Unit Name: Kanguk Formation
Unit Type: Lithostratigraphic
Rank: Formation
Status: Formal
Usage: Currently in use
Age Interval: Late Cretaceous (99.6 - 65.5 ma)
Province/Territory: Northwest Territories; Nunavut
Originator: Souther, 1963.
Type Locality:
West end of Kanguk Peninsula, along Strand Fiord, Axel Heiberg Island.
Distribution:
Widely distributed throughout the Sverdrup Basin and on Banks Island. Thickness varies from approximately 150 m along the margin of the basin to 365 m on western Axel Heiberg.
Locality Data:
Thickness(m): Minimum 150, Maximum 365.
Lithology:
Dark grey shale and siltstone with subordinate sandstone and some thin bentonitic and tuffaceous beds. Sandstones are not common in the Kanguk Formation of central and eastern Sverdrup Basin, but are present in the western part of the basin. On Eglinton Island a 50 m sandstone and conglomerate unit occurs in the upper part (Eglinton Member). The lower part of the Kanguk succession on Ellef Ringnes Island contains fine grained sandstones up to approximately 30 m thick.
Relationship:
Conformably overlies the Hassel Formation and is conformably overlain by the Eureka Sound Formation. In the vicinity of Strand Fiord, Axel Heiberg Island, the Kanguk Formation overlies the Strand Fiord Formation. On Banks Island unconformably overlies various Mesozoic and Paleozoic rocks.
Remark:
First Published: Geological Survey of Canada Map 36-1959.
References:
Souther, J.G., 1963. Geological traverse across Axel Heiberg Island from Buchanan Lake to Strand Fiord; pp. 426-448: in Fortier, Y.O. et al. , Geology of the north-central part of the Arctic Archipelago, N.W.T. (Operation Franklin), Geological Survey of Canada
Source: CSPG Lexicon of Canadian Stratigraphy, Volume 1, Arctic Archigelage (District of Franklin); R.L. Christie, A.F. Embry, G.A. Van Dyck (editor)
Contributor: G.A. Van Dyck
Entry Reviewed: Yes
Name Set: Lithostratigraphic Lexicon
LastChange: 17 Dec 2009