A middle Proterozoic palaeokarst unconformity and associated sedimentary rocks, Elu Basin, northwest Canada

Abstract

ABSTRACTA major palaeokarst erosion surface is developed within the middle Proterozoic Elu Basin, northwestern Canada. This palaeokarst is named the sub‐Kanuyak unconformity and truncates the Parry Bay Formation, a sequence of shallow‐marine dolostones that were deposited within a north‐facing carbonate platform under a semi‐arid climate.The sub‐Kanuyak unconformity exhibits up to 90 m of local relief, and also formed under semi‐arid conditions when Parry Bay dolostones were subaerially exposed during a relative sea‐level drop of about 180 m. Caves and various karren developed within the meteoric vadose and phreatic zones. Their geometry, size and orientation were largely controlled by northwest‐ and northeast‐trending antecedent joints, bedding, and lithology. Near‐surface caves later collapsed forming valleys, and intervening towers or walls, and plains. Minor terra rossa formed on top of highs. Karstification was most pronounced in southern parts of Bathurst Inlet but decreased northward, probably reflecting varying lengths of exposure time along a north‐dipping slope.The Kanuyak Formation is up to 65 m thick, and partially covers the underlying palaeokarst. It consists of six lithofacies: (i) breccia formed during collapse of caves, as reworked collapse breccia and regolith; (ii) conglomerate representing gravel‐dominated braided‐fluvial deposits; (iii) sandstone deposited as braided‐fluvial and storm‐dominated lacustrine deposits; (iv) interbedded sandstone, siltstone and mudstone of sheet flood origin; (v) dolostones formed from dolocretes and quiet‐water lacustrine deposits; and (vi) red‐beds representing intertidal‐marine mudflat deposits. Rivers flowed toward the northwest and northeast within karst valleys and caves; lakes were also situated within valleys; marine mudflat sediments completely cover the palaeokarst to the north.A regional correlation of the sub‐Kanuyak unconformity with the intra‐Greenhorn Lakes disconformity within the Coppermine homocline suggests that similar styles of karstification occurred over an extensive region. The Elu Basin palaeokarst, however, was developed more landward, and was exposed for a longer period of time than the Coppermine homocline palaeokarst.