Geology, Miette, Alberta

A notable geological discovery within the Miette map-area of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks reveals unique east-dipping thrust fault slices, formed by backward rotation of thrust masses—a rare structural feature. This area, spanning parts of Jasper National Park, showcases Lower to Upper Paleozoic carbonate strata in the Front Ranges and Mesozoic clastic strata in the Foothills, characterized by broad folds and classic superimposed thrust duplexes. The study also highlights the Miette Reef Complex, a well-preserved Devonian carbonate reef with petroleum potential, analogous to subsurface reefs in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Decades of fieldwork, including revisits from 1958–2004 by Dr. Eric W. Mountjoy and colleagues, elucidated these structures and stratigraphy through traditional methods like tent camps, horses, and foot traverses, supplemented by air photographic studies.

Mountjoy, E. W. (2010). Geology, Miette, Alberta (, Ed.). Natural Resources Canada/CMSS/Information Management. https://doi.org/10.4095/287268