TO: U.S. Geological Survey
4200 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508-4667

Attn: John Kelley

SUBJECT: U.S.G.S./Kelley outcrop samples. North Slope, Alaska

INTRODUCTORY SUMMARY

Micropaleo Consultants, Inc. (M.C.I.) processed and examined seven (7) outcrop samples for foraminiferal and palynological age and paleoenvironmental determinations. This work was authorized under U.S.G.S. Contract #14-08-0001-210911, Order #97735, Requisition #5-9410-5987.

This study is part of M.C.I. Job No. 84-102. The palynological interpretations were made by Hideyo Haga, and the foraminiferal interpretations were made by Michael B. Mickey.

The Foraminifera and palynomorph assemblages, ages, depositional environments, and washed lithology descriptions were recorded for each sample. The palynological environments are merely categorized as nonmarine, marginal marine, and marine. This classification is based on the absence, or presence and diversity of dinocysts/acritarchs.

Standard techniques were used in processing the material. The Foraminifera samples were boiled in Quaternary-O and washed over 20 mesh and 200 mesh screens. The palynological procedure involved hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid treatments, and concentration of the residues with zinc bromide solution.

The Foraminifera frequency symbols correspond to the following numerical values: X = very rare (1); R = rare (2-10); F = few (11-32); C = common (33-99); and A = abundant (100+).

The palynomorph frequencies represent the following quantities: X = very rare (1 specimen); R = rare (2-5 specimens); F = few (6-15 specimens); C = common (16-30 specimens); and A = abundant (more than 30 specimens). An asterisk marks reworked taxa.

The age, paleoenvironment, fauna or flora, and a description of the washed lithology for each sample are listed in the Results below. The reported biostratigraphic zones are presently used by the U.S.G.S. in the NPRA area (Figure 1).