Palichnology of the Lower Devonian Wapske Formation, Perth-Andover-Mount Carleton region, northwestern New Brunswick, eastern Canada
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4138/2131Abstract
The Lower Devonian Wapske Formation of the Tobique Group in the Perth-Andover-Mount Carleton region of north western New Brunswick forms part of the tectonostratigraphic Tobique Zone. In this region, the formation is 4000 to 9000 m thick and is interpreted as deep-marine turbiditic in origin. Seven sedimentary facies are recognized. These are: conglomerate facies (Facies 1); massive and parallel-laminated sandstone facies (Facies 2); thin- to thick-bedded sandstone with minor mudstone interbeds and/or mud-capped facies (Facies 3); thin-bedded sandstone and mudstone facies (Facies 4); thin-bed ded, graded, fine-grained sandstone facies (Facies S); thin-bedded, fine-grained sandstone and silty mudstone facies (Facies 6); and thin- and medium-bedded siltstone and mudstone facies (Facies 7). These facies are grouped into five facies associations reflecting a deep-marine fan system consisting of distributary channels, depositions) lobes, lobe or fan fringes, and interchannel areas associated with a basin plain. A relatively diverse and well-preserved ichnofauna, consisting of 23 ichnogenera (41 ichnospecies) and three vernacular ichnotaxa, is systematically described, these comprising Arthraria Billings, 1872; Bergaueria Prantl, 1945; Chondrites von Sternberg, 1833; Cochlichnus Hitchcock, 18S8; Cosmorhaphe Fuchs, 1895; Cruziana d'Orbigny, 1842; Dendrotichnium Hantzschel, 1975; Didymautichnus Young, 1972, Helminthoida SchafhButl, 1851; Helminthopsis User, 1877; Hormosiroidea Schaffer, 1928; Monomorphichnus Crimes, 1970; Neonereites Scilacher, 1960; Palaeophycus Hall, 1847; Paleodictyon Meneghini in Murchison, 1850; Phycodes Richter, 1850; Protopaleodictyon Ksiqzkiewicz, 1970; Protavirgularia M'Coy, 1850; Rusophycus Hall, 1852; Skolithos Haldeman, 1840; Taenidium Heer, 1877; Uchirites Macsotay, 1967; Umfolozia Savage, 1971; two track forms and indeterminate scratch markings. Their palacoenvironmental distribution within the se quence correlates well with the interpreted submarine fan complex and compares favourably with other previously documented ichnofaunas from deep-marine fans. Collectively, the ichnofauna of the Wapske Formation is characteristic of Seilachcr's (1967) Nereites ichnofacies. RÉSUMÉ La formation de Wapske du Dévonien inférieur du groupe de l'obique dans la région de Perth Andover/mont Carleton du nord-ouest du Nouveau-Brunswick fait partie de la zone tectonostratigraphique de l'obique. Dans cette région, la formation à 4 000 à 9 000 m d'épaisseur et elle est interprétée comme une formation d'origine turbiditique abyssale. On reconnait sept faciès sédimentaires, notamment : le conglomerat (faciès 1); un faciès de grès lamine massif et parallèle (faciès 2); un faciès de grès en couches épaisses ou minces interstratifie de mudstone en quantity mineure ou couronné de boue (faciès 3); un faciès de mudstone et de grès en couches minces (faciès 4); un faciès de grès à grains fins, profilé en couches minces (faciès 5); un faciès de mudstone vaseux et de grès à grains fins, en couches minces (faciès 6); et un faciès de mudstone et de microgres en couches minces et moyennes. Ces faciès sont groupes en cinq associations de faciès correpondant à un système en éventail abyssal constitue de défluents, de lobes sédimentaires, de franges en lobe ou en éventail et de zones inter-canaux associées à une plaine synclinale. Une ichnofaune relativement diversifiée et bien préservée, constitutée de 23 ichnogenres (41 ichnoespèces) et trois ichnotaxa courants, est décrite de façon systèmatique. Ceux-ci comprennent l'Arthraria Billings, 1872; le Bergaueria Prantl, 1945; les Chondrites von Sternberg, 1833; le Cochlichnus Hitchcock, 1858; le Cosmorhaphe Fuchs, 1895; le Cruziana d'Orbigny, 1842; le Dendrotichnium Hantzschel, 1975; le Didymaulichnus Young, 1972; l'Helminthoida Schafhautl, 1851; l'Helminthopsis Heer, 1877; l'Hormosiroidea Schaffer, 1928; le Monomorphichnus Crimes, 1970; le Neonereites Scilacher, 1960; le Palaeophycus Hall, 1847; le Palaeodictyon Meneghini dans Murchison, 1850; le Phycodes Richter, 1850; le Protopaleodictyon Ksiqzkiewicz, 1970; le Protavirgularia M'Coy, 1850; le Rusophycus Hall, 1852; le Skolithos Haldeman, 1840; le Taenidium Heer, 1877; l'Uchirites Macsotay, 1967; l'Umfolozia Savage, 1971; deux formes de pistes et des marques de grattage. Leur repartition paléoenvironnementale à l'intérieur de la séquence correspond bien avec le complexe en éventail sous-marin interprété et elle se compare favorablement avec les autres ichnofaunes des even tails abyssaux documentés auparavant. Collectivement, l'ichnofaune de la formation de Wapske est caractéristique de l'ichnofacies Nereites de Scilacher (1967). [Traduit par la rédaction]Downloads
Published
1994-11-01
How to Cite
Han, Y., & Pickerill, R. K. (1994). Palichnology of the Lower Devonian Wapske Formation, Perth-Andover-Mount Carleton region, northwestern New Brunswick, eastern Canada. Atlantic Geoscience, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.4138/2131
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