Geochronology of the Mannville Group
As a dedicated Geological Research Assistant, my focus centred on unravelling the mysteries of the Mannville Group within the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). With meticulous precision, I logged core samples, skillfully extracting valuable data from each rock layer. My contributions extended to rock sampling and Zircon dating, aiding in the determination of geological timelines and processes. Leveraging my proficiency in geological software, I created cross-sections, offering a comprehensive understanding of the basin's subsurface structures. Through my research and scientific exploration, I played a vital role in advancing our knowledge of the WCSB's geological evolution.
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Key Conclusions:
1. Depositional systems associated with Lower Mannville Group units were strongly impacted by paleo-topographic highs that developed during (and following) a period of uplift in the Alberta Foreland Basin.
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2. Upper Mannville Group units record the healing of basin topography and contain large amounts of young (<200 Ma) Cordilleran grains from the middle Albian onwards.
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3. U-Pb zircon geochronology is an effective tool for constraining depositional age and elucidating changes in sediment provenance in Mannville Group units in most cases.
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01
Logging Core
During my time on this project, I studied and interpreted the formations in the Manville Group, unearthing a treasure trove of essential data. Through carefully studied observations, I described vital features within the rock beds, illuminating the complex stratigraphy of the region. Through this I was able to form different facies codes, revealing the past environments of the geological history of the WCSB. During my time as a core logger, I shaped my skills and knowledge on how to understand the geological history of the Earth
02
Zircon Chronology
After carefully studying the Mannville Group through core logging, I got the chance to work with my professor to help him choose what my team and I thought would be the best choices for choosing samples to geologically date with Zircon crystals!
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Armed with the rock info I gathered, I picked out rock samples that seemed to have an ample amount of Zircons. These crystals hold the secrets of time! With Zircon dating we could figure out the age of each formation; kind of like time travel but for rocks! Core logging and Zircon dating joined forces, and together, we continued to discover more information about the history of the WCSB.
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03
Accumap
Accumap became my new best friend for the Summer of 2023, guiding me on a journey to unlock the secrets hidden within the Mannville Group's layers. Armed with my new core log data, I integrated the information into the Accumap. I was able to use new skills to connect the dots, creating cross-sections that helped interpret the geological history of our study area. Each cross-section served as a snapshot of the past, revealing the stacking patterns and paleogeographic changes beneath the surface.
Through this dynamic visualization, I pieced together the puzzle of the Mannville Group's controls. Each cross-section created was another step in understanding the WCSB and its evolution. Accumap was an indispensable tool, allowing me to navigate through time and space, and unravel the untold stories of the Mannville.
