Collaborative Research: A Sequence, Chemo- and Biostratigraphic Study of Late Early Cambrian Rocks, Southern Selwyn Basin, Mackenzie Mountains, NWT
Principal Investigator: Pope, Michael (3)
Licence Number: 13490
Organization: Washington State University
Licensed Year(s): 2003 2002 2001
Issued: Jul 08, 2003
Project Team: Dr. Steven

Objective(s): The Early Cambrian is an important time in Earth history for it records the widespread radiation of animals during significant climatic, sea level, and tectonic changes. This project will be a stratigraphic, geochemical, and paleontological study of highly fossiliferous late Early Cambrian rocks in the Selwyn Basin, Mackenzie Mountains. This remote field area is an important location because it preserves shallow water carbonates and basinal equivalents which will make it possible to evaluate the nature and frequency of sea level and climate changes through sequence stratigraphy and chemostratigraphy. Approximately 2000 samples, approximately 7.5 cm square, consisting of limestone, shale and sandstone from rock outcroppings will be collected. The research team will then use evolutionary studies of trilobites to consider how sea level, climate, and tectonic changes effected evolutionary patterns during this critical interval in Earth history.