Revised stratigraphy of the middle Simcoe Group (Ordovician, upper Sandbian–Katian) in its type area: an integrated approach

Abstract

The Upper Ordovician Bobcaygeon Formation of southern Ontario is a widespread unit that spans the Sandbian–Katian stage boundary and contains exceptionally preserved invertebrate fossil assemblages, including the famed ‘Kirkfield echinoderm fauna.’ However, the precise correlation of this interval remains poorly understood. This paper presents new data on high-resolution sequence and carbon isotope chemostratigraphy of the Bobcaygeon interval based on new quarry exposures and introduces refined definitions of unit boundaries based on allostratigraphic criteria. Sequence, chemo-, and biostratigraphic evidence indicate that the Bobcaygeon Formation represents a composite unit as it encompasses a major erosional unconformity. The Coboconk and Kirkfield formations, described in the early 20th century, were merged into a single unit, the Bobcaygeon, out of concern that the original lithostratigraphic divisions would be conflated with biostratigraphic zones of the same names. However, these biostratigraphic zones are no longer favoured, and the lower member of the Bobcaygeon is here elevated again to the status of formation (Coboconk Formation) and represents the uppermost portion of the Sandbian M4 sequence. The middle and upper members of the Bobcaygeon, herein reassigned to the Kirkfield Formation, represent the upper Sandbian to lower Katian M5A and M5B sequences recognized widely in the eastern and central United States. The term Bobcaygeon is retained and elevated to the rank of subgroup. The Kirkfield Formation is divided into three members and contacts are refined, placing a 1–2 m transgressive grainstone at the base of each sequence. These units are correlated with equivalent strata of New York and the Cincinnati Arch.