Sequence Stratigraphic, Lithostratigraphic and Stable
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Sequence Stratigraphic, Lithostratigraphic and Stable Isotope Analysis of the Minto Inlet Formation and Kilian Formation, of the Shaler Supergroup, Northwest Territories by John K. G. Prince A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Earth Sciences Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario © 2014 John Prince Abstract: The Minto Inlet Formation (<891 Ma; >762 Ma) is a ~300 m thick unit of predominantly claystone, siltstone, carbonate rock and sulphate evaporite rock. Three informal, regionally extensive members are defined: the lower evaporite, carbonate and upper evaporite members. The Kilian Formation (<795 Ma; >723 Ma) is a >500 m thick succession that is compositionally similar to the Minto Inlet Formation, and is here sub- divided into 4 third-order depositional sequences and their respective systems tracts. Both formations reflect deposition on a subtidal to supratidal ramp, influenced by siliciclastic supply, arid climate and tectono-eustasy. Sulphate samples from the Minto Inlet Formation are characterized by low average δ34S (~17‰) with little secular variability (σ = 1.36‰, n = 67), whereas samples from the Kilian Formation show high average δ34S (~26‰) and high secular variability (σ= 8.63‰, n = 67). Biogeochemical models indicate that a temporary reorganization of the sulphur flux out of the ocean, characterized by an initial decrease in the pyrite burial fraction (ƒp) from ~1 to ~0.3, was initiated prior to the deposition of the Minto Inlet Formation, and a return of ƒp values near 1 (recorded in the Kilian Formation), is inferred to have occurred during deposition of the intervening Wynniatt Formation. These changes are interpreted to be the result of widespread and thick (basin-scale) evaporite deposition during the middle Neoproterozoic, possibly driven by the migration of Rodinia and the multiple intracratonic basins which it hosted across low latitude arid climate belts. ii Acknowledgements: I would like to thank my supervisors Rob Rainbird and George Dix for allowing me to attempt a project of this scale. Thanks to Rob for initially taking me on to the Victoria Island project, his patience and his faith in me and my work have been infinite. Thank you to Boz Wing for all his multiple, multiple sulphur isotope consultations and allowing me to use lab space at McGill for the very messy and long process of carbonate associated sulphate. I would like to thank Jean Bedard for putting me up in his home both before and after my first field season and for all of the “safety meetings” while in the field. Thank you to Etienne Girard for taking time to introduce me to Arc GIS and for sacrificing the bones of his ankle for our field internet connection. Thank you to Sharon, Rosanda and Susie for the gourmet all-you-can-eat meals every night in the field. Gilly, Durbano, Ben, Chuck, Adam, Nicole, Jeff, Kat, Jordan, Danielle, Trent and Charlie are all gratefully acknowledged for their partial insanity, safety meeting contributions and union support. Special thanks to Gilly for making sure that I made my flight out of Yellowknife when I was in no state to be concerned with such things. Our Helicopter Pilots; Gary, Kyle, Greg and Darcy must be thanked for their efforts in getting every one of us back to camp every night, even if it meant flying through fog to find us. The local camp staff and wildlife monitors; Noah, Bryan, Jack and Derek are gratefully acknowledged for their expert advice and anecdotes. Special thanks to Isaac for his advice and wisdom on the lay of the land. Thank you to Bryan Krapez for never-ending entertainment. Thank you to my examiners, Don Cummings and Keiko Hattori, for their constructive comments and suggestions. Thanks to Andre Pellerin, Thi Hao Bui for their helpful discussions on laboratory protocol. Thank you to my family for their financial and emotional support through my career as a student. Finally thank you to Suzie, for the patience, encouragement and steady supply of lunches through thick and thin. iii Table of Contents: ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................ II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................... III CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 FIELD METHODS ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 PREVIOUS WORK ........................................................................................................................................ 2 1.4 SHALER SUPERGROUP LOCAL GEOLOGY ........................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2: LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY AND SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF EVAPORITIC UNITS IN THE SHALER SUPERGROUP ............................................................................................................................ 11 2.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 11 2.2 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................... 12 2.3 LITHOFACIES DESCRIPTIONS ........................................................................................................................ 14 2.4 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................. 22 The Minto Inlet Formation .................................................................................................................... 22 The lower evaporite member ........................................................................................................................... 22 Description .................................................................................................................................................. 22 Interpretation .............................................................................................................................................. 24 The carbonate member .................................................................................................................................... 25 Description .................................................................................................................................................. 25 Interpretation .............................................................................................................................................. 26 The upper evaporite member .......................................................................................................................... 26 Description .................................................................................................................................................. 26 Interpretation .............................................................................................................................................. 28 The Kilian Formation ............................................................................................................................. 29 The upper contact of the Kilian Formation ....................................................................................................... 33 Description .................................................................................................................................................. 33 Interpretation .............................................................................................................................................. 33 iv 2.5 SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY ......................................................................................................................... 35 Sequence stratigraphic framework ....................................................................................................... 36 Sequence B4 .......................................................................................................................................... 37 Sequence B5-I ....................................................................................................................................... 39 Sequence B5-II ...................................................................................................................................... 40 Sequence B5-III ..................................................................................................................................... 42 Sequence B5-IV ..................................................................................................................................... 43 2.7 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................................................ 44 Sequence stratigraphic evolution of the Minto Inlet Formation ........................................................... 44 Sequence