Fossil evidence for fault-derived stratigraphic repetition in the northeastern Newfoundland Appalachians

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Pluijm, Ben A. van der, Karlstrom, Karl E., Williams, Paul F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1987
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e87-220; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e87-220

Two types of bedding-parallel faults are common in the Dunnage Zone of eastern Notre Dame Bay. They are (i) early thrusts, which together with bedding were rotated by later folding into steep attitudes; and (ii) postfolding transcurrent faults. Both types of faults occur at all scales and give rise to repetitions in the stratigraphic sequence.A compilation of the ages of various rock types based on fossil evidence indicates a relatively simple stratigraphy for the Dunnage Zone. This interpretation appears to be at variance with many reported stratigraphic successions, until repetitions by bedding-parallel faulting are taken into account.Examples are given of sequences in which the repetition of various rock types, dated by means of fossils, is due to bedding-parallel faulting. We believe that the simple lithostratigraphy is a reliable aid for structural interpretations in areas where fossils are scarce or absent.