Return to search

Sedimentology, Ichnology and High-Resolution Allostratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous Viking Fonnation, Central Alberta, Canada

<p> The Lower Cretaceous (Upper Albian) Viking Formation of central Alberta
contains numerous linear sandbodies and fewer large irregularly-shaped sandbodies. Most
studies to date have focused on individual sandbodies, leaving their interrelationships
largely unknown. Developing a high-resolution allostratigraphy for the Viking of central
Alberta allows mapping of regional bounding discontinuities and the definition of distinct
allomembers. Placement of the Viking hydrocarbon fields within this framework permits
an understanding of the exact stratigraphic relationships of the various fields. </p> <p> Examination of 120 cores and numerous well log correlations suggests the
existence of four regionally mappable bounding discontinuities (BDl-4) which separate
five distinct allomembers (I-V). Sandbodies within these allomembers were deposited in a
variety of sedimentologically distinct environments. These include 'regional Viking'
offshore to shoreface sandstones, prograding highstand shoreface sediments, transgressive
incised shoreface sediments, and forced regressive, onlapping shoreface 'tongues'. The
series of linear trending hydrocarbon fields from Joffre to Chain are also stratigraphically
distinct. The sandbodies exist at five separate stratigraphic horizons and therefore are not
all part of the same incised shoreface deposits. </p> <p> The four regional bounding discontinuities are interpreted as transgressive surfaces
of erosion formed by four separate drops and subsequent rises of relative sea level. These fluctuations were greater than 30m and each complete cycle occurred over roughly
375,000 years. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/19856
Date05 1900
CreatorsBurton, James
ContributorsWalker, R.G., Geology
Source SetsMcMaster University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish

Page generated in 0.0018 seconds