Conditions of Deposition of Palliser (Devonian) Limestone of Southwestern Alberta

Abstract

ABSTRACT A thin-section study of the Palliser limestone of southwestern Alberta revealed that the various microfacies involved can be classified into five major groups, all of which can be matched very closely by the present-day deposits of the Bahama Banks. Considering the age of the earlier deposits, the detailed similarity of the two is remarkable. Accordingly, it is suggested that the Palliser limestone was laid down under conditions closely comparable with those prevailing on the Bahama Banks today. During diagenesis non-skeletal calcarenites are very susceptible to recrystallization, producing homogeneous, fine-grained rocks almost indistinguishable from calcilutites, thus complicating the study of ancient deposits.