Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area
Tags: physical sciences, geology, fossils, paleontology, stratigraphy
| Principal Investigator: | Butterfield, Nicholas J (3) |
| Licence Number: | 14766 |
| Organization: | University of Cambridge |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2010
|
| Issued: | Jul 15, 2010 |
| Project Team: | Dr. Nicholas J. Butterfield (PI, University of Cambridge), Dr. Fredrik Terfelt (Post-doctoral reseacher, Univeristy of Copenhagen) |
Objective(s): To document the sequence of trilobite occurrences in the Mount Cap Formation, and to apply this to the developing international scheme for correlating Cambrian rocks. The importance of the Mount Cap fossils lies in the identification of a key trilobite species that has not previously been reported from North America.
Project Description: The primary objective of this study is to document the sequence of trilobite occurrences in the Mount Cap Formation, and to apply this to the developing international scheme for correlating Cambrian rocks. The importance of the Mount Cap fossils lies in the identification of a key trilobite species that has not previously been reported from North America. The research plan is to collect fossils for more general paleontological study. Fieldwork will entail the detailed logging of geological outcrops, and sample collection for more detailed laboratory study; 100 field samples will be collected with an average weight of 500 grams (i.e., 50 kg total). Due to the small size of most of the fossils (< 1 cm), microscopes are necessary for any detailed examination. Some fossils will be prepared/exposed by dissolving away the rock matrix with strong acids; others will be studied in thin-sections. The rocks and fossils the researcher is planning to study may be important for establishing an international stratigraphic correlation scheme. If so, the outcrop sections may be visited by parties from the IGCP (UNESCO International Geoscience Program). The fossils are also interesting for what they tell about ancient marine organisms. The researchers will be communicating results to the Aurora Research Institute via a final report, but would also be happy to prepare a display for the Norman Wells Museum. These fossils are around 500 million years old and include a wide range of early animals. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 21, 2010 to July 31, 2010.
