The Kotcho Formation is a stratigraphical unit of middle Famennian age in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.

Kotcho Formation
Stratigraphic range: Middle Famennian
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesExshaw Formation
OverliesTetcho Formation
Thicknessup to 210.9 metres (690 ft)[1]
Lithology
PrimaryShale
OtherLimestone
Location
Coordinates60°09′18″N 121°18′16″W / 60.15500°N 121.30444°W / 60.15500; -121.30444 (Kotcho Formation)
Region British Columbia
 Northwest Territories
Country Canada
Type section
Named forKotcho Lake
Named byH.R. Belyea, D.J. McLaren, 1962

It takes the name from Kotcho Lake and was first described in the Imperial Island River No. 1 by H.R. Belyea and D.J. McLaren in 1962.[2]

Lithology edit

The Kotcho Formation is composed of green-grey shale, locally bituminous, with thin argillaceous limestone beds or lenses.[1]

Distribution edit

The Kotcho Formation reaches a maximum thickness of 210.9 metres (690 ft).[1]It is up to 30 metres (100 ft) thick in the Fort Nelson area, and thins down southwards, disappearing completely on the northern flank of the Peace River Arch.

Relationship to other units edit

The Kotcho Formation is overlain by the Exshaw Formation and conformably overlays the Tetcho Formation.[1]

To the east, it grades into the upper Wabamun Group carbonate, and to the south-west into the Palliser Formation. To the east it is replaced by the Besa River Formation shale.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Lexicon of Canadian Geologic Units. "Kotcho Formation". Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  2. ^ Belyea, H.R. and McLaren, D.J., 1962. Upper Devonian formations, southern pan of Northwest Territories, northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 61-29.