High resolution sequence stratigraphic reconstruction of mud-dominated systems below storm wave base; A case study from the Middle to Upper Devonian Horn River Group, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

The application of sequence stratigraphy to deep-water mud-dominated systems is more challenging than in shallow water siliciclastic settings, largely because mudstones display subtle contrasts in grain size and lithology that make identification of facies and recognition of major stratigraphic surfaces difficult. However, the integration of sedimentology, ichnology and geochemistry and an extensive suite of cores from the Middle to Upper Devonian Horn River Group shales allow us to better understand how deep-water mud-dominated systems respond to fluctuations in the relative sea level, manifested in sequence stratigraphic relationships. The Horn River Group consists of, in ascending order, the Evie Member and Otter Park Member of the Horn River Formation and the Muskwa Formation. Four systems tracts, including highstand, transgressive, lowstand and falling stage systems tracts (HST, TST, LST, FSST, respectively) are identified and mapped. Highstand and transgressive systems tracts are both represented by dominantly massive mudstone lithofacies, sparse bioturbation, high Mo/Al ratios and high TOC values (avg. 3.1 and 3.4 wt%, respectively), as well as low Al2O3 concentrations. They can be distinguished by upward increasing gamma ray values for transgressive systems tracts and upward decreasing values for highstand systems tracts. The falling stage and low stand systems tracts display more heterolithic and laminated lithofacies, sparse to intense bioturbation, lower Mo/Al ratio and lower TOC values (avg. 1.2 and 1.7 wt%, respectively) and high Al2O3, concentrations and relatively low gamma ray readings. Sequence boundaries are represented by a transition from unbioturbated units to moderately or intensely bioturbated units, suggesting increased bottom water oxygen levels, which we infer to represent shallower waters. They are gradational and clearly conformable contacts in distal parts of the basin. They are sharp in more proximal settings, but no erosional surfaces were identified that would indicate unconformable contacts. Maximum flooding surfaces are characterized by the highest TOC contents and an increased gamma ray values. Our results suggest that the Otter Park Member belongs to a long-period sea level lowstand (e.g., 2nd order cycle), whereas the Evie Member and Muskwa Formation belong to long-period sea level highstands.