Ichnological Studies on Tempestites

S.G.Pemberton; ZHOU Zhi cheng; J. MacEachern

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Article Navigation > Acta Sedimentologica Sinica > 2000 > 18(4): 489-494

S.G.Pemberton, ZHOU Zhi cheng, J. MacEachern. Ichnological Studies on Tempestites[J]. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 2000, 18(4): 489-494.

Citation:

S.G.Pemberton, ZHOU Zhi cheng, J. MacEachern. Ichnological Studies on Tempestites[J]. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 2000, 18(4): 489-494.

Ichnological Studies on Tempestites

1.
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2E3, Canada;
2.
Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,Nanjing 210008

Received Date: 2000-05-29
Rev Recd Date: 2000-06-20
Publish Date: 2000-08-10

Abstract

Trace fossils are proving to be powerful tools for recognition and interpretation of event beds. Tempestites contain a mixed trace fossil assemblage that reflects fluctuations in energy levels. The two different ichnocoenoses reflect varying behavioral responses of the organisms colonizing two successive, individually distinct habitats. The resident or fair weather ichnocoenose can be considered representative of a stable benthic community, within which individual populations are at or near their carrying capacity. Periodic generation of the storm ichnocoenose, on the other hand, represents the flourishing of a community of opportunistic organisms in an unstable, high stress, physically controlled environment. The general succession, typical terrigenous tempestites represented by the tempestites in the Upper Cretaceous Cardium Fm. of Alberta, Canada, consists of (1)a fair weather resident trace fossil suite; (2) a sharp basal contact, with or without a basal lag; (3)parallel to subparallel laminations (reflecting hummocky or swaley cross stratification); (4)common escape structures; (5) the dwelling burrows of opportunistic organisms that colonize the unexploited storm unit; (6) gradational burrowed tops, representative of bioturbation resulting from subsequent burrowing by organisms from higher colonization levels; and (7) a fair weather resident trace fossil suite indicative of a return to quiescent conditions following abatement. Up to now, the ichnology in the carbonate tempestites has not been well studied and reported. The succession found in the Upper Cambrian Gushan Fm. from eastern North China Platform can be regarded as the typical carbonate tempestites. The succession includes the following parts (from bottom to top): (1) the trace fossils on the sole of the thin bedded limestone containing Phycodes, Thalassinoides, Palaeophycus and Planolites etc; (2) 1-2 cm thick muddy limestone or limestone with or without lamination; (3) the opportunistic trace fossils Diplocraterion, Arenicolites and Skolithos on the surface of the limestone; (4) the surface of the limestone covered by about 1 mm thick trilobite debris; (5)1-2 mm thick mudstone or shale.
- tempestites,
- opportunistic trace fossils,
- equilibrium trace fossils

References

[1]	Beynon B M, Pemberton S G, Bell D A et al. Environmerntal implications of ichnofossils fron the Lower Cretaceous Grand Rapids Formation, Cold Lake Oil Sands Deposit. In: James D J, Leckie D A, eds., Sequences, Stratigraphy, Sedimentology: Surface and Subsurface[C]. Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Memoir, 1988,15:275～90
[2]	Bromley R G, Asgaard U. Ichnofacies: A mixture of taphofacies and biofades[J]. Lethaia, 1991,24:153～63
[3]	Bromley R G,Ekdale A A. Chondrites: A trace fossil indicator of anoxia in sediments[J]. Science, 1984,224:872～74
[4]	Cotter E, Graham J R. Coastal plain sedimentation in the late Devonian of southern Ireland; hummocky cross-stratigication in fluvial deposits [J]. Sedimentary Geology, 1991,72:201～24
[5]	Dam G. Paleoenvironmental significance of trace fossils from the shallow marine Lower Jurassic Neill Klinter Formation, East Greenland [J]. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., 1990,79:221～48
[6]	Dott H R Jr. 1982 SEPM Presidential address: Episodic sedimentation: How normal is average? How rare is rare? Does it matter? [J]. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1983,53:5～23
[7]	Dott R H Jr, Bourgeois J. Hummocky stratification: Significance of its variable bedding sequences[J]. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 1982,93:663～ 80
[8]	Duke W L. Hurmmocky cross-stratification, tropical hurricanes, and intense winter storms[J]. Sedimentology, 1985,32:167～94
[9]	Duke W L. Geostrophic circulation or shallow marine turbidity currents? The dilemma of paleoflow patterns in storm-induced prograding shoreline systems[J]. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1990,60:870 ～83
[10]	Duke W L, Amott R W C, Cheel R J. Shelf sandstones and hummocky cross-stratification: New insights on a storm debate[J]. Geology, 1991,19:625～28
[11]	Ekdale A A. Paleoecology of marind endobenthos[J]. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol., 1985,50:63～81
[12]	Follrni K B, Grimm K A. Doomed pioneers: Gravity-flow deposition and bioturbation in marine oxygen-deficient environments[J]. Geology, 1990,18:1069～72
[13]	Frey R W. Trace fossils and huammocky cross-stratification, Upper Cretaceous of Utah [J]. Palaios, 1990,5:203 ～ 18
[14]	Frey R W,Goldring R. Marine event beds and recolonization surfaces as revealed by trace fossil analysis[J]. Geological Magazine, 1992, 129:325～35
[15]	Grimm K A,Follmi K B. Doomed pioneers: Event deposition and bioturbation in anaerobic environments [J]. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 1990,74:666
[16]	Harms J C. Primary sedimentary structures[J]. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Science, 1979,7:227～48
[17]	Hayes M O. Hurricanes as geological agents: Case studies of Hurricanes Carla, 1961 and Cindy, 1963[R]. Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas, Report of Investigations, 1967,61:1 ～56
[18]	Hunter R E,Clifton H E. Cyclic deposits and hummocky cross- stratification of probable storm origin in Upper Cretaceous rocks of the Cape Sebastian area, southwestern Oregon[J]. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1982,52:127 ～43
[19]	Johnston H D,Baldwin C T. Shallow siliciclastic seas. In: Reading H G ed., Sedimentary Facies and Environments [M]. 2d ed, Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1986,229～82
[20]	Leckie D A, Krystinik L A. Is there evidence for geostrophic currents preserved in the sedimentary record of inner to middle-shelf deposits? [J]. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1989,59:862 ～ 70
[21]	Leckie D A,Walker R G. Storm-and tide-dominated shorelines in Cretaceous Moosebar-Lower Gates interval-outcrop equivalents of deep basin gas trap in Western Canada[J]. Bulletin of American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1982,66:138～ 57
[22]	Levinton J S. The paleoecological significance of opportunistic species [J]. Lethaia, 1970,3:69～78
[23]	Morton R A. Nearchore responses to great storms[A]. Geological Society of America Special Paper, 1988,229: 7～ 22
[24]	Morton R A, Paine J G. Beach and vegetation line changes at Galveston Island Texas; Erosion, deposition, and recovery from Hurricane Alicia[J]. The University of Texas at Austin Bureau of Economic Geology, Geological Circular, 1985,85～5:1 ～39
[25]	Pemberton S G,Frey R W. Ichnology of storm-influenced shallow rmarine sequence: Cardium Formation (Upper Cretaceous) at Seebe, Alberta[A]. In: Stott D F, Glass D J, eds. The Mesozoic of Middle North America[C]. Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Memoir, 1984,9: 281 ～ 304
[26]	Pemberton S G, Van Wagoner J C, Wach G D. Ichnofacies of a wavedominated shoreline[A]. In: Pemberton S G ed., Application of Ichnology to Petroleum Exploration[C]. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Core Workshop, 1992,17:339～82
[27]	Seilather A. Paleontological studies in turbidite sedimentation and erosion[J]. Journal of Geology, 1962,70: 227～ 34
[28]	Seilacher A. General remarks about event beds[A]. In: Einsele G,D, Seilacher A,eds. Cyclic and Event Stratification[C]. Berlin: SpringerVerlag, 1982.161 ～ 74
[29]	Vossler S M, Pemberton S G. Skolithos in the Upper Cretaceous Cardium Formation: An ichnofossil example of opportunistic ecology[J]. Lethaia, 1988,21:351 ～62
[30]	Vossler S M. Ichnology and paleoecology of offshore siliciclastic deposits in the Cardium Formation (Turonian, Alberta, Canada) [J]. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoeeol.,1989,74:217～29
[31]	Walker R G. Shelf and shallow marine sands[A]. In: Walker R G, ed. Facies Models[C], 2d ed., Reprint Series 1, Toronto: Geoscience Canada, 1984.141～70
[32]	Walker R G. Turbidites and associated coarse clastic deposits[A]. In: Walker R G,ed. Facies Models[C]. 2d ed., Reprint Series 1, Toronto: Geoscience Canada, 1984.171 ～88
[33]	Zhou Zhicheng, Li Yue, Pemberton S G. Upper Cambrian trace fossils from eastern North China Platform and their environmental significance (in Press)

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1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

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Ichnological Studies on Tempestites

1. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2E3, Canada;

2. Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,Nanjing 210008

Received Date: 2000-05-29

Rev Recd Date: 2000-06-20

Publish Date: 2000-08-10

Key words:

Abstract: Trace fossils are proving to be powerful tools for recognition and interpretation of event beds. Tempestites contain a mixed trace fossil assemblage that reflects fluctuations in energy levels. The two different ichnocoenoses reflect varying behavioral responses of the organisms colonizing two successive, individually distinct habitats. The resident or fair weather ichnocoenose can be considered representative of a stable benthic community, within which individual populations are at or near their carrying capacity. Periodic generation of the storm ichnocoenose, on the other hand, represents the flourishing of a community of opportunistic organisms in an unstable, high stress, physically controlled environment. The general succession, typical terrigenous tempestites represented by the tempestites in the Upper Cretaceous Cardium Fm. of Alberta, Canada, consists of (1)a fair weather resident trace fossil suite; (2) a sharp basal contact, with or without a basal lag; (3)parallel to subparallel laminations (reflecting hummocky or swaley cross stratification); (4)common escape structures; (5) the dwelling burrows of opportunistic organisms that colonize the unexploited storm unit; (6) gradational burrowed tops, representative of bioturbation resulting from subsequent burrowing by organisms from higher colonization levels; and (7) a fair weather resident trace fossil suite indicative of a return to quiescent conditions following abatement. Up to now, the ichnology in the carbonate tempestites has not been well studied and reported. The succession found in the Upper Cambrian Gushan Fm. from eastern North China Platform can be regarded as the typical carbonate tempestites. The succession includes the following parts (from bottom to top): (1) the trace fossils on the sole of the thin bedded limestone containing Phycodes, Thalassinoides, Palaeophycus and Planolites etc; (2) 1-2 cm thick muddy limestone or limestone with or without lamination; (3) the opportunistic trace fossils Diplocraterion, Arenicolites and Skolithos on the surface of the limestone; (4) the surface of the limestone covered by about 1 mm thick trilobite debris; (5)1-2 mm thick mudstone or shale.

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Reference (33)

[1]	Beynon B M, Pemberton S G, Bell D A et al. Environmerntal implications of ichnofossils fron the Lower Cretaceous Grand Rapids Formation, Cold Lake Oil Sands Deposit. In: James D J, Leckie D A, eds., Sequences, Stratigraphy, Sedimentology: Surface and Subsurface[C]. Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Memoir, 1988,15:275～90
[2]	Bromley R G, Asgaard U. Ichnofacies: A mixture of taphofacies and biofades[J]. Lethaia, 1991,24:153～63
[3]	Bromley R G,Ekdale A A. Chondrites: A trace fossil indicator of anoxia in sediments[J]. Science, 1984,224:872～74
[4]	Cotter E, Graham J R. Coastal plain sedimentation in the late Devonian of southern Ireland; hummocky cross-stratigication in fluvial deposits [J]. Sedimentary Geology, 1991,72:201～24
[5]	Dam G. Paleoenvironmental significance of trace fossils from the shallow marine Lower Jurassic Neill Klinter Formation, East Greenland [J]. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., 1990,79:221～48
[6]	Dott H R Jr. 1982 SEPM Presidential address: Episodic sedimentation: How normal is average? How rare is rare? Does it matter? [J]. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1983,53:5～23
[7]	Dott R H Jr, Bourgeois J. Hummocky stratification: Significance of its variable bedding sequences[J]. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 1982,93:663～ 80
[8]	Duke W L. Hurmmocky cross-stratification, tropical hurricanes, and intense winter storms[J]. Sedimentology, 1985,32:167～94
[9]	Duke W L. Geostrophic circulation or shallow marine turbidity currents? The dilemma of paleoflow patterns in storm-induced prograding shoreline systems[J]. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1990,60:870 ～83
[10]	Duke W L, Amott R W C, Cheel R J. Shelf sandstones and hummocky cross-stratification: New insights on a storm debate[J]. Geology, 1991,19:625～28
[11]	Ekdale A A. Paleoecology of marind endobenthos[J]. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol., 1985,50:63～81
[12]	Follrni K B, Grimm K A. Doomed pioneers: Gravity-flow deposition and bioturbation in marine oxygen-deficient environments[J]. Geology, 1990,18:1069～72
[13]	Frey R W. Trace fossils and huammocky cross-stratification, Upper Cretaceous of Utah [J]. Palaios, 1990,5:203 ～ 18
[14]	Frey R W,Goldring R. Marine event beds and recolonization surfaces as revealed by trace fossil analysis[J]. Geological Magazine, 1992, 129:325～35
[15]	Grimm K A,Follmi K B. Doomed pioneers: Event deposition and bioturbation in anaerobic environments [J]. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 1990,74:666
[16]	Harms J C. Primary sedimentary structures[J]. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Science, 1979,7:227～48
[17]	Hayes M O. Hurricanes as geological agents: Case studies of Hurricanes Carla, 1961 and Cindy, 1963[R]. Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas, Report of Investigations, 1967,61:1 ～56
[18]	Hunter R E,Clifton H E. Cyclic deposits and hummocky cross- stratification of probable storm origin in Upper Cretaceous rocks of the Cape Sebastian area, southwestern Oregon[J]. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1982,52:127 ～43
[19]	Johnston H D,Baldwin C T. Shallow siliciclastic seas. In: Reading H G ed., Sedimentary Facies and Environments [M]. 2d ed, Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1986,229～82
[20]	Leckie D A, Krystinik L A. Is there evidence for geostrophic currents preserved in the sedimentary record of inner to middle-shelf deposits? [J]. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1989,59:862 ～ 70
[21]	Leckie D A,Walker R G. Storm-and tide-dominated shorelines in Cretaceous Moosebar-Lower Gates interval-outcrop equivalents of deep basin gas trap in Western Canada[J]. Bulletin of American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1982,66:138～ 57
[22]	Levinton J S. The paleoecological significance of opportunistic species [J]. Lethaia, 1970,3:69～78
[23]	Morton R A. Nearchore responses to great storms[A]. Geological Society of America Special Paper, 1988,229: 7～ 22
[24]	Morton R A, Paine J G. Beach and vegetation line changes at Galveston Island Texas; Erosion, deposition, and recovery from Hurricane Alicia[J]. The University of Texas at Austin Bureau of Economic Geology, Geological Circular, 1985,85～5:1 ～39
[25]	Pemberton S G,Frey R W. Ichnology of storm-influenced shallow rmarine sequence: Cardium Formation (Upper Cretaceous) at Seebe, Alberta[A]. In: Stott D F, Glass D J, eds. The Mesozoic of Middle North America[C]. Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Memoir, 1984,9: 281 ～ 304
[26]	Pemberton S G, Van Wagoner J C, Wach G D. Ichnofacies of a wavedominated shoreline[A]. In: Pemberton S G ed., Application of Ichnology to Petroleum Exploration[C]. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Core Workshop, 1992,17:339～82
[27]	Seilather A. Paleontological studies in turbidite sedimentation and erosion[J]. Journal of Geology, 1962,70: 227～ 34
[28]	Seilacher A. General remarks about event beds[A]. In: Einsele G,D, Seilacher A,eds. Cyclic and Event Stratification[C]. Berlin: SpringerVerlag, 1982.161 ～ 74
[29]	Vossler S M, Pemberton S G. Skolithos in the Upper Cretaceous Cardium Formation: An ichnofossil example of opportunistic ecology[J]. Lethaia, 1988,21:351 ～62
[30]	Vossler S M. Ichnology and paleoecology of offshore siliciclastic deposits in the Cardium Formation (Turonian, Alberta, Canada) [J]. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoeeol.,1989,74:217～29
[31]	Walker R G. Shelf and shallow marine sands[A]. In: Walker R G, ed. Facies Models[C], 2d ed., Reprint Series 1, Toronto: Geoscience Canada, 1984.141～70
[32]	Walker R G. Turbidites and associated coarse clastic deposits[A]. In: Walker R G,ed. Facies Models[C]. 2d ed., Reprint Series 1, Toronto: Geoscience Canada, 1984.171 ～88
[33]	Zhou Zhicheng, Li Yue, Pemberton S G. Upper Cambrian trace fossils from eastern North China Platform and their environmental significance (in Press)

Ichnological Studies on Tempestites

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References

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通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

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