Fermeuse Formation

Stratigraphic range:
Beds of the Fermeuse Formation near Ferryland, NL; note Aspidella discs
TypeFormation
Unit ofSt John's Group[1]
UnderliesRenews Head Formation[2]
OverliesTrepassey Formation
Location
RegionNewfoundland and Labrador
CountryCanada

Occurrence of Fermeuse formation in southeast Newfoundland

The Fermeuse Formation is a fossil-bearing Ediacaran geologic formation in Newfoundland.

Palaeobiological community

1-2 centimetre-wide Aspidella discs (and some smaller mm-sized individuals) on a bedding surface of the Fermeuse Formation near Ferryland, Newfoundland

On Avalon Peninsula[1] there is low diversity, and includes rare trace fossils, Palaeopascichnus,[3] and Aspidella discs, sometimes in great concentrations.[4]

On Bonavista Peninsula there is higher diversity, including more fronds (rangeomorphs) and better preserved than on Avalon Peninsula.[1]

Depositional environment

On Bonavista Peninsula the depositional environment was a slope and outer shelf–below photic zone Turbidites probably were the dominant sediment transporters.[4]

It is predominantly silts and sands, in contrast to underlying Trepassey Formation, which is mostly dark grey shales. There is a coarsening up sequence throughout the two formations, such that the top of the Fermeuse is predominantly sandstones.[4]

On Avalon Peninsula there were much shallower waters, particularly than in underlying Mistaken Point Formation and Trepassey Formation.[1] It is indicated by sandy channel fills, slumping, occasional silts.[1] There is a possible delta front and shallow slope setting.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 A.G. Liu; D. McIlroy. "Horizontal Surface Traces from the Fermeuse Formation, Ferryland (Newfoundland, Canada), and their Place within the Late Ediacaran Ichnological Revolution". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ↑ "Geoscience Atlas". Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  3. ↑ Mikhail A. Fedonkin (2007). The Rise of Animals: Evolution and Diversification of the Kingdom Animalia. JHU Press. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-8018-8679-9.
  4. 1 2 3 LAFLAMME, MARC; SCHIFFBAUER, JAMES D.; NARBONNE, GUY M.; BRIGGS, DEREK E. G. (June 2011). "Microbial biofilms and the preservation of the Ediacara biota". Lethaia. 44 (2): 203–213. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.2010.00235.x.
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