The type section of the Cambrian Backstairs Passage Formation, Kanmantoo Group, South Australia
Date
2009
Authors
Jago, J.B.
Gatehouse, C.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 2009; 133(1):150-163
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
The Backstairs Passage Formation is one of two shallow water sandstone units within the Cambrian Kanmantoo Group of the Mt Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island. The type section occurs along the south coast of Fleurieu Peninsula to the east of Blowhole Creek; it is herein described in detail for the first time. In general terms it comprises an overall shallowing upwards package of sediments deposited as part of a deltaic system; it is about 785m thick, although the top 100m is strongly affected by the Aaron Creek Shear Zone. Lithologically the sandstones are either fine to medium grained well sorted subarkoses or arkoses. Abundant sedimentary structures include tabular and trough cross bedding, ripple marks, horizontal planar lamination, wet sediment slumping, load casts and flame structures, with the size and abundance of the tabular cross bedding sets and the thickness of the beds containing slump structures increasing up section. Palaeocurrent directions derived from tabular cross beds indicate possible longshore flow from the north and northeast to the south and southwest, with wet sediment slumping indicating a palaeoslope to the southeast, thus suggesting the source area was the Palaeo-to Mesoproterozoic Gawler Craton. © 2009 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2009 Royal Society of South Australia