Abstract
Cenozoic strata of the Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin were deposited in a series of 9 sequences on the continental margin of Arctic Canada. Seismostratigraphic and biostratigraphic (foraminiferal) schemes for analyzing these strata have evolved concurrently. Integration of these two methods is illustrated from selected Eocene to Miocene sections referenced to a transgressive-regressive sequence model. Marginal marine foraminiferal assemblages from seismic topset facies are low in diversity, dominantly agglutinated (Portatrochammina, Jadammina, Labros pira, Textularia), and markedly different in successive sequences. Mid-shelf deltaic facies are also dominated by agglutinated genera (Bathysiphon, Haplophragmoides, Insculptarenulla, Recurvoides, Reticulophragmium). In contrast, foraminiferal assemblages from non-deltaic, outer shelf to upper slope facies (seismic topsets to foresets) are mostly calcareous benthic species. In continental-rise facies (seismic bottomset facies), agglutinated foraminifers are also abundant (Ammodiscus, Ammolagena, Bathysiphon, Cystammina, Glomospira, Haplophragmoides, Insculptarenulla, Reticulophragmium, Recurvoides, Reophax), but typically are long ranging. Lower slope to continental rise turbiditic deposits are mostly barren, except for reworked microfaunas. Faunal changes at sequence boundaries indicate the scope of tectono-oceanographic reorganization which generated each depositional episode. For example, major faunal changes encountered at sequence boundaries near the Eocene/Oligocene and Miocene/Pliocene boundaries reflect global-scale events.
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McNeil, D.H., Dietrich, J.R., Dixon, J. (1990). Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Seismic Sequences: Examples from the Cenozoic of the Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin, Arctic Canada. In: Hemleben, C., Kaminski, M.A., Kuhnt, W., Scott, D.B. (eds) Paleoecology, Biostratigraphy, Paleoceanography and Taxonomy of Agglutinated Foraminifera. NATO ASI Series, vol 327. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3350-0_32
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