Au~e

Absol ut e Wat er Dept h Li mi ts of Late Devoni an

Pal eoeeol ogi eal Zones
By ASHTON F. EMBRY, III, Calgary, and J . EDWARD KLOVAN, Calgary *)
With 10 figures
Zusammenfassung njkj
Ein verfeinertes Schema zur Klassifizierung von Riffkalksteinen, das die Bestandteile
fiber 2 mm (den konglomeratischen Anteil) und die Art der organischen Bindung bes-
ser berficksichtigt, erm6glicht eine genauere Faziesbeschreibung von organischen Rif-
fen. Die Klassifizierung wurde auf oberdevonische Rifle angewandt, die im nord-
6stlichen Tell der Banks Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago, anstehen. Die Fazies-
verteilung und -abfolge in einem der Rifle erm6glichte es, die absoluten Wassertiefen
von drei wesentlichen oberdevonischen Zonen zu bestimmen. Korallen waren die
vorherrschende Fauna in Wasser tiefer als 21 m; tabulare Stromatoporiden wuchsen
zwischen 21m und 9m Wassertiefe; massive Stromatoporiden waren die vorherr-
schende Fauna zwischen 9 m und Meeresspiegel. Der wichtigste Faktor, der die Tiefen
der Zonengrenzen bestimmte, war die Wellenenergie (normaler Wellentiefgang 9 m;
Sturmwellentiefgang 21 m).
Abstract
A refined scheme o~ reefal limestone classification, which places more emphasis on
the > 2 mm components (conglomeratic fraction) and on the mode of organic binding,
allows for a more detailed facies description of organic buildups. The classification has
been applied to Late Devonian organic buildups which outcrop on northeastern Banks
Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The distribution and sequences of facies in one
organic buildup has led to the determination of absolute water depth limits of three
major Late Devonian paleoecological zones. Corals were the dominant fauna below
70 feet (21 m.); tabular stromatoporoids flourished between 70 feet (21 m.) and 30 feet
(9 m.) of water depth; massive stromatoporoids were the dominant fauna between
80 feet (9 m.) and sea level. The main controlling factor on the depth limits of the
zones was wave energy (normal wave base, 80 feet [9 m.]; storm wave base, 70 feet
[21 re.l).
R6sum~
Une classification sch6matique et d6taill6e des calcaires de r6cif sup~rieur insistant
sur les constituents d' une grosseur ~ 2 mm. (fraction comglomeratique) et sur la mani~re
avec laquelle les constituents ont 6t6 li6 spar des organismes permet une d6scription
plus d6taill6e des facies d'6difices organiques. Elle a 6t6 appliqu6e ~ l'6tude de r6cifs
qui affleurent dans la partie Nord-est des Banks Island dans l'archipel arctique canadien.
Lad distribution et la succession des facies dans un 6difice organique ont permit de
pr6ciser les limites des profondeurs absolues d'eau de trois zones pal6o6cologiques
principales du d6vonien sup6rieur. Des coraux formaient la faune pr6pond6rante au-
dessous de 21m.; stromatop6roides tabulaires abondaient entre 2Ira. et 9m. de pro-
fondeur; des stromatoporoides massifs formaient la faune pr6pond6rante entre la sur-
face de la mer et 9m. de profondeur. Le facteur principal fixant les limites de pro-
fondeur des zones pal6o6cologiques 6tait l'6nergie des vagues (base des vagues nor-
males 9 m., base des vagues de temp~te 21 m.).
*) Authors' addresses: ASaTON F. EMBRY, III, Mobil Oil Canada Ltd., Calgary, Al-
berta, Canada; J. EDWARD KLOVAN, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada.
672
A. F. EMBRY, J. E, KLOVAN - - Absolute Wat er Dept h Limits of Lat e Devonian
Is co~ep~aHne
CxeMa RzaccHOnKaunH pHqboB1ax 1/13BeCTHHHOB, nprt HOTOpO~ MO~HO pa3ziHqaTb
COCTaBHLIe qacTH 6oaee 2 MM (Konr~oMepaTHafI qaCTb) n BH~ opranHqec~nx o6pa-
3OBaHH~, pa3pemaeT woqltee onHcaTb ~)aii~i~ pI~)OB. 3Ty I~acc~i~]~nl~ar~r~Io npnMe-
tU~JIH K BepxHe-~eBOHCHRM pH(~aM, HOTOpbIe o6pa3ymT ceBepo-eocwoquyIo qaCTb
6aHoH HcJIaH~C',~OFO 14 Harla~gHoro apHTr~qecKoro apxnHe~ara. Pacnpe~eJienge ~at~H~
~ ero qepeaonanne B p~q~e pa3pemamT onpe;~eJmwb a6co~mwnym r~y6nHy no~Li
B Tpex BaH~HBIX BepxHe~eBOHCHHX 8oHax. l ~opaaaH HBJIHJIHCb rocno~cTnyiou~efr
qbaHne~ Ha r~y@He 5oaee 21 M; cTepmnenbm cTpOMaTO~trITbI pocJtH Ha r aySnue
21- - 9 M; MaCenBH~e cTpoMaTonopn~l~i rocno~icTeoBa~n OT r~ySnHI)t 9 M XO noBepx-
nocTn BO;~BL Ba~negrmn~t qba~TOpOM, o~]pe3ean~outHM r a y6nny r pa nnq~ OTnX 3OH,
~Bnnac~ ~ e p r r ~ Bo~noxo~a (O~bIqHbte BOJIHt,I 7~OCTHra~OT r5tySHHb~ 9 M., a HpH
mTop~e - - 21 M).
I nt roduct i on
De voni a n or gani c bui l dups 1) ar e pr es ent in ma n y par t s of t he wor l d a nd t he
Ca na di a n Ar ct i c Ar chi pel ago is no except i on. Numer ous La t e De voni a n or gani c
bui l dups ar e magni f i cent l y exposed i n an ar ea of 1500 s quar e mi l es (3900 s quar e
ki l omet r es) en nor t heas t er n Banks I s l and ( Fi g. 1). Or gani c bui l dups , al ong wi t h
i nt er - or gani c bui l dup st r at a, cons t i t ut e a 200 f oot (61 met r e) l i mest one uni t
wi t hi n a t hi ck (3600 f eet [1100 met r es] ) s equence of Up p e r De voni a n el ast i c
rocks. The s t r at i gr aphi c nome nc l a t ur e as s i gned to t he st r at a (KLOvAN & EMBnY,
1971) is shown i n Fi g. 2. The sequence r epr es ent s t he de ve l opme nt of a cl ast i c
we dge whi ch bui l t s out hwar d dur i ng La t e De voni a n t i me. Up p e r De voni a n
s t r at a of Banks I s l and r ecor d t he gr adual change f r om mar i ne shel f s t r at a
( Weat her al l For mat i on) t o near - s hor e s t r at a ( Hecl a Bay For mat i on) cul mi nat i ng i n
coast al pl ane st r at a ( Gr i per Bay For mat i on) . The l i mest one uni t , of Lat e Fr a s ni a n
age, has be e n t e r me d t he Mer cy Bay Me mb e r of t he We a t he r a l l Forrr~ation
(EMBer & KLOVAN, 1971). I t r epr esent s t he de ve l opme nt of a r eef t r act dur i ng
a t r ansgr essi ve epi sode. Fi g. 3 depi ct s t he i nt e r pr e t e d pa l e oge ogr a phy at t he t i me
of depos i t i on of t he Mer cy Bay Member .
The Me r c y Bay Me mbe r cont ai ns a mul t i t ude of or gani c bui l dups whi ch di s-
pl a y a ma r ke d var i at i on in char act er in an east - west di r ect i on. Or gani c bui l dups
al ong t he east er n ( seawar d) mar gi n of t he r eef t r act ar e nar r ow, l i near bi oher ms
t r e ndi ng nor t h- sout h. The y ar e encas ed in younge r quar t z sandst ones a nd shal es
whi ch f i l l ed i n t he i nt er - r eef ar eas af t er cessat i on of r eef gr owt h. To t he west ,
or gani c bui l dups ar e mor e numer ous, a nd consi st of l ower bi oher ms and uppe r
bi ost r omes. The l ower bi oher ms t r end east - west , a nd t he i nt er - bi oher m st r at a
a r e penecont empor aneous , ar gi l l aceous l i mest ones. The or gani c bui l dups al ong
t he wes t er n out cr op edge of t he Me r c y Bay Me mb e r ar e l ar ge bi oher ms or i ent ed
i n a nor t h- s out h di r ect i on. These bi oher ms exhi bi t a ma r ke d a s ymme t r y re-
pr es ent i ng l at er al e a s t wa r d gr owt h. Al l of t he or gani c bui l dups show a ver t i cal
f aunal zonat i on wi t h coral s and t a bul a r s t r omat opor oi ds i n t he l ower por t i on
a nd massi ve s t r omat opor oi ds e) i n t he u p p e r por t i on. Fi g. 4 is a s chemat i c east -
~) The term organic bui l dup is appl i ed to any carbonate rock body which is com-
posed predomi nant l y of mega-fossils, regardless of the shape or origin of t he rock
body. Organic buildups are classified according to shape (bioherm or biostrome) and
mode of origin (reef or bank).
2) The di vi di ng line between tabular stromatoporoids and massive stromatoporoids
was arbitrarily drawn at one inch (2.5 cm.) in thickness.
673
Aufs~itze
M~CL URE STI~AI T
MERCY
B A N K S I~ ::":'::"
I S L A N / i
] UPPER DEVONIAN
BEDROCK
| OUTCROP OF MERCY
r , E . R
~ STUDY LOCALITY
MILES B
Fig. 1. A. Canadiarl Arctic Archipelago. B. Banks Island showing location of Upper
Devonian outcrop and study locality.
PERIOD STAGE = STRATIGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE LITHOLOGY
CRET - I SACHSEN FORMATI ON UNcoNsoLIDATED
ALBIAN COARSE-GRAINED
ACEDUS ? 250 FEET 75 METRES SAN D.
F
A G R I P E R BAY INTERBEDDED
M
E
N
O N
I
A
E N
F
V
R
0
A
N s
I N
I
A
A
N
N
GIVE-'
T~AN
MELVI LLE
SANDSTONE ,SILTSTONE
FORMATI ON SHALE COAL;
COASTAL PLAIN
900 FEET 2TSMETRES DEPOSIT
HECLA BAY FM. SANDSTONE,MED.GRAINED;
150 FEET 45 METRES NEARSHORE DEPOSIT
I S L A N D
G R O U P
MERCY LIMESTONE
BAY MBR. REEF TRACl
20Oft 61M.
INTERBEDDED
WE A T H E R A L L
SANDSTONE, SILTSTONE
FORMATI ON AND SHALE ;
MARINE SHELF
2600 FEET 793 METRES DEPOSIT
N O T E X P O S E D
Fig. 2. Stratigraphic Nomenclature - - northeastern Banks Island, N.W.T.
6 7 4
A. F. EMB~Y, J. E. KLOVAN - - Absolute Water Depth Limits of Late Devonian
4,
HIG ~ /
~ " ' ~ ' ~ R E E F TRACT
o ,oo ' ~ , ~ " ~ - ~ . - - ~ ' ~
Fig. 3. Schematic pa]eogeography of the western Canadian Arctic Archipe]ago during
the deposition of the Mercy Bay Member (Late Frasnian).
W ~ 4 0 MI L E S ( 6 4 KM. ) ~ E1
: : ~ , - ' - ~ - ~ ~ 3 l t ; t i 'q ~ ' - 4 ~ " i l t; :.~ ~ , ~ : : : : - - ~ , i l
- , - ~ ~ ~- . <" ~ r - ~ - r - ' ~ - , ~ . : . ' ~ ? : . - ~ - ' - : " : ~ : : ~ ".
C O R A L - T A B U L A R S T R O M A T O P O R O I D
I I L I M E S T O N E - S U B M E R G E N T
B t OGE N I C B A N K .
' ~ - - ~ F I N E - G R A I N E D
- S K E L E T A L L I M E S T O N E
T E R R I G E N O U S
- C L A S T I C
R O C K S ,
N O T T O S C A L E
Fig. 4. Diagrammatic E- - W cross section across the Mercy Bay Member illustrating
regional variations within the member.
west cross sect i on across t he Mer cy Bay Member i l l ust rat i ng some of t he above
ment i oned variations.
EMBRY & KLOVAN (1971) have descri bed t he facies di st ri but i ons and sequences
wi t hi n t he Mer cy Bay Member. Rat her t han r epeat t hat mat eri al , we will con-
cent r at e on one out cr op l ocal i t y of t he Mer cy Bay Member. The facies rela-
tionships wi t hi n t he Mer cy Bay Member at this l ocal i t y have l ed t o t he det er mi -
nat i on of absol ut e wat er dept h limits of t he maj or Lat e Devoni an pal eoecol ogi -
cal zones, and it is this concept whi ch is t he mai n t heme of this paper .
675
Aufs~itze
Reef al l i me s t one cl assi f i cat i on
Before proceeding with the description and interpretation of the Mercy Bay
Member outcrop, we must digress slightly and briefly describe a new scheme of
nomenclature for reefal limestones. The classification was devised because it
became apparent that other limestone classifications were inadequate for describ-
ing the diverse lithologies which occur in organic buildups. The proposed classi-
fication, illustrated in Fig. 5, is an expanded version of the excellent classification
of DUNttAM (1962). Essentially all that has been done is to place more emphasis
on the carbonate conglomerates and to subdivide the so-called boundstones.
A L L OC H T H ON OU S L I ME S T ON E
OR I GI N A L C OMP ON E N T S NOT OR GA N I C A L L Y
B OU N D D U R I N G D E P OS I T I ON
LESS THAN 1 0 % > 2 MM COMPONENTS
NO
C ON T A I N S
L I ME
L I ME MUD ( <. 05 MM) MUD
MUD SUPPORTED
GREATER
-ESS THAI ~ THAN
I 0 % GRAIN~ 1 0 %
>.O:SMM GRAI NS
' r
MU D - WA C K E -
S T ON E S T ON E
GR A I N
s U P P OR T E D
P A C K - GR A I N -
S T ON E S T ONE
GREATER T HA N
I 0 %: >2MM
COMPONENT S
: >2 MM
MA T R I X
COM PONEN'I"
SUPPORTED
SUPPORTED
F L OA T - R U D -
S T ON E S T ON E
AUTOCHTHONOUS LI MESTONE
ORI GI NAL COMPONENTS ORGANICALLY
BOUND DURING DEPOSITION
B Y B Y B Y
ORGANISMS ORGANISMS ORGANISMS
WH I C H WHI CH WHI CH
B U I L D ENCRUST A C T
A R I GI D A N D AS
FRAMEWORK B I N D BAFFLES
B O U N D S T 0 N E
F R A ME - B I N D - B A F F L E -
S T ON E S T ON E S T ON E
Fig. 5. Classification of limestones according to depositional texture.
Division into organically bound and non-bound rocks is still the primary basis
of subdivision of limestones. In the non-bound group we have added one level
in the hierarchy by using the ~ 2ram. component, that is the conglomeratic
fraction, as a basis of subdivision. This results in six rock types: mudstone,
wackestone, packstone, grainstone, floatstone, and rudstone. The first four are
used exactly as defined by DtrNHAM (1962).
The terms floatstcne and rudstone have been coined for limestones which
contain greater than ten per cent ~ 2 turn. component, that is the carbonate
conglomerates. The need to recognize these two rock types is obvious because
2 mm. particles are the most important constituents for describing and inter-
preting rocks of organic buildups. The difference between the two rock types
is that the ~ 2 mm. particles form the supporting framework in a rudstone
whereas in a floatstone the ~ 2 mm particles "float" in a finer grained matrix.
Thus floatstone is the conglomeratic analogue of wackestone while rudstone
corresponds to packstone and grainstone.
676
A. F. EMBRu J. E. KLOVAN - - Absolute Wat er Dept h Limits of Lat e Devonian
Li mest ones whi ch wer e or gani cal l y b o u n d at t he t i me of depos i t i on have be e n
s ubdi vi de d on t he basi s of t he na t ur e of t he or gani c bi ndi ng. Thr e e r ock t ype s
have been r ecogni zed: f r amest one, bi nds t one and baf f l est one. Fr a me s t o n e con-
t ai ns i n s i t u massi ve fossils whi ch bui l t a r i gi d, t hr ee di mens i onal f r a me wor k at
t he t i me of deposi t i on. Bi nds t one cont ai ns i n s i t u l ami nar fossils whi ch ener us t ed
a nd bound t he s edi ment dur i ng deposi t i on. I n bi nds t one t he i n s i t u fossils do not
f or m a t hr ee di mens i onal f r amewor k as t he y do i n f r amest one. Baf f l est one con-
t ai ns i n s i t u, s t al k- s haped fossils whi ch a c t e d as s e di me nt baf f l es. To i de nt i f y one
of t hese r ock t ypes, t he geol ogi st mus t de c i de i f t he fossi l or gani sms b o u n d the.
s e di me nt dur i ng depos i t i on a nd i f so, i n wha t manner . If, for s ome r eason, t hi s
l at t er deci si on cannot b e ma de , we r e c omme nd t hat t he t er m bounds t one be
used.
Modi f i er s such as par t i cl e t ype, f ur t her gr ai n si ze qual i f i cat i on ( We nt wor t h
Scal e), i mpur i t i es a nd col or can easi l y be a d d e d t o t he t emai nol o. gy of t he ba s i c
cl assi fi cat i on.
The pr opos e d l i mest one cl assi f i cat i on can be used i n t wo ways. The di f f er ent
cl asses can b e used bot h as r ock names as wel l as t ext ur al modi f i er s for de-
s cr i bi ng t he mat r i x of a r ock t ype. An e xa mpl e of t he use of t he cl assi f i cat i on is:
t ha mnopor i d f l oat st one wi t h a f i ne- gr ai ned, skel et al , wackes t one mat r i x. I n t hi s
case f l oat st one is us ed as t he r ock name wher eas wackes t one is a t ext ur al modi -
fier. Anot her exampl e is: t a bul a r s t r omat opor oi d bi nds t one wi t h a t ha mnopor i d
f l oat st one mat r i x wi t h a f i ne- gr ai ned, skel et al waekes t one mat r i x. I n t hi s case,
wher e a bounds t one is be i ng des cr i bed, t he mat r i x of t he r ock has t o b e des-
cr i bed on t wo scal es: t he > 2 mm. par t i cl e si ze scal e a nd t he < 2r a m. pa r t i c l e
scale. Thi s resul t s in " t he mat r i x havi ng a mat r i x".
The pr opos e d cl assi f i cat i on has been speci f i cal l y des i gned t o a de qua t e l y de -
scr i be wha t ar e nor ma l l y coar se t ext ur ed rocks. Wh e n t he si ze of t he r ock
s peci men or exposur e is not suf f i ci ent t o show t hi s t ext ur e, t hen i t wi l l be di f f i -
cul t , if not i mpossi bl e t o pr ope r l y i dent i f y t he rock. Bi t cut t i ngs, f or e xa mpl e ,
woul d not show t he neces s ar y cr i t er i a t o pe r mi t i dent i f i cat i on of most of t he
new classes pr opos e d here. I t shoul d be not ed, however , t hat wi t hi n t he b o u n d -
stones, t her e is no st i pul at i on as t o t he si ze of t he bi ndi ng, baf f l i ng or f r ame-
bui l di ng or gani sms.
The cl assi f i cat i on ma y seem c ompl i c a t e d at fi rst but i t has been f ound t ha t
i t conveys a muc h mor e c ompl e t e pi ct ur e of t he r ock t ype t han do ot her l i me-
st one cl assi fi cat i ons.
Outcrop, description
One of t he bes t exposur es of t he Mer cy Bay Me mbe r occur s on t he val l ey wal l s
of an unna me d r i ver whi ch fl ows nor t hwa r d i nt o M' Gl ur e St r ai t 10 mi l es (16 km. )
east of Mer cy Bay (Fi g. 6). The l ocal i t y is ma r k e d by a st ar on Fi g. 1. The or gani c
bui l dup consists of a l ower bi oher m, 110 f eet (88 m.) t hi ck, c a p p e d b y t wo l ayer s
of bi ost r ome, 100 f eet (80 m. ) t hi ck. The i nt er - or gani c bui l dup s t r at a ar e poor l y
expos ed a nd out cr ops ar e sparse.
The Me r c y Bay Me mb e r is unde r l a i n b y a f i ne- gr ai ned, ar gi l l aceous, qua r t z
s ands t one whi c h cont ai ns s cat t er ed coral s, br achi opods a nd cri noi ds. Th e i ni t i al
bi ohe l ma l bui l dup is 15 f eet (4.5 m. ) t hi ck a nd consists pr e domi na nt l y of Al v e o -
677
Au~e
lites bindstone and disphyllid coral baffle-
stone bot h with a wackestone or mudstone
matrix (Fig. 7, A). Tabular stromatoporoids,
t hamnopori d corals, braehiopods, crinoids
and gastropods are also present within this
unit. The central core is massive whereas
t he flanks are cludely bedded bindstone.
Only in t he lateral extension of the unit,
whi ch forms an extensive 2 foot (6m.) bed,
is coral floatstone the dominant lithology.
The next unit in the bioherm consists of
40 feet (12 m.) of tabular stromatoporoid
bindstone with a tharnnoporid floatstone
matrix with a skeletal wackestone matrix
(Fig. 7, B). The core again is massive. The
flanks, whi ch also consist of bindstone, are
bedded with depositional dips up to 20 ~
This unit differs from the preceding one in
t hat tabular stromatoporoids have replaced
corals as the predomi nant fauna and the
unit is more extensive having overstepped
the coral unit a considerable distance, to the
SOUth.
The upper portion of the bioherm con-
sists of two units separated by a distinct
break. The first unit is 30 feet (9 m.) thick,
and has a massive core and bedded flank
beds. The core consists of massive stromato-
poroid frarnestone intermixed with stromato-
poroid rudstone, bot h with a medium-grain-
ed, skeletal grainstone or packstene matrix
(Fig. 7, C). In situ stromatoporoids are often
laterally and vertically continuous over large
~78
Fig. 6. O~ttcrop of the Mercy Bay Member. The
organic buildup is well exposed, and consists of
a lower bioherm overlain by two layers of bio-
strome. Inter-bioherm strata are exposed to the
left of the organic buildup. The size of the or-
ganic buildup can be appreciated by noting the
man standing at the base of it (the black dot to
which the arrow points). View looking east.
Fig. 7. Major lithologies of the organic buildup.
A. Alveolites bindstone and disphyllid coral
bafflestone. One division on the pole is 1 foot
(8 m.) B. Tabular stromatoporoid bindstone.
C. Massive stromatoporoid framestone (pencil
is 6 inches [15 cm.] long). D. Stromatoporoid
rudstone. Bar is 1 era. E. Stromatoporoid float-
stone. Bar is 1 cm.
A. F. EMBRY, J , E. KLOVAN - - Absolute Wat er Dept h Limits of Late Devonian
Fig. 7 679
Aufs/itze
areas (50 square feet [4.5 square, metres]). Flank beds consist of stromatoporoid
rudst one and floatstone bot h wi t h a fine-grained skeletal packst one matrix
(Fig. 7, D, E). The large stromatoporoid fragment s become less abundant down
dip, and t he beds become argillaceous and contain thin shale partings. The
flank beds eventually grade into argillaceous, skeletal wackestone and packstone
of the inter-bioherm strata.
A one foot (.3 m.) thick recessive interval consisting of argillaceous, stromato-
poroid and coral rudstone occurs at the t op of the unit.
The next massive stromatoporoid unit, which is 25 feet (7.5 m.) thick, is litho-
logically and faunally very similar to the underl yi ng unit. However, this unit
consists of t wo laterally separat e buildups of massive stromatoporoids.
I n summary, t he lower, essentially continuous bi oherm is 110 feet (33 m.) thick,
600 feet (183 m.) wi de and of unknown length. I t shows a marked, vertical faunal
zonation begi nni ng wi t h corals, passing through t abul ar stromatoporoids and
ending wi t h massive stromatoporoids. The bi oherm is asymmetrical; t he north side
is linear and slopes steeply upwar d to the south, the south side is irregular with
the various units overst eppi ng each other to the south.
Int er-bi oherm strata, stratigraphically equivalent to the above described bio-
herin, consist of horizontal beds of dark grey, argillaceous, very fine-grained,
skeletal packst one and wackestone. Braehiopods and ostracods are the only mega-
fossils in these strata. These st rat a are: for the most part contemporaneous with
t he bioherm but the uppermost st rat a are subsequent.
Above t he bi oherm is an areally extensive bi ost rome which lies on top
of bot h the bi oherm and inter-bioherm strata. The unit is 30 feet (9 m.) thick over
the underlying bi oherm compared with only 20 feet (6 m.) over the inter-bioherm
strata. I t is massive and consists of massive stromatoporoid framest one and stro-
matoporoid rudstone bot h with a skeletal grainstone or packst one matrix.
Overlying t he biostrome is a 35 foot (10 m.) covered interval. The lithology of
this interval is inferred to be similar to t hat of t he inter-bioherm strata.
The cappi ng unit of the organic buildup is a 40 foot (12 m.) thick biostrome.
The unit is well bedded wi t h massive stromatoporoid framestone and rudstone
bei ng the domi nant lithologies. However, beds of coral and t abul ar stromato-
poroid bi ndst one do occur in the middle portion of t he unit. The Mercy Bay
Member is overlain by a dark grey, mari ne shale.
Fig. 8 summarizes the distribution of t he various lithologies which compose the
Mercy Bay Member at this locality.
Depositional history
Int erpret at i on of the depositional history of t he Mercy Bay Member is based
on the distribution and sequence of lithologies and faunas which have been
described above. The interpretation has relied heavily on the well-established
Lat e Devoni an paleoecology model (LEcOMPTE, 1958; KLOVAN, 1964). This model
is reviewed and discussed in t he next section.
The following sequence of events summarizes t he depositional history of the
Mercy Bay Member at t he described locality and is schematically illustrated in
Fig. 9.
680
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CORAL
BAFFLESTONE I~ BINDSTONE
TABULAR STROMATOPOROID
~ BINDSTONE
MASSIVE STROMATOPOROID
FRAMESTONE
STROMATOPOROID
RUDSTONE I~ FLOATSTONE
SKELETAL
~ ' ] PACKSTONE ~ WACKESTONE
QUARTZ SANDSTONE
SHALE
SL SEA LEVEL
682
Fig. 9. Depositional History of the Mercy Bay Member.
A. F. EMBRY, J. E. KLOVAN - - Absolute Water Depth Limits of Late Devonian
1. Dur i ng a t ransgressi ve epi sode in t he devel opment of a clastic wedge, influx
of t erri genous sedi ment ont o a port i on of t he mar i ne shelf became negligible.
Cor al gr owt h be c a me prol i fi c and corals bui l t a small bi ogeni e bank i n t he
rel at i vel y deep, qui et wat er (Fig. 9, A). The mu d d y nat ur e of t he matrix and bound
aspect of t he flank beds bot h suggest a rel at i vel y qui et wat er envi ronment .
2. Rapi d organi c gr owt h raised t he coral bank i nt o shallower, mor e agi t at ed
wat er wher e t abul ar st romat oporoi ds became t he pr edomi nant fauna. The l ack
of detrital fl ank beds suggests, however, t hat t ur bul ence was not hi gh. Tabul ar
st romat oporoi ds cont i nued t o bui l d t he bi ogeni c bank bot h vert i cal l y and l at eral l y
(Fig. 9, B).
3. The bi ogeni c bank cont i nued its upwar d gr owt h i nt o shal l ower wat er until
wave base was reached. At this poi nt massi ve st romat oporoi ds col oni zed t he
upper surface of t he bi ogeni c bank and began bui l di ng a wave-resi st ant reef.
The r eef grew upwa r d unt i l sea level was r eached and a reef fl at devel oped on
t he t op of t he reef. (The thin, recessive i nt erval at t he t op of t he first massive
st r omat opor oi d uni t is i nt er pr et ed t o be a reef fi at deposit.) Cont i nual erosion
and r egener at i on of t he reef cont r i but ed skeletal det ri t us to t he inter-reef ar ea
(Fig. 9, C).
4. A rel at i ve rise i n sea level occurred, and massi ve st romat oporoi ds col oni zed
t he reef flat. Two separ at e cent res of st r omat opor oi d gr owt h were est abl i shed
and t he t wo reefs gr ew up t o sea level. Reef flats f or med when t he reefs r eached
t he surface (Fig. 9, D).
5. Int er-reef areas cont i nued t o fill wi t h skeletal detritus. Event ual l y t he i nt er-
reef areas be c a me so shallow t hat reef gr owt h ceased. The inter-reef areas con-
t i nued t o recei ve det ri t us until t hey wer e compl et el y infilled resul t i ng i n an
extensive, level surface mar, fl ed by skeletal debris. This concl usi on is suppor t ed
b y t he fact t he next massi ve st r omat opor oi d uni t ext ends laterally over t he bi o-
heri n and t he i nt er-reef areas, t hus illustrating t he l ack of t opogr aphi c relief at
t he end of this deposi t i onal event (Fig. 9, E).
6. A rise in sea level cr eat ed a hi gh ener gy envi r onment over t he area.
An areal l y ext ensi ve massi ve st romat oporoi d reef f or med and grew up to sea level
(first bi ost rome) (Fig. 9, F).
7. Sea level rose agai n but massi ve st romat oporoi ds di d not col oni ze t he area.
I nst ead t he area recei ved inter-reef sedi ment ( cover ed interval). Event ual l y mas-
sive st romat oporoi ds col oni zed t he area and bui l t an extensive reef up t o sea level
(second bi ost rome) (Fig. 9, G).
8. An influx of t erri genous sedi ment , due t o t he seawar d mi grat i on of t he
nor t her n shoreline, occurred, and reef gr owt h ceased despi t e any rel at i ve rise i n
sea level (Fig. 9, H).
The i nt erpret at i on of t he l ower 85 feet of t he Mer cy Bay Member is based on
t he assumpt i on t hat reef gr owt h commenced in fai rl y deep wat er mad devel oped
upwar d t o t he wat er surface. Thi s implies a static sea level situation - - nei t her
subsi dence nor up-l i ft of t he sea floor bei ng i nvoked. Th e position of t he Mer cy
Bay Member i n t he over-all st rat i graphi c sequence and ot her st rat i graphi e
evi dence i ndi cat e t hat this is a pl ausi bl e assumpt i on (KLovAN 8~: EMBRY, 1971).
683
Au~e
Abs ol ut e dept h l i mi ts of Lat e De v o ni a n
pal e oe c ol ogi e al z o ne s
Paleoecological studies of Late Devonian organic buildups (LEcOMPTE, 1958;
KLOVAN, 1964) have established a fatmal zonation model. This model forms the
basis of the interpreted depositional history presented above.
Three major paleoecological zones are recognized in the model:
1. An underturbulent or quiet water zone which receives a minimum amount
of wave agitation and is located well below wave base. This zone is characterized
by corals (Alveolites, disphyllids and thanmoporids).
2. A sub-turbulent or semi-rough zone, below average wave base but still
within the reach of storm waves. This zone is characterized by tabular stromato-
poroid s.
8. A turbulent or rough water zone which receives the maximum amount of
wave agitation, is above wave base and is characterized by massive stromato-
poroids.
Previous authors (LEcoMPTE, 1958; KLOVAN, 1964) established the relative water
.depths of the paleoecological zones, but they did not relate the zones to absolute
water depths. The interpreted depositional history of the 85 foot thick, biohermal
portion of the Mercy Bay Member (Events 1--8; Fig. 9, A--C) leads to an inter-
pretation of the absolute water depths of the three paleoecological zones. If, as
icostulated, this biohermal part of the organic buildup was built upward from the
sea floor to the water surface during a time of static sea level, it is possible to
calculate water depth limits for the three paleoecological zones from the thick-
nesses of the lithological and faur.al units. The coral baffiestone and bindstone unit
is 15 feet (4.5 m.) thick, the tabular stromatoporo~d bindstone unit is 40 feet
(12 m.) thick, and the first massive stromatoporoid unit is 80 feet (9 m.) thick,
for an aggregate thickness of 85 feet (26 m.)
From these thickness it is postulated that coral biogenic bank began to grow
:in a water depth of 85 feet (26 m.) with the tabular stromatoporoids becoming
the predominant fauna at a water depth of 70 feet (21 m.). Massive stromato-
poroids replaced the tabular stromatoporoids at a depth of 80 feet (9 m.) and were
predominant up to sea level.
It is interesting to compare these depth limits postulated for the Late Devonian
fatmal communities with the depth limits established for the modem Caribbean
reef building communities. LOaAN (1969) has recognized the following ecological
zones for the Recent organic buildups on the Yucatan shelf.
1. A quiet-low energy zone occurring at a depth of water below 70 feet (21 m.)
and characterized by an Agaricia-Montastrea community,
2. An agitated to quiet - - intermediate energy zone occurring between 70
(21 m.) and 80 feet (9m.) of water depth and characterized by a Diploria-Mon-
tastrea-Porites community.
8. A wave agitated - - high energy zone occurring between 80 feet (9 m.) and
sea level and characterized by an Acropora palmata community.
Logan demonstrated that the depth limits of the zones correlate with two
thresholds of wave action; one at 80 feet (9 m.) (normal wave base) and the other
at 70 feet (21 m.) (storm wave base).
684
A. F. E MB I t Y , J. E. KLOVAN - - Abs o l ut e Wa t e r D e p t h Li mi t s o f Lat e De v o n i a n
O
ECOLOGI CAL ZONES
E
RECENT
P
ORGANIC BUI LDUPS
l
H YUCATAN SHELF
~ L I L OGAN 19691
ACROPORA PALMATA
C O MMU N I T Y
' 5 0 '
( ~ z )
D I P L O R I A -
MONT A S T RE A -
P O R I T E S
C O MMU N I T Y
A G A R I C I A -
MO N T A S T R E A -
C O MMU N I T Y
ENVI RONMENT
WAVE A G I T A T E D
HI GH ENERGY
NORMAL WAVE BASE
AGI T AT ED TO QUI ET
I N T E R ME D I A T E
E N E R G Y
STORM WAVE BASE
Q U I E T
LOW E N E R GY
S T R U C T U R E
B U I L D I N G
P O T E N T I A L
WAVE R E S I S T A N T
R E E F
B I O G E N I C
B A N K
B I O G E N I C
B A N K
PALEOECOLOGICALZONES
L ATE DEVONI AN
ORGANI C BUI L DUPS
BANKS I SL AND
MA S S I V E
ST ROMAT OPOROI D
C O MMU N I T Y
T A B U L A R
ST ROMAT OPOROI D
C O MMU N I T Y
C O R A L
C O MMU N I T Y
O
E
P
T
H
SL
30'
19.2
M.
70"
21.4
M.
Fig. 10. Comparison of Recent and Late Devonian Ecological Zones.
Fig. 10 compares the Recent and Late Devonian faunal communities. The
similarities between the two are remarkable giving added strength to the proposed
depth limits for the Late Devonian faunal communities.
C o n c l u s i o n s
A refined scheme of reefal limestone classification, which places more emphasis
on the > 2 mm components (conglomeratic fraction) and on the mode of organic
binding, has been designed. Rudstone and floatstone are limestones which contain
more than 10yo > 2 mm component (limestone conglomerates). Organically bound
limestones have been subdivided on the basis of the nature of the organic binding.
Three rock types are recognized: framestone, bindstone and bafflestone.
The classification has been applied to a Late Devonian organic buildup out-
cropping on northeastern Banks Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The organic
buildup consists of a lower bioherm, 110 feet (88 m.) thick, overlain by two
layers of biostrome, 100 feet (80 m.) thick. The lower 85 feet (26 m.) of the bio-
herm record the vertical change from coral bindstone and bafflestone (15 feet
[5 m.]), through tabular stromatoporoid bindstone (40 feet [2 m.]), to massive
stromatoporoid framestone mad rudstone (80 feet [10 m.]). This facies sequence
is interpreted to represent the upward growth of an organic buildup from the
sea floor to sea level during a time of static sea level. This interpretation leads
to the determination of absolute water depth limits of the three major Late
Devonian paleoecological zones. Corals were the dominant fauna below 70 feet
(21m.); tabular stromatoporoids flourished between 70 feet (21 m.) and 80 feet
(9m.); massive stromatoporoids were the dominant fauna between 80 feet (9 m.)
and sea level. The main controlling factor on the depth limits probably was wave
44 Ge ol ogi s c he Runds c ha u, Bd. 61 61}5
Aufs~itze
energy (normal wave base - - 80 feet [ gi n. l ; storm wave base - - 70 feet [21 re.l).
A comparison of these postulated dept h limits with the established dept h limits
of modem Cari bbean reef bui l di ng communities supports t he above conclusions.
Bibliography
DUNItAM, R. J.: Classification of Carbonate Rocks according to Depositional Texture. - -
In: Ham, W.E., ed., Classification of Carbonate Rocks - - a symposium: Am.
Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Mem. 1, 108--121, Tulsa 1962.
EMBrtY, A.F., & KLOVAN, J.E.: A Late Devonian Reef Tract on Northeastern Banks
Island, N.W.T. - - Bull. Can. Petroleum Geology, 19, 4, Calgary 1971.
KLOVAN, J. E. : Facies analysis of Redwater reef complex, Alberta, Canada. - - Bull.
Can. Petroleum Geology, 12, 1, 1--1O0, Calgary 1964.
KLOVAN, J.E., & EMBRY, A.F.: Upper Devonian Stratigraphy No~heastern Banks Is-
land, N.W.T. - - Bull. Can. Petroleum Geology, 19, 4, Calgary 1971.
LECOMPTE, M.: Los recifs Paleozoiques en Belgique. - - Geol. Rdsch., 47, 1, 884--401,
Stuttgart 1958.
LOGAN, B.W.: Carbonate Sediments and Reefs, Yucatan Shelf, Mexico. - - In: Logan,
B.W., and MeBirney, A., eds. Yuc a t a n- Bonaeca: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geolo-
gists Mere. 11, 129--198, Tulsa 1969.
Burial of Reefs by Shallow-water Carbonates, Silurian Gower
Formation, Iowa, U.S.A.
By M. E. PmLcox, Liverpool *)
With 9 figures, 9. tables
Zusammenfassung
Die Sedimente der silurischen Gower-Formation im Staate Iowa wurden in zwei Phasen
abgelagert. W~ihrend der ersten entwickelte sich in Krinoiden-Coelenteraten Riffkomplexe
aus vielen nab benachbarten Kuppen ein Relief in urspriinglich 80 m Wassertiefe. Die
Riffkomplexe sind asymmetrisch: die gut definierte Randzone in Windrichtung hat ein
ausgepr~igtes Detailrelief; hinter einer zentralen Erhebung erstrecken sich die weniger
steilen und ausgedehnteren Hicher der Lee-Zone. Soweit korreherbar, bestehen die
riflemen Sedimente aus relativ feinem skeletalem Dolomit.
Die Ablagerungen der zweiten Phase repdisentieren eine Senkung des Meeresspie-
gels; die topographisch tieferen Teile des vorhandenen Reliefs werden mit Sedimenten
aus immer geringerer Wassertiefe gefiillt, haupts~ichlich mit laminierten Karbonat-
schlammen und Feinsanden (Brady/Anamosa-Fazies-Gruppe). In der Randzone wurden
sie zun~ichst als steile keilf6rmige Schichten auf Kuppenh~ingen abgelagert (Brady/Fa-
zies); diese enthalten eine charakteristische Fauna und einzelne Stromatolithe. Die Kup-
pen verbreiterten sich entsprechen zu Plateaus. Fossilarme, flacher liegende Schichten
(laminierte Anamosa-Fazies) ffillten dann die Restsenken zwischen den Kuppen. Die
entsprechenden Ablagerungen der Lee-Zone gehSren fast ausschlieBlich zur letzteren
Fazies, und rifferne Sedimente sind wahrscheinlich im allgemeinen ~ihnlich.
*) Author's address: M.E. PHILCOX, Geology Department, University of Liverpool,
Great Britain.
686