- Nikanassin Formation
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Nikanassin Formation
Stratigraphic range: Portlandian to Barremian
Nikanassin Formation near BruleType Geological formation Underlies Cadomin Formation Overlies Fernie Formation Thickness 400 meters (1,300 ft) to 0 Lithology Primary Sandstone, shale Other carbonaceous streaks Location Named for Nikanassin Range Named by MacKay, 1929[1] Coordinates 53°17′21″N 117°52′34″W / 53.28917°N 117.87611°WCoordinates: 53°17′21″N 117°52′34″W / 53.28917°N 117.87611°W Region Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin Country Canada The Nikanassin Formation is a stratigraphical unit of late Jurassic age. It is part of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and is found in western Alberta, Canada.
It was named by B.R. MacKay in 1929[1] for the Nikanassin Range of the front-central ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Nikanassin menas "first range" in Cree.[2] The type locallity is located in Brule, north of the Yellowhead Highway.
Stratigraphy
The age of the formation is late Jurrasic to early Cretaceous, specifically Portlandian to Barremian.[3]
The Nikanassin Formation is overlain by the Cadomin Formation, and the contact is erosional, forming a regional angular un-conformity. It is underlain by the Fernie shales.[3]
Lithology
The geological formation is composed of sandstone, grey shale, with carbonaceous shales and small carbonaceous streaks. No economic coal beds are found in the Nikanassin Formation. The stratigraphical beds were deposited in both continental and marine environments.[3]
The type locality is found near Brule, where the formation reaches a thickness of 400 meters (1,300 ft). From there it thins out toward east and north.
References
- ^ a b Mackay, B.R., 1929a. Mountain Park Sheet, West of Fifth Meridian, Alberta; Geological Survey of Canada, "A" Series Map 208A, Scale: 1:63360 (1 Inch to 1 Mile).
- ^ Bivuac.com. "Nikanassin Range". http://www.bivouac.com/ArxPg.asp?ArxId=1032. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ a b c Lexicon of Canadian Geologic Units. "Nikanassin Formation". http://cgkn1.cgkn.net/weblex/weblex_litho_detail_e.pl?00053:010770. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin Hydrocarbon history Depositional Regions Southern Alberta · Central Alberta · Northwestern Alberta Plains · South-central Canadian Rockies foothills · North-east Plains · North-central foothills · Liard River · Fort Nelson · Northern Rocky Mountains · Fort St. John · Saskatchewan · Western ManitobaNorthwest Plains Paskapoo FM · Scollard FM · Wapiti GRP · Smoky GRP (Puskwaskau FM · Badheart FM · Muskiki FM · Cardium FM · Kaskapau FM · Pouce Coupe MBR · Doe Creek MBR) · Dunvegan FM · Fort St. John GRP (Shaftesbury FM · Peace River FM · Spirit River FM) · Bullhead GRP (Bluesky FM · Gething FM · Cadomin FM) · Nikanassin FM · Fernie GRP (Rock Creek MBR · Poker Chip Shale · Nordegg MBR) · Schooler Creek GRP (Baldonnel FM · Charlie Lake FM · Halfway FM) · Doig FM · Montney FM · Belloy FM · Stoddart GRP (Taylor Flat FM · Kiskatinaw FM · Golata FM) · Rundle GRP (Debolt FM · Shunda FM · Pekisko FM) · Banff FM · Exshaw FM · Wabamun FM · Trout River FM · Kakisa FM · Redknife FM (Jean Marie MBR) · Woodbend GRP (Irteton FM · Fort Simpson FM · Leduc FM) · Beaverhill Lake GRP (Waterways FM · Swan Hills FM · Fort Vermilion FM) · Elk Point GRP (Watt Mountain FM · Gillwood MBR · Presqu’ile FM · Sulphur Point FM · Pine Point FM · Muskeg FM · Zama MBR · Black Shale · Keg River FM · Rainbow MBR · Chinchaga FM · Cold Lake FM · Ernestina FM · Basal Red Beds · Granite Wash) · Canadian ShieldCategories:- Stratigraphy of Alberta
- Canadian geology stubs
- Geologic formation stubs
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