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Age and correlation of the Sooke formation with a section on its palynology

University of British Columbia

The purpose of this study is to critically review earlier studies of the Sooke Formation, to present a previously unreported microflora and to assign an age to the formation on the basis of paleontological evidence. The methods used to arrive at the general conclusions consisted of field work and laboratory analyses, supplemented by reference to the literature and to authorities in the fields of palynology, Tertiary invertebrate paleontology and vertebrate paleontology. The Sooke Formation crops out along the south and southwest coast of Vancouver Island in a series of isolated areas. Each area appears to represent a sedimentary basin. The lithology consists of interbedded conglomerates, sandstones and shales in varying proportions. Sooke strata contain a well preserved fossil fauna and-flora. The fauna consists of one vertebrate and 132 marine invertebrates. The flora consists of a few cones, leaf and wood fragments and a well preserved microflora. The Sooke Formation is correlated with the upper Blakeley Formation of Washington and shows close faunal resenblance to the Astoria fauna of Washington and Oregon. It is correlated with the European Aquitanian stage, but may range as high as the Helvetian stage.

Text

2011-11-28

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/39340

Geological Sciences

University of British Columbia

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