Stratigraphic and Carbon Isotope Evolution of an Ediacaran Mixed Siliciclastic Deep-Marine Base-of-Slope System, First Isaac Carbonate, Windermere Supergroup, Canadian Cordillera, British Columbia.

Abstract

The first Isaac carbonate (FIC) is a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate base-of-slope succession in the Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup (WSG). Outstanding outcrop exposure at three study areas provided an excellent opportunity to observe the stratigraphic and isotopic evolution of an ancient deepwater mixed turbidite system. Based on lithological and stratal dimensions, the FIC can be subdivided into lower and upper parts suggesting temporal changes in patterns of sediment transport and deposition. δ13Ccarb also changes from -5.2‰ at the base of the FIC to 2.5‰ in the middle and then decreases to -6.3‰ at the top. Notably, the δ13Ccarb of primary cement in FIC strata is substantially more positive than most other Neoproterozoic deep-marine sections, suggesting the retention of their original shallow-marine isotopic signature. Nevertheless, this trend potentially correlates with the EN2 excursion in China and therefore the Gaskiers glaciation (~580 Ma), although better age control of WSG is needed to corroborate this correlation.