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The Geology of Melville Island, Arctic Canada

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GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA BULLETIN 450 THE GEOLOGY OF MELVILLE ISLAND, ARCTIC CANADA , ,$".',>pp ;$<':+:>$ * 7i7< cd q .. ..-. .. : ;..-.. *;.%T.~~-,*.< :p,~;< -!: .,. > <-.... &Zr'- j*W&$%% Eg*oisw=lii:l.R $.@<%' ..:;:y;n*...)&* K.L. Christie and N.J. McMillan Natmetl Resources F)eJsowces nakrreHas 1+1 ca,K+& Canada GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA BULLETIN 450 THE GEOLOGY OF MELVILLE ISLAND, ARCTIC CANADA Editors R.L. Christie and N.J. McMillan '~inister of Energy, Mines and Resources Canada 1994 Available in Canada through authorized bookstore agents and other bookstores or by mail from Canada Communication Group - Publishing Ottawa, Canada KIA OS9 and from Geological Survey of Canada offices: 601 Booth Street Ottawa, Canada KIA OE8 3303-33rd Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2L 2A7 I00 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B IR8 A deposit copy of this publication is also available for reference in public libraries across Canada Cat. No. M42-4501E ISBN 0-660- 14982-6 Price subject to change without notice Cover Illustration Naturally carved head of Hecla Bay sandstone, Robertson Anticline locality, eastern Melville Island. Original manuscript received: 86.10.17 to 92.09.14 Approved for publication: 92.06.11 to 92.09.16 PREFACE The earliest geological observations of Melville Island were made between 1819 and 1820, during the search for a northwest passage, by members of Captain Parry's crew. It was concluded correctly that most of the rocks were coaly sandstones. During searches for John Franklin and his crew, several more geological discoveries were made in the mid-1800s. In 1908 and 1909 the Canadian Government sent three expeditions to undertake mapping and to attempt to unravel the geology of parts of the Arctic Archipelago. The Geological Survey of Canada initiated systematic surveys in 1952 in the Arctic. The Survey quickly moved to Melville Island in 1954 to lay the groundwork of stratigraphy and structure as a basis for finding resources. These studies were the geological foundation for oil company exploration. The first wildcat was drilled in I961 and 1962. This venture was followed by 45 more wells, which resulted in the discovery of three gas fields onshore and offshore Melville Island. This bulletin encompasses stratigraphic, paleontological, structural and seismic studies and melds them with industry interpretations. The objective is to consolidate scientific knowledge so that the search for more natural resources in the future can proceed with greater success. Elkanah A. Babcock Assistant Deputy Minister Geological Survey of Canada Les premieres observations gCologiques de l'ile Melville ont CtC faites en 1819-1820 par des membres de 1'Cquipage du capitaine W.E. Parry qui Ctaient a la recherche du passage du Nord-Ouest. 11s ont conclu correctement que la plupart des roches Ctaient des grts charbonneux. Plusieurs autres dCcouvertes gCologiques ont CtC faites durant les annCes 1850, au cours des recherches effectuees dans l'espoir de retrouver Sir John Franklin. En 1908 et 1909, l'expedition du gouvernement canadien menCe par le capitaine J.E. Bernier passait l'hiver sur l'ile Melville, profitant de l'occasion pour ajouter au fonds de connaissances gCologiques de la region. Les premiers levCs systCmatiques dans 1'Arctique ont Cte entrepris par la Commission gkologique du Canada en 1952. La CGC s'est rendue dans l'ile Melville en 1954 afin d'y Ctudier la stratigraphie et la structure en vue de la prospection des ressources pCtrolieres et minCrales. Ces Ctudes ont servi a jeter les bases sur lesquelles se sont par la suite CrigCes les sociCtCs pCtrolitres. On y a fork le premier puits d'exploration entre 1961 et 1962. Par la suite, 45 autres puits ont CtC forks, ce qui a mend a la dCcouverte de trois champs de gaz dans l'ile Melville et au large de ses c6tes. Le prCsent bulletin regroupe des donnCes d'Ctudes stratigraphiques, palContologiques, structurales et sismiques et des interprktations de l'industrie. Son objectif est de rCunir les connaissances gkoscientifiques actuelles afin de contribuer au travaux futurs de prospection des ressources naturelles. Elkanah A. Babcock Sous-ministre adjoint Commission gCologique du Canada CONTENTS 1 Summary 3 Sommaire INTRODUCTION R.L. Christie 7 Nineteenth century geological discoveries 8 Twentieth century geological discoveries 9 Fieldwork, 1984-1985 9 Acknowledgments 10 References 7 Figure 1 SUMMARY OF STRATIGRAPHY OF MELVILLE ISLAND, ARCTIC CANADA Q.H. Goodbody and R.L. Christie 13 Abstract/RCsumC 13 Introduction 14 Stratigraphic and tectonic units 14 Franklinian successions 17 Sverdrup successions 20 References in text Figures 1 to 5 LOWER AND MIDDLE PALEOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF MELVILLE ISLAND Q.H. Goodbody 23 Abstract/RCsumC 24 Introduction 24 Acknowledgments 24 Stratigraphy 24 Ordovician to lower Middle Devonian carbonates and shales 25 Sequences A and B: Lower Ordovician to Upper Silurian or lowermost Devonian carbonates and shales 25 Canrobert Hills 25 Canrobert Formation 28 Ibbett Bay Formation 29 Raglan Range 29 Raglan Range carbonates 3 1 McCormick Inlet 3 1 Cornwallis Group 3 1 Cape Phillips Formation 32 Tingmisut Lake, Weatherall Bay 32 Unnamed carbonates 3 3 Sequence C: Lower to Middle Devonian carbonates and shales 3 3 Canrobert Hills 33 Member 5, Ibbett Bay Formation 33 Eastern and east-central Melville Island 3 3 Upper Cape Phillips Formation 34 Kitson Formation 34 Spencer Range 34 Unnamed carbonates 3 7 Towson Point 37 Unnamed carbonates 39 Middle to Upper Devonian clastic units 39 Hecla Bay wedge 39 Blackley Formation 42 Cape De Bray Formation 44 Weatherall Formation 45 Hecla Bay Formation 56 Beverley Inlet wedge 59 Beverley Inlet Formation 65 Parry Islands Formation 68 Middle to Upper Devonian tectono-stratigraphic setting 68 Summary 69 References in text Figures 1 to 33 39 Table 1 73 Plates 1 to 15 A NOTE ON GRAPTOLITE CORRELATION OF THE CANROBERT AND IBBETT BAY FORMATION BOUNDARY (ORDOVICIAIV) NISBET POINT, NORTHWESTERN MELVILLE ISLAND, ARCTIC CANADA A.C. Lenz and D.J. BorrC 105 Abstract/RCsumC 105 Introduction 105 Acknowledgments 106 Stratigraphy 106 Graptolite faunas 106 Age and correlation 106 Canrobert Formation 106 Ibbett Bay Formation 107 Conclusions 107 References 108 Plate 1 PALYNOLOGICAL CORRELATION OF MIDDLE AND LIPPER DEVONIAN ROCKS OF MELVILLE ISLAND, ARCTIC CANADA D.C. McGregor 111 Abstract/RCsumC 111 Introduction 112 Previous work 114 Age and correlation 114 Spores 116 Marine fossils 120 References in text Figures 1 to 5 in text Tables 1. 2 MELVILLE ISLAND C.L. Riediger and J.C. Harrison 121 Abstract/RCsumC 122 Introduction 122 Previous work 124 Facies analysis 124 Facies association A 127 Interpretation of facies association A 127 Facies association B 127 Interpretation of facies association B 127 Facies association C 129 Interpretation of facies association C 129 Facies association D 129 Interpretation of facies association D 129 Facies association E 13 1 Interpretation of facies association E 132 Stratigraphy and age 132 Lithostratigraphy 133 Biostratigraphy 136 Summary and conclusions 136 Acknowledgments 137 References in text Figures 1 to 10 124 Table 1 UPPERMOST TRIASSIC, JURASSIC, AND LOWERMOST CRETACEOUS STRATIGRAPHY, MELVILLE ISLAND AREA, ARCTIC CANADA A.F. Embry 139 Abstract/RCsumC 140 Introduction 141 Previous work 142 Present work 142 Stratigraphy 142 Sequence 1. Rhaetian-Sinemurian 148 Sequence 2. Pliensbachian-Aalenian 150 Sequence 3. Bajocian-Callovian 152 Sequence 4. Oxfordian-Valanginian 155 Geological history 159 References in text Figures 1 to 19 JURASSIC STRATIGRAPHY AND FOSSIL OCCURRENCES - MELVILLE, PRINCE PATRICK, AND BORDEN ISLANDS T.P. Poulton 161 Abstract/RCsumC 161 Introduction 161 Acknowledgments 163 Regional geology 165 Sinemurian 165 Oyster Creek, Borden Island 166 East side of Intrepid Inlet, Prince Patrick Island 167 Pliensbachian 167 Marie Heights, Melville Island 167 Head of Marie Bay, Melville Island 168 East Kitson River, Melville Island 168 Oyster Creek, Borden Island 168 Eastern Prince Patrick Island 168 Toarcian 169 Marie Heights, Melville Island 169 Head of Marie Bay, Melville Island 169 East Kitson River, Melville Island 170 Sabine Peninsula, Melville Island 170 Prince Patrick Island 170 Borden and Mackenzie King islands 171 Aalenian 171 Head of Marie Bay, Melville Island 172 Marie Heights, Melville Island 172 East Kitson River, Melville Island 173 Depot Island-Cape Grassy area, Melville Island 173 Sabine Peninsula, Melville Island 173 Southeastern Prince Patrick Island 174 Mackenzie King Island 174 Early Bajocian 174 Marie Heights, Melville Island 175 West side of Intrepid Inlet, Prince Patrick Island 175 East side of Intrepid Inlet, Prince Patrick Island 176 Late Bajocian and Early or Middle Bathonian 176 Mackenzie King Island 176 Late Bathonian 177 Sproule Peninsula, Melville Island 177 Southeastern Prince Patrick Island 177 Early Callovian 178 East Kitson River, Melville Island 180 Southeastern Prince Patrick Island 180 Oxfordian to Volgian 181 Intrepid Inlet, Prince Patrick Island 18 1 Mould Bay, Prince Patrick Island 181 Volgian 182 East Kitson River, Melville Island 182 Southwestern Melville Island 182 East of Intrepid Inlet, Prince Patrick Island 183 Mould Bay area, Prince Patrick Island 184 Paleogeographic considerations 186 References 189 Appendix: List of GSC fossil localities in text Figures 1 to 25 163 Table 1 CANADA D.A. Russell 195 Abstract/RCsumC 195 Introduction 195 Acknowledgments 195 Systematic Paleontology 195 Order Plesiosauria 195 Family Cryptoclididae 195 cf. Cryptoclidus richardsoni
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