Implied basement-tectonic control on deposition of Lower Carboniferous carbonate ramp, southern Cordillera, Canada

Research Article| May 01, 1996 Implied basement-tectonic control on deposition of Lower Carboniferous carbonate ramp, southern Cordillera, Canada R. T. Brandley; R. T. Brandley 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar F. F. Krause; F. F. Krause 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. L. Varsek; J. L. Varsek 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. Thurston; J. Thurston 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D. A. Spratt D. A. Spratt 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information R. T. Brandley 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada F. F. Krause 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada J. L. Varsek 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada J. Thurston 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada D. A. Spratt 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1996) 24 (5): 467–470. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024<0467:IBTCOD>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation R. T. Brandley, F. F. Krause, J. L. Varsek, J. Thurston, D. A. Spratt; Implied basement-tectonic control on deposition of Lower Carboniferous carbonate ramp, southern Cordillera, Canada. Geology 1996;; 24 (5): 467–470. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024<0467:IBTCOD>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Mount Head embayment is a regional downwarp along the west coast of Lower Carboniferous western Canada that developed by differential subsidence, which we recognize from lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic patterns. Palinspastic restoration of the Mount Head embayment illustrates that subsidence domains are geometrically coincident with previously identified tectonic elements of the autochthonous basement. Thus, it appears that basement-tectonic elements controlled sediment accommodation and accumulation within the Mount Head embayment. The overall shape of this embayment is probably inherited from the arcuate shape of the Late Proterozoic cratonic rift margin. Within the Mount Head embayment, several northeast-southwest–trending Archean and Proterozoic basement-tectonic elements intersect the autochthonous cratonic margin at high angles. Carboniferous piano-key-like structural reactivation of these tectonic elements produced oriented trends of differential subsidence that partitioned the Mount Head embayment into two subbasins (Crowsnest and Kananaskis depocenters) separated by a more positive area (Highwood high). Moreover, our data imply that Precambrian basement structure noted by others under the Plains and Rocky Mountain fold and thrust belt continued across the Rocky Mountain trench to the west, and that tectonic control on sedimentation noted by others for Precambrian and pre–Middle Devonian rocks extends clearly into overlying Carboniferous deposits. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.