Palliser Formation

The Palliser Formation is a stratigraphic unit of Late Devonian (Famennian) age in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. It is a thick sequence of limestone and dolomitic limestone that is present in the Canadian Rockies and foothills of western Alberta. Tall cliffs formed of the Palliser Formation can be seen throughout Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Palliser Formation
Stratigraphic range:
The type section of the cliff-forming Palliser Formation near Lake Minnewanka
TypeGeological formation
Sub-unitsCostigan Member
Morro Member
UnderliesExshaw Formation
OverliesAlexo Formation
Thicknessup to 580 metres (1,900 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryLimestone, dolomite
OtherAnhydrite
Location
Coordinates51.26877°N 115.27490°W / 51.26877; -115.27490 (Palliser Formation)
RegionCanadian Rockies
Country Canada
Type section
Named forPalliser Range
Named byH.H. Beach, 1943

The formation was named for the Palliser Range in Banff National Park (which in turn took its name from John Palliser, the leader of the 1850s Palliser Expedition), by H.H. Beach in 1943. The type locality was defined in 1994 in the "Devil's Gap" section south of Mount Costigan of the Palliser Range, north of Lake Minnewanka.

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