NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: fossils, paleontology, vertebrate fossils

Objective(s): To identify a vertebrate fossil of Carboniferous age recently found in the Golata Formation in the Liard Basin.

Project Description: The objective of this project is to identify a vertebrate fossil of Carboniferous age recently found in the Golata Formation in the Liard Basin. The research group is studying outcrops of Devonian to Carboniferous age shale to establish the hydrocarbon resource potential for the NWT, BC, and Yukon regions of the Liard area. Scientific investigations include measuring rock outcrop sections and taking small (approximately 100 grams/ 1 meter of section) chip samples that will be crushed and analyzed for their geochemical composition and thermal maturity. A spectrometer is also used in the field to measure the radioactivity associated with uranium, thorium, and potassium naturally present in the shales. In addition, field research involves description of rock characteristics including lithology, mineralogy, and fossil content. On occasion, larger (e.g. fist size) samples are taken to establish stratal ages using microfossils such as conodonts and radiolarians. If macrofossils are encountered, they are collected to later be examined by a paleontologist. The macrofossil collected this year was subjected to a preliminary examination by a paleontologist from the Yukon Government (Dr. Grant Zazula). Dr. Zazula considers the fossil to be a rare Carboniferous specimen that is normally not found in northern Canadian strata. He recommends that the fossil be sent to a vertebrate paleontologist (e.g. University of Calgary or Royal Tyrell Museum) for further assessment. After identification, the fossil will be returned to the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office. These are jaw fragments from a Paleozoic vertebrate. This type of fossil from Northern Canada is quite rare and needs to be identified. After the research has been done the fossil will potentially be available for display in a museum or exhibit in the NWT. The results of this study will become part of a GNWT open report and may be presented at academic conferences. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from February 14, 2014 to December 31, 2014.