Algal Stromatolites: Use in Stratigraphic Correlation and Paleocurrent Determination

Algal stromatolites are used for detailed rock-stratigraphic correlation for a distance of 160 kilometers in the Pethei Formation, of Aphebian (Precambrian) age, in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Laterally linked stromatolites are initiated by the draping of successive laminations over intraclas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science
Main Author: Hoffman, Paul
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 1967
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.157.3792.1043
https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.157.3792.1043
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Summary:Algal stromatolites are used for detailed rock-stratigraphic correlation for a distance of 160 kilometers in the Pethei Formation, of Aphebian (Precambrian) age, in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Laterally linked stromatolites are initiated by the draping of successive laminations over intraclasts or other irregularities in the bedding surface. Stromatolite shapes and orientations are related to paleocurrent direction determined from associated sedimentary structures. Thus stromatolite geometry is at least in part environmentally controlled.