A. Guy Plint

Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Basin Analysis

Professor & Graduate Chair
P.Geo.
D.Phil. Oxford, 1981
Office: BGS 1072
Phone: 519-661-3179
Fax: 519-661-3198
Email: gplint@uwo.ca

Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

The primary research of my group is focused on the Cretaceous rocks of the Western Canada foreland basin. Fundamentally, we are interested in understanding the processes (tectonism, eustatic change, sediment supply) that controlled deposition and erosion. We have access to all public drilling records (well logs) for the basin, which allows construction of very detailed stratigraphic cross-sections. We employ an allostratigraphic (sequence stratigraphic) approach which permits division of the basin fill into genetic units, related to relative sea-level changes. Mapping of sequence-bounding surfaces allows isopach maps to be constructed, which reveal the complex subsidence history of the basin. This approach also permits mapping of facies belts, and hence regional paleogeography can be reconstructed. The excellent subsurface stratigraphic framework allows correlation to outcrop on the periphery of the basin, allowing sedimentological detail from outcrop to be integrated into the regional picture.

Recent projects have involved both marine and nonmarine units ranging in age from late Albian to early Campanian. Several projects focused on thick mudstone successions which, although superficially monotonous, preserve a very detailed history of tectonic movement of the basin floor. Other studies have revealed evidence for small scale (~10 m) but high frequency (20-100 ky) relative sea level oscillations which are most reasonably explained in terms of glacio-eustasy - despite the popular notion of a mid-Cretaceous ‘greenhouse’ climate. Other studies have examined the relationship between subsidence rate and the character of alluvial environments, including the nature of fluvial systems, and paleosols. Major paleovalley and interfluve systems have been mapped in detail, and drainage patterns can be related to flexural tectonics and to more localised fault movement.

Selected Publications

Lumsdon-West, M.P. & Plint, A.G. 2005 Changing Alluvial Style in Response to Changing Accommodation Rate in a Proximal Foreland Basin Setting: Upper Cretaceous Dunvegan Formation, NE British Columbia, Canada. In: Fluvial Sedimentology VII, ed. by M.D. Blum, S.B. Marriott & S. Leclair. International Association of Sedimentologists, Special Publication No. 35, 493-515.

Varban, B.L. & Plint, A.G. 2005, Allostratigraphy of the Kaskapau Formation (Cenomanian-Turonian) in Subsurface and Outcrop: NE British Columbia and NW Alberta, Western Canada Foreland Basin. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 53, p. 357-389.

Kreitner, M.A. & Plint, A.G., 2006, Allostratigraphy and paleogeography of the Upper Cenomanian, Lower Kaskapau Formation in subsurface and outcrop, Alberta and British Columbia. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 54, 147-174.

Rylaarsdam, J.R., Varban, B.L. Plint, A.G., Buckley, L.G. & McCrea, R.T., 2006, Middle Turonian Dinosaur Paleoenvironments in the Kaskapau Formation, NE British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 43, 631-652.

Plint, A.G., Jin, J., Varban, B.L. & Rylaarsdam, J.R., 2006, A cool-water epilithozoan fauna on quartzite clasts, and the problem of cobble transport across a coastal plain: Middle Turonian Kaskapau Formation, British Columbia, Canada. Palaios, 21, 557-570.

Plint, A.G. & Wadsworth, J.A. 2006, Delta plain paleodrainage patterns reflect small-scale fault movement and subtle forebulge uplift: Upper Cretaceous Dunvegan Formation, Western Canada Foreland Basin. In: Incised Valley Systems in Time and Space, ed. by R.W. Dalrymple, D.A. Leckie & R.W. Tillman. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Special Publication 85, 219-237.

Hay, M.J., Cumbaa, S.L., Murray, A.M. & Plint, A.G. 2007. A new paraclupeid fish (Clupeomorpha, Ellimmichthyiformes) from a muddy marine prodelta environment: middle Cenomanian Dunvegan Formation, Alberta, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 44, 775-790.

Hart, B.S., Varban, B.L., Marfut, K.J. and Plint, A.G. 2007. Blind thrusts and fault-propagation folds in the Upper Cretaceous Alberta Group, Deep Basin: Implications for fractured reservoirs. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 55, 125-132.

Tyagi, A., Plint, A.G. & McNeil, D.H., 2007, Correlation of physical surfaces, bentonites, and biozones in the Colorado Group from the Alberta Foothills to South-Western Saskatchewan, and a Revision of the Belle Fourche / Second White Specks Formational Boundary. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 44, 871-888.

Plint, A.G. & Kreitner, M.A. 2007, Extensive, thin sequences spanning Cretaceous foredeep suggest high-frequency eustatic control: Late Cenomanian, Western Canada foreland basin. Geology, 35, 735-738.

Varban, B.L. & Plint, A.G., 2008, Palaeoenvironments, palaeogeography, and physiography of a large, shallow, muddy ramp: Late Cenomanian-Turonian Kaskapau Formation, Western Canada foreland basin. Sedimentology, 55, 201-233.

Varban, B.L. & Plint, A.G. 2008, Sequence stacking patterns in the Western Canada foredeep: Influence of tectonics, sediment loading and eustasy on deposition of the Upper Cretaceous Kaskapau and Cardium formations. Sedimentology, 55, 395-421.

Roca, X., Rylaarsdam, J.R., Zhang, H., Varban, B.L., Sisulak, C.F., Bastedo, K. and Plint, A.G. 2008, An allostratigraphic correlation of Lower Colorado Group (Albian) and equivalent strata in Alberta and British Columbia, and Cenomanian rocks of the Upper Colorado Group in southern Alberta. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 56, 259-299.

Hu, Y.G. and Plint, A.G. 2009, An allostratigraphic correlation of a mudstone-dominated syn-tectonic wedge: The Puskwaskau Formation (Santonian-Campanian) in outcrop and subsurface, Western Canada foreland basin. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 57, 1-33.

Plint, A.G., Tyagi, A., Hay, M.J., Varban, B.L., Zhang, H. and Roca, X., 2009, Clinoforms, paleobathymetry, and mud dispersal across the Western Canada Cretaceous foreland basin: evidence from the Cenomanian Dunvegan Formation and contiguous strata. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 79, 144-161.

Hay, M.J. and Plint, A.G. 2009, An allostratigraphic framework for a retrogradational delta complex: the uppermost Dunvegan Formation (Cenomanian) in subsurface and outcrop, Alberta and British Columbia. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 57, 323-349.

Barker, I., Moser, D., Kamo, S. and Plint, A.G., 2010, High-precision ID-TIMS U-Pb Zircon dating of two transcontinental bentonites: Cenomanian Stage, Western Canada Foreland Basin. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, in press.

Plint, A.G., 2010, Chapter 11, Wave- and storm-dominated shoreline and shallow marine systems. In: Facies Models, 4th Edition, Dalrymple, R.W. and James, N.P., eds. Geological Association of Canada, in press.

Plint, A.G., Tyagi, A., McCausland, P.J.A., Krawetz, J.R., Zhang, H., Roca, X., Hu, Y.G.,, Varban, B.L., Kreitner, M.A. and Hay, M.J., 2011, Dynamic relationship between subsidence, sedimentation, and unconformities in mid- Cretaceous, shallow-marine strata of the Western Canada Foreland Basin: Links to Cordilleran tectonics. In: Busby, C. and Azor, A., (eds.), Recent Advances in the Tectonics of Sedimentary Basins. Wiley-Blackwell, in press.

Collaborations

Dr. David Ulicny (Prague), in order to develop high-resolution sequence stratigraphic models by which to compare high-frequency relative sea-level changes in Bohemia and western Canada.

Dr. Claudia Schroder-Adams (Carleton), leading to integration of an allostratigraphic framework for the western Canada basin with regional foraminiferal biostratigraphy.

Dr. Desmond Moser (UWO) and Sandra Kamo (Toronto), in order to obtain high-precision U-Pb radiometric ages from zircons in bentonite beds distributed through the Cretaceous section in western Canada.

Dr. Brad Singer (Wisconsin-Madison) and Dr. Brad Sageman (Northwestern) as part of a continenent-wide effort to re-calibrate Cretaceous bentonite geochronology using modern methods and standards.

Dr. Darren Gröcke (Durham, UK), to establish a carbon isotope stratigraphy for the Late Albian through Coniacian stages in western Canada. In the absence of biostratigraphically-useful fossils, this approach offers the possibility of correlating globally to other Cenomanian strata. More traditional sequence stratigraphic and sedimentological projects on a variety of rocks are also available.

Dr. Ireneusz Walaszczyk (Warsaw) is working with us to develop a new molluscan biostratigraphy in the Upper Cretaceous, in order to facilitate detailed inter-continetal correlation.

Rich McCrea and Lisa Buckley (Peace Regiona Palaeontological Research Centre, BC) are integrating vertebrate tracks (dinosaur, bird) with our stratigraphic, sedimentologic and paleoenvironmental reconstructions.

Dr. David Selby (Durham, UK) to establish Rehnium-Osmium geochronology for OAE-2 across the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary in western Canada and Ecuador.

Dr. Joe Mcquaker (Memorial), investigating high-resolution sequence stratigraphy of Cretaceous mudrocks and the processes by which mud is dispersed across broad shallow marine ramps.

Courses Taught

Earth Sciences 2260a: From Beds to Basins – an Introduction to Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.

Earth Sciences 4450y: Regional Geology Field School. Ten day field course in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Earth Sciences 4460a: Sedimentology of clastic and carbonate rocks.

Geology 9564a/b: Basin Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy (Graduate course, lectures, labs, research paper, seminar).

Geology 9571a/b: Selected Topics in Sedimentary Geology. (Research paper, seminar).

Students

Piotr Angiel, PhD candidate

Meriem Grifi, MSc candidate

Joel Shank, MSc candidate

Projects available to applicants with appropriate qualifications and experience

Paleopedology, mineralogy and geochemistry of sequence-bounding paleosols in Viking-equivalent strata, Alberta Foothills. PhD. Requires student with background in pedology, clay mineralogy, low-temperature geochemistry.
Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Viking and Bow Island formations in SW Alberta, subsurface and outcrop. PhD. Requires student with experience of shallow marine and/or alluvial sediments, plus interest in working extensive detailed well log correlations. Field conditions are demanding.