Geology of the Orangedale salt deposit, central Cape Breton

摘要

Several salt deposits have recently been defined in south-central Cape Breton Island. Three wells in the vicinity of Orangedale, central Cape Breton, intersect the regionally extensive Visean Windsor Group, host strata for the Orangedale salt deposit and neighbouring deposits. Regional composite stratigraphy of the area was constructed from data using the Malagawatch and McIntyre Lake salt deposits. The Lower Windsor Group consists of the Macumber Limestone, an overlying anhydrite succession, and a thick salt unit containing the 'A' potash horizon. The Middle Windsor Group is dominated by salt which is interbedded with anhydrite and thin limestone units, and includes the 'B' potash horizon and the regionally distinctive 'triplet marker'. Non-marine strata comprise the primary lithologies seen in the uppermost Middle Windsor Group and through the Upper Windsor Group strata. The base of the Upper Windsor Group is placed at the base of the distinctive Herbert River Limestone.