Unit Name: Redstone River Formation, Mackenzie Mountains Supergroup
Unit Type: Lithostratigraphic
Rank: Formation
Status: Formal
Usage: Currently in use
Age Interval: Late Proterozoic (900 - 542 ma)
Age Justification: Cryptalgal limestone and dolostone near the top of the formation.
Province/Territory: Northwest Territories

Originator: Gabrielse et al., 1973.

Type Locality:
East flank of Coppercap Mountain, about 2 km (1.2 mi) east of Coates (= Little Dal) Lake, central Mackenzie Mountains; 63°07'N, 126°28'W.

Distribution:
Extends for 300 km (186 mi) northwesterly from Coates Lake to near Mountain River, central Mackenzie Mountains and varies in thickness from a few metres to 300+ m (985+ ft).

Lithology:
The unit consists of pink laminated siltstone and mudstone, basin-margin fluvial and alluvial fan conglomerates, area basin-centre evaporites. Towards the top buff and grey weathering cryptalgal dolomite and limestone.

Relationship:
Overlies the Little Dal Group (Mackenzie Mountains Supergroup) conformable, in gradational contact, or erosional disconformity; is overlain conformably by the Coppercap Formation. Redstone River Formation and Coppercap Formation occur together along the discontinuous outcrop belt.

Other Citations:
Aitken, 1977b; Eisbacher, 1977, 1978a, 1978b; Jefferson, 1978.

References:
Aitken, J.D., 1977b. Redstone River Formation (Upper Proterozoic) in Mount Eduni and Bonnet Plume Lake map-areas, District of Mackenzie, Project 730057, in, Report of Activities, Part A, Stratigraphy and Structural Geology, Blackadar, R.G., Griffin, P.J., Dumych, H., and Irish, E.J.W. (Eds. and compilers); Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 77-1A, pp. 137-138.
Eisbacher, G.H., 1977. Tectono-stratigraphic framework of the Redstone copper belt, District of Mackenzie: Geological Survey of Canada, Report of Activities, Paper 77- 1A, p. 229-234.
Eisbacher, G.H., 1978a. Two major Proterozoic unconformities, northern Cordillera, in, Current research, Part A, Blackadar, R.G., Griffin, P.J., Dumych, H., and Irish, E.J.W. (Eds. and Compilers); Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 78-1A, pp. 53-58.
Eisbacher, G.H., 1978b. Re-definition and subdivision of the Rapita Group, Mackenzie Mountains; Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 77-35, 21 p.
Gabrielse, H., Blusson, S.L., and Roddick, J.A., 1973. Geology of the Flat River, Glacier Lake and Wrigley Lake map-areas, District of Mackenzie and Yukon Territory; Geological Survey of Canada, Memoir 366 (Parts I and II), 421 p.
Jefferson, C.W., 1978. Stratigraphy and sedimentology, Upper Proterozoic Redstone Copper Belt, MacKenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories - a preliminary report: D.I.A.N.D. Mineral Industry Report 1975, Northwest Territories, Economic Geology Series 1978

Source: CSPG Lexicon of Canadian Stratigraphy, Volume 2, Yukon Territory and District of Mackenzie; L.V. Hills, E.V. Sangster and L.B. Suneby (editor)
Contributor: L.V. Hills; G.H. Eisbacher
Entry Reviewed: Yes
Name Set: Lithostratigraphic Lexicon
LastChange: 26 Feb 2010