GEOLOGICAL NOTE Sukunka Formation: a new Middle Devonian lithostratigraphic unit, northeastern British Columbia, Canada

Abstract The term “Sukunka Formation” is proposed for a 113 to 169 metre thick mixed siliciclastic and carbonate unit lying between the Middle Devonian Stone and Dunedin Formations in the Rocky Mountain Front Ranges of northeastern British Columbia. The unit is best developed near the headwaters of the Sukunka River, where it outcrops along a series of closely spaced imbricate thrusts. In the type area, it can be divided into three (informal) members: lower, middle and upper. The lower member overlies the Stone Formation unconformably and consists of inter-bedded orthoquartzite, dolostone and sandy dolostone. It is overlain by the middle member that consists predominantly of brick red weathering siltstones interbedded with minor amounts of dolostone. These ‘red beds’ are readily recognizable in the field and can be used elsewhere in the area to identify thrust imbricates. The upper member consists of a series of thick to massive bedded, well cross-bedded and resistant weathering clean quartzose sandstones which gradationally overlie the middle member. The top of the formation is also disconformable. It is transgressed and overlain by the basal calcareous shales and limes of the Dd-1 member of the Dunedin Formation. However, lag deposits from the Sukunka Formation occur within the basal calcareous shales and limes of the Dd-1 member. This condition is thought to reflect progressive transgression of higher stratigraphic levels of the Sukunka Formation to the east by the rising waters that led to accumulation of the Dunedin Formation. Diagnostic fossils have not been recognized in the Sukunka Formation. Presently, it is dated as early Middle Devonian based solely on stratigraphic position. In the subsurface, in the same stratigraphic position between the Stone and Dunedin formations, unnamed argillaceous, sandy and silty carbonates have also been identified. These, further to the east, may be equivalent to the unnamed detrital unit of the Chinchaga Formation.