Process ichnological analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Bluesky Formation, Alberta

Research Article| June 01, 2015 Process ichnological analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Bluesky Formation, Alberta Scott E. Botterill; Scott E. Botterill Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. Gordon Campbell; S. Gordon Campbell Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. George Pemberton; S. George Pemberton Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Murray K. Gingras Murray K. Gingras Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Scott E. Botterill Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 S. Gordon Campbell Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 S. George Pemberton Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Murray K. Gingras Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Publisher: Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Received: 22 Sep 2014 Accepted: 24 Feb 2015 First Online: 12 Jul 2017 Online Issn: 2368-0261 Print Issn: 0007-4802 © the Society of Canadian Petroleum Geologists Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology (2015) 63 (2): 123–142. https://doi.org/10.2113/gscpgbull.63.2.123 Article history Received: 22 Sep 2014 Accepted: 24 Feb 2015 First Online: 12 Jul 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Scott E. Botterill, S. Gordon Campbell, S. George Pemberton, Murray K. Gingras; Process ichnological analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Bluesky Formation, Alberta. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology 2015;; 63 (2): 123–142. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gscpgbull.63.2.123 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 SocietyBulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract The process ichnological methodology was applied to a core dataset from the late Aptian to early Albian Bluesky Formation to identify the ichnological characteristics of ancient, marginal marine environments. This methodology has proven effective in recognizing the response of trace making organisms to various physico-chemical stresses in modern environments, but its application to ancient deposits is less established. Several previous studies of the Bluesky Formation have identified a wide range of depositional affinities; however few of these have focused on the detailed combination of ichnologic criteria outlined within the process ichnological framework. In order to assess the effectiveness of the process ichnological framework to the rock record, high resolution, systematic ichnological characteristics were recorded and combined with sedimentologic data from nine wells containing core from within the Bluesky Formation. These characteristics led to the identification of several inferred physico-chemical stresses within the dataset showing an overall evolution from high energy brackish water deposition to a low energy, marine setting. This study contributes to the well-established brackish-water ichnological model and, in addition, helps establish the utility of the process ichnological methodology in the recognition of physico-chemical stresses in ancient environments. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.