Nikanassin Formation

Nikanassin Formation Stratigraphic range: Portlandian to Barremian PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Nikanassin Formation near Brule
Type	Geological formation
Underlies	Cadomin Formation
Overlies	Fernie Formation
Thickness	400 meters (1,300 ft) to 0
Lithology
Primary	Sandstone, shale
Other	carbonaceous streaks
Location
Named for	Nikanassin Range
Named by	MacKay, 1929
Coordinates	53°17′21″N 117°52′34″W
Region	Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin
Country	Canada

The Nikanassin Formation is a stratigraphical unit of late Jurassic age. It is part of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and is found in western Alberta, Canada.

It was named by B.R. MacKay in 1929 for the Nikanassin Range of the front-central ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Nikanassin menas "first range" in Cree. The type locallity is located in Brule, north of the Yellowhead Highway.

Stratigraphy

The age of the formation is late Jurrasic to early Cretaceous, specifically Portlandian to Barremian.

The Nikanassin Formation is overlain by the Cadomin Formation, and the contact is erosional, forming a regional angular un-conformity. It is underlain by the Fernie shales.

Lithology

The geological formation is composed of sandstone, grey shale, with carbonaceous shales and small carbonaceous streaks. No economic coal beds are found in the Nikanassin Formation. The stratigraphical beds were deposited in both continental and marine environments.

The type locality is found near Brule, where the formation reaches a thickness of 400 meters (1,300 ft). From there it thins out toward east and north.