Jurassic Biostratigraphy and Evolution of the Methow Trough, Southwestern British Columbia
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Jurassic biostratigraphy and evolution of the Methow Trough, southwestern British Columbia Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) Authors O'Brien, Jennifer Ann Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 26/09/2021 01:05:08 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/558073 JURASSIC BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND EVOLUTION OF THE METHOW TROUGH, SOUTHWESTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA by Jennifer Ann O'Brien A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCES In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1 9 8 7 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillm ent of re quirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided th at accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the m aterial is in the in terests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED: 7 APPROVAL BY THESIS DIRECTOR This fESds hasy been approved on the date shown below: f P. J./CONEY Date Professor of/Geosciences ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis represents a study under the joint supervision of Dr. Jim Monger (Geological Survey of Canada) and Dr. Peter Coney. The thesis topic was suggested by Jim Monger. Interaction with him in and out of the field over the past few years have been invaluable. Conversations with Peter provided insight and new perspective throughout the study. The project has benefited from their time and support. Logistical support for fieldwork was provided by the Geological Survey of Canada in conjunction with Jim Monger's mapping project (GSC project #800029). A fellowship award from Amoco, and research grants from the Geological Society of America and University of Arizona (SOCAL) are also gratefully acknowledged. Many people have contributed their time, interest and support through the various stages of the project. In the field and out, Gerry Ray (B ritis h Columbia M inistry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources) has shared data, ideas and enthusiasm. Geochemical analyses and thin sections of volcanic rocks were also provided through Gerry. Dr. J. Jeletzky (Geological Survey of Canada - Ottawa) led an enlightening fieldtrip through the Manning Park section. He provided identifications of Buchia and various belemnites and has been a great source of encouragement. 1v During fieldwork I was ably assisted at various times by Mary MacLean, Dave Handel and Steve Irw in . Their energy and in te re s t were much appreciated. Access to Carol in Mine and areas north provided through individuals associated with Carol in Mine and Cattermole Timber was much appreciated. Ammonite id e n tific a tio n s were conducted through the generous and valuable guidance of Dr. H.W. Tipper at the Geological Survey of Canada (Vancouver). A productive day in the thesis area with Tip provided both new fossil localities and greater appreciation of regional relations. Dr. Paul Smith (University of B ritis h Columbia) kindly allowed use of his photographic equipment for documentation of ammonite genera. Dr. Terry Poulton (Institute of Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology) id e n tifie d various bivalves associated with ammonites of the thesis collection and also introduced me to the Manning Park fossil collections of J. Coates. Dr. R. Hall (University of Calgary) provided a second opinion on certain Bajocian ammonite specimens. Dr. Mike Orchard (Geological Survey of Canada - Vancouver) processed samples fo r conodonts and Fabrice Cordey (U niversite P ierre-et-M arie Curie, Laboratoire de Stratigraphie) processed samples for radio!arians. Dr. Karl Flessa has introduced me to a new technique for assessment of paleobiogeography and has increased my awareness of the role of taphonomy in preservation of the fossil record. His approach to the science has been stimulating. In addition to those mentioned above. Dr. George Gehrels, my husband, has been a tremendous resource throughout the p ro je ct. His support and encouragement throughout have played a s ig n ific a n t role in the evolution of the thesis. The extended family have also given generously of their time and energy to create the needed "free time" to complete this phase. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS vi 1 i LIST OF TABLES . x ii ABSTRACT ...... xi i i 1. INTRODUCTION . 1 Regional Geology .............. 5 Methow Trough ............. 5 East Boundary of the Methow Trough . 11 West Boundary of the Methow Trough . 13 Revised Jurassic Stratigraphic Nomenclature, 15 2. COQUIHALLA AREA 20 Previous Work ................. 21 Jurassic Strata 22 Ladner Group: Boston Bar Formation . 22 Ladner Group: Dewdney Creek Formation . 27 Biostratigraphy « ® . ® . .„« ® ® «. « . 35 Intrusive Rocks « . » « . * . 38 Structural Relations .............. 38 3. ANDERSON RIVER AREA 41 Jurassic Strata © « ® ® * . * . © ® * . © . ® © ® 42 Ladner Group: Boston Bar Formation ......... 42 Ladner Group: Dewdney Creek Formation ....... 42 Biostratigraphy ........... ...................... ... 44 Structural Relations ..... ............................................... 49 4. PETROGRAPHY 51 Petrographic methods ......... ................... .... 52 Petrographic descriptions ............... 58 Boston Bar F o rm atio n ............................ 58 Dewdney Creek Formation .............. 60 Thunder Lake sequence ............... 63 Jackass Mountain and Pasayten Groups ........ 66 Discussion ....................... 66 v i v i 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS— C o n tinu e d Page 5. REGIONAL GEOLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE METHOW TROUGH: J URASSIC STRATA o 73 Distribution of Jurassic Units . ................... ....... 73 Ladner Group .................... 73 Thunder Lake sequence ............... 80 Dewdney Creek Formation Geochemistry .......... 81 6. TECTONIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE JURASSIC EVOLUTION OF THE METHOW TROUGH .................... 87 Introduction ...................... 87 Coeval Stratigraphy .................. 93 Triassic "basement" assemblages .......... 97 Jurassic strata .................. 99 DlSCUSSIOn e e e e . e e . O o . 106 7. CONCLUSIONS ........................ 108 APPENDIX A: SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY ........................ ..... 113 APPENDIX B: POINT COUNT DATA ............... 128 APPENDIX C: DESCRIPTION OF MAP UNITS FOR THE COQUIHALLA (FIG. 6) AND ANDERSON RIVER (FIG. 13) AREAS ................................................... 131 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ......... ............................ 139 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Page Figure 1. Location of the Methow Trough (stippled) with respect to regional geologic elements ................... 2 Figure 2. Location of areas mapped in detail in the Methow Trough in southwestern B ritis h Columbia ..... 4 Figure 3. A simplified geologic map of the Methow Trough, illustrating the distribution of Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous units ......... 7 Figure 4. Generalized stratigraphic section of the Methow Trough in southwestern B ritis h Columbia and correlative units in north-central Washington .................................................................................... 8 Figure 5. Folds and high angle faults exposed on the north face of Mt. Tulameen, Coquihal1 a area ...... 10 Figure 6. Geologic map and cross sections of the Coquihalla area. (In pocket) Figure 7. Schematic b io s tra ti graphic section of Jurassic strata exposed in the Coquihal la area ........................23 Figure 8a. A g ra n itic boulder found in a sheared conglomeratic mudstone o f the Boston Bar Formation .................... 25 Figure 8b. Outcrop of intercalated argillite and siltstone of the Boston Bar Formation exposed in road cuts of the Coquihalla highway east of Ladner Creek ..................... 25 Figure 9. Interbedded 1ithofeldspathic sandstone and volcanic-rich conglomerate of basal Dewdney Creek strata .................. 29 Figure 10. Volcanic-rich pebble conglomerate characteristic of the Dewdney Creek Formation ......... 31 v i i i ix LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS— Continued Page Figure 11. Interbedded tuffaceous greywacke and s iltsto n e is c h a ra c te ris itic of the Oewdney Creek / strata exposed on Mt. Tulameen and Mt. Sm der ( F i g . 6 ) . * . 33 Figure 12a. Aligned belemnites on the bedding surface of a tuffaceous siltstone found directly west of the summit of Mt. Tulameen .......................................... 37 Figure 12b. An ammonite (Sonninia (? )) im print was found 2 m above the belemnite surface ......... 37 Figure 13. Geologic map and cross section of the Anderson River area. (In pocket) Figure 14. Interbedded siltstone and argillite of the Boston Bar Formation « . © . © ® « ® . © ® * 43 Figure 15. Andesitic volcanic breccia is characteristic of the upper Dewdney Creek Formation ................... 45 Figure 16. Schematic biostrati graphic section of Jurassic strata exposed in the