1887
Volume 2 Number 3
  • E-ISSN: 1365-2117

Abstract

The Mesozoic stratigraphy of the westernmost part of the Western Canada Basin is used to estimate sedimentation and relative crustal subsidence rates in the region between 49oN and 60oN, immediately to the east of the disturbed belt. Average rates of subsidence varied from zero to 120 m/Myr, with prominent maxima occurring three times during the Mesozoic. The first occurred during the Tithonian, when rates rose to 100 m/Myr; the second during the Albian to early Santonian, when rates rose to 120 m/Myr in the north and to 70 m/Myr in the south, with subsidence occurring earlier in the north than in the south. The third period of rapid subsidence occurred during the Campanian and Maastrichtian, with rates rising to 120 m/Myr in the southern part of the basin. During non‐peak periods, average rates of subsidence ranged from 3.5 m/Myr to 35 m/Myr in the Triassic, from zero to 20 m/Myr in the Jurassic and from zero to 30 m/Myr in the Cretaceous.

Tectonic loading of the lithosphere is considered to be the most probable cause for all three of these periods of rapid subsidence. The three separate episodes are correlated with the separate arrivals of accreted terranes; the first in north‐east Oregon and central west Idaho during the Late Jurassic, the second in the central Yukon during the late Early Cretaceous and the third in south‐east British Columbia during the Late Cretaceous.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2117.1989.tb00034.x
2007-11-06
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Archibald, D. A., Glover, J. K., Price, R. A., Farrar, E. & Carmichael, D. M. (1983). Geochronology and tectonic implications of magmatism and metamorphism, southern Kootenay Arc and neighbouring regions, southeastern British Columbia. Part 1: Jurassic to mid‐Cretaceous. Can. J. Earth Sc.20, 1891–1913.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Armstrong, R. L. (1968). Sevier orogenic belt in Nevada and Utah. Bull. Geol. Soc. Am.79, 429–458.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Barss, D. L., Best, E. W. & Meyers, N. (1964). Triassic. In: Geological History of Western Canada (Ed. by R. G.McCrossan and R. P.Glaister ), pp. 113–136. Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary .
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Beaumont, G. (1981). Foreland Basins. Geopkys. J. R. astr. Soc.65, 291–329.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Bhattacharya, J. (1988). Antocyclic and allocyclic sequences in river‐ and wave‐dominated deltaic sediments of the Upper Cretaceous, Dunvegan Formation, Alberta: core examples. In: Sequences, Stratigraphy, Sedimentology: Surface and Subsurface.(Ed. by D. P.James and D. A.Leckie). Mem. Can. Soc. Petrol. Geol.15, 25–32.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Bird, P. (1984). Laramide crustal thickening event in the Rocky Mountain foreland and Great Plains. Tectonics3, 741–758.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Caldwell, W. G. E. (1984). Early Cretaceous transgressions and regressions in the southern interior plains. In: Mesozoic of Middle North America. (Ed. by D. F.Stott and D.J.Glass). Mem. Can. Soc. Petrol. Geol.9, 173–203.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Cant, D.J. (1984). Development of Shoreline‐shelf Sandbodies in a Cretaceous epeiric sea deposit. J. sedim. Petrol.54, 541–556.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Cant, D.J. (1988). Regional structure and development of the Peace River Arch, Alberta: a Palaeozoic failed‐rift systemBull. Can. Petrol. Geol.36, 284–295.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Cant, D. J. (1989). Lower Zuni Sequence: Middle Jurassic to Middle Cretaceous. In: Western Canada Sedimentary Basin: A Case History (Ed. by B. D.Ricketts ). Pp. 251–267. Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgarya , Albert .
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Cant, D. J. & Stockmal, G. S. (1989). The Alberta foreland basin: relationship between stratigraphy and Cordilleran terrane–accretion events. Can. J. Earth Sci.26, 1964–1975.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Chamberlain, V. E. & Lambert, R. St J. (1985). Cordilleria, a newly defined Canadian microcontinent. Nature314, 707–713.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Donovan, D. T. & Jones, E. J. W. (1979). Causes of world‐wide changes in sea level. J. Geol. Soc. Land.136, 187–192.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Eisbacher, G. H. (1985). Pericollisional strike/slip faults and synorogenic basins, Canadian Cordillera. In: Strike/slip Deformation, Basin Formation, and Sedimentation. (Ed. by K. T.Biddle and N.Christie‐Blick). Spec. Publ. Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner., Tulsa37, 265–282.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. England, T. D.J. & Bustin, R. M. (1986). Thermal maturation of the western Canadian sedimentary basin south of the Red Deer River: 1, Alberta Plains. Bull. Can. Petrol. Geol.34, 71–90.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Finger, K. L. (1983). Observations on the Lower Cretaceous Ostracode zone of Alberta. Bull. Can. Petrol. Geol.31, 326–337.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Forsyth, D. W. (1980). Comparison of mechanical models of the oceanic lithosphere. J. geophys Res.85, 6364–6368.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. Ghent, E. D. & Miller, B. E. (1974). Zeolite and clay‐carbonate assemblages in the Blairmore Group (Cretaceous), southern Alberta foothills, Canada. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology44, 313–329.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Hallam, A., Hancock, J. M., Labrecque, J. L., Lowrie, W. & Channel, J. E. T. (1985). Jurassic to Paleogene: Part I. Jurassic to Paleogene magnetostratigraphy. In: The Chronology of the Geological Record (Ed. by N. J.Snelling). Mem. Geol. Soc. Lond.10, 118–140.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Hamblin, A. P. & Walker, R. G. (1979). Storm dominated shallow marine deposits: the Fernie‐Kcotenay (Jurassic). Can. J. Earth Sci.16, 1673–1690.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Harland, W. B., Cox, A. V., Llewellyn, P. G., Picton, C A. G., Smith, A. G. & Walters, R. (1982). A geologic Time Scale. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge , 131 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Heller, P. L., Bowdler, S. S., Chambers, H. P., Coogan, J. C., Hagen, E. S., Shuster, M. W., Winslow, N. S. & Lawton, T. F. (1986). Time of initial thrusting in the Sevier orogenic belt, Idaho‐Wyoming and Utah. Geology14, 388–391.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Hurst, J. M., McKerrow, W. S., Soper, N. J. & Surlyk, F. (1983). The relationship between Caledonian nappe tectonics and Silurian turbidite deposition in North Greenland. J. Geol. Soc. Lond.140, 123–131.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Jackson, P. C. (1984). Palaeogeography of the Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group of Western Canada. In: ElmsworthCase study of a deep‐basin gas field (Ed. by J. A.Masters). Mem. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol.38, 49–78.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Jeletzky, J. A. (1971). Marine Cretaceous biotic provinces and paleography of western and Arctic Canada: illustrated by a detailed study of Ammonites. Pap. geol. Surv. Can.70‐22, 92 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Jeletzky, J. A. (1978). Causes of Cretaceous oscillations of sea level in Western and Arctic Canada and some general geotectonic implications. Pap. geol. Surv. Can.77‐18, 44 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Jordan, T. E. (1981). Thrust loads and foreland basin evolution, Cretaceous, western United States. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol.65, 2506–2520.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Kauffman, E. G. (1977). Geological and biological overview, Western Interior Cretaceous Basin. Mountain Geol.14, 75–99.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Kennedy, W. J. (1989). Thoughts on the evolution and extinction of Cretaceous ammonites. Proc. Geol. Ass.100, 251–279.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. Lambert, R. St J. (1971). The Pre‐Pleistocene time‐scale–a review. In: The Phanerozoic Time‐Scale. (Ed. by W. B.Harland and E. H.Francis). Spec. Publ. Geol. Soc. London5, 9–31.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Lambert, R. St J. & Chamberlain, V. E. (1988). Cordilleria revisited, with a three‐dimensional model for Cretaceous tectonics in British Columbia.,7. Geol.96, 47–60.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. Leckie, D. (1986). Petrology and Tectonic significance of Gates Formation (Early Cretaceous) sediments in north‐east British Columbia. Can J. Earth Sci.23, 129–141.
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Leckie, D. A. (1989). Upper Zuni Sequence: Upper Cretaceous to lower Tertiary. In: Western Canada Sedimentary Basin: A Case History (Ed. by B. D.Ricketts ), pp. 269–284. Canadian Soc. of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary , Alberta .
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Leggett, J. K., McKerrow, W. S. & Soper, N.J. (1983). A model for the crustal evolution of southern Scotland. Tectonics2, 187–210.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. Magara, K. (1978). Compaction and Fluid Migration: Practical Petroleum Geology. Elsevier, New York , 319 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Maxant, J. (1980). Variation of density with rock type, depth, and formation in the Western Canada Basin from density logs. Geophysics45, 1061–1076.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. McCrossan, R. G. & Glaister, R. P. (1964). Geological History of Western Canada. Alherta Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary , Alberta . 232 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. McLean, J. R. & Wall, J. H. (1981). The Early Cretaceous Moosebar Sea in Alberta. Bull. Can. Petrol. Geol.29, 334–377.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Mitrovica, J. X., Beaumont, C. & Jarvis, G. T. (1989). Tilting of continental interiors by the dynamical effects of subduction. Tectonics8, 1079–1094.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. Monger, J. W. H. & Price, R. A. (1979). The geodynamic evolution of the Canadian Cordillera–progress and problems. Can. J. Earth Sci.16, 770–791.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Monger, J. W. R., Price, R. A. & Tempelman‐Kluit, D. J. (1982). Tectonic accretion and the origin of the two major metamorphic and plu tonic welts in the Canadian Cordillera. Geology10, 70–75.
    [Google Scholar]
  42. Mudge, M. R. (1977). General Geology of Glacier National Park and adjacent areas, Montana. Bull. Can. Petrol. Geol.25, 736–751.
    [Google Scholar]
  43. Nurkowski, J. R. (1984). Coal quality, coal rank variation and its relation to reconstructed overburden, Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary plains coals, Alberta, Canada. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol.68, 285–295.
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Oldow, J. S., Ave Lallemant, H. G. & Schmidt, W.J. (1984). Kinematics of plate convergence deduced from Mesozoic structures in the western Cordillera. Tectonics3, 201–227.
    [Google Scholar]
  45. Ori, G. G. & Friend, P. F. (1984). Sedimentary basins formed and carried piggy back on active thrust sheets. Geology12, 475–478.
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Pate, G R. (1986). Cretaceous compaction and tectonic subsidence of the Alberta basin. MSc thesis Unpubl. University of Alberta, 248 pp.
  47. Pate, C R. (1988). A comparison of isopach maps and total subsidence maps: implications for basin development and sandstone distribution during the Lower Cretaceous in the deep basin area of Allierta and British Columbia. In: Sequences, Stratigraphy, Sedimen, ology: Surface and Subsurface. (Ed. by D. P.James and D. A.Leckie). Mem. Can. Soc. Petrol. Geol.15, 553–562.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Perrier, R. & Quiblier, J. (1974). Thickness changes in sedimentary layers during compaction history; methods of quantitative evaluation. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Ceol.58, 507–520.
    [Google Scholar]
  49. Porter, J. W., Price, R. A. & McCrossan, R. G. (1982). The Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A205, 169–192.
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Poulton, T. P. (1984). The Jurassic of the Canadian western interior, from 49 N latitude to Beaufort Sea. In: The Mesozoic of Middle North America (Ed. by D. F.Stott and D. J.Glass). Mem. Can. Soc. Petrol. Ceol.9, 15–41.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Poulton, T. P. & Aitken, J. D. (1989). The Lower Jurassic phosphorites of southeastern British Columbia and terrane accretion to western North America. Can. J. Earth Sci.26, 1612–1616.
    [Google Scholar]
  52. Price, R. A. (1981). Rocky Mountain fold and thrust belt and Omineca crystalline belt. In: Field Guides, Geological Association of Canada Annual Meeting, Calgary, J 98J (Ed. by R. I.Thompson and D. G.Cook ) GAC, Calgary , pp. 268–280.
    [Google Scholar]
  53. Rapson, J. E. (1965). Petrography and derivation of Jurassic‐Cretaceous clastic rocks, southern Rocky Mountains. Bull. Can. Am. Ass. Petrol Geol.49, 1426–1452.
    [Google Scholar]
  54. Ricci‐Lucchi, F. (1986). The Oligocene to recent Foreland Basins of the northern Appenines. In: Foreland Basins (Ed. by P. A.Allen and P.Homewood). Spec. Publ. Int. Ass. Sediment8, 105–140.
    [Google Scholar]
  55. Rudkin, R. A. (1964). Lower Cretaceous. In: Geological History of Western Canada (Ed. by R. G.McCrossan and R. P.Glaister ), pp. 156–158. Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary .
    [Google Scholar]
  56. Sahagian, D. (1987). Epeirogeny and Eustatic Sea Level Changes as Inferred from Cretaceous Shoreline Deposits: Applications to the Central and Western United States, J. geophys. Res.92, 4895–4904.
    [Google Scholar]
  57. Schmidt, C. J. & Perry, W.J.Jr (1988). Interaction of the Rocky Mountain Foreland and the Cordilleran Thrust Belt. Mem. Geol. Soc. Am.171, 582 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  58. Schultheis, N. H. & Mountjoy, E. W. (1978). Cadomin Conglomerate of Western Alberta–Arenite of Early Cretaceous uplift of the main ranges. Bull. Can. Petrol. Geol.26, 297–342.
    [Google Scholar]
  59. Schwartz, R. K. & DeCelles, P. G. (1988). Cordilleran foreland basin evolution in response to interactive Cretaceous thrusting and foreland partitioning, southwestern Montana. In: Interaction of the Rocky Mountain Foreland and the Cordilleran Thrust Belt. (Ed. by CJ.Schmidt and W.J.Perry). Mem. geol. Soc. Am.171, 489–513.
    [Google Scholar]
  60. Sleep, N. H. (1976). Platform subsidence mechanisms and ‘eustatic’ sea level changes. Tectonophys.36, 45–56.
    [Google Scholar]
  61. Springer, G. D., MacDonald, W. D. & Crockford, M. B. B. (1964). Jurassic. In: Geological History of Western Canada (Ed. by R. G.McCrossan and R. P.Glaister ), pp. 137–155. Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary .
    [Google Scholar]
  62. Steckler, M. S. & Watts, A. B. (1978). Subsidence of the Atlantic‐type continental margin off New York. Earth Planet. Sci. Letts41, 1–13.
    [Google Scholar]
  63. Stockmal, G. A. & Beaumont, C. (1987). Geodynamic models of convergent margin tectonics: the southern Canadian Cordilleria and the Swiss Alps. In: Sedimentary Basins and Basin‐forming Mechanisms (Ed. by C.Beaumont and A. J.Tankard). Mem. Can. Soc. Petrol. Geol. 12/Spec. Publ. Atlantic Geosci. Soc.5, 393–411.
    [Google Scholar]
  64. Stott, D. F. (1975). The Cretaceous System in northeastern British Columbia. In: Caldwell, W. G. E. (ed.) The Cretaceous System in the Western Interior of North America (Ed. by W. G. E.Caldwell). Spec. Pap. geol. Ass. Can.13, 411–467.
    [Google Scholar]
  65. Stott, D. F. (1982). Lower Cretaceous Fort St. John Group and Upper Cretaceous Dunvegan Formation of the foothills and plains of Alberta, British Columbia, District of MacKenzie and Yukon Territory. Bull. Geol. Sum. Can.328, 124 pp.
    [Google Scholar]
  66. Stott, D. F. (1984). Cretaceous sequences of the Foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. In: The Mesozoic of Middle North America (Ed. by D. F.Stott and D. J.Glass). Mem. Can. Soc. Petrol. Geol.9, 85–107.
    [Google Scholar]
  67. Taylor, D. R., Mathews, W. H. & Kupsch, W. O. (1964). Chapter 13: Tertiary. In: Geological history of western Canada. (Ed. by R. G.McCrossan and R. P.Glaister ). Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary , 190–194.
    [Google Scholar]
  68. Umhoefer, P.J. (1987). Northward translation of‘Baja British Columbia’ along the Late Cretaceous to Paleocene margin of western North America. Tectonics6, 377–394.
    [Google Scholar]
  69. Umhoefer, P. J., Dragovich, J., Cary, J. & Engebretson, D. C. (1989). Refinements of the ‘Baja B.C.’ plate tectonic model for northward translation along the margin of western North America. In: Deep Structure and Past Kinematics of Accreted Terranes. (Ed. by J. W.Hillhouse). Am. geophys. Un. Monog.50, 101–112.
    [Google Scholar]
  70. Vail, P. R., Mitchum, R. M.Jr. & Thompson, S.III. (1977). Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level. In: Seismic Stratigraphy; Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration (Ed. by C. E.Payton). Mem. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol.26, 83–97.
    [Google Scholar]
  71. Vink, G. E‐, Morgan, W. J. & Vogt, P. R. (1985). The Earth's hot spots. Sci. Am.252, 50–57.
    [Google Scholar]
  72. Walker, N. W. (1986). U/Pb Geochronologic and petrologic studies in the Blue Mountains Terrane, northeastern Oregon and westernmost‐central Idaho: implications for pre‐Tertiary tectonic evolution. PhD thesis Unpubl. University of California, Santa Barbara.
  73. Watts, A. B. & Ryan, W. B. F. (1976). Flexure of the lithosphere and continental margin basin. Tectonophys.36, 25–44.
    [Google Scholar]
  74. Watts, A. B. (1982). Lithospheric flexure and the evolution of sedimentary basins. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A305, 249–281.
    [Google Scholar]
  75. Weimer, R. J. (1984). Relation of unconformities, tectonics, and sea level changes, Cretaceous of Western Interior, US‐A. In: Interregional Unconformities and Hydrocarbon Accumulation. Mem. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol.36, 7–36.
    [Google Scholar]
  76. Wernicke, B. & Klepacki, D. W. (1988). Escape hypothesis for the Stikine block. Geology16, 461–464.
    [Google Scholar]
  77. Williams, G. D. & Burk, C F.Jr. (1964). Upper Cretaceous. In: Geological History of Western Canada (Ed. by R. G.McCrossan and R. P.Glaister ), pp. 169–189. Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, Calgary .
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2117.1989.tb00034.x
Loading
  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error