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THREE-DIMENSIONAL OUTCROP MODELLING, SEDIMENTOLOGY, AND ICHNOLOGY OF THE FALHER D MEMBER, NORTHEAST BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
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- Author / Creator
- Acikelli, Arzu
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The Lower Cretaceous Falher Member is an important hydrocarbon reservoir in the Deep
Basin of Alberta and British Columbia. Owing to its economic importance, it has been the subject
of many studies. However, there remains contention on the depositional interpretation of
individual Falher Member conglomerate units. Both shoreface and wave-dominated deltaic
models have been proposed. As such, the Falher Member is an ideal outcrop analog that can be
used to assess the spatial distribution of component lithofacies and sedimentary features of
shoreface and wave-dominated delta deposits.
The present research uses sedimentology and ichnology, within the context of 3D
photogrammetric models, of several Falher-equivalent outcrop successions on Mount Spieker in
northeastern British Columbia. Facies distributions and relationships are assessed through 3D
outcrop models and collected field data. The presence of fluid mud lenses, terrestrial fossil
fragments, and impoverished suites of trace fossils confirm that the study interval was deposited
proximal to a fluvial sediment source. The abundance of HCS sandstone units and pebbly storm
lags indicates robust storm-wave reworking at the time of deposition. The along-strike
heterogeneity in facies distribution is interpreted as evidence for delta asymmetry. The proposed
depositional model suggests that strong longshore currents were the main reason for delta
asymmetry. In this wave-dominated deltaic setting, the updrift side presents better reservoir
targets including thick, clast-supported conglomerate units. The downdrift side consists of finer
grained argillaceous deposits representing poorer reservoir quality. This study documents the
sedimentology of the studied outcrops and discusses the depositional processes causing the
heterogeneity in facies type and distribution in a wave-dominated, gravel-dominated delta setting. -
- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Fall 2022
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Library with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.