Sami Et Al., (1992) - Episodic Sedimentation On A Silurian, Storm-Dominated Carbonate Ramp, Anticosti Island, Canada

Sedimentology (1992) 39,355-381
Episodic sedimentation on an early Silurian, storm-dominated carbonate ramp,

Becscie and Merrimack formations, Anticosti Island, Canada
TERRY SAMI*andANDRE DESROCHERS
Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre, Department of Geology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada K I N 6N.5
ABSTRACT
The 150-160 m thick lowermost Silurian (Rhuddanian) Becscie and Merrimack formations of Anticosti
Island, Canada, represent continuous deposition on a shallow, open marine carbonate ramp. Several rock
types are identified : (a) laminated and homogenous mudstone ; (b) laminated and homogenous packstone ;
(c) argillaceous mudstone and packstone ; (d) calcareous shale ; (e) laminated calcisiltite; (f) medium- to
fine-grained grainstone; and (g) bio/intraclastic rudstone. These rock types are arranged into five distinct
lithofacies: (LFI) calcareous mudstone-shale; (LF2) laminated-homogenous mudstone; (LF3) calcareous
grainstone-shale ;(LF4) laminated mudstone-grainstone ;and (LF5) laminated calcisiltite-grainstone.The
sequence reflects deposition on a low-energy, muddy, carbonate to argillaceous ramp subject to short-lived,
episodic high-energy storms. These events produced fining-upwards storm units 5-80 cm thick, or
tempestites, consisting of: a sharp scoured base overlain by intra/bioclastic rudstone grading upwards into
medium-grained grainstone, finely laminated calcisiltite and mudstone, or shale. These are interbedded
with low-energy, fairweather mudstones and calcareous shales.
Deposition progressed from a carbonate mud-dominated ramp in the Becscie Formation to an
argillaceous mud-dominated ramp in the Merrimack Formation. Lateral tempestite proximality trends and
lithofacies distribution indicate that the Anticosti Basin deepened to the south-east into the Iapetus Ocean
and shallowed towards a SW-NE-orientated shoreline to the north-west. Vertical tempestite proximality
trends and lithofacies changes identify third-order eustatic sea-level changes. After an initial deepening at
the base of the formation, a shallowing-deepening event dominated the sequence. Several higher order
fluctuations, defined by lithofacies and tempestite proximality trends, are superimposed on these changes.
The fluctuations identified with the aid of tempestite proximality trends are of an order of magnitude
higher than those identified by either lithofacies or palaeontological methods.
INTRODUCTION
The Becscie and Merrimack formations (Copper &
Long, 1989), exposed on Anticosti Island, Canada,
are of particular interest because the OrdpicianSilurian boundary lies at or near the base of thy:wholly
subtidal Becscie Formation. Whereas a large'body of
work has been produced on the palaeontology and
biostratigraphy of the sequence on Antidbsti Island,
few workers have addressed the sedimentology (but
see Petryk, 1981a; Long & Copper, 1987b; Copper &
Long, 1989). The biostratigraphic studies of Copper
*Present address : Department of Geological Sciences,
Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6.
& Long (1989) and Jin et al. (1990) have provided a

framework with which the sedimentology of the
Becscie and Merrimack formations can be meaningfully interpreted.
.
The Becscie and Merrimack formations provide a
unique opportunity to examine a continuous sequence
of shallow-water, subtidal carbonate rocks straddling
the Ordovician-Silurian boundary. The lack of evidence to suggest emergence of the platform during
deposition of the Becscie and Merrimack formations
(Sami, 1989), during a period of sea-level fluctuation
(Johnson et al., 1981), suggests that depbsition was on
the mid to distal portions of the platform. This study
355
356
T. Sami and A . Desrochers
attempts to recognize the type of carbonate platform

which was evolving in the Anticosti Basin during the
early Silurian and its responses to variations in sea
level. An understanding of the evolution of the
Anticosti Basin during this interval can provide
further information useful in unravelling the palaeogeography of eastern North America, and in particular
the Anticosti Basin.
This paper is divided into two parts, the first dealing
with the lithofacies and sedimentology of the Becscie
and Merrimack formations and the second describing
tempestite proximality trends and basin palaeogeography.
GENERAL SETTING A N D
STRATIGRAPHY
Location
Anticosti Island is located in the Gulf of St Lawrence,
eastern Canada, about 30 km south of the north shore
of Quebec and 75 km north-east of the GaspC
peninsula (49"04'-49"57'N, 64"32'--614 1' W). The
island is 222 km in length and 56 km at its widest
point (Fig. 1). Situated on the eastern part of the St
Lawrence platform, strata were largely unaffected by
the stresses of the Ordovician Taconic Orogeny. The
sequence on Anticosti Island consists of up to 1100 m
of undeformed, fossiliferous limestone, shale and
minor siliciclastic sediments (Petryk, 1981a). The
strata strike NW-SE with an average dip of 2" SW.
Regional palaeogeography
Ranging from late Ordovician (Ashgill) to early
Silurian (Llandovery/Wenlock?), the exposed sequence on Anticosti Island represents one of the best
exposures of continuous shallow-water deposition
across the Ordovician-Silurian boundary in North
America (LespCrance, 1981 ; Barnes, 1988). During
the early Silurian, the Anticosti Basin was situated at
palaeolatitudes of 15--20"S (Ziegler et al., 1977, 1979;
Scotese et al., 1985), placing it within a warm, humid
zone at a time when much of the Laurentia craton was
covered by shallow, epeiric seas (Ziegler et al., 1977).
The basin was located on the north-west margin of
the Iapetus Ocean, which is believed to have been
open from the late Proterozoic until possibly the late
Silurian to early Devonian (Ziegler et a/., 1977;
Mason, 1988). The strata on Anticosti Island were
Fig. 1. Location of Anticosti Island (cross-hatched) showing

distribution of the Becscie Formation (no ornament) and
significant outcrop localities (modified from Petryk, 1981a).
deposited at a time of global sea-level fluctuations

possibly associated with periods of glaciation or
climatic change in North Africa (Hambrey, 1985).
The Late Ordovician to Early Silurian was marked by
the onset of a eustatic sea-level rise related to melting
of the North African continental ice sheet (Ziegler et
a/., 1979). The palaeobathymetric changes indicated
by Ordovician and Silurian strata have been interpreted as probably of glacio-eustatic origin by Petryk
(1981b), whereas Long & Copper (1987b) inferred
Taconic and post-Taconic load-induced subsidence to
account for the thickness of the Anticosti Basin
sequence.
Although the Anticosti Basin experienced several
sea-level lowstands, there is no evidence of supratidal
or intertidal exposure, with deposition being restricted
to shallow, open-marine subtidal conditions. The
Episodic sedimentation on a storm-dominated carbonate ramp
357
sequence is characterized by an abundance of lime

mudstone/packstone, diverse open marine biota,
whole fossils, upward-fining units, patch reefs and
widespread bioturbation. No evidence of slope break,
reefal margin or slope and deep basin sediments has
been reported.
Previous work
Richardson (1857) and Billings (1857) were the first to
map and subdivide the sequence on Anticosti Island
based on lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy respectively. Schuchert & Twenhofel (1910) introduced
formal formation names based on lithostratigraphic
work on coastal exposures. This set up a framework
on which Twenhofel (1921, 1928) continued to
elaborate. Bolton (1961, 1970, 1972) mapped the
interior of the island and refined Twenhofel's subdivisions based on lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy, together with Copeland (1970, 1973, 1974).
Petryk's (1981a,b) work involved reinterpretation of
formation boundaries and subdivisions based on
extensive lithostratigraphic and basin analysis. Johnson et al. (198 1) proposed sea-level fluctuations for the
sequence using brachiopod communities, based on
Copper's (1981) stratigraphic work on the east of the
island. This work on the sedimentology and stratigraphy was continued by Long & Copper (1987a, b).
Copper & Long (1989) re-examined the upper two
members of the Becscie Formation and formally
assigned them to the newly erected Merrimack
Formation. In addition, there is a large body of work
on the biostratigraphy of the sequence on Anticosti
Island, particularly with respect to faunal changes
across the Ordovician-Silurian boundary (Lesptrance, 1981;Barnes, 1988; Jin et al., 1990).
Stratigraphy
According to Schuchert & Twenhofel (1910), the
Anticosti Island sequence consists of six formations
distributed between two groups, the Upper Ordovician VaurCal and Ellis Bay formations in the Jolliet
Group, and the Lower Silurian Becscie, Gun River,
Jupiter and Chicotte formations in the Anticosti
Group (Fig. 2).
Petryk (1 98 1a) proposed a revised, informal fourfold
lithostratigraphic subdivision for the Becscie Formation. Copper & Long (1989) have incorporated the
upper two members into the Merrimack Formation
on the basis of lithological and palaeontological
characteristics. This study follows Copper & Long's
Fig. 2. Stratigraphic subdivisions and nomenclature of the

Anticosti Island sequence with the Becscie and Merrimack
(MK) formations in detail, showing age and lithofacies
relationships. Lithological legend applies to Anticosti Island
sequence only. Lithological symbols for the Becscie and
Merrimack formations are shown in Fig. 3. The Anticosti
Island sequence is modified from Petryk (1981a). The
stratigraphy of the Becscie and Merrimack formations is
from Sami (1 989).
(1989) stratigraphy for the Merrimack Formation and

divides the Becscie Formation into two members.
These two members are similar to Petryk's (1981a)
members 1 and 2 but with a reassessment of the
boundary between them.
The Becscie and Merrimack formations contain
150--160m of predominantly limestone,, with calcareous shale and siliciclastics being locally important
358
Table 1. Description of rock types recognized in the Becscie and Merrimack formations.
Rock type
Constituents
Homogenous
mudstone
Basal
contact
Sedimentary structures
Fossils
Bioturbation
Micrite/microspar
Tabular
Argillaceous clays ( < 2%) 2-1 5 cm
Fossils (up to 3.0 cm,
< 2%)
?Peloids
Gradational
Planar
None
In situ
Moderate to
high
Laminated
mudstone
Micrite/microspar
Quartz silt (<0-05 mm,
< 2%)
Fossil fragments
(<0.1 mm, <2%)
?Peloids
Tabular
2-10 cm
Sharp
Planar
Lamination defined by
quartz silt and
orientated elongate
fossils
Normal grading
Geopetal structures
Microstylolites and
sohtion seams near
contacts
Unidentifiable
fragments
None to high
Burrow-fill is
poor in quartz
silt
Homogenous
packstone
Fossils (usually > O 5 cm,
Lenticular,
discontinuous
1-5 cm
Gradational
to sharp
Planar
None
In situ
Moderate
5-10%)
Quartz silt ( < 1%)

Micrite matrix
Bedding
brachiopods,
cyclocrinitids,
bryozoans
Sponge spicules
brachiopods,
bryozoans
Gastropods
Laminated
packstone
Fossils ftagments
( < O 5 cm, 5-26%)
Quartz silt ( < O 05 mm,
UP to 5%)
Micrite matrix
Tabular to
lenticular
2-5 cm
Sharp to
erosional
Planar
Parallel horizontal
lamination defined by
orientated elongated
fossil fragments and
quartz silt
Disarticulated but
generally
unbroken
brachiopods,
crinoid plates,
bryozoans,
trilobites
Gastropods
Low
Argillaceous
mudstone/
packstone
Fossils (up to 20%, in

packstone)
Argillaceous clays
Lenticular to
nodular
1-10 cm
Gradational
to sharp
Planar
Pervasive solution
seams and
microstylolites
(stylobedding)
In situ
High Cruziana
ichnofacies
Tabular 0.05SO cm
Sharp to
gradational
Fissile bedding
Brachiopods, corals Moderate to

high
(<15%)
brachiopods, corals,
stromatoporoids
Quartz silt ( < 1%)

Micrite and argillaceous
clay matrix
Calcareous
shale
Argillaceous clays
Micrite ( < 5%)
Laminated
calcisiltite
Fossil fragments
Sharp to
Tabular to
(<0,25 mm, up to 850/,) lenticular
erosional
Planar to
5 4 0 cm
Ouartz silt f5-20",/)
Peloids (<0.250/"< 10%) Up to 100 cm in highly
Intraclasts (rare)
amalgamated
irregular
units
Calcite cement
Lamination defined by Disarticulated

quartz silt and
ostracod valdes,
orientated ostracod
crinoid plates
shells
Horizontal,
subhorizontal
ripple crosslamination,
hummocky crosslamination
Truncated lamination
Basal sand lag
Normal grading
Normal graded laminae
Rare, restricted
to top few
centimetres if
present
Fossiliferous
grainstone
Fossil fragments (0.I 1.0 mm, up to 85%)

Quartz silt ( < 5%)
Peloids (up to 5%)
Intraclasts (< 30 rnm,
< lo%,mudstone,
packstone, calcisiltite)
Calcite cement
Faint lamination
defined by elongate
grain orientation
Normal grading
Rare
(continued)
Tabular to
lenticular
2-20 cm
Gradational
to sharp to
erosional
Planar to
irregular
Disarticulated
crinoids,
ostracods,
brachiopods,
trilobites,
bryozoans

Rock type
Constituents
Bedding
Bio/intraclastic Fossil fragments (up to

Tabular to
rudstone
20 cm, 5-85%)
lenticular
Intraclasts (0.1-30.0 cm, Up to 40 cm
l&90%, mudstone,
packstone, calcisiltite,
grainstone, rounded,
tabular)
Quartz silt (< 1%. up to
5% locally)
Fossiliferous grainstone
matrix
Calcite cement and minor
2%)
micrite matrix (i
359
Basal
contact
Sedimentary structures
Fossils
Bioturbation
Sharp to
erosional
Planar to
channelled
Normal grading
Imbrication
Geopetal structures
Infiltration textures
Tabular corals,
stromatoporoids,
brachiopcds
Rare to none
Borings in
mudstone
intraclasts
Fig. 4. Fine-grained rock types. (a) Laminated mudstone (burrowed) overlying homogenous mudstone (Becscie Formation,
Member 1, LF2, Cap Henri). The contact is sharp and the laminated unit shows well-defined grading and lamination cut by
Chondrifesburrows. Scale bar = 2 cm. (b) Homogenous mudstone (light grey) interbedded with laminated packstone and
calcisiltite (dark grey; Becscie Formation, Member 1, LF2, R. aux Saumons). Mudstone contains a few fossils and shows some
burrows. The upper contacts of the mudstone are sharp and locally show scours. Scale bar = 5 cm. (c) Laminated packstone
(top) grading up from laminated calcisiltite (base; Merrimack Formation, LF3, R. Jupiter). The packstone shows lamination
defined by parallel orientation and relative abundance of fossil material. Scale bar = 3 cm. (d) Homogenous packstone (light
grey) interbedded with laminated calcisiltite and packstone (dark grey; Becscie Formation, Member 1, LF2, Cap Henri). The
packstone cont.ains large, parautochthonous brachiopods, showing geopetal cement fill, in a micrite matrix. Scale bar = 5 cm.
360
T.Sami and A . Desrochers
(Sami, 1989). Although the thickness of the full

sequence is relatively uniform across the island, the
thicknesses of the formations and members show
marked east-west variations (Fig. 3).
The contact between the Ellis Bay Formation and
Becscie Formation is placed at the top of the biohenns
in the Laframboise Member of the former (Long &
Copper, 1987a), and below the lowest Occurrence of
lime mudstones characteristic of the latter. Petryk
(1981a) suggested using an oncolite-rich,platform bed
as the contact in the absence of bioherms, but
difficulties in establishing a time marker on this unit
across the island makes such a definition inconsistent.
The base of the Becscie Formation is transitional over
a few metres above the contact, consisting of interbedded mudstones and coarse, encrinitic, reef-derived
grainstones. The Ordovician-Silurian boundary is
placed within the Laframboise Member of the Ellis
Bay Formation (Cocks & Copper, 1981;Barnes, 1988;
McCracken & Nowlan, 1988). The remainder of the
Becscie Formation is Rhuddanian in age (Copper &

Long, 1989; Fig. 2).
Member 1 (including the transition zone) of the
Becscie Formation varies from 22 to 3-6 m thick from
west to east and is composed mainly of lime mudstone
with minor fossiliferous grainstones (Fig. 3). The
member 1 to member 2 transition is marked by an
increase in abundance and thickness of medium to
coarse grainstone units and the appearance of hummocky cross-stratified beds. This transition is commonly gradational and difficult to map lithologically.
The boundary is placed 22 m above the Ellis Bay to
Becscie formations contact at Cap Henri. Member 2
of the Becscie Formation varies from 98 to 115 m in
thickness from west to east and is composed of lime
mudstones,grainstones and rudstones. It is terminated
by the onset of significantcalcareous shale beds of the
Merrimack Formation (Fig. 3). The Becscie to Merrimack formations boundary is placed at the base of
Petryks (1981a) member 3 of the Becscie Formation,
above a rippled, skeletal lime grainstone, in agreement with Copper & Long (1989). The Memmack
Formation is 29 m thick at Jupiter River and is not
completely exposed at any other locality. The Merrimack Formation is characterizedby thick, grey-green
calcareous shale beds and minor lime mudstones and
grainstones. The upper contact with the clean, dense
lime mudstone of the Gun River Formation is sharp
and easily recognized in most sections.
Copper & Long (1989) and Jin et al. (1990) attribute
the Becscie and Merrimack formations to the A1-A3
and A4 graptolite zones of the Rhuddanian respectively (Fig. 2).
ROCK TYPES AND LITHOFACIES
Rock types
Fig. 3. Location of composite sections showing distribution

and thicknesses of recognized lithofacies. Lithologies are
discussed in the text. Covered intervals of less than 5 m are
not shown. For details on section localities see Sami (1989).
Eighty-two sections were measured spanning the

island from west to east; these were subsequently
combined into four composite sections representing
the four main regions of outcrop :Cap Henri to Rivihe
Cailloux, Riviere Jupiter, Riviire aux Saumons and
Riviere Prinsta to Reef Point (Fig. 3). Detailed
stratigraphical sections and their locations can be
found in Sami (1989).
Thesesectionscontaina varietyofrock types which,
despite their gradational relationships, are attributable to severaldistinct end-members (Table 1, Figs 4
& 5).
361
Fig. 5. Medium- and coarse-grained rock types. (a) Laminated calcisiltite, from a hummocky cross-stratified unit, showing
well-developed horizontal lamination (top, bottom) which truncates, and is truncated by, shallow-dipping lamination (centre;
Becscie Formation, Member 2, LF4, R. aux Saumons). Scale bar= 2 cm. (b) Medium- to fine-grained grainstone overlying
laminated calcisiltite with a sharp, erosional base (Becscie Formation, Member 2, LF4, R. aux Saumons). Grading is poorly
developed within the abundant, disarticulated fossil material. Lamination is poorly defined. Scale bar= 3 cm. (c) Coarse
intraclastic rudstone showing a diversity of elongate intraclast types, including laminated packstone and calcisiltite. and
irregular (possibly bored), dense mudstone intraclasts in a coarse- to fine-grained grainstone matrix (Becscie Formation,
Member 2, LF4, R. Prinsta). The orientation of some clasts suggests an imbricated fabric. Scale bar=4 cm. (d) Coarse
bioclastic rudstone showing abundance of large disarticulated fossils in calcite cement (Becscie Formation, Member 2, LF4,
R. Jupiter). Scale bar = 3 cm.
Bed morphology and sedimentary structures

The different rock types listed in Table 1 comprise a
complete sedimentological package. This package, or
parts of it, is found throughout the studied sections. It
is characterized by a transition from coarse- to finegrained rock types that produced a gradational
stacking, from base to top, of: bio/intraclastic rudstone, medium- to fine-grained grainstone, laminated
calcisiltite, packstone and mudstone. This finingupward sequence is interbedded with homogeneous
mudstones, packstones and calcareous shales (Figs 6
& 7). A complete sequence is rarely preserved at any
one locality, but occurs more commonly as a partial or
truncated sequence containing a wide array of

sedimentary structures.
Graded units
Graded units, 5-40 cm thick, are common throughout

most of the Becscie and Merrimack formations
(Fig. 7). Locally, grains show a polymodal distribution
of shell material, fine sand, and silt to mud so that
units commonly have sharp internal contacts and the
beds are subdivided into discrete layers (Fig. 7b). The
vertical sequence consists of: (i) a sharp erosional
base, commonly showing sole marks such as grooves,
362
DENSE MUDSTONE/PAU(STONE
NODULAR MUDSTONE/SHALE
LAM INATED MUDSTONE /
PACKSTONE
WAVE-RIPPLE@ CAL.CISILTITE
LTlTE WITH
UB NATIONS,
GRADED MED- TO FINEGRAINED GRAINSTONE
GRADED BIO/
INTRACLASTIC
RUDSTONE
Hummocky units
Hummocky beds are characterized by the presence of

hummocky cross-stratification (HCS) within a vertical
sequence (Fig. 8a,b). Beds containing HCS, as defined
by Harms et al. (1975), and swaley cross-stratification
(SCS), as described by Tillman (1989), are common
within the Becscie Formation and rare within the
Merrimack Formation. HCS and SCS occur in
laterally continuous to lenticular calcisiltite beds
which commonly show amalgamation (Fig. 8b). HCS
and SCS units have wavelengths of 1-4 m, amplitudes
of 10-40 cm and occur in a three-dimensional pattern
of hummocks and swales (Fig. 8a). These beds are
characterized by sharp, erosional lower bounding
surfaces, parallel laminae which dip at angles of 515" in random directions, internal truncation surfaces,
interference or wave-rippled tops, and commonly
occur within graded units. SCS is similar to HCS but
with a greater percentage of preserved swales. In the
Becscie and Merrimack formations, a genetic distinction between HCS and SCS, as made by Tillman
(1989), is not observed, with the two bedforms
commonly being interbedded and showing similar
bed thickness and grain-size distributions.
SCOURED BASE AN@

COARSE LAGS
DENSE UNLAMINATED, BIOTURBATED
MUDSTONE AND PACKSTONE
tN Sin/ FOSSILS
BIOCLASTS
BURROWS
Fig. 6. Idealized Becscie Formation tempestite sequence,

showing vertical relationships between observed rock types
and general fining-upwards trend. Dense mudstone and
packstone represent the interbedded fairweather rock types.
HCS = hummocky cross-stratification, SCS = swaley crossstratification.
tool marks, and gutter casts and/or lenticular shell/

intraclast lags; (ii) massive or graded sand. often with
reworked shell material; (iii) planar or low-angle
lamination, possibly hummocky cross-stratification;
(iv) wave ripple cross-lamination and wave or interference ripples ; (v) a bioturbated, muddy interval
with gradational top. Other features include lenticular
bedding, escape traces, ball-and-pillow structures,
hardgrounds and condensed horizons.
Gutters and gutter casts
Gutters and gutter casts (Whitaker, 1973) can be

found throughout the Becscie Formation, and in
coarser parts of the Merrimack Formation, on
extensive, well-exposed bedding plans (Fig. 8c). Varying widely in morphology and substrate-fill combinations, gutters occur most abundantly in mudstone and
fine grainstone or calcisiltite substrates, with any of
the observed rock types composing the fill.. Borings
and/or burrows and colonization of gutter surfaces by
attached organisms (tabulate corals, stromatoporoids
and bryozoans) can represent episodic activation and
fill (Goldring & Aigner, 1982), indicating that the
event which infilled a gutter may be distinctly different
from that which formed the gutter. Gutters vary from
several tens of centimetres to several metres in length
and from 5 to 50cm in width. They are linear to
sinuous and commonly bifurcate. The larger gutters
show greater ( > 1 m) spacing, whereas narrow gutters
may be only centimetres apart. All observed occurrences form guttered horizons which are laterally
traceable for several tens of metres. Gutters and gutter
casts are common on storm bed bases and reflect the
selective erosion of cohesive sediments by highvelocity currents (Johnson & Baldwin, 1985).
Episodic sedimentation on a stormdominated curbonuri. rump
363
Fig. 7. Tempestite packages. (a) Graded tempestite unit showing a gradual transition from medium-grained intraclastic
rudstone to calcisiltite (Becscie Formation, Member 2, LF4, Reef Point). Sharp scoured base truncates a thin calcisiltite unit
overlying a nodularly bedded mudstone. The tempestite is overlain by nodular, argillaceous mudstone and calcareous shale.
(b) Graded tempestite bed showing two distinct waning flow events. Irregular scoured surface developed in a faintly laminated
mudstone and overlain by a graded, laminated, medium-grained grainstone/calcisiltite tempestite (Becscie Formation,
Member 2, R. Prinsta). Discoloration of the carbonate mudstone surface suggests the formation of a hardground or firmground.
Irregularities in the surface are infilled by mudstone intraclasts (derived from the underlying mudstone) and the overlying
grainstone and calcisiltite. Sample is 15 cm in length.
Interference ripples
Interference ripples (Allen, 1982) in the Becscie and
Merrimack formations occur on the tops of laminated
mudstone/packstone, calcisiltite and fine grainstone
units, commonly capping HCS beds (Fig. 8a). Their
wavelengths range from 5 to 10 cm, with ripple-crest
sets being perpendicular to slightly oblique. Ripples
are rectangular to inequant-hexagonal in form, and
locally grade laterally into symmetrical wave ripples
of similar wavelengths. This is particularly common
on the flanks of three-dimensional, hummocky surfaces. The pattern of ripple-crest sets represents the
presence of multidirectional oscillatory currents, as
the two sets are believed to have formed simultaneously (Allen, 1982).
Shell lags and condensation horizons

Shell beds of 5-45 cm thickness and' poor lateral
continuity are common within biodastic rudstones of
364
Fig. 8. Sedimentary structures. (a) Hummocky bedform with hummocky cross-stratification (HCS) and interference-rippled
top exposed on wave-cut platform (Becscie Formation, Member 2, LF4, Reef Point). Pencil is 15 cm long. (b) Three distinct
amalgamated units (Becscie Formation, Member 1, LF5, R. aux Cailloux). The basal unit contains well-developed swaley
cross-stratification. The coarse-grained bio/intraclastic rudstone of the middle unit possesses a channel morphology. The upper
unit is an HCS calcisiltite with a hummocky surface. Hammer is 34 cm in length. (c) Exhumed, guttered calcisiltite tempestite
surface (Becscie Formation, Member 2, LF4, R. aux Saumons). Calcisiltite fill is preserved in cliff section (foreground).
Hammer is 34 cm long. (d) Asymmetrical coarse-grained ripple showing internal cross-lamination and asymmetrical form
(Becscie Formation, Member 2, LF4, Reef Point). Pencil is 15 cm long.
the Becscie Formation. Locally, these units seem to

be controlled by the distribution of depressions or
channels. Dott (1983) interpreted them as dynamic
shell lags, formed by transport, concentration and
winnowing of sands by high-energy events. Lenses of
unlaminated packstone, 2- 5 cm in thickness, containing in situ faunas are common in the Merrimack
Formation and Member 1 of the Becscie Formation
where thin grainstones and calcisiltites are covered by
thick lime mudstone or calcareous shale units. Most
of these packstones are interpreted as condensation
horizons or static shell lags formed through the
repeated reworking of quiet-water sediments by rare,
more energetic events (Gebhard. 1982) and/or suffocation and rapid burial of in situ faunas (Dott, 1983).
Coarse-grained ripples
Symmetrical and asymmetrical, coarse-grained ripples (CGR; Leckie, 1988) with wavelengths of 4585 cm and amplitudes of 5- 10 cm are common in
fossiliferous grainstones and bio/intrarudstones of the
Becscie and lower Merrimack formations (Fig. 8d).
They are slightly sinuous to straight, show no
bifurcation and range from symmetrical to slightly
asymmetrical. The internal stratification of asymmetr-
ical CGR consists of poorly defined low-angle crossbeds. Coarse fossil debris may be locally concentrated
in the ripple troughs. Symmetrical, coarse-grained
ripples are inferred to share a close hydrodynamic
association, and possibly a common origin with HCS
(Swift et al., 1983; Nattvedt & Kreisa, 1987; Leckie,
1988).
Sharp basal contacts
Sharp contacts are common at the base of graded and

hummocky units of the Becscie and Merrimack
formations. These contacts are typically regular to
slightly irregular and of variable lateral extent, but are
locally highly sculptured and irregular. The sharpness
of these surfaces may be due to erosion prior to
deposition, or to an abrupt change in grain size
(depositional). Discoloration and possible borings
occur locally on underlying dense, unlaminated mudstone, which commonly occurs as irregular intraclasts
in overlying beds (Fig. 7b). The irregular surfaces are
probably the result of high-energy scouring and
accentuation of burrowed sediments, due to selective
erosion of the less cohesive burrow-fills. The retention
of intricate surfaces within intraclasts suggests early
lithification and possible formation of firm- or hardgrounds. Although borings within the mudstone are
difficult to confirm, because of its fine-grained texture,
the presence of numerous sharp-walled excavations
indicates some cohesiveness of the substrate.
Lithofacies
Five distinct lithofacies can be identified within the
Becscie and Merrimack formations, based on variations in the nature of the sedimentary package and
associated sedimentary structures. The contacts between the lithofacies are gradational (LF2-LF4, LF4LF5, LF3-LF1) to abrupt (LF4-LF3). These lithofacies are described in Table 2.
SEDIMENTOLOGY A N D
DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
Sedimentary package
The erosive to sharp nature of the basal contacts of
the sedimentary package, the abundance of reworked
intraclasts and well-preserved bioclasts, the vertical
stacking of rock types and their associated sedimen-
365
tary structures are all typical of tempestites; beds

having been deposited during single storm events, as
defined by Aigner (1982). The complete sedimentary
sequence is therefore interpreted as being deposited
by waning currents associated with storm sedimentation. The homogenous, fine-grained interbeds are
interpreted as being the result of intervening fairweather sedimentation.
Dott & Bourgeois (1982) and Walker et al. (1983)
proposed an ideal tempestite sequence containing a
sequence of hummocky cross-lamination, planar lamination, cross-lamination and bioturbated mudstones
in a distinct vertical zonation reflecting the changes
in storm processes active at time of deposition. HCS
and SCS appear to be diagnostic of inner shelf storm
deposits, between fairweather and storm wave bases,
where fairweather reworking is minimal and therefore
where their preservation potential is greatest (Hamblin & Walker, 1979).
Most of the tempestites show the effects of both
oscillatory (wave ripples and cross-lamination) and
unidirectional (gutter casts, tool marks) components
of flow within the same unit. Evidence of unidirectional traction transport is rare, but climbing ripple
lamination occurs locally.
The restriction of bioturbation to bed tops, the
presence of escape traces, infiltration textures and
predominantly parautochthonous to autochthonous
shell assemblages in graded units support deposition
from a single event (Kreisa, 1981;Kreisa & Bambach,
1982). Shell material is abundant, representing in situ
reworking, winnowing or current deposition (Johnson
& Baldwin, 1985). This shell material is commonly
well preserved due to rapid burial and the resulting
lack of biogenic degradation. Storm flows are episodic
and locally short lived; as such they are not effective
agents of shell fragmentationso that storms preserve,
rather than destroy, loose fossils by burying and
protecting them from fairweather processes and early
diagenesis on the sea floor (Kreisa, 1981).
The quartz silt is closely associated with the
tempestite units and generally absent in the fairweather units suggesting that silt-grade siliciclastic
influx was storm controlled. The laminations are also
restricted to tempestite units. The fairweather units
commonly contain autochthonous or parautochthonous faunas and show extensive bioturbation, whereas
tempestite beds are dominated by disarticulated
allochems and only minor burrowing. Hardgrounds
and firmgrounds (Fig. 7b) and early marine cements
occur both at the tops of tempestite units and within
fairweather beds and contributed to the widespread
366
Table 2. Description of lithofacies identified in the Becscie and Merrimack formations.

Biota
Lateral trends
Vertical trends
Lenticular to nodular
Calcareous shale
(30-70%)
Solution seams
Argillaceous
abundant
mudstone/
packstone (20-50%)
Laminated
packstone and
calcisiltite (1020%)
Laminated and
unlaminated
mudstone ( < 5%)
High abundance
Low diversity
In situ
corals,
stromatoporoids,
brachiopods in
fossil-rich
horizons
Thickness increases
to the east from 3.3
to 8.0 m
Argillaceous
1LJ. Merrimack
Fm. Units Lcontent
O (Jupiter R.)
increases
Units 10-13
upwards with a
decrease in non- (Baie
InnommCe;
argillaceous
Copper &
units
Fossil abundance Long, 1989)
decreases
upwards
Unlaminated
mudstone (40-50%)
Laminated
mudstone (40-50%)
Unlaminated/
laminated
packstone ( 5%)
Laminated
calcisiltite
grainstone ( 5%)
Argillaceous content
Thickness decreases Mudstone units

Member 1,
Low abundance
to the east from 22.0 decrease
Becscie Fm.
Low diversity
to 3.6 m
upwards in
In situ
abundance as
corals,
calcisiltite units
brachiopods
increase
Orientated
Fossil abundance
nautiloids, crinoid
increases
stems, bryozoans,
upwards
on bed tops
Lithofacies
Rock types
Calcareous
mudstoneshale (LFI)
Homogenous,
laminated
mudstone
(LF2)
Bedding/structures
(< 1%)
Tabular, laterally
continuous
Irregular due to
sediment loading
and solution seams
Unlaminated
packstone in thin,
discontinuous
lenses
Laminated units
have wave-rippled
tops locally
Coarse-grained
ripples show
orientated fossils in
troughs
Lower/middle
Thickness varies from In situ
Merrimack
fossils and
20.0 to 25.0 m with
Fm.
no marked east-west argillaceous
content increase Units A-K
trend
(Jupiter R.)
upwards as
Coral and
Units 1-9 and
stromatoporoid
coarse-grained
covered
laminated units
colonies decrease in
interval (Baie
size eastwards
decrease in
Innommee;
Shale and nodular
abundance
Copper &
bedding increase in
Long, 1989)
abundance to the
east as laminated
calcisiltite and
mudstone decrease
Calcareous
grainstoneshale (LF3)
Laminated
mudstone,
calcisiltite,
fossiliferous
grainstone, bio/
intraclastic
rudstone (40-50%)
Unlaminated
argillaceous
mudstone,
packstone (20-30%)
Calcareous shale (up
to 30%)
Nodular to lenticular High abundance

High diversity
Poor lateral
In situ
continuity
corals,
Hummocky crossstromatoporoids
stratification
Coarse-grained
ripples
Channels
Gutters
Laminated
mudstonegrainstone
(LF4)
Laminated
calcisiltite, bioi
intraclastic
grainstone,
fossiliferous
grainstone,
laminated
mudstone,
packstone (60-90%)
Unlaminated
mudstone,
packstone (1040%)
Argillaceous content
(<I%)
Thickness increases
Unlaminated
Tabular to lenticular High abundance
to the east from 98.0 mudstone
Poor lateral
High diversity
continuity
Locally
tol15.0m
decreases in
Nodular to irregular
hiostromesof coral Unlaminated
abundance as
mudstone
and
mudstone decreases
coarser-grained
Hummocky crossstromatoporoids
in abundance to the
units and shale
west as coarser
increase
stratification
grained units
Channels
increase
Gutters
Wave/interference
ripples
Coarse-grained
ripples
Ball and pillow
structures
Micro-hummocky
lenses
Slump beds
(continued)
Stratigraphic
range
Member 2,
Becscie Fm.
367

Lithofacies
Rock types
Bedding/structures
Laminated
calcisiltitegrainstone
(LF5)
Laminated
calcisiltite,
fossiliferous
grainstone, up to
20% quartz silt
Amalgamated units High abundance

Tabular to lenticular High diversity
High thickness
In situ
variation
coral,
Poor lateral
stromatoporoids
continuity
rare
Hummocky crossstratification
Channels
Coarse basal lags
Normal grading
(-100%)
Bio/intraclastic
grainstone (i
5%)
Biota
formation of intraclasts with subsequent stormgenerated scouring.
Lithofacies
Calcareous mudstoneeshalefacies (LFI)
The calcareous mudstone-shale facies represents

predominantly fairweather deposition from suspen-
I<
Lateral trends
Thickness decreases Unit thickness

to the east from 15-0 decreases
to 0.0m
upwards
Calcisiltite
abundance decreases
to the east as
mudstone appears
Stratigraphic
ranee
Member 2,
Becscie Fm.
(Jupiter R.
and Cap
Henri-R. aux
Cailloux)
sion with only minor distal, muddy tempestites

present. Lower Stricklandia to Clorinda brachiopod
communities indicate approximate water depths of
75-120 m (Copper & Long, 1989), placing deposition
of LFl effectively below normal storm wave base
(Fig. 9). Fairweather sedimentation was dominated
by settling of fine-grained siliciclastic sediment from
suspension, with very little carbonate mud being
INNER
SHELF
Vertical trends
_I_
MIDDLE SHELF
+I
OUTER
SHELF
lil
.... .. .. ..
.. ..
SANDY TEMPESTITES
MUDDY TEMPESTITES
FAIRWEATHER MUDSTOf
PACKSTONE
FAIRWEATHER
CALCAREOUS SHALE
LF5
LF4
LF3
LF2
LFI
Fig. 9. Depositional profile for the Becscie and Merrimack formations showing lateral relationships between lithofacies types.
Of particular note is the overlapping of the depositional environments of LFl, LF2, LF3 and LF4 (modified from Handford,
1986). FWWB=fairweather wave base; SWB=storm wave base.
368
deposited. Energy levels are interpreted as having

been very low, with the exception of occasional highenergy storm events which introduced sediments from
shallower water. Diagenetic effects, enhancing nonhomogeneous bioturbation, are important in defining
the nodular bedding within LFl, as evidenced by the
pervasiveness of solution seams and microstylolites
(Wanless, 1979). The upward decrease in fossil
content, increase in argillaceous mud and decrease in
tempestite frequency indicate a deepening-upward
trend during deposition of LF1. Carbonate mud
sedmentation was re-initiated with deposition of the
overlying Gun River Formation.
Laminated-homogenous mudstonefacies (LF2)
The strataof this facies alternate between homogenous

mudstones and packstones of fairweather origin and
laminated mudstones and packstones representing
distal tempestites (Fig. 10a). This corresponds with
the upper portion of the complete tempestite sequence

(Fig. 6). The presence of in situ cyclocrinitid algae sets
a lower depth limit of approximately 100 m (Beadle &
Johnson, 1986). Most of the beds are interpreted to
have been deposited below storm wave base (Fig. 9).
The argillaceous content of the lime mudstones is very
low but increases towards bedding contacts with the
appearance of microstylolites, resulting in thin calcareous shale interbeds. This suggests that the calcareous
shale interbeds are diagenetically enhanced bedding
planes. The intense bioturbation and presence of in
situ fossils within the homogenous mudstones and
packstones indicate that they are depositional and not
diagenetic.
Low-energy conditions prevailed during deposition
of LF2, resulting in sedimentation due to the settling
of carbonate mud and minor argillaceous mud from
suspension. The sharp bases and normal grading of
laminated units suggests physical sedimentation from
low-energy, episodic, waning flows, with little or no
Fig. 10. Laminated-homogenous mudstone (LF2) and laminated mudstone-grainstone (LF4) lithofacies. (a) Cliff exposure of
LF2 (Becscie Formation, Member 1, Cap Henri) showing laterally continuous bedding. Strata are dominated by irregularly
bedded, homogenous mudstones and regularly bedded, laminated mudstones and packstones and thin interbedded calcareous
shale horizons. Tape measure is 90 cm long. (b) Cliff exposure of LF4 (Becscie Formation, Member 2, R. aux Cailloux).
Intraclastic rudstones, medium-grained grainstones and laminated calcisiltites are interbedded with thick, nodularly bedded
homogenous mudstones. Lens cap is located on a packstone-filled depression between two hummocks of a hummocky cross:
stratified tempestite which is gradational from an intraclast base. Lens cap is 55 mm in diameter.
erosion. Sediment transport was not extensive as

evidenced by the lack of shallow water faunas, but
sufficient to produce a slight difference between
fairweather and storm-derived mudstones. The most
noticeable difference in the latter is the presence of
lamination and quartz silt. The 2 m thick transitional
zone at the base of LF2 marks an abrupt deepening
from the shallow subtidal environments of the Laframboise Member of the Ellis Bay Formation to the
deeper subtidal environment of Member 1 of the
Becscie Formation, and consists of a transition from
stromatoporoid-coral bioherms, through encrinitic,
reef-derived grainstones, to mudstones. This is followed by a gradual shallowing which is marked by an
increase in tempestite units, from distal to increasingly
proximal in nature, continuing up into the laminated
calcisiltite-grainstone facies.
Calcareous grainstone-shale facies (LF3)
The calcareous grainstone-shale facies is transitional

between the laminated mudstone-grainstone and
calcareous mudstone-shale facies, but is distinct
enough from both to be separated. The lower part of
LF3 resembles the laminated mudstone-grainstone
facies and the upper part of LF3 resembles the
laminated-homogenous mudstone facies, but with an
increased argillaceous content, both within and
between beds. In terms of depositional environments,
LF3 overlaps LF2 and LF4, but within a siliciclastic
rather than carbonate-dominated regime (Fig. 9).
Approximate water depths inferred from Virgiana to
Stricklandia brachiopod communities (Copper &
Long, 1989) were 40-75m (overlapping LF2 and
LF4). The coarser rock types at the base of LF3 were
deposited above storm wave base (equivalent to LF4),
and locally show the complete tempestite sequence.
The fine-grained rock types abundant in the upper
part of LF3 were deposited below storm wave base
(equivalent to LF2), and represent fairweather settling
from suspension. Low- to very low-energy conditions
were episodically interrupted by high- to moderateenergy storm conditions. These vertical trends suggest
that LF3 represents an upward-deepening interval.
369
muddy top (Figs 6,7 & lob). The abundance of waveformed structures and excellent preservation of tempestites indicate deposition above storm wave base
but below fairweather wave base (Walker, 1985).
Approximate water depths range from 30 to 70m
based on relation to other lithofacies, being shallower
than LFl, LF2 and LF3, but deeper than LF5. There
is an increase in bed thickness and coarseness, and a
decrease in bioturbation and in situ fauna relative to
lithofacies representing deeper environments (LF13). The abundance of intraclasts indicates the pervasiveness of early lithification in this environment or
possibly a derivation from adjacent shallower environments. The abundance of erosive features (gutters,
channels, intraclasts) produced a very irregular depositional surface, resulting in the lenticular bedding
morphologies (Fig. lob). Overall there is a shallowingupwards followed by a gradual deepening-upward
vertical trend. Up to four secondary shallowingupwards intervals can be identified within LF4, each
capped by occurrences of LF5 in the westernmost
Becscie Formation exposures (Fig. 3).
Laminated calcisiltite-grainstonefacies (LF5)
Equivalent to Dott & Bourgeois' (1982) M-cutout and

lag-type storm units, this facies represents the shallowest subtidal environments observed in the Becscie and
Merrimack formations. Deposition occurred above
storm wave base and probably near fairweather wave
base (Fig. 9), in approximately 10-30 m of water
(Walker, 1985). This facies is entirely composed of
tempestite units, mostly from the basal portion of the
complete package, signifying very high energy (Figs 6
& 8b). The lack of intraclasts may suggest that their
formation was restricted to deeper parts of the ramp
or that they are effectively removed. Alternatively, the
periods between storms may have been too short to
allow the required early lithification. The absence of
interbedded mudstone is probably due to removal by
erosion rather than lack of deposition. In the measured
sections, strata of LF5 decrease in thickness stratigraphically upward, indicating a deepening-upward
trend.
Laminated mudstone-grainstone facies (LF4)
Palaeocurrent and palaeoslope indicators
The fairweather mudstones and packstones interbedded with the full range of tempestite rock types in this
facies suggest a low-energy shelf subject to highenergy, erosive, storm currents (Fig. 9). The complete
tempestite sequence is present, from coarse base to
Palaeocurrent indicators are abundant in the Becscie

and Merrimack formations [Fig. 11) and include: (i)
orientated elongate fossils, (ii) gutters and gutter casts,
(iii) symmetrical wave and interference' ripples, (iv)
symmetrical CGR and (v) asymmetrical CGR. Two
370
Depositional environments
ELONGATE FOSSIL ORIENTATION
GUTTERS AND GUTTER CASTS
@
N
INTERFERENCE WAVE RIPPLES

N
The abundance of lime mudstone/packstone, diverse

open marine biota, whole fossils, fining-upwards storm
sequences, bioturbation, and the absence of any
preserved slope breaks, reef margin or slope and basin
sediments corresponds to Read's (1985) definition of
a homoclinal ramp with an inferred palaeoslope of 12'. Analysis of the five lithofacies suggests that
fairweather deposition occurred on a low-energy,
muddy to argillaceous carbonate ramp, 10-120 m deep
(Fig. 12). Two main depositional processes were
involved : the settling of fines from suspension during
fairweather periods, and the high-energy physical
sedimentation of tempestites from waning flows and
from suspension during episodic storms. These shortlived, high-energy events caused extensive re-mobili-
x-107-
SYMMETRICAL WAVE RIPPLES
ASYMMETRICAL MEGARIPPLES
CROSS-LAMINATION
.. .
INNFR
.. -. .
SYMMETRICAL MEGARIPPLES
SLUMP BED AXES
Fig. 11. Palaeocurrent rose plots for various parameters. The

number of measurements is given at the centre of each plot.
INNER
CRlNOlD SHOALS/WKS
dominant palaeocurrent directions are recognized : a

unidirectional current heading of 90-100" and a
combined unidirectional/bidirectional heading of 20/
200"-40/220". The east-west variations in the two
dominant palaeocurrent directions are minor (Fig. 11)
with the unidirectional indicators (asymmetrical
CGR) showing a slight clockwise rotation westwards
and the bidirectional indicators (gutters, elongate
fossils, symmetrical/interference wave ripples, symmetrical CGR) a slight anticlockwise rotation westwards. There are no discernible vertical trends, with
palaeocurrent values overlapping throughout the
sequence. The range of features represents both
unidirectional and oscillatory current structures, suggesting a combined flow regime for the Becscie and
Merrimack formations. Palaeoslope indicators (e.g.
slump bed axes) indicate a downslope heading of 108".
These indicators will be discussed in more detail
below.
RMnP
Fig. 12. Block diagrams illustrating the inferred distribution

of depositional environments and their associated lithofacies
for: (above) a carbonate mud-dominated ramp (Becscie
Formation) and (below) an argillaceous mud-dominated
ramp (Merrimack Formation). A crinoid shoal/bank environment is inferred as a source of abundant carbonate sand
in the sequence and is not preserved within the Becscie or
Merrimack formations. For lithological symbols see Fig. 9
(modified from Handford, 1986).
zation of sediments and basinward transport of both

sandy and muddy sediments. The quartz silt is
exclusively found in storm units and represents
material introduced onto the ramp but derived from
another environment, most probably due to longshore
transport as in Long & Coppers (1987b) model of the
Ellis Bay Formation.
Evidence for storm-induced sedimentation is extensive, including: HCS and SCS, amalgamation, grading, interference ripples, gutters and subtidal
intraclasts (Kreisa, 1981; Einsele & Seilacher, 1982).
The presence of both oscillatory and unidirectional
current-generated features suggests a combined flow
storm regime (Swift, 1985; N~rttvedt& Kreisa, 1987).
The observed lithofacies reflect ramp subdivisions
and their changing depths and related processes
(Figs9 & 12). In order of decreasing depth, the
depositional environments of these lithofacies are as
follows:
(LFl) rare, thin, distal tempestites interbedded with
fairweather shales; deposition by settling from
suspension on the outer ramp at water depths
of 75-120 m;
(LF2) thin, distal tempestites interbedded with fairweather lime mudstones; deposition by settling
and episodic waning flow on the middle to outer
ramp at water depths of 70-100 m ;
(LF3) thin to thick, argillaceous tempestites interbedded with fairweather shales and argillaceous
lime mudstones; deposition by settling and
episodic waning flows on the middle to outer
ramp at water depths of 40-75 m ;
(LF4) medium to thick, coarse-grained tempestites
interbedded with fairweather lime mudstones;
deposition by settling and episodic high-energy
waning flows on the inner to outer ramp at
water depths of 30-70 m ;
(LF5) thick, amalgamated tempestites ; deposition
from high-energy storm waves and currents on
the inner ramp at water depths of 10-30 m.
The distribution of these lithofacies is illustrated in
Figs 9 & 12. The crinoid shoals/banks illustrated in
Fig. 12 are inferred from the abundant crinoid
material within the observed sediments and are not
preserved within the Becscie and Merrimack formations on Anticosti Island. Crinoid-rich facies higher
in the sequence (Chicotte Formation) on Anticosti
Island are believed to be analogous. The vertical
succession of these lithofacies in conjunction with the
tempestite proximality data can be used to infer
relative sea-level changes based on a muddy carbonate
371
ramp model. The lithofacies, when all are present,

occur in the following sequence from base to top
(Fig. 3): LF2, LF4, LF5, LF4, LF3 and LF1. The
transition zone at the base of LF2 coincides with the
latest Ordovician to earliest Silurian sea-level rise
from a shallow subtidal environment to the outer
ramp environment of LF2. The transition from LF2
to LF4 marks a shallowing-upward event, or regression; this is continued with the transition of LF5. The
shallowing-upward trend marks a shift from deepwater, outer ramp, carbonate mud sedimentation into
shallow-water, inner ramp, tempestite-dominated
sedimentation. The upward shift from LF4 to LF3
and, subsequently, LF1 represents a deepeningupward or transgressive event from the shallow inner
ramp to an argillaceous mud-dominated, deep, outer
ramp. The overlying lime mudstones of the Gun River
Formation mark a re-establishment of muddy, deepwater carbonate sedimentation. Superimposed on this
deepening-shallowing-deepening sequence are the
secondary shallowing-upward intervals represented
by LF5, also seen in the second-order proximality
fluctuations discussed below.
T E M P E S T I T E PROXIMALITY
PARAMETERS A N D T R E N D S
Introduction
Tempestite units may differ in appearance from an
ideal sequence due to incompleteness and amalgamation. These variations are easily observed and may be
used to plot trends through storm-influenced sequences. Aigner (1985) suggested that variations in
tempestite morphology are useful for establishing
proximality trends, these being defined by changes in
distance from shore and depth-related parameters.
Factors which affect the sedimentary record of storms
include : storm duration, storm intensity, storm nature,
depth of the deposit and distance of the deposit from
the source of sediment or shoreline (Allen, 1982).
The parameters commonly used to infer proximality
reflect the sedimentological character of tempestites
and include :grain size, unit frequency, bed thickness,
amalgamation occurrence, presence of cross-lamination, degree of bioturbation, bedding style and fossil
assemblage. Variations in these parameters produce
both lateral and vertical trends within a sequence and
are meant to reflect relative depth and proximality
changes. This enables tempestites to be described as
relatively proximal to distal in nature, with no
372
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Fig. 13. Variations in tempestite proximality parameters : (a) tempestite frequency per metre; (b) maximum tempestite
thickness per metre; (c) mean tempestite thickness per metre; (d) combined tempestite frequency and mean thickness per
metre; (e) combined intraclastic tempestite frequency and mean thickness per 5 m; (f) tempestite percentage per metre. (I)
Cap Henri-R. aux Cailloux section; (11) R. Jupiter section; (111)R. aux Saumons section; (IV) R. Prinsta-Reef Point section.
314
indication of absolute depths or depth changes.

Proximality trends have been used to infer relative
sea-level changes, basin morphology and sediment
dispersal patterns (Aigner, 1985; Brett er al., 1986;
Baarli, 1988; Brookfield & Brett, 1988; Driese, 1988;
Easthouse & Driese, 1988; Gagan et al., 1988).
However, bathymetric profiles inferred from vertical
sequences are more complex and less straightforward
in interpretation because many parameters used are
not exclusively controlled by depth and distance to
shore. As such, care should be taken in assuming that
a vertical sequence can be translated into a bathymetric profile and the subsequent construction of tempestite-based sea-level curves.
Variations in tempestite sequences which are used
to infer proximality trends are summarized in Aigner
(1985) for recent and ancient sediments. In general,
nearshore tempestite sequences are characterized by
amalgamated, erosionally bounded, bioclastic tempestite beds, 5-130cm thick with no fairweather interbeds. Proximal tempestite sequences contain a
large number of complete tempestite beds, HCS, are
5-100cm in thickness and are interbedded with
fairweather beds. Distal tempestite sequences are
composed primarily of fairweather units interbedded
with very fine-grained tempestite beds 4-10 cm thick,
having erosive or non-erosive bases, internal planar
lamination grading up rarely into cross-lamination,
and contain predominantly parautochthonous fauna.
Proximality parameters
Several proximality parameters were used in the
present study : (a) tempestite frequency per metre; (b)
maximum tempestite thickness per metre; (c) mean
tempestite thickness per metre; (d) combined tempestite frequency and mean thickness per metre; (e)
combined intraclastic tempestite frequency and mean
thickness per 5 m; and (f) percentage tempestites per
metre. Other parameters (bioturbation, cross-lamination) were tested but did not provide any definitive
results. These parameters were plotted against the
four composite stratigraphic sections and the results
are shown in Fig. 13.
number that may fit in a given length. Proximality

increases with bed thickness (Fig. 13b,c), but as beds
become thicker there are less per metre, giving an
anomalously low frequency. This apparent anomaly
can be corrected for by combining the two parameters
(frequency and mean thickness) to give a better
indication of proximality (Fig. 13d).
These combined parameters display similar but
more pronounced east-west trends than the individual
plots. These trends show an eastward decrease in
proximality as all the parameters decrease eastward.
The proximality peaks are more numerous and more
clearly defined to the west, reflecting larger and more
frequent fluctuations in energy. Many of the pronounced shifts of these parameters to the west reflect
the presence of LF5. The intraclastic mean frequency
plots (Fig. 13e) are different in appearance from the
previous plots in having a lower resolution, as they are
plotted for every 5 m rather than for every 1 m. These
plots reveal only the coarser proximality fluctuations.
They do not exactly match the other curves because
intraclasts are absent in the shallowest and the deeper
lithofacies, but are good proximality indicators for the
median water depths. They similarly indicate an
eastward decrease in proximality.
The percentage plots (Fig. 130 show the best
definition of proximality peaks. Up to 60 distinct
proximality fluctuations may be distinguished within
these plots, showing an average spacing of 2-3 m. The
percentage of tempestite units decreases to the east,
indicating decreasing proximality. In summary, all
proximality parameters indicate an eastward deepening. Some parameters (Fig. 13a,d,e) show an apparent
increase in proximality from the Cap Henri section to
the R. Jupiter section at several stratigraphic intervals,
in contrast to the overall observed trend of eastward
deepening. This slight discrepancy is an artefact of
the preservation of proximality indicators. Erosion
and amalgamation of tempestites in shallow water
depths overprint proximality indicators so that the
most proximal indicators commonly occur slightly
basinward of the shallowest tempestites, producing
anomalous trends.
Vertical trends
Lateral trends
The frequency plots (Fig. 13a) show a slight decrease
eastwards, indicating a possible decrease in proximality to the east. Tempestite frequency, however, is not
solely related to proximality, but also depends on the
thickness of the tempestites, as this will affect the
In order to interpret the vertical proximality trends,

the various proximality plots were combined cumulatively into a single curve for each section (Fig. 14).
The vertical fluctuations are used to infer lateral shifts
of depositional environments with time, anologous to
the lateral trends. The vertical sequence is similar for
375
E
I
I
:t
I
I
I
I
I
I
~
I
I
i.
I
IL
I*
:F
I
I
h-
I
1
I
I
i[
Cap HenriR. aux Cailloux
R. Jupiter
:I
I
I
I
I
I
irc
R. aux
Saurnons
R. PrinstaReef Point
Om 1
Fig. 14. A comparison of the combined tempestite proximality trends for each of the four composite sections showing vertical
and lateral changes. Each plot shows increasing proximality to the right. All plots are to the same horizontal scale for
comparison.
the four sections and consists of an upward increase

in proximality followed by a decrease in proximality.
The main difference between the sections is that in
the east, shallowing-upwards trends begin stratigraphically lower than in the west (Fig. 14). More than 20
distinct, smaller fluctuations are superimposed on this
overall trend. Both lateral and vertical variations in
tempestite proximality demonstrate trends similar to
those interpreted from the lithofacies distributions.
Proximality fluctuations
Up to three orders of tempestite proximality fluctuation can be distinguished in the combined curves
(Fig. 15) with the help of time-series analysis (Miller
& Kahn, 1962). The three orders reflect different
processes which produce changes in tempestite proximality on different scales.
The third-order curves, represented by the proximality curves (Figs 14 & 15), display 20-25 distinct
fluctuations. Adopting a time span of approximately
5 Ma for the duration of the Rhuddanian (Palmer,
1983), these fluctuations may be occurring with a
period of 80-100 ka, corresponding to fifth-order
eustatic sea-level curves of Vail et a / . (1977). This
period of fluctuation is similar to that attributed to
some Milankovitch sea-level variations (Read &

Goldhammer, 1988), and commonly used in the
modelling of cycles (Read et al., 1990). With such a
rapid fluctuation it becomes difficult to separate the
influences on tempestite proximality of depth and
distance changes from those due to changes in storm
intensity, duration and direction. The third-order
curves may therefore not represent true sea-level
fluctuations. A clear distinction between these factors
influencing tempestite proximality is not possible at
this stage.
Up to five proximality fluctuations can be identified
in the second-order curves (Fig. 16), corresponding to
the occurrences of LF5 in western sections, giving an
average cycle period of approximately 1 Ma (fourthorder cycles of Vail et a/., 1977). Given such a period,
these fluctuations may represent eustatic or noneustatic changes in sea level. Insufficient data on sealevel fluctuations at this resolution in other Early
Silurian basins prevent any conclusions on whether
the fluctuations are intrinsically (locally) or extrinsically (globally) controlled.
The first-order proximality curves show a gradual
shallowing-deepening cycle, occurring aver a period
of 5 Ma (third-order cycles of Vail et al., 1977),
following the initial deepening at the base of the
376
Becscie Formation (Fig. 17). These curves correlate

closely with published North American Early Silurian
third-order eustatic sea-level curves (Johnson, 1987).
This suggests that this period of proximality fluctuaton
may result from eustatic sea-level changes.
DISCUSSION
Argillaceous versus carbonate mud sedimentation
3rd Order
Fluctuations
2nd Order
Fluctuations
1st Order
Fluctuations
Fig. 15. Breakdown of combined proximality trends into

decreasing orders of fluctuation. Curves are derived directly
from the proximality curves by time-series smoothing. The
example shown is taken from the R. Jupiter section.
The transition from muddy (carbonate) to argillaceous

(siliciclastic) and subsequently back to muddy (carbonate) deep-water sedimentation in the BecscieMerrimack-Gun River succession marks a significant
change in the nature of fairweather sediments.
Assuming a sedimentological control such as depth of
deposition, there should be no significant overlap
between carbonate and argillaceous deep-water lithofacies. A substantial overlap, however, does exist
between LF1, LF2, LF3 and LF4, as evidenced by
palaeobathymetric and lithological indicators, suggesting that the controls may be related to sediment
150 -
100
m -
e3
2 50
Cap HenriR. Jupiter

R. aux Cailloux
Cap Henri-
R. aux Cailloux
R. Jupiter
R. aux
R. PrinstaSaumons Reef Point
Fig. 16. Correlation of second-order proximality fluctuations

between the four composite sections. U p to five distinct
events can be recognized. These events are shifted stratigraphically downwards in the two eastern sections and the
fifth event is not represented due to incompleteness of the
sections and the inadequacies of time-series analyses in
dealing with covered intervals. Proximality increases to the
right within each curve.
R. aux R. Prinsta- Johnson

Saumons Reef Point eta/. I981
Fig. 17. Correlation of first-order proximality fluctuations of

the four Becscie Formation composite sections and a
published Early Silurian eustatic sea-level curve based on
brachiopod communities (Johnson et al., 1981). A,-*, A3
and A4 represent graptolite zones of the Rhuddanian stage.
One fluctuation is observed following an initial deepening
event (poorly defined due to scale). Proximality increases to
the right, sea level falls to the right. Eastern sections show
poor resolution due to incompleteness of the sections and
presence of covered intervals.

source and/or processes. The deep-water carbonate
muds were probably derived from shallower-water
production on what is commonly referred to as the
subtidal carbonate factory (James, 1984) and introduced into deeper water from suspension. The
introduction of these fines into suspension may be
related to storm or fairweather processes. As long as
the zone of carbonate production is at optimal depths
then the influx of carbonate mud to the outer ramp is
sufficient effectively to dilute siliciclastic input and
produce a lime mud sequence. If the marine transgression is rapid enough and sediment production cannot
keep up, the supply of carbonate mud to the outer
ramp will fall drastically, and an argillaceous muddominated outer ramp sequence will result. The
authors propose that the shift from a muddy (carbonate) outer ramp at the base of the Becscie Formation
to an argillaceous outer ramp at the base of the
Merrimack Formation was due to rapid sea-level rise
from deposition of the uppermost Becscie Formation
onwards. When carbonate production finally caught
up, during deposition of the lower Gun River
Formation, a muddy carbonate outer ramp was reestablished.
Whilst the presence of quartz silt may be explained
by longshore drift, the origin of the argillaceous mud
is more problematic. A duality of sources, as in the
Lower Silurian of Tennessee (Driese, 1988), cannot be
positively
identified.
The
paleogeographical
placement of Taconica (see Fig. 18) in relation to the
Anticosti Basin and its role as a sediment source for
311
this basin are poorly understood. The occurrence of

calcareous shale as thin interbeds throughout the
predominantly carbonate portions of the Becscie and
Merrimack formations may suggest that the argillaceous mud, like the quartz silt, is being introduced
across the platform through longshore drift, and only
becomes an important rock type when carbonate
production decreases.
Shelf palaeogeography and dynamics

LF2 and LF5 thin to the east, whereas LFl and LF4
thicken to the east; insufficient information is available on LF3 to identify any thickness trend (Fig. 3).
The absence of shallow-water LF5 in the east and the
increased thickness of deep-water LF1 in the east are
indicative of an eastward deepening, whereas the
thinning of LF2 to the east is related to the loss of
tempestite units and a decreased supply of lime mud
in the deeper waters of the outer ramp. The apparent
thickening of LF4 to the east might be related to a
decrease in erosion of tempestites and an increase in
accommodation space with increasing depth as is
common on many storm-dominated ramps, where
maximum accumulation is slightly offshore (Aigner,
1985).
These lithofacies variations, together with lateral
tempestite proximality variations and palaeoslope
indicators, suggest that the Anticosti Platform deepened south-eastward in the Early Silurian during
deposition of the Becscie and Merrimack formations,
Combined Flow
lapetus
Ocean
Fig. 18. Palaeogeographical reconstruction of the Anticosti Basin during deposition of the Becscie and Merrimack formations,
showing the average storm track and induced combined flow regime, superimposed on ramp subdivisions. The ramp deepens
south-eastwards towards the partially open Iapetus Ocean. Modern coastlines are represented by broken lines.
378
indicating that the palaeoshoreline lay to the northwest. Palaeocurrent indicators suggest that unidirectional currents were orientated to the south-east, and
that combined unidirectional/oscillatory currents
were orientated north-eastwards. Storm tracks, inferred from palaeoreconstructions and climatic models
(Ziegler et a[., 1977; Barron, 1989), would have moved
from east to west with a poleward deflection. This
path agrees with the oscillatory palaeocurrents observed. In response to the induced pressure gradients
offshore-directed unidirectional bottom currents and
longshore combined-flow, geostrophic currents were
generated, ESE- and NE-directed respectively. This
information is summarized in a palaeogeographical
reconstructionof the Anticosti Basin (Fig. 18)showing
average storm track and storm flow dynamics for the
earliest Silurian (when the Becscie and Merrimack
formations were deposited). The ramp is subdivided
into inner, middle and outer parts, deepening into the
Iapetus Ocean to the south-east and shallowing
towards a proposed shoreline to the north-west. The
orientation of the shoreline is based on palaeoslope
indicators, slump bed axes, and the orientation of the
sedimentary structures : gutters subparallel to shoreline (Aigner, 1985) and CGR crests subparallel to
shoreline (Leckie, 1988). The shoreline orientation is
approximate and may vary slightly in either sense.
Assuming a maximum water depth of 120 m for the
deepest lithofacies (LF1) and a minimum of 10 m for
the shallowest lithofacies (LF5), the inferred shoreline
may be located as close as 35 km at maximum
lowstand and as distant as 400 km at maximum
highstand. Actual values are probably more conservative, ranging from 50 to 200 km. Similar estimates
provide for a water depth difference of about 60 m
between the inner and outer ramp.
Storm nature
Inferring palaeolatitudes of 15-20"s (Ziegler et al.,
1977; Scotese et al., 1985) from Early Silurian
palaeocontinental reconstructions, the Anticosti Basin
was situated in a zone strongly influenced by cyclonic
storms. This climatic interpretation is based on the
modern latitudinal distribution of cyclones and midlatitude winter storms (Barron, 1989). Assuming that
their distribution was similar in the Early Silurian,
then the dominant storm type producing tempestite
beds on the Anticosti Platform was cyclonic. Circulation models for the Early Silurian (Ziegler et al., 1977)
show storm tracks rotating anticlockwise in the
southern hemisphere. Cyclones would start near the
equator and travel westward and poleward. Cyclones

crossing the Anticosti Basin would probably be
generated on the west coasts of Kazakhistania or
Baltica, depending on the size of the Iapetus Ocean,
and cross the basin from east to west. Palaeocurrent
data measured in the Becscie and Merrimack formations agree with such a path (Fig. 18).
Barron (1989), however, contends that simple
latitudinal distinction of storm types is not adequate
enough to permit a genetic interpretation of stormrelated deposits, maintaining that climate and geography produce substantial variability in the generation
rates and distribution of severe storms. Although the
Anticosti Basin lies within what might presently be
considered a cyclone-dominated zone, Early Silurian
palaeogeography could have produced a different
distribution of storm types.
SUMMARY
Several limestone rock types, organized into five
distinct lithofacies, are present in the Lower Silurian
(Rhuddanian, A,-A,) Becscie and Merrimack formations. The lithofacies suggest that rocks of these
formations were deposited on a low-energy, muddy,
carbonate to argillaceous ramp subject to episodic
high-energy storms. Palaeocurrents and sedimentary
structures demonstrate that the resultant storm units
were deposited within a combined flow regime,
probably as the result of cyclonic storms. The
tempestites exhibit proximality trends which prove
useful in describing palaeobathymetric fluctuations
and inferring basin geometry.
The lateral proximality trends, lithofacies changes
and palaeoslope indicators imply that the Anticosti
Basin deepened into the partially opened Iapetus
Ocean to the south-east and shallowed towards a
proposed, NE-SW-trending shoreline to the northwest. The vertical proximality fluctuations and lithofacies changes enable the recognition of palaeobathymetric and possibly climatic fluctuations. The Becscie
and Merrimack formations together .exhibit a firstorder (third-order of Vail et al., 1977) eustatic
deepening-shallowing-deepening cycle, with the first
deepening episode producing a lime mud-dominated
ramp and the second an argillaceous mud-dominated
ramp. This shift from a dominantly carbonate to a
mixed carbonate/argillaceous and subsequently back
to a carbonate-dominated environment suggests important changes in sediment supply controlled by the '
rate of relative sea-level fluctuations. Superimposed
o n this cycle are up to five second-order (fourth-order

of Vail et al., 1977) relative sea-level fluctuations and
problematic third-order (fifth-order of Vail e t al.,
1977) fluctuations which may reflect either palaeobathymetric or climatic changes.
The resolution of fluctuations observed with tempestite proximality trends is a n order of magnitude
higher than those identified by either lithofacies or
palaeontological methods. With further investigation
into the factors controlling tempestite proximality,
these trends may become powerful tools in the analysis
of storm-dominated basins.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This paper evolved from an MSc thesis by T.S.,

supervised by A.D. a t the University of Ottawa.
Critical reviews by N. P . James, 0.A. Dixon, B. Rust
and two anonymous reviewers greatly improved
earlier versions of this paper. The manuscript subsequently benefited from careful reviews by S. G . Driese
and R. L. Brenner and comments by B. Arnott.
SEPAQ provided access to the field area. D. Brisebois
of the Quibec Department of Energy a n d Mines
provided access to, and help with, the core. L. Bacon
provided able assistance during the field-work. E.
Hearn provided much needed assistance during the
photographic preparations and drafting of some
figures. The study was supported by Operating Grant
no. A1891 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council to A.D. NSERC, the CSPG and
the AAPG provided funds t o the senior author during
the study. Many thanks are due to the residents of
Anticosti Island for their help and support during the
two field seasons.
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Sami Et Al., (1992) - Episodic Sedimentation On A Silurian, Storm-Dominated Carbonate Ramp, Anticosti Island, Canada

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Sami Et Al., (1992) - Episodic Sedimentation On A Silurian, Storm-Dominated Carbonate Ramp, Anticosti Island, Canada

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Sedimentology (1992) 39,355-381

Episodic sedimentation on an early Silurian, storm-dominated carbonate ramp,

& Long (1989) and Jin et al. (1990) have provided a

T. Sami and A . Desrochers

attempts to recognize the type of carbonate platform

Fig. 1. Location of Anticosti Island (cross-hatched) showing

deposited at a time of global sea-level fluctuations

Episodic sedimentation on a storm-dominated carbonate ramp

sequence is characterized by an abundance of lime

Fig. 2. Stratigraphic subdivisions and nomenclature of the

(1989) stratigraphy for the Merrimack Formation and

T. Sami and A . Desrochers

Fossils (usually > O 5 cm,

Quartz silt ( < 1%)

Fossils (up to 20%, in

Brachiopods, corals Moderate to

Quartz silt ( < 1%)

Lamination defined by Disarticulated

Fossil fragments (0.I 1.0 mm, up to 85%)

Episodic sedimentation on a storm-dominated carbonate ramp

Bio/intraclastic Fossil fragments (up to

T.Sami and A . Desrochers

(Sami, 1989). Although the thickness of the full

Becscie Formation is Rhuddanian in age (Copper &

ROCK TYPES AND LITHOFACIES

Fig. 3. Location of composite sections showing distribution

Eighty-two sections were measured spanning the

Episodic sedimentation on a storm-dominated carbonate ramp

Bed morphology and sedimentary structures

truncated sequence containing a wide array of

Graded units, 5-40 cm thick, are common throughout

T. Sami and A . Desrochers

GRADED MED- TO FINEGRAINED GRAINSTONE

Hummocky beds are characterized by the presence of

SCOURED BASE AN@

Fig. 6. Idealized Becscie Formation tempestite sequence,

tool marks, and gutter casts and/or lenticular shell/

Gutters and gutter casts

Gutters and gutter casts (Whitaker, 1973) can be

Episodic sedimentation on a stormdominated curbonuri. rump

Shell lags and condensation horizons

T. Sami and A . Desrochers

the Becscie Formation. Locally, these units seem to

Episodic sedimentation on a storm-dominated carbonate ramp

Sharp contacts are common at the base of graded and

tary structures are all typical of tempestites; beds

T. Sami and A . Desrochers

Table 2. Description of lithofacies identified in the Becscie and Merrimack formations.

Thickness decreases Mudstone units

Nodular to lenticular High abundance

Episodic sedimentation on a storm-dominated carbonate ramp

Amalgamated units High abundance

formation of intraclasts with subsequent stormgenerated scouring.

The calcareous mudstone-shale facies represents

Thickness decreases Unit thickness

sion with only minor distal, muddy tempestites

T. Sami and A . Desrochers

deposited. Energy levels are interpreted as having

The strataof this facies alternate between homogenous

the upper portion of the complete tempestite sequence

Episodic sedimentation on a storm-dominated carbonate ramp

erosion. Sediment transport was not extensive as

The calcareous grainstone-shale facies is transitional