed species of Apatognathus, Ancyrodella, Ancyrognathus, Enantiognathus, Falcodus, Hibbardella, Icriodus, Nothognathella, Palmatodella, Palmatolepis, Pelekysgnathus, and Polygnathus. These and other characteristic species demonstrate a typically Upper Devonian faunal sequence.


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