Fermeuse Formation | |
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Stratigraphic range: Ediacaran | |
![]() Beds of the Fermeuse Formation near Ferryland, NL; note Aspidella discs | |
Type | Formation |
Unit of | St John's Group [1] |
Underlies | Renews Head Formation [2] |
Overlies | Trepassey Formation |
Thickness | 1400 m (4,593 ft) [3] |
Lithology | |
Primary | Gray Shale [4] |
Other | Sandstone, Siltstone [4] |
Location | |
Region | Newfoundland and Labrador |
Country | Canada |
![]() Occurrence of Fermeuse formation in southeast Newfoundland |
The Fermeuse Formation is a fossil-bearing Ediacaran geologic formation in Newfoundland.
On Bonavista Peninsula the depositional environment was a slope and outer shelf–below photic zone Turbidites probably were the dominant sediment transporters. [5]
It is predominantly silts and sands, in contrast to underlying Trepassey Formation, which is mostly dark grey shales. There is a coarsening up sequence throughout the two formations, such that the top of the Fermeuse is predominantly sandstones. [5]
On Avalon Peninsula there were much shallower waters, particularly than in underlying Mistaken Point Formation and Trepassey Formation. [1] It is indicated by sandy channel fills, slumping, occasional silts. [1] There is a possible delta front and shallow slope setting. [1]
On Avalon Peninsula [1] there is low diversity, and includes rare trace fossils, Palaeopascichnus , [6] and Aspidella discs, [7] sometimes in great concentrations. [5]
On Bonavista Peninsula there is higher diversity, including more fronds (rangeomorphs) and better preserved than on Avalon Peninsula. [1]
Color key
| Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; |
Genus | Species | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|
Bradgatia [7] |
| Sessile frondose organism. | ![]() |
Charnia [7] |
| Sessile frondose organism. | ![]() |
Charniodiscus [7] |
| Sessile frondose organism. | ![]() |
Genus | Species | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|
Haootia [8] |
| Staurozoan cnidarian. | ![]() |
Genus | Species | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|
Aspidella [7] [3] |
| Enigmatic discoidal fossil. | ![]() |
Hadrynichorde [7] |
| Sea Whip-like frondose organism. | |
Palaeopascichnus [1] [9] |
| Palaeopascichnid organism. | ![]() |
Genus | Species | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|
Ivesheadia |
| Poorly preserved organism. | |
Genus | Species | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|
Neonereites [9] |
| Burrows. | |