The Unique Wapiti Formation of Northwest Alberta
The Wapiti Formation is a unique unit of sedimentary rocks up to 1.3 km in thickness. Until recent years it was relatively little studied in spite of containing some significant fossil resources, such as the Pipestone Creek Bonebed. Dr. Federico Fanti of the University of Bologna investigated the sediments of the Wapiti Formation and subdivided it into different units depending on their depositional origin. He also established the fact, that these rocks represent a unique window in the geological history of Alberta between 73 and 75 million years ago. During this time the rest of the Province was covered by a salt water sea, while the Northwest was still dry land supporting unique animals and plants, that have not been preserved anywhere else on the continent. These animals and plants could be new species of science considering the special geological and palaeontological characteristics of the Wapiti Formation.
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u 79 - 67 million years old series of continental (dry land) sediments
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u Non-marine interbedded massive sandstone, clay, siltstone and coal measures
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u Contains numerous dinosaur fossils: bonebeds, articulated skeletons,
scattered bones, footprints; as well as plant fossils -
u Bentonite (volcanic ash) layers are witnesses of massive volcanic activity in the
emerging Rockies to the West -
u Major dinosaur finds from this formation include:
Wapiti depositional environment
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► Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai bonebed at Pipestone Creek
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► Northernmost articulated hadrosaur skeleton
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► Tyrannosaur tooth and thigh bone
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► Possible nesting site with juvenile and baby Hadrosaurs and predatory Troodons