Paleozoic Corals of Alaska

Geologic and Paleogeographic Setting of 

Paleozoic Corals in Alaska

Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian Corals of Alaska 

Carboniferous Corals of Alaska A Preliminary Report 

Stratigraphic Distribution of Permian Corals in Alaska

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-A, B, C, D
Paleozoic Corals of Alaska

Geologic and Paleogeographic Setting of 

Paleozoic Corals in Alaska 

By MICHAEL CHURKIN, JR.

Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian Corals of Alaska

By WILLIAM A. OLIVER, JR., CHARLES W. MERRIAM, and

MICHAEL CHURKIN, JR.

Carboniferous Corals of Alaska A Preliminary Report 

By AUGUSTUS K. ARMSTRONG

Stratigraphic Distribution of Permian Corals in Alaska 

By CHARLES L. ROWETT

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-A, B, C, D

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1975
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

STANLEY K. HATHAWAY, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

V. E. McKelvey, Director

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Main entry under title:

Paleozoic corals of Alaska.

(Geological Survey professional paper ; 823)

CONTENTS: Churkin, M. Jr. Geologic and paleogeographic setting of Paleozoic corals in Alaska. Oliver,

W. A. Jr., Merriam, C. W. and Churkin, M., Jr. Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian corals of Alaska, [etc.] 

Includes bibliographies and indexes. 

Supt. of Docs, no.: I 19.16:823-A,B,C,D 

1. Corals, Fossil. 2. Paleontology Paleozoic. 3. Paleiontology Alaska. I. Churkin, Michael, 1932- II.

Series: United States. Geological Survey. Professional paper ; 823. 

QE778.P34 563'.6'09798 75-619102

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, D.C. 20402 

Stock Number 024-001-02666-0
CONTENTS

[The letters in parentheses preceding the titles are those used to designate the chapters]

Page

(A) Geologic and paleogeographic setting of Paleozoic corals in Alaska, by

Michael Churkin, Jr. _______________________________ 1

(B) Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian corals of Alaska, by William A. Oliver,

Jr., Charles W. Merriam, and Michael Churkin, Jr. _____ 13

(C) Carboniferous corals of Alaska, a preliminary report, by Augustus K.

Armstrong __________________________ 45

(D) Stratigraphic distribution of Permian corals in Alaska, by Charles L.

Rowett ______________________________________ 59

III
Geologic and Paleogeographic Setting 

of Paleozoic Corals in Alaska

By MICHAEL CHURKIN, JR.

PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-A

Corals in geosynclinal and shelf strata of Alaska

help correlate adjacent parts of Canada and Northeast U.S.S.R.

and test paleogeographic reconstructions of the Arctic
CONTENTS

Page

Abstract _______________________________, ___________ 1

History of Alaskan coral studies ___________________________ 1

Eegional geologic setting _________________________ 1

Eeef and reef-related deposits in volcanic rock-graywacke geosynclinal facies 3

Coral-rich deposits in carbonate-clastic rock shelf facies __ 6

Conclusions and future work ______________________________ 8

Eeferences cited ____________________________________ 10

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

FIGURE 1. Map showing major tectonic features of the Arctic _ 2 

2. Map showing early Paleozoic paleogeography _ 4 

3-5. Columnar sections showing preliminary correlation of the Paleozoic rocks:

3. Around the northern Pacific basin 5

4. Across the central parts of northeastern U.S.S.E. and

Alaska ______________________ 7

5. Around the Canada basin _____________ 8 

6. Map showing late Paleozoic paleogeography _________-__ 9

III
PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

GEOLOGIC AND PALEOGEOGRAPHIC SETTING OF PALEOZOIC CORALS

IN ALASKA

By MICHAEL CHURKIN, JR.

ABSTRACT

Ordovician through Permian coral faunas in Alaska occur in structurally complex limestone deposits in most of 

the geological provinces of the State. Coral-rich strata are 

found in volcanic rock-graywacke geosynclinal facies or in 

carbonate-clastic rocks of the shelf facies. In the early 

Paleozoic the southern and northern margins of Alaska 

were oceanic areas with geosynclines in which coral- and 

stromatoporoid-rich limestone closely associated with volcanic 

rocks developed in reef and reef-related shallow-water 

deposits around volcanic islands. Separating the two 

oceanic areas was a narrow continental shelf area that received mainly carbonate sediments. Reef or reef-breccia deposits are distributed around the margins of this shelf.

In the Late Devonian the geosynclinal sediments in 

northern Alaska were deformed into a foldbelt and uplifted. During the Carboniferous and Permian, successorbasin deposits developed on a broad shelf that covered the 

roots of the middle Paleozoic foldbelt. Corals in these shelf 

deposits of arctic Alaska form biostromal carbonate rocks 

or occur as abraded fossils in clastic nearshore sedimentary 

rocks. In southern parts of Alaska during the late Paleozoic, 

reef and reef-related deposits developed around volcanic 

centers as in the early Paleozoic.

Preliminary correlations of coral-bearing strata between 

Alaska and neighboring parts of Canada and Northeast 

U.S.S.R. together with resulting paleogeographic reconstructions of the Arctic are offered as working hypotheses 

to be tested by future paleontological studies.

HISTORY OF ALASKAN CORAL STUDIES

Corals of Paleozoic age have been collected in 

Alaska since the earliest days of geological exploration, but until recently, corals in shelly faunas were 

identified only in the broadest terms and then only to 

round out the lists of invertebrates. The pioneers in 

Alaskan paleontology who provided most of the fossil identification for the first geological publications 

are G. H. Girty, E. M. Kindle, Edwin Kirk, and 

Charles Schuchert (Dutro, 1956).

The first corals described from Alaska were 

Devonian species from the Porcupine River (Meek, 

1867). Much later, a few Mississippian lithostrotionid corals were described by Hayasaka (1936), a 

new genus Sciophyllum was described by Harker 

and McLaren (1950), and photographs of some of

the Devonian corals of east-central Alaska were published (Churkiri and Brabb, 1967). Since about 1950, 

a small group of specialists including A. K. Armstrong, C. W. Merriam, W. A. Oliver, Jr., and 

Charles Rowett have become interested in Alaska's 

Paleozoic corals. In the last decade, the first monographic descriptions of Paleozoic corals of Alaska 

were published (Rowett, 1969; Armstrong, 1970a, 

b).

This volume of professional-paper chapters, that 

summarizes our knowledge of Alaskan Paleozoic 

corals, is an outgrowth of similar but more generalized papers prepared by us for the International 

Coral Symposium held in Novosibirsk, U.S.S.R., in 

August 1971. Besides summarizing the results of all 

the coral studies to date, much of the older work has 

been revised and updated to modern standards of 

taxonomy and classification. Particular emphasis is 

on the distribution and stratigraphic occurrence of 

the coral faunas. Preliminary correlations of coralbearing strata with other formations, many containing other types of fossils, are shown in a series of 

correlation diagrams adapted from Churkin (1970, 

1973).

REGIONAL GEOLOGIC SETTING

Paleozoic coral faunas of Alaska occur in structurally complex limestone deposits of Ordovician 

through Permian age that are scattered widely 

through most of the geologic provinces of the State.

Paleozoic rocks in the Alaska Range and farther 

south are geosynclinal deposits that form the northern end of the Cordilleran foldbelt that rims the 

eastern Pacific and continues westward to connect 

with similar rocks in the Koryak Mountains of 

Northeast U.S.S.R. (fig. 1, loc. 2). Northern Alaska 

 the northeastern Brooks Range (fig. 1, loc. 10) 

and the Arctic Coastal Plain (fig. 1, loc. 12) is 

underlain by early Paleozoic geosynclinal rocks that 

discontinuously rim the margin of the Canada basin 

of the Arctic Ocean and probably connect with simi-
PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

70°N. 70°N.

180°

EXPLANATION

FOLDBELTS PLATFORMS

Middle Paleozoic

Paleozoic and Precambrian

Location of section shown 

in figures 3, 4, and 5

FIGURE 1. Major tectonic features of the Arctic.
GEOLOGIC AND PALEOGEOGRAPHIC SETTING

lar geosynclinal deposits in the Innuitian foldbelt of 

the Canadian Arctic Islands (fig. 1, loc. 8). Eastcentral Alaska (fig. 1, loc. 3) and Seward Peninsula 

(fig. 1, loc. 4) have thinner, mainly carbonate rock 

sections that represent western extensions of the 

Yukon shelf that separates the circumarctic geosynclinal trend from the circumpacific geosynclinal 

trend (Churkin, 1969).

In the Late Devonian and Early Mississippian the 

circumarctic geosyncline was deformed, intruded by 

granite, and uplifted to produce wedges of coarse 

clastic sediments that spread southward onto adjoining areas of Alaska, Canada, and Northeast 

U.S.S.R. (Churkin, 1969). During the Mississippian 

through the Triassic, successor basins (Brooks and 

Sverdrup basins) having restricted marine sedimentation developed on the roots of the earlier geosynclines. In the interior of Alaska, the presence of 

Late Devonian and Permian chert-quartz conglomerates and sandstone also implies uplifts, probably 

within the nearby Cordilleran geosyncline, that 

marked the beginning of a late Paleozoic cycle of 

increased tectonic activity.

Because Alaska connects North America with 

Eurasia, it is a key to understanding the geologic 

correlations around the northern Pacific on the one 

hand and the circumarctic areas on the other; 

Alaska thus figures prominently in paleogeographic 

reconstructions and in tests of theories of continental drift in the Arctic. Corals are important tools 

for making these correlations for two reasons: (1) 

they are widespread in Paleozoic strata in the Arctic, 

and (2) their growth is strongly controlled by their 

environment.

Preliminary identifications of Alaskan corals by 

C. W. Merriam, W. A. Oliver, and myself suggested 

their close affinities with faunas described from various parts of the U.S.S.R. Accordingly, as part of an 

exchange visit to the U.S.S.R., sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.) and the Academy 

of Sciences of the U.S.S.R., I compared slides of 

Alaskan corals with those available for study in 

paleontological collections of the Paleontological Institute, Moscow, the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Novosibirsk, and the All-Union Geological 

Scientific Research Institute (VSEGEI), Leningrad. 

The close similarity of Alaskan corals to those of 

the U.S.S.R. was confirmed by this direct comparison of samples in consultation with Soviet coral 

specialists, including E. Z. Bulvanker, I. I. Chudinova, K. A. Ermakova, A. G. Kravtsov, and N. Ya. 

Spasskiy.

REEF AND REEF-RELATED DEPOSITS IN

VOLCANIC ROCK-GRAYWACKE

GEOSYNCLINAL FACIES

In the Cordilleran geosyncline of southern Alaska, 

deposition of graywacke, conglomerate, and argillaceous rocks interbedded with pillow basalts, breccias, and tuffs prevailed throughout most of the 

Paleozoic (fig. 2), Massive limestones composed 

mainly of shelly fossils are interbedded with the 

volcanic rocks. Very rapid facies changes reflect rugged bottom relief, largely controlled by volcanic activity. Many of the coral- and stromatoporoid-rich 

limestones closely associated with volcanic rocks 

indicate reef and shallow-water shell bank deposits 

around volcanic islands (Eberlein and Churkin, 

1970) (fig. 3).

Pillow basalts in many places show various stages 

of fragmentation and are cemented, in varying degree, by calcite. Some of these fragmental volcanic 

rocks, such as the Coronados Volcanics (Middle Devonian, Prince of Wales Island), are in gradational 

contact with limestone that is composed almost entirely of abraded fossil fragments. The fossils include mainly tabulate corals both massive coral 

heads (Favosites, Heliolites, and others) and branching fingerlike corals (Thamnopora and Alveolites) 

together with very abundant encrusting colonies of 

massive stromatoporoids. Less common are solitary 

horn corals, gastropods, brachiopods, and crinoid 

columnals. Although this volcanics facies is known 

best in southeastern Alaska, it extends north into 

the Woodchopper Volcanics of east-central Alaska. 

A present-day analog for this type of volcanic deposit and associated reefs may be the volcanic island 

arcs of the southwestern Pacific and to some extent 

the Hawaiian Islands. According to underwater diving investigations, when Hawaiian basalt flows enter 

the sea, pillow lavas and breccias form, and marine 

life quickly becomes established on these rocks (J. G. 

Moore, oral commun., 1971).

Another type of Devonian limestone in southeastern Alaska, represented by the Wadleigh Limestone, 

is a massive Middle and Upper Devonian limestone 

composed of fragmented corals and massive stromatoporoids cemented by fine-grained dark limestone 

rich in crinoid columnals and the small tube-shaped 

stromatoporoid Amphipora. In most beds the fossils 

are somewhat fragmented or abraded, but in some 

the more massive colonial corals and especially the 

stromatoporoids encrust fragments of other fossils 

and appear to be in growth position, or nearly so. 

These limestone breccias, in places associated with
PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

EXPLANATION

Continental shelf and land area

XXX

Reef or reeflike deposits 

along continental margins

Oceanic areas with geosynclines

A A A

Reef or reeflike deposits 

fringing volcanic islands

FIGURE 2. Early Paleozoic paleogeography.

small buildups of corals in growth position, may 

have developed on the flanks of reefs but some also 

may represent the remains of reefs that were destroyed by storm waves. Argillaceous limestone and 

calcareous shale are in places cyclically interbedded 

with purer limestone that contains scattered corals 

in growth position. These cyclically bedded finer 

grained rocks are thought to be off-reef facies developed in quieter water (Eberlein and Churkin, 

1970).

Still another type of occurrence of coral- and 

stromatoporoid-rich limestone in southeastern Alaska is represented in the Lower Devonian part of the 

Karheen Formation. The Karheen is mainly a conglomerate, graywacke, and calcareous mudstone sequence that overlies with a major unconformity 

rocks ranging in age from Early Ordovician through 

Late Silurian and displays many sedimentary features suggestive of nonmarine and beach conglomerate and sandstone grading into intertidal mudflat 

deposits. The presence of massive limestone breccias 

composed mainly of tabulate corals and massive 

stromatoporoids, including large blocks of coral-head 

limestone as much as 5 meters across (in part slump
GEOLOGIC AND PALEOGEOGRAPHIC SETTING

KORYAK MOUNTAINS,

NE. U.S.S.R.

2

SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA 

1

©

GLACIER ^,25 mi ,es -* KEKU^ioomiies-PRINCE OF WALES

BAY STRAIT

& 

©

o

o,s

©

C, P

D-C.

1000m r 3000 feet

406 m.y. 

(Syenite)

ROCK TYPE

Shale Strongly deformed and lowgrade metamorphic rocks

EXPLANATION

p , Precambrian 

 , Cambrian 

O, Ordovician 

S, Silurian 

D, Devonian 

C, Carboniferous 

P, Permian 

"R, Triassic 

Subscripts:

1 = Lower

2 = Middle

3 = Upper

ISLAND

3^^^ 446 m.y. 

(Quartz 

monzonite)

FOSSILS

Brachiopod

Plant

Pelecypod

© 

Shelly material

Graptolite

O

Coral

*

Reef or reef-related 

deposits

FIGURE 3. Preliminary correlation of Paleozoic rocks around the northern Pacific basin. See figure 1 for location of

numbered sections.

blocks), interstratified within the mainly terrigenous rocks of the Karheen suggests rapid, highenergy sedimentation near the sediment source. 

Land plants in graptolitic shale interbedded with the 

coral-rich limestones indicate periods of lower energy conditions when land plants were transported 

from nearby islands within the geosyncline (Churkin and others, 1969).

Another type of reef deposit especially common in 

the Devonian of southeastern Alaska is the small 

patch reef. A good example is found in the Karheen 

Passage area, where a bioherm some 20 feet in diameter and 5 feet high is preserved so that most of 

the corals and stromatoporoids are still in their 

original growth position (G. D. Eberlein and Churkin, unpub. field data). The reef lies directly on

limestone edgewise conglomerate and is composed 

mainly of massive stromatoporoids that are especially numerous at the base of the reef. Tabulate corals, 

cerioid colonial corals, and solitary horn corals held 

together by encrusting stromatoporoids form the 

upper part of the reef.

Thick Silurian limestone formations in southeastern Alaska have similar but generally less clearly 

developed stratigraphic and textural features that 

can be related to a reef origin. This is especially true 

of coarse bioclastic breccias within the Heceta 

(Eberlein and Churkin, 1970) and Willoughby Limestones (A. T. Ovenshine and Churkin, unpub. data).

In the eastern Alaska Range considerably north of 

southeastern Alaska there is an exceptionally well 

developed sequence of Permian reef limestones inter-
PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

layed with volcanic rocks (Bond, 1969). According 

to C. L. Rowett (written commun., 1971), many of 

the Lower Permian limestones here are biostromes 

in which corals make up as much as 40 percent of the 

stratified layers. Both solitary (large dissepimented 

species) and fasciculate corals occur, many of which 

are in living position. Small coral bioherms and biostromes have been reported (Bond, 1969) in the 

same general area. Bond suggested that these bioherms may have grown along the flanks of active 

volcanoes and that they did not grow into large reefs 

because each eruption rapidly buried them with 

volcanic detritus. Analogously, one of the major environments of modern reef growth is around the 

edges of active volcanoes that form islands, especially in the Pacific. There are many places, Hawaii, for 

example, where repeated eruptions have prevented 

reefs from becoming large, wave-resistant structures, despite the fact that they grow rapidly in this 

generally favorable environment.

Farther north, in the center of Alaska, a sequence 

of siliceous and volcanic geosynclinal rocks form an 

allochthonous ? wedge against the attenuated Yukon 

shelf of mainly carbonate rocks developed farther 

east (Churkin, 1969, fig. 1). Here, the Woodchopper 

Volcanics composed of pillow basalt is, as in southeastern Alaska, interbedded with massive limestone 

rich in corals. Broken pillow breccia in the Woodchopper also has coral heads that definitely date the 

volcanism and closely associated reef growth as 

Devonian. In the same region, an older example of 

coral-rich limestone that is closely associated with 

volcanic rocks is the Tolovana Limestone of Silurian 

and Devonian age that overlies the Fossil Creek Volcanics of Ordovician age. Massive colonies of 

tabulate corals form small bioherms in a tuffaceous 

limestone that is interpreted as the basal part of 

the Tolovana where it overlies volcanic boulder 

conglomerate.

A volcanic rock-graywacke facies similar to that 

in southern Alaska is found around the northwestern rim of the Pacific basin in the Koryak Mountains of Chukotka, in Japan, and farther south 

(Krasniy, 1966). Shelly faunas from rare limestones 

in mainly volcanic and terrigenous rock terranes 

permit the recognition of Ordovician (?), Silurian, 

Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian strata from 

a number of widely scattered localities. Some geologists (Egiazarov and others, 1965) have concluded 

that the intervening terrigenous volcanic rocks are 

also Paleozoic (fig. 3). However, detailed mapping 

and the discovery of Mesozoic fossils in some of 

these terrigenous volcanic sequences support the

view that the limestones are fault-bounded blocks 

(Peive, 1969). Despite the structural mixing of 

Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks, there are enough 

places reported where the Paleozoic limestones contain volcanic layers to be reasonably certain that the 

limestones belong to a Paleozoic volcanic belt.

Where Alaska faces the Arctic Ocean basin there 

is, in the northeastern Brooks Range, another predominantly siliceous and volcanic rock terrane of 

Devonian and older age that has massive carbonate 

rocks in places closely associated with basaltic lavas 

(Reiser, 1970). The carbonate rocks here include 

shallow-water carbonates containing stromatolitic 

structures, oolitic beds, Amphipora, and tabulate 

and rugose corals (Dutro, 1970) that in places probably represent reefs that may be related to volcanic 

activity as in southeastern Alaska.

CORAL-RICH DEPOSITS IN CARBONATECLASTIC ROCK SHELF FACIES

In the interior of Alaska, Devonian reefs or related deposits have been observed in the southern 

Alaska Range (limestone forming St. John hill B. 

L. Reed and Churkin, unpub. field data) ; Kuskokwim River region (Holitna Group of Cady and 

others, 1955, p. 24) ; and east-central Alaska (limestone member of McCann Hill Chert and Salmontrout Limestone Churkin and Brabb, 1967). These 

coral-stromatoporoid breccias are developed in 

stratigraphic sections overlying Silurian and, in 

places, Lower Devonian graptolitic shale and probably represent a transitional facies from a carbonate 

shelf facies in the interior of Alaska into the Cordilleran geosyncline on the south and a circumarctic 

geosyncline on the north (figs. 2 and 4). The.breccias 

were probably related to reefs that grew around the 

margins of basins that were filled with argillaceous 

sediments. A similar development of reefs again associated with graptolitic shales has been found along 

the western margin of the Kolymski massif, Northeast U.S.S.R. (Bogdanov, 1963; figs. 58, 59, 61) 

(fig. 4).

Reefs and related deposits are less well known in 

northern Alaska (figs. 2 and 5). The rocks in northern Alaska of Silurian and Devonian age the 

period of major reef building in southern Alaska 

are largely covered by younger rocks and in many 

places are highly deformed and weakly metamorphosed. In exception, coral breccia and reeflike 

structures that have been dolomitized and highly 

mineralized have been described from the Cosmos 

Hills, Alaska (Tailleur and others, 1967; Fritts, 

1970). In addition, coral- and stromatoporoid-rich
GEOLOGIC AND PALEOGEOGRAPHIC SETTING

KOLYMSKI 

MASSIF, 

U.S.S.R.

CHUKOTSK PENINSULA, 

U.S.S.R.

4

SEWARD 

PENINSULA

G

CHARLEY RIVER,

EAST-CENTRAL

ALASKA

ST. LAWRENCE * 

ISLAND G 

"K 2 3 Shublik ' 

P7 f> , 7 Formation/ 

c Lisburne Group /

Amphipora

G

G

Chlorite-muscovite 

schist, and Marble 

450 m.y. 

(Dike)

 R Oil shale

P Tahkandit Limestona

c Calico Bluff Formation

Nation River 

Formation

ho, 2 > Road River 

o,s / Formation

Stromatolites

Tindir 

> Group

1000m s 3000 feet

FIGURE 4. Preliminary correlation of the Paleozoic rocks across the central parts of northeastern U.S.S.R. and Alaska. 

See figure 1 for location of numbered sections and figure 3 for explanation of symbols.

parts of the massive Devonian limestone in the central Brooks Range, the Skajit Limestone, may represent patch reefs. In the Franklinian geosyncline in 

the Arctic Islands of Canada there are thick coral 

reefs reported in the Middle Devonian (Eifelian) 

Blue Fiord Formation (Kerr, 1967) and in the 

Silurian Read Bay Formation (Douglas and others, 

1963, p. 11). These reefs may have continued west 

around the Canada basin (figs. 2 and 5), and their 

equivalents in arctic Alaska, particularly in the 

southeastern Brooks Range (Dutro, 1970), may be 

some of these massive partly recrystallized carbonate rocks.

The Carboniferous strata of northern Alaska are 

part of a northward-directed transgressive cycle 

(Armstrong and Mamet, 1970) that should have preserved any coral reefs. However, there are essentially no known organic reefs, coral or otherwise, in the 

Carboniferous strata of northern Alaska (Armstrong, 1974). There are instead numerous biostromal beds composed mainly of colonial corals that 

occur the full length of the Brooks Range. A good

example of this is at a locality 6 miles south of Cape 

Lisburne. Here a well-bedded, 75-foot-thick limestone composed of Late Mississippian lithostrotionellid corals, according to Armstrong, most closely 

approaches a reeflike structure. The environment in 

which the individual coral colonies and communities 

are thought to have developed is in front of and behind oolite banks (Armstrong and Mamet, 1970).

Permian rocks in northern Alaska and in its interior are mostly clastic deposits shed from a northern source. Corals in the strata are generally small 

nondissepimented types characteristic of a nearshore facies (Rowett, 1974). In the Permian of the 

Alaska Range, Wrangell Mountains, and southeastern Alaska, the corals are large solitary species or 

compound phaceloid species, both dissepimented. 

Tabulate corals are also common. According to Rowett, these indicate a comparatively deeper water 

environment. This accords with the concept that the 

northern and central parts of Alaska in the late 

Paleozoic were shelf areas and that southern Alaska
PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

14

WRANGELL ISLAND, 

U.S.S.R.

12

PT. BARROW 

WELL

LOWER PALEOZOIC 

OR PRECAMBRIAN~

©

TOPAGORUK 

\ WELL

212 m.y, 300 m.y. 

(Granitic intrusive rock)

10

NE. BROOKS RANGE, 

\ BRITISH MTS.

p

ELLESMERE ISLAND, 

CANADA

pPp._ 335 m.y.

5£=_5 (Granitic intrusive

rock)

Franklinian 

eugeosyncline

pre-Silurian

13

WESTERN BROOKS 

RANGE

11

CENTRAL BROOKS/

/

..........^ K (Sverdrup

j£gjE.«-p Evaporitej Basin

Kanayut 

/Conglomerate 

Hunt Fork 

Shale

*

350 m.y.

(Granitic intrusive ^ 

rock)

Franklinian 

miogeosyncline

Skajit 

Limestone

fjp? ^jJre-Devonian 

~ ~;J70 m.y.

(Mafic dike)

FIGURE 5. Preliminary correlation of the Paleozoic rocks around the Canada basin. See figure 1 for location of numbered

sections and figure 3 for explanation of symbols.

was an oceanic area that received geosynclinal sedimentation as it had in the early Paleozoic (fig. 6).

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK

Preliminary correlations of Alaskan Paleozoic 

rocks that are based mainly on reconnaissance field 

and paleontological studies lead me to the following 

paleogeographic reconstructions. In the early Paleozoic the southern parts of Alaska and Northeast 

U.S.S.R. were oceanic areas that received geosynclinal accumulations of sediment and volcanic rock 

(figs. 2 and 3). Coral- and stromatoporoid-rich limestones in close association with volcanic rocks represent reefs and reef-related deposits that accumulated 

around volcanic islands. Another oceanic area 

rimmed the northern margin of Alaska, Arctic Islands of Canada, and Northeast U.S.S.R. (figs. 2 and 

5). Separating the two oceanic areas was a narrow 

continental shelf area that received mainly carbonate sediments and, although now broken in places by 

Mesozoic basins, may have originally extended rather continuously from the North American craton to 

the Kolymski Massif of Northeast U.S.S.R. (figs. 2 

and 4). Reef or reef-breccia deposits in a nonvolcanic carbonate-clastic rock facies are distributed 

around the margins of this continental shelf.

In the Late Devonian the circumarctic area was 

affected by a major orogeny that deformed and uplifted parts of the belt of geosynclinal sediments lying along the margin of the Canada basin. During 

the late Paleozoic, successor-basin deposits developed 

on a broad shelf that covered the roots of the middlePaleozoic foldbelt (fig. 6). Corals in these shelf 

deposits of arctic Alaska form biostromal carbonate 

rocks or occur as abraded fossils in clastic nearshore 

sediments. On the other hand, in southern parts of 

Alaska there are thick upper Paleozoic volcanic sequences interlayered with limestones rich in corals. 

These appear to represent in large part reef or reefrelated deposits developed around volcanic islands as 

in the earlier Paleozoic.

If the main elements of this paleogeography are 

correct, then it should be possible to verify it by a 

study of faunal provinces, especially if the fossils 

that are used are corals or other types whose distribution was strongly controlled by their environment. Preliminary correlations of corals and various other shelly fossils show a gross similarity of 

faunas in different areas of Northeast U.S.S.R. (including Chukotsk Peninsula and the Kolymski massif) on the one hand and North America on the other 

(Nikolaev and Rzhonsnitskaya, 1967; Oradovskaya,
GEOLOGIC AND PALEOGEOGRAPHIC SETTING

EXPLANATION

Continental shelf and land areas

B-Brooks 

S-Sverdrup 

Successor basins

Oceanic areas with geosynclines

A A A

Reef or reeflike deposits 

fringing volcanic islands

FIGURE 6. Late Paleozoic paleogeography.

1970; Ross and Ingham, 1970). These faunas also 

broadly resemble those in the Siberian platform 

(Dubatolov, 1969; Oradovskaya, 1970). However, 

within the framework of the theory of plate tectonics and continental drift, various positions of a 

boundary separating western North America from 

Eurasia have been suggested in the Bering Sea region and in Northeast U.S.S.R. (Churkin, 1972). 

The geologic history of Northeast U.S.S.R. seems to 

indicate that there was a major seaway, perhaps of 

oceanic proportions, that separated the Siberian 

platform from the Kolymski massif during the early 

Paleozoic (fig. 2). Deposits of geosynclinal proportions developed along the margins of the seaway 

that separated these subcontinents and they were 

deformed into fold belts in the late Paleozoic and, 

especially, in the Mesozoic as the seaways closed 

between the leading edges of the approaching Eurasian and North American continental plates (Churkin, 1972).

Detailed descriptions and comparisons of corals 

and associated fossils from different parts of the 

Arctic will not only help to establish detailed stratigraphic correlations but could help test the various 

paleogeographic reconstructions. The succeeding 

chapters in this volume summarize our knowledge of
10 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Alaskan corals and show their gross similarities to 

corals from neighboring parts of the U.S.S.R. and 

Canada. This is done in anticipation of future paleontological studies that can be applied to solving 

some of the major geologic problems in the Arctic.

REFERENCES CITED

Armstrong, A. K., 1970a, Mississippian rugose corals, Peratrovich Formation, west coast, Prince of Wales Island, 

southeastern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 534, 

44 p., 13 pis., 30 figs.

 1970b, Carbonate facies and the lithostrotionid corals 

of the Mississippian Kogruk Formation, DeLong Mountains, northwestern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 664, 38 p., 14 pis., 37 figs.

1974, Carboniferous corals of Alaska, a preliminary

report: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 823-C, 13 p.

Armstrong, A. K., and Mamet, B. L., 1970, Bio stratigraphy 

and dolomite porosity trends of the Lisburne Group, in 

Adkinson, W. L., and Brosge, M. M., eds. Proceedings of 

the geological seminar on the North Slope of Alaska: 

Los Angeles, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Pacific 

Sec. p. N1-N15, 12 figs.

Bogdanov, N. A., 1963, Tektonicheskoe razvitie v Paleozoe 

Kolymskogo massiva i vostochnoi Arktiki [Tectonic development of the Kolyma massif and eastern Arctic in 

the Paleozoic]: Akad. Nauk SSSR Geol. Inst. Trudy, no. 

99, 235 p.

Bond, G. C., 1969, Permian volcanics, volcaniclastics, and 

limestones in the Cordilleran eugeosyncline, east-central 

Alaska Range, Alaska: Madison, Wisconsin Univ. Ph.D. 

dissert.

Cady, W. M., Wallace, R. E., Hoare, J. M., and Webber, E. J. 

1955, The central Kuskokwim region, Alaska: U.S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper 268, 132 p.

Churkin, Michael, Jr., 1969, Paleozoic tectonic history of the 

Arctic basin north of Alaska: Science, v. 165, p. 549-555.

 1970, Fold belts of Alaska and Siberia and drift between North America and Asia, in Adkison, W. L., and 

Brosge, M. M., Proceedings of the geological seminar on 

the North Slope of Alaska: Los Angeles, Am. Assoc. 

Petroleum Geologists, Pacific Sec., p. G1-G17.

 1972, Western boundary of the North American continental plate in Asia: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 83, 

p. 1027-1036.

1973, Paleozoic and Precambrian rocks of Alaska and

their role in its structural evolution: U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 740, 64 p.

Churkin, Michael, Jr., and Brabb, E. E., 1967, Devonian rocks 

of the Yukon-Porcupine Rivers area and their tectonic 

relation to other Devonian sequences in Alaska, in Oswald, D. H., ed., International symposium on the Devonian system, Calgary, 1967 [Proc.]; Calgary, Alberta 

Soc. Petroleum Geologists, v. 2, 227-258. [1968]

Churkin, Michael, Jr., Eberlein, G. D., Hueber, F. M., and 

Mamay, S. H., 1969, Lower Devonian land plants from 

graptolitic shale in southeastern Alaska: Paleontology, 

v. 12, pt. 4, p. 559-573.

Douglas, R. J. W., Norris, D. K., Thorsteinsson, R., and 

Tozer, E. T., 1963, Geology and petroleum potentialities 

of northern Canada: Canada Geol. Survey Paper 63-31, 

28 p.

Dubatolov, V. N., 1969, Tabulyaty i biostratigrafiya Nizhnego 

Devona Severe-Vostoka SSSR [Tabulates and biostratigraphy of the Lower Devonian of Northeast USSR]: 

Akad. Nauk SSSR Sibirsk. Otdeleniye Geologiya i Geofizika, no. 70, 179 p.

Dutro, J. T., Jr., 1956, Annotated bibliography of Alaskan 

Paleozoic paleontology: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1021-H, 

p. 253-287.

 1970, Pre-Carboniferous carbonate rocks, northeastern 

Alaska, in Adkison, W. L., and Brosge, M. M., eds., Proceedings of the geological seminar on the North Slope of 

Alaska: Los Angeles, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, 

Pacific Sec., p. M1-M7.

Eberlein, G. D., and Churkin, Michael, Jr., 1970, Paleozoic 

stratigraphy in the northwest coastal area of Prince of 

Wales Island, southeastern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey 

Bull. 1284, 67 p.

Egiazarov, B. Kh., and others, 1965, Geologiya i poleznye 

iskopaemye Koryakskogo nagor'ya [Geology and mineral resources of the Koryak Upland]: Nauchno-Issled. 

Inst. Geologii Arktiki Trudy, v. 148, 342 p.

Fritts, C. E., 1970, Geology and geochemistry of the Cosmos 

Hills Ambler River and Shungnak quadrangles, Alaska; 

Alaska Div. Mines and Geology Geol. Rept. 39, 69 p.

Harker, Peter, and McLaren, D. J., 1950, Sciophyllum, a new 

rugose coral from the Canadian Arctic: Canada Geol. 

Survey Bull. 15, p. 29-34, 1 pi.

Hayasaka, Ichiro, 1936, On some North American species of 

Lithostrotionella: Taihoku Imp. Univ. Mem., v. 13, no. 5, 

Geology no. 12, p. 47-73, pis. 11-17.

Kerr, J. W., 1967, Devonian of the Franklinian miogeosyncline and adjacent Central Stable Region, Arctic Canada, 

in Oswald, D. H., ed., International Symposium on the 

Devonian System, Calgary, 1967 [Proc.]: Calgary, Alberta Soc. Petroleum Geologists, v. 1, p. 677-692. [1968]

Krasniy, L. E., ed., 1966, Geologicheskoe stroenie SeveroZapadnoi chasti tikhookeanskogo podvizhnogo poyasa 

[Geological structure of the northwestern part of the 

Pacific mobile belt]: Moscow, Vses. Nauchno-Issled. Geol. 

Inst. Nedra, 516 p.

Meek, F. B., 1867, Remarks on the geology of the valley of 

Mackenzie River, with figures and descriptions of fossils 

from that region, in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, chiefly collected by the late Robert Kennicott, 

Esq.: Chicago Acad. Sci. Trans., v. 1, p. 61-114, 5 pis.

Nikolaev, A. A., and Rzhonsnitskaya, M. A., 1967, Devonian 

of northeastern USSR, in Oswald, D. H., ed., International symposium on the Devonian System, Calgary, 1967 

[Proc.] : Calgary. Alberta Soc. Petroleum Geologists, v. 

1, p. 483-502. [1968]

Oradovskaya, M. M., 1970, Stratigrafiya Ordovika i Silura 

Chukotskogo Poluostrova [Ordovician and Silurian stratigraphy of the Chukotsk Peninsula]: Akad. Nauk SSSR 

Doklady, v. 191, p. 190-193.

Peive, A. V., 1969, Okeanicheskaya kora geologicheskogo proshlogo [Oceanic crust in the geologic past]: Geotektonika, no. 4, p. 5-23.

Reiser, H. N., 1970, Northeastern Brooks Range a surface 

expression of the Prudhoe Bay section, in Adkison, W. L., 

and Brosge, M. M., eds., Proceedings of the geological 

seminar on the North Slope of Alaska: Los Angeles, 

Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Pacific Sec. p. K1-K13.

Ross, R. J., Jr. and Ingham, J. K., 1970, Distribution of the
GEOLOGIC AND PALEOGEOGRAPHIC SETTING 11

Toquima-Table Head (Middle Ordovician White Rock)

faunal realm in the Northern Hemisphere: Geol. Soc.

America Bull., v. 81, p. 393-408. 

Rowett, C. L., 1969, Upper Paleozoic stratigraphy and corals

from east-central Alaska Range, Alaska: Arctic Inst.

North America Tech. Paper 23, 120 p., 13 pis., 20 figs. 

 1974, Stratigraphic distribution of Permian corals in

Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 823-D, 17 p., 3 pis. 

Tailleur, I. L., Brosge, W. P., and Reiser, H. N., 1967, Palinspastic analysis of Devonian rocks in northwestern 

Alaska, in Oswald, D. H., ed., International Symposium 

on the Devonian System, Calgary, 1967 [Proc.]: Calgary, 

Alberta Soc. Petroleum Geologists, v. 2, p. 1345-1361 

[1968].
Ordovician, Silurian, and 

Devonian Corals of Alaska

By WILLIAM A. OLIVER, JR., CHARLES W. MERRIAM, and MICHAEL CHURKIN, JR.

PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B

Outline of the strati graphic setting for the corals, 

review of previous coral studies, and annotated lists 

of corals identified from various Alaska localities
CONTENTS

Page 

Abstract ______________________________ 13

Introduction ___________________ _ _ __ 13

Stratigraphic setting ____________________ 13

Ordovician __ 13

Silurian _____ _ __ _ _ _ _ 15

Devonian _ 17

Previous coral studies _____________________ 20

Annotated lists of corals identified from

various Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian 

rock units in Alaska, exclusive of southeastern Alaska, by William A. Oliver, Jr. __ 22 

Ordovician corals of Alaska _________ 23

Seward Peninsula _____________ 23

Lake Minchumina area __________ 24

Fairbanks-Rampart area ____________ 24

East-central Alaska ___________ 24

Silurian corals of Alaska ____________ 24

Seward Peninsula ________________ 24 

Southwestern Alaska ______________ 25 

Fairbanks-Rampart area ___________ 26

Eastern Brooks Range _____________ 26 

Porcupine River area ___________ 26

Annotated lists of corals Continued

Devonian corals of Alaska _ -

Brooks Range _ ____ ___ 

Western Brooks Range _ - 

Cosmos Hills area __ - - 

Central and eastern Brooks Range 

Shublik Mountains, northeastern

Brooks Range _ _ _ - 

East-central Alaska _______ .

Porcupine River area . 

Yukon-Nation Rivers and Woodchopper 

areas ____ _ _ __ _ __ --

Seward Peninsula ____ -

St. Lawrence Island _______ ________

Southwestern Alaska ________ .

Fairbanks-Rampart area ____ _ _-

Eastern Alaska Range __ ____ ______

Locality data _______ _____ __ _.

Silurian and Devonian rugose corals of southeastern 

Alaska, by C. W. Merriam __________ .

References cited ____ __ - -

Index ___________ _ .

Page

26

27

27

27

28

28

28

28

30

31

31

31

33

33

34

37

40

43

ILLUSTRATIONS

	[Plates follow index]

PLATE 1. Ordovician corals, Seward Peninsula.

2. Upper Ordovician corals, Seward Peninsula.

3. Upper Ordovician Catenipora, Seward Peninsula.

4. Upper Ordovician corals, Fairbanks-Rampart area.

5. Upper Ordovician corals, east-central Alaska.

6. Middle (?) and Upper Silurian tabulates, Seward Peninsula.

7. Middle (?) and Upper Silurian tabulates and heliolitoidids, Seward Peninsula.

8. Middle (?) and Upper Silurian rugose and tabulate corals, Seward Peninsula.

9. Middle (?) and Upper Silurian rugose corals, Seward Peninsula.

10. Upper (?) Silurian corals, eastern Brooks Range and Fairbanks-Rampart area.

11. Middle or Upper Silurian rugose corals, southwestern Alaska.

12. Middle Silurian rugose corals, Porcupine River area.

13. Middle Silurian and Devonian corals, Porcupine River area.

14,15. Devonian corals, Brooks Range.

16,17. Lower or Middle Devonian tabulate corals, Yukon-Nation Rivers area.

18. Lower or Middle Devonian corals, east-central Alaska.

19. Lower (?) and Middle Devonian rugose corals, Yukon-Nation Rivers area.

20. Devonian tabulate and heliolitoidid corals from southwestern Alaska, Fairbanks-Rampart area, and Seward 

	Peninsula.

21. Middle (?) Devonian rugose corals, southwestern Alaska and Fairbanks-Rampart area.

22. Upper Silurian corals, southeastern Alaska.

23, 24. Middle Devonian rugose corals, southeastern Alaska.

25. Upper Devonian rugose corals, southeastern Alaska.

Ill
IV CONTENTS

FIGURE 7. Index map showing location of Ordovician collection areas in Alaska __.

8. Correlation chart of Ordovician formations and other units cited in text .

9. Index map showing location of Silurian collection areas in Alaska .

10. Correlation chart of Silurian formations and other units cited in text .

11. Index map showing location of Devonian collection areas in Alaska _ _.

12. Correlation chart of Devonian formations and other units cited in text _.

13. Locality map of part of the Alexander Archipelago, southeastern Alaska

Page

14

15

16

17

19

20

38

TABLES

TABLE 1. Middle or Upper Ordovician corals, Seward Peninsula ____ ____________ __

2. Upper Ordovician corals, Seward Peninsula _____ ______________

3. Middle (?) and Upper Ordovician corals, east-central Alaska _____________

4. Middle (?) and Upper Silurian corals, Seward Peninsula _______________

5. Middle(?) Silurian corals, Fairbanks-Rampart area _______ ____________

6. Middle Silurian corals, Porcupine River area__-_ __ ____ _____________

7. Lower (?), Middle, and Upper Devonian corals, western Brooks Range _______

8. Lower (?) and Middle Devonian corals, Cosmos Hills area __ _____________

9. Middle (?) and Upper Devonian corals, central and eastern Brooks Range ___

10. Middle (?) Devonian corals, Nanook Limestone, Shublik Mountains ________

11. Lower or Middle Devonian corals, Salmontrout Limestone, Porcupine River area

12. Lower or Middle Devonian corals, Yukon-Nation Rivers area ________ _ _

13. Devonian corals, Seward Peninsula _______________________________

14. Middle(?) Devonian corals, McGrath quadrangle ______________________

15. Middle Devonian corals, Sleetmute quadrangle--- _____ ______________ _

16. Middle Devonian corals, Fairbanks-Rampart area __________________

17. Middle (?) Devonian corals, eastern Alaska Range ____ ______ ____

18. Zonation of the northern Heceta Island Late Silurian reference section _______

19. Lists of Silurian and Devonian rugose corals from southeastern Alaska _____

Page

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24

25

26

26

27

28

29

30

30

32

33

33

33

33

33

37

37
PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA

By WILLIAM A. OLIVER, JR., CHARLES W. MERRIAM,, and MICHAEL CHURKIN, JR.

ABSTRACT

Corals are common in Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian 

rocks from Alaska, but few have been described or illustrated. Most of the known occurrences of corals are in 

carbonate rocks, either in an east-west belt of shelf facies 

across central Alaska that persisted from pre-Ordovician 

to Middle Devonian time or in a more southerly volcanic 

graywacke belt of geosynclinal facies that includes significant limestone units in southeastern Alaska. Corals occur 

in other areas but are less well known.

Annotated lists of corals summarize most collections made 

by U.S. Geological Survey geologists in the last 15 years. 

Many of the corals are illustrated.

INTRODUCTION

Few descriptions or illustrations of Ordovician, 

Silurian, or Devonian corals from Alaska have been 

published. The occurrences of many genera have 

been recorded in lists of fossils, but these are so scattered in the stratigraphic, structural, and general 

geologic literature and are by so many different 

geologists as to be almost useless to the person 

interested in corals. This paper is a review or summary of what is known about corals from Alaska 

and is based on collections made by many geologists 

but examined and identified by Merriam (southeastern Alaska) and Oliver (the rest of Alaska). 

The occurrences are placed in a broad stratigraphicstructural framework by Churkin.

We have two goals: (1) to provide a basis for the 

analysis of coral assemblages by field geologists 

working in Alaska and (2) to provide data for coral 

specialists who are interested in the geographic distribution of particular taxa. To achieve these goals 

we have a general introduction and discussion of the 

time-space framework in which the coralline facies 

developed, and two sections on corals consisting of 

lists and discussions of their probable age and significance. Many of the taxa are illustrated so that 

other specialists will have some record of what a 

given generic or specific name means to us and can 

make comparisons with corals from other regions. 

Not all taxa are illustrated; in general, we illustrate that material which we judge to be most interesting or important or most in need of documentation. But, many important forms are not illustrated because the Alaska material is too poorly 

preserved or because of space limitations. The corals 

of southeastern Alaska are being monographed by 

Merriam and are underrepresented here because 

they will be available in a much more complete form. 

The other coral assemblages are not being studied 

at present, and this may be the only record of their 

existence for many years.

We are indebted to the numerous geologists who 

made the collections and did much of the field research on which this review is based. We would 

particularly like to thank J. T. Dutro, Jr., who 

helped throughout the preparation period and who 

critically read the whole manuscript; many of his 

suggestions are incorporated in this paper.

STRATIGRAPHIC SETTING

ORDOVICIAN

Ordovician rocks in Alaska can be separated into 

three generalized facies belts (fig. 7). Known Ordovician corals are mostly from the carbonate belt, 

although they are also known in the shale-chert 

facies. Moderately large generic assemblages are 

known only from the Seward Peninsula and eastcentral Alaska (fig. 7, areas 1 and 5). Central Alaska 

collections are small and contain few taxa.

The Ordovician section in the Seward Peninsula 

(fig. 7, area 1; fig. 8), although interrupted by numerous thrust faults, has been subdivided into several 

units of limestone that are locally interbedded with 

argillaceous and dolomitic limestone (Sainsbury, 

1969a). Rich Upper Ordovician coral assemblages, 

discovered by Sainsbury in the Don River area, include abundant colonial corals Agetolites, Calapoecia, Catenipora, Cyathophylloides, Mesofavosites, 

Rhaphidophyllum, Tollina, and others and the 

solitary streptelasmatid Bighornia (table 2). These 

corals are associated with other shallow marine invertebrates including labechiid stromatoporoids, gastropods, pelecypods, ostracodes, and brachiopods.

13
14

70° 168

PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

162° 156° 150° 144° 138° 132 e 70°

58

56°

54

0 100 200 300 400 500 MILES

I ' . .' . ' . ' ' I I I I I I

0 100 200 300 400 500 KILOMETERS

FIGURE 7. Index map showing location of Ordovician collection areas in Alaska. 1, Seward Peninsula; 2, Lake Minchumina area, southwestern Alaska; 3, Fairbanks-Rampart area; 4, east-central Alaska, Porcupine River area; 

and 5, east-central Alaska, Yukon-Nation Rivers area. A, principally limestone and dolomite; B, shale and chert, 

some sandstone; C, volcanic rocks, graywacke, conglomerate, shale, and chert, locally thick limestone; and D, lime* 

stone in mainly siliceous detritial-volcanic sequences.

Middle (?) or Upper Ordovician rocks in the same 

general area include Labyrinthites and Reuschia.

In east-central Alaska, in the section that is exposed in the lower ramparts of the Porcupine River 

(fig. 7, area 4; fig. 8), Tetradium, Calapoecia, and 

Saffordophyllum occur together in a very fine 

grained limestone that also is reported to have gastropods and trilobites of Middle (?) Ordovician age 

(Kindle, 1908, p. 323). Bighornia, Deiracorallium, 

and other genera have been recognized from presumed Upper Ordovician rocks in the same area. 

Farther south, in the Jones Ridge section (fig. 7,

area 5; fig. 8), near the Yukon River, a small collection of corals including Calapoecia, Catenipora, and 

Grewingkia was made from a thin limestone in a 

shale and chert unit directly overlying the upper 

member of a Cambrian and Ordovician limestone 

(Jones Ridge Limestone). Silicified brachiopods and 

trilobites closely associated with the corals resemble 

forms from the late Middle or early Late Ordovician 

of Perce, Quebec, and the classical Caradocian section of Girvan, Scotland (Ross and Dutro, 1966). 

The corals suggest a Late Ordovician age (table 

3). The general affinities of the Upper Ordovician
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 15

Area in figure 7

-~~-^ GEOGRAPHIC

"~~^\__ AREA 

SYSTEM^ 

AND SERIES

Seward 

Penninsula

Porcupine River 

area

Yukon-Nation 

Rivers area

Silurian or 

younger rocks

Unnamed

imestone and

dolomite

/T~I Unnamed 

^ dolomite

Road River 

Formation

Upper o

Unnamed 

limestone

Unnamed chert, 

shale, and 

limestone

Middle

Unnamed

limestone and

argillaceous

limestone

Cambrian

Upper member 

(bioclastic 

limestone)

Lower member

(massive limestone

and dolomite)

Corels Graptolites

FIGURE 8. Correlation chart of Ordovician formations and other units cited in text. Approximate positions of coral assemblages are shown. Other symbols mark positions of fossils other than corals on which age determinations have 

been based. Sources of information are the authorities cited in the text, the coral data, and others as noted here: 

Seward Peninsula Sainsbury (1969a) and Sainsbury, Dutro, and Churkin (1971); Porcupine River area Brosge, 

Reiser, Dutro, and Churkin (1966); and Yukon-Nation Rivers area Churkin and Brabb (1965) and Brabb (1967).

corals in both these areas are with the BighornRed River fauna that is widespread in western 

North America and the Canadian Arctic. This fauna 

has been discussed by Nelson (1959) and Flower 

(1961, p. 15-18).

In central Alaska a few Ordovician corals are 

known from the Lake Minchumina area and from 

the Fairbanks-Rampart area (fig. 7, areas 2 and 3).

In contrast to the predominantly carbonate rock 

facies in the interior and western parts of Alaska, a 

thick geosynclinal sequence of graywacke, argillaceous rock, and conglomerate rich in volcanic detritus and interlayered with pillow lavas, tuffs, and 

breccias is exposed in southeastern Alaska (Eberlein and Churkin, 1970). Limestone is rare in the 

Ordovician part of this sequence; it occurs only as a

fine-grained dark rock interlayered with graptolitic 

shale and chert and as nonfossiliferous boulders in 

conglomerates rich in volcanic rock fragments. No 

Ordovician corals are presently known from this 

sequence.

SILURIAN

Silurian rocks (figs. 9, 10) closely parallel the 

pattern of sedimentary facies established in Ordovician time, and there is little physical evidence of a 

pronounced break in sedimentation across the Ordovician-Silurian boundary anywhere in Alaska 

(Churkin, 1971). Silurian corals have been reported 

from widely separated limestone outcrops in the 

interior and western parts of Alaska, mostly from 

the carbonate facies belt. Corals here are mainly 

tabulates and include varied favositids, halysitids,
16

70° 174' 168

PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

162° 156° 150° 144° 138° 132'

68°

56°

54

100 200

I

300 400

_I i i i i i r

0 100 200 300 400 500 KILOMETERS

500 MILES 

_I

FIGURE 9. Index map showing location of Silurian collection areas in Alaska. 1, Seward Peninsula; 2, southwestern 

Alaska, middle Kuskokwim area; 3, Fairbanks-Rampart area; 4, eastern Brooks Range; 5, Porcupine River area; 

and 6, southeastern Alaska. See figure 7 for explanation of patterns.

and Multisolenia. Heliolitids are less common. The 

variety of rugosans is indicated in tables 4-6, but 

few specimens are available and the numerical 

superiority of tabulate specimens in all studied assemblages is impressive.

In the Seward Peninsula (fig. 9, area 1; fig. 10) 

Silurian coral faunas occur in carbonate rocks that 

overlie the Ordovician succession of faunas without 

any apparent stratigraphic break. Coral faunas, 

however, seem to be late Middle and Late Silurian in 

age as they include species of Contortophyllum, Helioplasmolites, and Pachyfavosites, along with many 

other genera (table 4).

Only two collections are available from eastcentral Alaska (fig. 9, area 5; fig. 10) but these include 13 genera and suggest a Middle Silurian age 

(table 6).

Smaller collections are available from several additional areas in central Alaska (fig. 9, areas 2-4; 

fig. 10; table 5 and discussions).

In southeastern Alaska the Silurian coral faunas 

(fig. 9, area 6; fig. 10) that occur in high calcium 

limestones are generally better preserved and far 

richer in numbers of genera and species than are 

the other assemblages (see section by Merriam). 

They are part of the volcanic-graywacke province
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 17

Area in figure 9

SERIES, AND STAGE~"--\

Devonian

c

3

CO

Q. 

Q.

T3 

TJ

i

§

Ludlovian

Wenlockian

Llandoverian

Ordovician or 

older rocks

1

Seward Fa 

Peninsula

G O

O ^7

? t

? t G

f

G? ^> ^

1

7

\J

0

3

rbanks-Rampart Porcupi 

area a

-Limestone

'" 1

t

\

.

I

I

1

Unn

..................... grap 

sh

1

-_-_. _-__ ._

O

Unn 

dole

?

t

* ... --..

?

Tuffaceous

limestone

Fossil Creek "}'- ~~ 

Volcanics G Unnamt

5 6

ne River Southeastern 

rea Alaska

G

j, Kahrheen

amed $

a| e Formation

t /I 1 N XT\ /

(

Heceta \

O ^

 ;

^TS i^

Limestone /

amed \ 

jmite (

\

\

I \

^)

,

$ Descon

(clastic rocks) 

id limestone

QYCT

AN 

SER

 EM 

D 

IES

Devonian

Q. 

Q.

T3 

T3

i

5

o

V- i

c

3

CO

j Ordovician 

\ or 

older rocks

\

Corals Brachiopods Graptolites

FIGURE 10. Correlation chart of Silurian formations and other units cited in text. Approximate positions of coral assemblages are shown. Other symbols mark positions of fossils other than corals on which age determinations have 

been based. Sources of information are the authorities cited in the text, the coral data, and others as noted here: 

Seward Peninsula Sainsbury (1969a) and Sainsbury, Dutro, and Churkin (1971); Fairbanks-Rampart area Chapman, Weber, and Taber (1971; written commun., 1971, 1972); J. T. Dutro, Jr. (oral commun., 1972), and Churkin, (herein) ; Porcupine River area Churkin and Brabb (1968); and southeastern Alaska Eberlein and Churkin 

(1970) and Ovenshine and Webster (1970).

that extends discontinuously along the eastern Pacific margin from as far south as northern California. Within this province, carbonate rocks are 

subordinate to siliceous clastic rocks largely of volcanic derivation; in many places, however, thick 

limestones rich in corals occur in the section. The 

best known of these is a sequence of predominantly 

massive and thick-bedded, fine-grained limestone 

(Heceta Limestone) on the west side of Prince of 

Wales Island. The limestone on Heceta Island is 

over 10,000 feet thick and ranges in age from late 

Early Silurian to Late Silurian, based on graptolites, conodonts, and shelly fossils (Eberlein and 

Churkin, 1970; Ovenshine and Webster, 1970).

Corals from the Heceta Limestone are listed in 

table 19. Zelophyllum and Salairophyllum are present in beds that yield the large Kirkidium alaskense 

(Kirk and Amsden). The ramose stromatoporoid 

Amphipora also occurs in the Heceta Limestone (pi. 

22, figs. 4-7). Some of the Rugosa are characteristic 

of other coral-bearing limestones in southeastern 

Alaska and are considered to be of Late Silurian 

(Ludlovian) age. Massive colonial genera are 

uncommon.

The Lower Silurian is represented in southeastern 

Alaska by a volcanic-terrigenous rock sequence containing numerous graptolite faunas.

DEVONIAN

In the northern and east-central parts of Alaska, 

Middle and less common Lower Devonian sections of 

mainly limestone and dolomite are part of an early
18 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Paleozoic cycle of nearly continuous sedimentation 

that started in the latest Precambrian or Cambrian. 

Other areas of predominantly carbonate rocks are in 

the Seward Peninsula and the Kuskokwim River 

areas. Upper Devonian rocks in northern Alaska are 

predominantly clastic, whereas the whole Devonian 

sequence in south-central and southeastern Alaska 

is a complex of detrital and volcanic rocks (figs. 11, 

12).

Coral collections are available from most of the 

known Devonian areas and facies. The largest assemblages of species are from carbonate rocks in 

both the carbonate belt and the volcanic-graywacke 

belt of southeastern Alaska.

More than 80 collections containing corals have 

been examined from the Brooks Range (fig. 11, 

areas 1-4; fig. 12). These are individually small but 

collectively include large numbers of species and 

specimens (tables 7-10). Upper Lower and Middle 

Devonian assemblages predominate in the Cosmos 

Hills (area 2) and are certainly present in the western Brooks Range (area 1). Notable are species of 

Acanthophyllum, Dendrostella, Diplochone and other cystimorphs, Pseudotryplasma, Taimyrophyllum, 

and Tryplasma. Upper Devonian assemblages are 

known in the western Brooks Range (area 1) but 

predominate in the central and eastern Brooks 

Range (area 3). Disphyllum, Hexagonaria, Tabulophyllum, and various phillipsastraeids are prominent in these areas. A variety of tabulate and other 

rugose corals are present in all assemblages, but 

heliolitoidids are unknown from these areas.

A geosyncline sequence including rocks of Cambrian through Devonian age has been recently recognized in the northeastern Brooks Range (area 4) 

(Dutro, 1970; Dutro and others, 1972). Limestone 

occurs in various parts of the sequence, but up to 

now corals have been collected from only the Devonian part (table 10).

Corals of Devonian age occur in east-central Alaska (fig. 11, areas 5, 6; fig. 12) where a fauna characterized by the colonial corals Xystriphyllum, Peneckiella, and Spongophyllum (tables 11, 12) has 

been found in thin limestone formations (Salmontrout Limestone; limestone and shale member of 

McCann Hill Chert). These corals are considered to 

be late Early Devonian (Emsian) or early Middle 

Devonian (Eifelian) based on the corals and associated shelly faunas, particularly tentaculitids, ostracodes, trilobites, and conodonts (Churkin and Brabb, 

1968). The corals occur directly above Lower Devonian graptolitic shale containing Monograptus

yukonensis and monograptids of the M. hercynicus 

type. Outside Alaska, the corals seem to have their 

closest affinities with Asiatic Russian species de? 

scribed as Middle Devonian by Soshkina (1952) and 

Bulvanker (1958), especially those from the Kuznetsk Basin, and are similar to those of Middle 

Devonian age in the Yukon Territory, Canada 

(Crickmay, 1960; Lenz, 1961; Pedder, 1964).

South and west of the Brooks Range and eastcentral areas, Devonian corals are known and listed 

from several areas, mostly within the carbonate belt 

(fig. 11, areas 8-13; fig. 12). Known assemblages 

are relatively small (tables 13-17). Tabulate corals 

are most numerous and varied in the collections, although this may be due to collecting bias. Most significant are local Dendrostella and Sociophyllum 

assemblages; Heliolites occurs in two of the areas.

Devonian corals are best known in southeastern 

Alaska (fig. 11, area 14; fig. 12) where a fairly continuous succession of faunas range in age from early 

Middle to Late Devonian (see section by Merriam). 

Possibly the oldest coral fauna in this area occurs 

in bioclastic limestone breccias and conglomerates 

that are interbedded with conglomerate rich in volcanic graywacke, and graptolite-bearing and vascular plant-bearing shale (Karheen Formation) 

(Churkin and others, 1969). Most of the corals are 

tabulates including Favosites, Thamnopora, Striatopora, and Syringopora. Rugose corals in the fauna 

include Pseudomicroplasma, Disphyllum, and the 

large Pseudotry plasma altaica (Dybowski). The 

close association of Monograptus yukonensis and M. 

pacificus that identifies the youngest zone of 

Monograptus suggests a Pragian (Siegenian to early 

Emsian) age late Early Devonian or possibly 

earliest Middle Devonian (Churkin and others, 

1970). At one locality the presence of a compound 

coral resembling Taimyrophyllum from the Great 

Basin and western Canada is of special interest because it seemingly occurs below Monograptus 

yukonensis.

Middle Devonian strata north of these graptolite 

localities have yielded the rugose coral genera 

Digonophyllum, Acanthophyllum, Hexagonaria, and 

Dendrostella. Dendrostella in the collection from 

Alaska resembles typical D. rhenana (Frech) from 

the Rhine Valley Givetian and forms from the Hume 

and Nahanni Formations of western Canada described by Pedder (1464).

Middle Devonian stratigraphy and coral faunas of 

southeastern Alaska are best known in the vicinity 

of Craig on the west side of Prince of Wales Island
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 

70° 174° 168° 162^ 156° 150° 144° 138° 132°. 70°

19

'62

60

58

56

54

0 100 200 300 400 500 MILES

i______I I I _____|______| I i i r \ i

0 100 200 300 400 500 KILOMETERS

FIGURE 11. Index map showing location of Devonian collection areas in Alaska. 1, western Brooks Range; 2, Cosmos Hills area; 3, central and eastern Brooks Range; 4, Shublik Mountains; 5, Porcupine River area; 6, YukonNation Rivers area; 7, Woodchopper area; 8, Seward Peninsula; 9, St. Lawrence Island; 10, southwestern 

Alaska, middle Kuskokwim River area; 11, southwestern Alaska, Goodnews area; 12, Fairbanks-Rampart area; 

13, eastern Alaska Range; and 14, southeastern Alaska. See figure 7 for explanation of patterns.

(Eberlein and Churkin, 1970). Here the presence 

of Stringocephalus was recorded by Kirk (1927, p. 

219) in a 1,000 foot thick relatively pure limestone 

(Wadleigh Limestone). The beds below Stringoccphalus have yielded rugose corals of the families 

Digonophyllidae (Digonophyllum, Mesophyllum, 

and Arcophyllum) and Ptenophyllidae (Acanthopliyllum}. Also present are colonial Rugosa of the 

genera Australophyllum, Xystriphyllum, and Loyolophyllum. Abundant Rugosa in parts of the same 

limestone are large subcylindrical members of a new

genus belonging to the Acanthophyllwn group. None 

of these corals from southeastern Alaska seems conspecific or very closely related to Hume or Great 

Basin species. A large complex Arcopliyllum is quite 

similar to A. dachsbergi (Vollbrecht) of middle Middle Devonian age in the Eifel district of Germany. 

These strata range upward from the Eifelian Stage 

into the Stringocephalus-bearing Givetian. Sociopliyllum occurs high in the section, presumably below the top of the Middle Devonian.
20 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Area in figure 1 1

^^~^\^^ GEOGRAPHIC

SYSTEM, SEF^TE^~---A^EA 

AND STAGE ^~~~~~\^

Mississippian or 

younger rocks

Devonian

o>

o. 

o.

O3

 a

o

Famennian

Frasnian

Givetian 

Eifelian

Emsian 

Siegenian 

Gedinnian

Silurian or 

older rocks

1

Western Brooks 

Range

Lisburne Group

Q. 

3

a

o

to ^

CO

£|j O Kugururok

'. Formation

G <&<$& G

Limestone >

^

G ^

Skajit

Limestone

O x

>

Clastic rocks

3

Central and eastern 

Brooks Range

Kayak Shale

Kanayut 

Hunt^>

o @i> £^£^

Fork Shale ^

y Upper Devonian limestone 

S,^ of Arctic Village

J^SIatejon conglomerate Sp^, limestone unit

K Limestona-siltstone

.-< \)\ unit

G

G?

Skajit

Limestone

4

Shublik Mts 

(northeastern 

Brooks Range!

Kekiktuk 

Conglomerate

ATA Nanook 

Limestone

Katakturuk

Dolomite

5

Porcupine River 

area

Unnamed 

limestone

Dolomite and

^^ limesTone

Calcareous siltstone 

and shale

1 Salmontrout /~H

Y Limestone

Graptolitic

shale

1

O Corals Brachiopods Graptolites

FIGURE 12. Correlation chart of Devonian formations and other units cited in text. Approximate positions of coral assemblages are shown. Other symbols mark positions of fossils other than corals on which age determinations have 

been based. Sources of information are the authorities cited in the text, the coral data, and others as noted here: 

Area 1 Tailleur, Brosge, and Reiser (1968) and Tailleur (written commun., 1972); area 3 Brosge, Dutro, Mangus,

Of the more diagnostic colonial Rugosa in the 

Hume, Nahanni, and Great Basin coral faunas, the 

genus Utaratuia has not been found in southeastern 

Alaska, and Sociophyllum is known only from scrappy material at a single locality.

Colonial Rugosa of Late Devonian (Frasnian) age 

are well represented in the upper part of the Wadleigh Limestone near Craig, southeastern Alaska. 

These cosmopolitan faunas comprise diverse Phillipsastraeidae, such as Phillipsastraea, Pachyphyllum, 

Peneckiella, and Macgeea. A very large Pseudamplexus by itself might be regarded as considerably 

older and probably represents a homeomorph. Tabulate corals occur throughout the Devonian limestone 

of southeastern Alaska and include: Alveolites, 

Coenites, Favosites, Heliolites, Parastriatopora, 

Syringopora, and Thamnopora. These tabulates, although generally quite abundant, well preserved, and 

associated with massive stromatoporoids and Amphipora, are unstudied and provide a rich field for 

research.

PREVIOUS CORAL STUDIES

The first corals from Alaska to be described or 

illustrated were two Devonian species from the 

Porcupine River area (east-central Alaska) in Meek 

(1867). No further descriptions or illustrations appeared until 1937, and the first systematic study of 

any lower or middle Paleozoic coral assemblage from 

Alaska is only now in progress. The meager record 

of descriptions and illustrations of Alaska Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian corals is summarized in 

the following paragraphs.
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 21

12 14

Yukon-Nation 

Rivers area

Woodchopper 

area

FairbanksRampart area Southeastern Alaska

SYSTEM

AND 

SERIES

Unnamed siliceous 

shale and chert

Unnamed shale 

and chert Peratrovich Formation

Mississippian 

or younger 

rocks

Nation River

Formation 

(nonmarine)

Limestone

| Road River

Karheen Formation 

(clastic rocks and minor limestone)

o

Formation (graptolitic 

shale and chert) exposed

O © H.OS,, 

Limestone

Silurian 

or older 

rocks

and Reiser (1962), Gryc, Dutro, Brosge, Tailleur, and Churkin (1968), and Brosge (written commun., 1972) ; 

area 4 Dutro (1970; oral commun., 1972); area 5 Churkin and Brabb (1968); areas 6 and 7 Churkin 

and Brabb (1965, 1968) and Brabb and Churkin (1969); area 12 Chapman, Weber, and Taber (1971); and 

area 14 Eberline and Churkin (1970).

Meek (1867) described two new species from the 

Devonian of the Porcupine River, Alaska. The specimens were subsequently redescribed or illustrated 

by Bassler (1937), Smith (1945), and Stumm (1951, 

1955). The "Porcupine River" locality of Meek is 

apparently the Ramparts area in the northern Black 

River quadrangle (66°58'N., 142°45'W.), although 

Meek's coordinates do not quite agree with this. No 

newer specimens from this locality are included in 

the present study, and Meek's species have not been 

recognized in any of the other collections. The two 

species are as follows:

1. Cyathophyllum arcticum Meek

Prismatophyllmn quadrigeminum arcticum (Meek), Smith 

Hexagonaria arctica (Meek), Stumm 

The lectotype (selected by Smith, 1945, p. 47) and

two paralectotypes are in the U.S. National Museum 

of Natural History. The lectotype (USNM 140317) 

is clearly labeled Porcupine Valley. Early numbers 

and labels of the paralectotypes are confused, but 

Smith (p. 47, expl. pi. 99) can be interpreted as 

indicating that the specimen sectioned by him 

(USNM 14553a and British Museum Natural History R28674, R29959-61) is from the Porcupine 

locality also, while the other (USNM 14553b) is 

from a Canadian locality. The two Porcupine River 

specimens may not be conspecific because the lectotype has thicker and shorter (?) septa, more complete tabulae, and a narrower dissepimentarium than 

the paralectotype. The Canadian paralectotype 

(USNM 14553b) is very similar to the lectotype. 

2. Paleocyclus kirkbyi Meek 

P. kirkbyi Meek, Bassler
22 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Microcyclus ? kirkbyi (Meek), Stumm 

This must be judged principally by the original illustrations because the specimens have not been found 

(see also Bassler, 1937, p. 190, who apparently did 

not find them either). However, two specimens of 

Microcyclus from Devonian rocks near Norman 

Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada (USNM 

139062), are smaller than Meek's specimen but 

otherwise look very much like the illustrations. 

These Canadian specimens support the probability 

that Meek's form is a Devonian Microcyclus rather 

than a Silurian Paleocyclus.

Meek (1867) also cited three additional species 

from the Porcupine Valley, Alaska; Zaphrentis 

mcfarlanei Meek, Z. recta Meek, and Favosites polymorpha Goldfuss. However, the illustrated specimens are from Anderson River, Canada, and we 

have not found any Alaska specimens in the type 

lots.

Smith (1945, expl. pi. 23) cited Meek's illustrated 

specimen of Smithia verrilli Meek as from the Porcupine Valley, but this is clearly an error as he gives 

the coordinates for Anderson River, Canada, and 

cites Anderson River in the text. Both Meek and the 

USNM label give Anderson River.

Oliver (1964) described and illustrated Rhizophyllum sp. B from Upper Silurian rocks and R. sp. 

A from Lower or Middle Devonian rocks in southeastern Alaska.

Bolton (1965, p. 21-22, pi. 7, fig. 4) briefly mentioned and illustrated Labyrinthites (Labyrinthites) sp. from Seward Peninsula Middle (?) or Upper Ordovician rocks (table 1).

Churkin and Brabb (1968, pis. 2 and 3) published 

two plates of illustrations of corals from east-central 

Alaska. These included one probable Silurian and 

seven Lower or Middle Devonian specimens from 

the Porcupine Valley and two Lower or Middle Devonian specimens from the Yukon Valley near the 

Canadian border. All of these are discussed in the 

section by Oliver.

Churkin, Eberlein, Hueber, and Mamay (1969, 

pi. 100) illustrated four corals from Noyes Island, 

southeastern Alaska.

Fritts (1970, figs. 7A, B, 8A, B) illustrated four 

corals from dolomitic limestone of Early or Middle 

Devonian age in the Cosmos Hills, north-central 

Alaska. These are listed with revised identifications 

in table 8.

Oliver, Merriam, and Churkin (1973) published 

six plates of corals in a preliminary version of this 

paper. These included Ordovician corals from the 

Don River area and east-central Alaska and Silurian 

and Devonian corals from southeastern Alaska.

This work has been expanded, updated, and incorporated into the present report.

Merriam is preparing a monograph on certain 

Silurian and Devonian assemblages from southeastern Alaska. These are the first significant systematic 

studies of lower or middle Paleozoic corals from 

Alaska to be published.

Chudinova (in Chudinova, Churkin, and Eberlein, 1973) described five species of Syringopora and 

Syringoporella from Devonian rocks in southeastern 

Alaska.

ANNOTATED LISTS OF CORALS IDENTIFIED 

FROM VARIOUS ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, 

AND DEVONIAN ROCK UNITS IN ALASKA, 

EXCLUSIVE OF SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA

By WILLIAM A. OLIVER, JR.

The following annotated lists are an updated summary of more than 50 internal reports on several 

hundred lower and middle Paleozoic coral collections of the U.S. Geological Survey. The collections 

were mostly made by Survey geologists, but none 

was made by the author. The original identifications 

and reports were made by the author between 1957 

and 1971, but all those noted here have been reexamined and updated for the purpose of this 

summary.

Most of the identifications are at the generic level, 

partly because of poor preservation in many areas 

but also because these assemblages are essentially 

unknown, undescribed, and usually are too small 

for valid comparisons with described material from 

western Canada or the eastern U.S.S.R. Where more 

detailed analyses have been made, this is indicated 

in the discussions or by species-level identifications 

or comparisons.

Generic level taxonomy is in an unsatisfactory 

state in many of the groups represented here, and 

some of my "genera" are certainly too inclusive. 

Disphyllum and Hexagon aria are particularly in 

need of revision, and both are used here in a very 

broad way. "Macgeea" may include some broken 

Tham nophyllum.

All collections are cataloged in either the U.S. 

Geological Survey Cambrian-Ordovician (-CO) or 

Silurian-Devonian (-SD) catalogs. For convenience 

the field numbers are also given. Most of these consist of a series of numbers and letters as follows: 

two digits indicate the year, the letter A stands for 

Alaska, two letters indicate the collector, and the 

following digits (and letters) the individual collection for that year and collector. The collections are 

located only by latitude and longitude, but more 

descriptive information is available in the catalogs
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 23

and in the fieldbook files of the Geological Survey. 

Illustrated specimens are deposited in the U.S. National Museum of Natural History (USNM) and 

are assigned USNM numbers in the plate explanations. Other specimens are in the collections of the 

U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.

The general geographic framework used is that 

of Dutro (1956) and is indicated in text figures 7, 

9, and 11. Sparse coral listings in pre-1955 publications are cited in Dutro (1956). Earlier coral collections are not included here unless they have been 

restudied in connection with recent projects.

Illustrated taxa are indicated by circles in the 

tables.

I wish to thank all the geologists who collected 

and submitted the corals from Alaska on which this 

review is based. Many of the collections were accompanied by information on the field setting of the 

corals that I have freely used. The following were 

particularly helpful in answering questions regarding stratigraphy and structure, for critically reviewing pertinent parts of the manuscript, and for 

making suggestions for improvement: E. E. Brabb, 

W. P. Brosge, R. M. Chapman, Michael Churkin, 

Jr., J. M. Hoare, D. H. Richter, I. L. Tailleur, F. R. 

Weber, U.S. Geological Survey, and C. E. Fritts, 

Alaska Geological Survey.

I am indebted to J. T. Dutro, Jr., for critically 

reading the whole manuscript and making many 

helpful suggestions and for answering innumerable 

questions about the geology of Alaska, not only during the preparation of this paper but also during 

the many years that I have been identifying corals 

from Alaska.

Almost all the thin sections were prepared by 

William C. Pinckney, Jr.

ORDOVICIAN CORALS OF ALASKA

SEWARD PENINSULA

The greatest number and variety of known Ordovician corals in Alaska are from the Teller 1:250,000 

quadrangle in the western Seward Peninsula (fig. 7, 

area 1; fig. 8). The geology and stratigraphy of this 

area have been described by Sainsbury (1969a) 

and Sainsbury, Dutro, and Churkin (1971) and mapped by Sainsbury (1969b, 1972). Preliminary lists 

of corals prepared by Oliver are included in the 

first three of these publications.

A lower assemblage (table 1) contains only Labyrinthites (Labyrinthites) sp. (identified, discussed, 

and illustrated by Bolton, 1965, p. 21-22, pi. 7, fig. 

4) and Reuschia sp. Bolton considered the Labyrinthites to be of Middle Ordovician age but did not 

discuss this assignment. Sainsbury (1969a, p. 30-31;

in Sainsbury and others, 1971, p. 56) considered the 

field evidence to indicate a Middle Ordovician age, 

but the fossils on which this determination was 

based were not associated with the corals. Labyrinthites occurs in both Middle and Upper Ordovician rocks (Bolton, 1965, p. 23) ; Reuschia is uncommon but previously known only from the Upper 

Ordovician (and Lower Silurian (?)). I conclude 

that the assemblage is late Middle to early Late 

Ordovician in age but almost certainly older than 

the Late Ordovician assemblage discussed in the 

next paragraph.

TABLE 1. Middle or Upper Ordovician corals, Seward 

Peninsula

[©, illustrated on pi. 11

USGS coin. No.

5517-CO 5518-CO 5514-CO 4280-CO

Labyrinthites

(Labyrint kites) sp. _ 

Reuschia sp. ________

A second and much larger assemblage of corals 

is known from several collections. For convenience 

it is termed the Catenipom assemblage because 

specimens of one or more species of this genus occur 

in all known collections. The assemblage includes 

several elements of the Bighorn-Red River fauna 

of western and arctic North America, and several of 

the genera (marked * on table 2) are thought to be 

limited to rocks of Late Ordovician or younger age 

on a worldwide basis. With the present data Sainsbury's suggestion (in Sainsbury and others, 1971, 

p. 56-57) that these corals might be late Middle 

Ordovician seems untenable.

TABLE 2. Upper Ordovician corals, Seward Peninsula

[*, limited to rocks of Late Ordovician or younger age. © illustrated 

on pi 1, 2, or 3]

USGS coin. No.

o o o oo c o o o o

o o o oo o o o o o

I I I I I I I I

(.'. ST). C - --

c. sp. n

C. sp. E . . . .-

Tallinn sp

Trnbrrulitcs sp.

._ -. - .. -- ._ - .. .. +

/T\ 1 O

:: ::::::::::_®_+_e_:

- ©+.-+---+- +

.. .. - - - .. - .- © + _. .. + -. -- + + - -

.. ©._--+--© + - -

__ .. .. .. © .. ._ .. .. ..

.. .. __ .. + -. -. .- -. -.

.. © -. - -. - - - + +

.- ? + .. __ .. ©-...+

. .. .. ..©._+ .. .. ._

. + __ .. .. .. .. . .. ..
24 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

LAKE MINCHUMINA AREA

A single small collection from Lake Minchumina 

area, southwestern Alaska, contains Saffordophyllum. The collection could be of either Middle or Late 

Ordovician age (USGS coll. 3856-CO, Mount McKinley D-5 quad.). "The fossils came from a limestone lens, less than 2 ft. thick, from a lithologic 

unit which is primarily buff-weathering, light gray, 

medium to fine grained, fairly massive quartzite and 

medium light gray slate." (F. R. Weber, written 

commun., 1972).

FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA

In the White Mountains north of Fairbanks (fig. 

7, area 3), the 2,500-foot Tolovana Limestone (see 

Silurian and Devonian discussions below) is above 

the Fossil Creek Volcanics, reportedly of Ordovician 

age (see fig. 10). The massive limestone and dolomite of the Tolovana is directly underlain by several 

feet of poorly exposed tuffaceous carbonate rock containing tabulatomorph corals in growth position 

(Michael Churkin, Jr., R. M. Chapman, and F. R. 

Weber, field observations, 1968). The tuff grades 

downward into a thick conglomerate made of volcanic and plutonic rock boulders which in turn lies 

on a section, thousands of feet thick, of siliceous 

clastic rocks and pillow lavas, the Fossil Creek Volcanics proper (Chapman, Weber, and Taber, 1971).

Two collections from the tuffaceous limestone contain the following corals (0 illustrated on pi. 4) :

USGS colln. No.

7092-CO 7093-CO

Chaetetipora sp. cf. C. 

ellesmerensis Norford ___________

Palaeofavosites sp. _____________

Calapoecia sp. ________________

Cerioid rugose coral (new genus?) __.

Norford (1971) described C. ellesmerensis and 

listed associated corals that are collectively of undoubted Late Ordovician age. The collections from 

the tuffaceous limestone are of this age also as indicated by the presence of Calapoecia.

EAST-CENTRAL ALASKA

A few Ordovician corals (table 3) are known from 

both the Porcupine River area and the YukonNation Rivers area (fig. 7, areas 4 and 5; fig. 8). 

Most of these are clearly Late Ordovician in age. 

Collections 6275-CO and 7091-CO may be Middle 

Ordovician, but both taxa in 6275-CO are similar

and possibly conspecific with corresponding forms 

in 7089-CO, and a Late Ordovician age for this collection too seems most likely. The assemblage contains characteristic elements of the Bighorn-Red 

River fauna of the Great Basin and Western Canada, as was briefly noted by Oliver (in U.S. Geological Survey, 1962, p. A52). Collection 7094-CO contains only Sarcinula and may be Early Silurian in 

age, but Late Ordovician seems much more likely 

based on the field relationships. The Ordovician 

stratigraphy of these areas has been reviewed by 

Churkin and Brabb (1965) and Brabb (1967). Part 

of the area is included on the map by Brabb (1970).

TABLE 3. Middle (?) and Upper Ordovician corals, eastcentral Alaska

[ ©, illustrated on pi. 5 ]

USGS colln. No.

YukonNation

Rivers

area

O O

1

tQ

 _ e

o

o

t00

_i_

i

0

Porcupine

area

000

o o o

iH OS "5

M 00 tO O <M

t- t- <_>

e +

-H

© ?

® v

 + e

River

O

1

OS

ti

_|_

0

1 t

SILURIAN CORALS OF ALASKA

The largest known Alaska assemblage of Silurian 

corals is from southeastern Alaska. Parts of this 

assemblage are being described by Merriam and are 

summarized in his section of this paper. Other 

known large Silurian assemblages are from eastcentral Alaska and the Seward Peninsula. These and 

other smaller assemblages are discussed here.

SEWARD PENINSULA

A sequence of collections made in the Don River 

area by J. T. Dutro, Jr., and Michael Churkin, Jr., 

contains the most varied assemblage of Silurian 

corals known from the study area (fig. 9, area 1; 

fig. 10). The geology of the area and the measured 

section from which most of the collections came 

were described and diagrammed by Sainsbury, Dutro, and Churkin (1971). Preliminary lists of corals 

were included, but these are here extended and 

modified, and several of the corals illustrated on 

plates 6-9.
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OP ALASKA 25

The collections listed in table 4 are Silurian; 

corals from the Ordovician part of the measured 

section are listed and discussed in the Ordovician 

part of this section.

TABLE 4. Middle (?) and Upper Silurian corals, Seward 

Peninsula

[©, illustrated on pi. 6, 7, 8, or 9. The location of the measured section 

and of the two additional collections is shown in Sainsbury, Dutro, 

and Chuvkin (1971, fig. 2). See Sainsbury, Dutro, and Churkin (1971, 

fig. 3) for location of field numbers]

USGS colln. No.

Don River measured section

P

l tco

CO

00

Q

w

00

CO

CO

00

Q

1

C5

CO

CO

00

Q

1

0

 **

CO

00

P

°p

 >*

CO

00

Q

w

1

(M ^<

CO

00

^- .yu

p°p

CO **

CO

00

UUgl

Q

w

 ^<

 ^

CO

00

erst

Q

w

1 in

 >,»

CO

00

p

w

CO

C5

IO

t>

p

^

COt-[-

Field No. ______---____ 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (4) (2)

Alveolites sp. _ _ _ __ + __ _ _ + _

Aulopora sp. _ __ __ + __ 

Halysitidae - -- + + + + -- +__-___ +

Catenipora sp. __ - __ + __ __ __ __ _ __ _ ?

Cystihalysites sp. _ + © __ __ 

F'avosites sp. __ __ __ __ -- __ _ + __ __

Mesofavosites sp. A _____ __ __©__ + __ __ _ __ __

M. sp. B _______ + © + + + ++ 

Multisolenia sp. A __ ______ + + __©©__ + ©

Pachyfavosites sp. A ___ __ __ __ __ ____ + + © --

Palaeofavosites sp. A ______ © __ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ __

P. sp. B __ © __ __

Parastriatopora sp. A __ _ _ __ + -- __ + __© __

Syringopora sp. __________ __ __ __ -f- ? __ __ + -_ +

cf. Syringoporinus sp. ©

Thecostegitesl sp. ____ _ __ __ __ + __ __

Helioplasmolites sp. _______ __ __ __ __ + _ __ __ _ __

Stelliporella sp. _ - © _ 

Amplexoides sp. ________ __ -_ __ + __ __ -_ _ _

Cantortophyllum sp. _ __ © _- © ©

cf. Craterophyllum sp. ____ _ __ __ _- __ __ + __ __ _

Cyathactis sp. B _ __ © + 

Cystiphyllum sp. ________ + _ _ __ © _

EntelophyUum? sp. ______ _ -- © _ _ _ _ __

Lamprophylhim sp. ______ _- -_ -- _- -- -- _ __ __ __ ©

"Nipponophyllum" sp cf.

N. aseptatum Ivanvosky. -- © 

cf. Miculiella sp. ________ _ __ __ __ __ __ © _

Tryplasma sp. __________ _ _- __ © 

The lowest two collections (8337-SD and 8338- 

SD) are dated as Silurian on the presence of Pentamerus sp. and Conchidiuml sp. as noted below. 

The highest collection (8345-SD) also contains 

Silurian brachiopods, including Atrypa sp., "Camarotoechia" sp. cf. "C" winiskensis Whiteaves, and 

Strophonella sp. (J. T. Dutro, Jr., written commun., 

1972).

The presence of Pachyfavosites and Contortophyllum and of a Thecostegites-like form in the upper 

two collections (8344-SD and 8345-SD) strongly 

suggests a Ludlovian age. Helioplasmolites and Contortophyllum in collection 8341-SD indicate a probable early Ludlovian age. None of the lower collections contains particularly diagnostic genera, but 

the presence of Mesofavosites sp. B throughout the 

whole sequence suggests that the lower collections 

may not be much older than the upper ones. Pentamerid brachiopods in the lower two collections are

late Wenlockian or Ludlovian in age, according to 

J. T. Dutro, Jr., and A. J. Boucot (in Sainsbury and 

others, 1971, p. 56). These supplement the coral 

data and makes it very likely that the listed corals 

are all late Wenlockian (?) and Ludlovian in age.

Two other collections (7593-SD and 7731-SD) 

are not from the measured section but are from less 

than a mile away. These collections contain many of 

the same taxa and are probably of the same age.

SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA

Three collections from the middle Kuskokwim 

area (fig. 9, area 2) are small but contain some taxa 

not known elsewhere in Alaska. One collection 

(6452-SD) from the northwest part of the Lime 

Hills quadrangle contains Ketophyllum sp., Lykocystiphyllum! sp., and three additional solitary 

rugosans that have not been generically identified 

(pi. 11). The collection is probably Wenlockian or 

Ludlovian in age.

A second collection (8927-SD) contains cylindrical fragments of Microplasmat sp. (pi. 11). These 

have the characters of typical Gotland Microplasma, 

but the identification is queried because the growth 

form is not known. The fragments are dated as Late 

Silurian on the presence of a large Kirkidium and 

other brachiopods (J. T. Dutro, Jr., oral commun., 

1972).

The third collection (6449-SD), from the western 

part of the McGrath quadrangle, is a problem in that 

it includes apparent Ordovician elements in addition 

to Silurian ones:

1. Favosites s. s. sp.

2. Syringopora sp.

3. Holacanthiat sp.

4. Catenipora sp.

5. Brachylasma! sp.

6. Tollina sp.

7. Trabeculites sp.

Forms 1-3 are indicative of Silurian age and 4 is of 

a morphology common in the Silurian and uncommon in the Ordovician. Form 5 is closest to a species 

described from Llandoverian Age rocks. Forms 6 

and 7 represent Upper Ordovician taxa, but neither 

appears conspecific with any forms assigned to the 

same genera in my Alaska Ordovician lists, so possibly they are holdovers into the Silurian. If the collection is considered as a unit, an Early Silurian 

(Llandoverian) age seems most likely, although a 

Late Ordovician age cannot be completely ruled out. 

Possibly, however, the collection is mixed either 

through sedimentary reworking or through collecting across an unrecognized stratigraphic break.
26 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Additional small collections that are not listed 

either here or in the Devonian discussion contain 

miscellaneous favositids and Syringoporal sp. and 

may be of either Silurian or Devonian age.

FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA

Five small collections (table 5), from the Livengood quadrangle, comprise the known Silurian corals 

from the Fairbanks-Rampart area (fig. 9, area 3; 

fig. 10). All five are from the lowest part of the 

Tolovana Limestone, most of which is of Devonian 

age (see "Devonian Corals")- The collections are 

from similar basal beds in the formation in a relatively small area and are considered to be of the 

same approximate age for this reason. Four of the 

collections are clearly Silurian because of the presence of Halysites and Mesofavosites or probable 

Heliolites associated with a halysitid. Mesofavosites 

sp. cf. M. sp. B is very similar to a form common in 

the Seward Peninsula Silurian already discussed. 

There it is part of a large assemblage of probable 

late Wenlockian (?) or Ludlovian Age. Two of the 

collections (8300-SD and 8302-SD) contain Pentamerus or Pentameroides which indicate a late Llandoverian to Wenlockian Age (J. T. Dutro, Jr., written commun., 1972). The combination of brachiopods and corals makes a Wenlockian Age seem most 

likely.

TABLE 5. Middle (?) Silurian corals, Fairbanks-Rampart

area

[©, illustrated on pi. 10]

USGS colln. No.

Cateniporal sp. ___ 

Favosites sp. _______

Halysites sp. ______

Heliolitesl sp. ______

Mesofavosites sp. __ 

M. sp. cf M. sp. B _ 

Palaeofavosites sp. ___ 

Undetermined rugosan

EASTERN BROOKS RANGE

Only one Silurian coral collection is available from 

the Brooks Range (fig. 9, area 4). This is small and 

contains only two forms (8913-SD; pi. 10, figs. 1, 2, 

and 7):

Striatopora sp.

Stauria sp.

The Silurian age is based on the presence of a colonial rugose coral assigned to Stauria. This has a 

wide dissepimentarium (unlike the type species) but

is very similar to the type in all other morphologic 

details. The most likely age range is Ludlovian.

PORCUPINE RIVER AREA

Two collections (table 6) from southeast of the 

extensive area of Devonian collections discussed below and close to the international boundary contain a 

varied assemblage of Silurian corals (fig. 9, area 5; 

fig. 10). The two collections are from a sequence of 

cherty limestone and calcilutite containing interbedded dolomite (Brosge and Reiser, 1969, map unit 

SO 1). Collection 8083-SD was collected from beds 

100 to 200 feet stratigraphically higher than 8086- 

SD. The corals indicate a Wenlockian Age (Middle 

Silurian), probably early Wenlockian, by comparison with similar corals described from the U.S.S.R. 

(see Ivanovsky, 1965, and 1969 for summary).

Churkin and Brabb (1968, p. 240, pi. 3, fig. 2a, b) 

illustrated one probable Silurian coral from this 

area as "New genus and species similar to Silurian 

coral from Masket Shale of Nevada." Lavrusevich 

(1967) named and described the genus as Maikottia 

at almost the same time; he based his work on Late 

Silurian corals from the Tadzhikistan S.S.R. The 

Alaska coral is a float specimen (collected near beds 

containing Late Silurian and earliest Devonian 

graptolites) that Churkin and Brabb compared to 

an undescribed form from Silurian rocks in Nevada. 

Based on their comparison and on the Tadzhikistan 

occurrence, the age of the Alaska Maikottia sp. is 

probably also Late Silurian.

TABLE 6. Middle Silurian corals, Porcupine River area

[®, illustrated on pis. 12, 13]

USGS colln. No.

8083-SD 8086-SD

Catenipora sp. __ - -- 

Favosites sp. ____ --

Halysites sp. _____ __

Heliolites sp. _ _ 

Aphylhim sp. __ -_ _- 

Cyathactis sp. A _______

Holacanthia sp. __ 

cf. Palaeophyllum sp. ___ 

Ptychophylluml sp. 

Pycnactis? sp. _________

Rhabdacanthia sp. ____

Tabularia sp. _________

Zelophyllum sp. ___ ___

DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA

Gryc, Dutro, Brosge, Tailleur, and Churkin 

(1968) provided an excellent summary of the Devonian stratigraphy and history of Alaska. Several
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 27

TABLE 7. Lower (1), Middle, and Upper Devonian corals, western Brooks Range

[©, illustrated on pi. 14 or 15. Collections are grouped stratigraphically in accordance with field ob 

servations of I. L. Tailleur (written commun., 1972). See fig. 12]

USGS colln. No.

Skaiit(?) Limestone

P P P P P p 

02 02 02 02 02 02

OS CO OS IO CO OS 

«O CO CO OS OS CO 

*-< C- OS OS OS tt- CO t- t- t- CO

cf. Dendrostella sp.

D. sp. cf. D. catenatum

Pseudotryplasma sp. cf.

p P P P P p P P 

o 10 ^ co cc so t- oo

+ 4- +

- + +

1 1 1 1 + + + + - + ?

1

1

1

Eli Kugururok 

Ls. Fm.

OP p p P p

+ + -f

0 I [_

L ~? _

l 7

_ e - + +

papers in the Proceedings of the Geological Seminar 

on the North Slope of Alaska (Adkison and Brosge, 

1970) provide useful syntheses of the structural and 

stratigraphic framework for the northern Alaska 

coral assemblages.

BROOKS RANGE 

WESTERN BROOKS RANGE

The geologic setting of the corals in the western 

Brook Range (fig. 11, area 1; fig. 12) is described as 

follows (I. L. Tailleur, written commun., 1972) :

The Devonian System in the Belong and Baird Mountains is represented by carbonate rocks assigned to the 

Baird Group and clastic rocks assigned to the Endicott 

Group (Tailleur, Brosge, and Reiser 1968, p. 1349-1354; 

Brosge and Tailleur, 1971, p. 73-75). Relations between 

the groups have been obscured by intense structural foreshortening. The depositional regime seems to have consisted of a clastic wedge (Endicott Group) derived from 

a tectonic land lying to the north and a broad, carbonate 

bank (Baird Group) that persisted off shore to the south. 

The stratigraphy of the Baird Group, which has yielded 

most of the coral collections, is poorly known. It locally 

encompasses Lower, Middle and Upper Devonian rocks, and 

in one section near the base of the Baird Group, Ludlovian 

brachiopods have been identified (J. T. Dutro, Jr., written 

communication, 1968). The Baird Group is conformably 

overlain by carbonate rocks of the Mississippian Lisburne 

Group.

The presence of Acanthophyllum, cystimorphs, a 

Dendrostella-like form, Pseudotryplasma, Taimyrophyllum, and Try plasm a suggests that at least five 

of the collections (table 7) are Middle Devonian or 

even Early Devonian in age. Five other collections

having Macgeea, Peneckiella, and Tabulophyllum 

are more likely Frasnian, although these genera are 

known to occur also in Middle Devonian rocks elsewhere. The coral collections are from the Baird 

Group. Most of the corals suggestive of Middle Devonian age are from the Ska jit Limestone, whereas 

most of those suggestive of the Frasnian are from 

the Skajit, Eli, and Kugururok Formations, in accordance with interpretations shown in figure 12 

(and in Tailleur and others, 1968, fig. 7). The apparent occurrences of Taimyrophyllitm sp. A and 

Acanthophyllum^ sp. in the Eli and Kugururok are 

anomalous.

COSMOS HILLS AREA

A limestone-dolomite unit of Devonian age, referable to the Baird Group, has been mapped along the 

south edge of the Brooks Range, particularly in the 

Cosmos Hills and Jade Mountains in the southern 

part of the Ambler River (1:250,000) quadrangle 

(fig. 11, area 2) (Patton and others, 1968; see also 

Fritts, 1970, who covers part of this area in greater 

detail). These rocks are mostly of Early and Middle 

Devonian age (Emsian, Eifelian, and Givetian?), as 

indicated by Emmonsia, Diplochone, Pseudotryplasma, and Taimyrophyllum in various collections. 

Late Devonian rocks are probably included in some 

places (J. T. Dutro, Jr., oral commun., 1972), but of 

the corals, only the possible Smitlriphijllitm in one 

collection is suggestive of the Frasnian. Older Devonian (pre-Emsian) or even Silurian faunas may
28 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

TABLE 8. Loiver(l) and Middle Devonian corals, Cosmos Hills area

[©, illustrated on pi. 14 or 15]

USGS colln. No.

Jade Mountains

Q Q Q Q O Q Q

W ^ CQ CQ K2 Cfl CQ

CO J-2 T-* £- 00 tr, OS 

00 °° 00 CD tO 00 «° 

OS 2s OS CD CD ai CD 

t- t- t- CD CD t- <O

S. sp. _ _ __ __ ___+___

Thamnopora sp. _ 4~ ~l~ ~l~ ~l" 4"

Cosmos Hills1

ooooooooo

WMMWMMMWW

(MIMOi-lr-ios Oo°° 

 <*CD^Tt«[-loCDoO«l 

t*TJ<t>t>TJ<CD ^Ost" 

OOCDOOoOt^t* CDt^OO

II 7

1

1 4-

ii ii

i i

1

4-4- '

_i_ ? i

© + © ?

OOP 

M M M

ri JL «i 

CD «, OS

CD £ l-

+ +

_j_

+

1 All collections except 8742-SD and 7996-SD, which may be stratijrraphicallv higher, are apparently 

from the same carbonate unit (I. L. Tailleur, written commun., 1972); see distribution of collections 

on map by Patton, Milley, and Tailleur (1968).

be represented by collection 7983-SD (with Tryplasma) . Corals in this group of collections are poorly preserved and species-level comparisons are made 

in only a few cases (table 8).

CENTRAL AND EASTERN BROOKS RANGE

The stratigraphy of this area (fig. 11, area 3; fig. 

12) was described by Brosge, Dutro, Mangus, and 

Reiser (1962), who included preliminary lists of 

corals (identified by me) and brachiopods in their 

report. Parts of the area are on geologic maps by 

Brosge and Reiser (1964, 1965, 1971). The rocks 

are dominantly clastic, and tabulates are the most 

common corals. Among the Rugosa, phillipsastraeids 

are relatively common. This family is generally limited to rocks of Frasnian age in North America. PreDevonian corals are known from only one locality in 

this area.

The Skajit Limestone is of Early (?), Middle (?), 

and Late Devonian age. Several collections are almost certainly Frasnian, although most of the 

studied collections cannot be so restricted; none is 

definitely Middle Devonian.

Four units overlying the Skajit also contain corals 

and are of Frasnian age. These are, in ascending 

order: (1) limestone-siltstone (locally absent), (2) 

slate-conglomerate-limestone, (3) Upper Devonian 

limestone of Arctic Village, and (4) Hunt Fork 

Shale (W. P. Brosge, written commun., 1972; 

Brosge and Reiser, 1965; Brosge and Tailleur, 1971, 

table 1). In table 9 the coral collections are grouped 

according to their source unit as indicated by Brosge.

The four Frasnian rock units are overlain by the 

Kanayut Conglomerate of probable Late Devonian

age (fig. 12; Brosge and others, 1962, p. 2182). Because a single specimen of Phillipsastraea sp. was 

collected from a thin bed of sandy limestone in this 

formation a Frasnian Age is suggested for at least 

this part of it (6417-SD).

An apparent fault block of limestone in the Kanayut Conglomerate yielded one collection containing 

the following corals (6434-SD) :

Thamnopora sp.

Disphyllumt

Hexagonaria sp. A

This collection is Middle or Late Devonian, but more 

likely the latter as the Hexagonaria is very similar 

to and probably conspecific with specimens from the 

Upper Devonian limestone of Arctic Village.

A second collection from the same(?) fault block 

is apparently Silurian in age and includes the only 

pre-Devonian corals known from the Brooks Range 

(see "Silurian Corals.")

SHUBLIK MOUNTAINS, NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE

The above collections are all from the "southern 

belt" of Brosge, Dutro, Mangus, and Reiser (1962). 

Four collections (table 10) containing corals are 

available from the "northern belt." These are from 

the Nanook Limestone in the Shublik Mountains 

(fig. 11, area 4; fig. 12) (Dutro, 1970) and are Middle (?) Devonian in age.

EAST-CENTRAL ALASKA 

PORCUPINE RIVER AREA

The geology and stratigraphy of this area (fig. 11, 

area 5; fig. 12) have been described by Churkin and 

Brabb (1968). The largest and most varied coral
TABLE 9. Middle (?) and Upper Devonian corals, central and eastern Brooks Range

[ffi, illustrated on pi. 14 or 15. Units are listed from oldest to youngest (left to right). See fig. 12]

USGS colln. No.

Skajit Limestone

PPPPPPPPPPQ 

CQCQCQCQCQO1CQCQCQCQCQ

cposcgcgoiosoo^oooj

cljCPCDCDCDCDCDiOCDCDCD

Aitinnnr sn

H. sp. +

Limestone-siltstone unit

PPPPPPPPP 

CQCQCQMCQCQOICQCQ

t-CDCPCDCDCDC-C-CD

+ +

4-4- 4-

1

1 1 1

1 II

+ -+- -- + -- -- - - +

Slate-conglomerate-limestone unit

pp pPPP Q p P P P P P

CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ CO CQ 03 CQ W CQ GQ W

OOOS or-ICDIO 00 CO ^< IOCDC-«O 

OSOS OOOC4 Ot-Hi t »-H » ( O ^

4-4- 4-

_i_ i

i

1 i i

1 i

ii _j__j__j_4-_)-4- _j_

1

- -+ + ©-+ 4- +

i

_j_

1 i i

i

_L

? 4- ? + T

Upper Devon

limestone 

Arctic Villa

CO CQ CG 

r-l eg 0 

OS OS i-l 

00 00 00 

,

© 4-

_[_ 4_ 

©

4- ®
30 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

TABLE 10. Middle (?) Devonian corals from the Nanook 

Limestone, Shublik Mountains

USGS colln. No.

8303-SD 8915-SD 8916-SD 8917-SD

Amphipora sp. _____. 

Favosites sp. _____. 

Syringopora sp. ____. 

S. sp. cf. S. sp. A _ 

Thamnopora sp. _____ 

Hexagonaria sp. ___. 

cf. Pseudamplexus sp.

assemblage is that of the Salmontrout Limestone of 

Emsian or Eifelian Age. Churkin (in Churkin and 

Brabb, 1968) illustrated a number of corals from 

this formation (1968, pi. 2, figs. 3-5; pi. 3, figs. 1, 

3-5) and listed more (1968, table III, p. 240). The 

identifications were by Churkin but partly based on 

my earlier identifications of the similar McCann Hill 

Chert corals. I have reexamined all the coral thin 

sections Churkin used in that report. My revised 

identifications, using the same nomenclature as for 

the following McCann Hill lists, are given in table 

11 with the corresponding Churkin identification 

and illustration where appropriate. No illustrations 

of Salmontrout corals are included in this summary, 

but several of the listed forms are illustrated from 

the McCann Hill Chert assemblage.

Churkin and Brabb (1968, p. 237-239) and 

Churkin and Carter (1970, p. 55-56) discussed the 

age of the Salmontrout Limestone and concluded 

that it was entirely Early Devonian, principally on 

the basis of an analysis of the tentaculitids and its 

position directly above lowermost Devonian graptolitic shale. The corals are most similar to Asiatic 

Russian species considered to be Eifelian (Middle 

Devonian) by Soshkina (1952) and Bulvanker

(1958). In North America, the closest similarities 

are with Middle Devonian corals from western Canada. The corals then, suggest an early Middle Devonian age for the Salmontrout Limestone, but 

Early Devonian corals from surrounding areas are 

not well enough known for this to be definitive.

A few additional data are available from just east 

of the area of the Salmontrout Limestone. Xystriphidluml sp. cf. F. schluteri is present in collection 

8079-SD, and probable Amphipora are known from 

two collections (8072-SD and 8084-SD). A fourth 

collection (8087-SD) contains Heliolites sp. (pi. 13, 

figs. 8, 9) and Pachyfavosites sp. This could be either 

Late Silurian or Devonian, but Brosge and Reiser 

(1969, map unit Dls) consider it to come from the 

same rock unit as 8079-SD and to be Devonian.

Southwest of the Salmontrout area, in the Black 

River 1:250,000 quadrangle, two more collections 

add different taxa:

USGS colln. 6456-SD: Hexagonaria sp.

(pi. 18, figs. 10, 11) 

7394-SD: Amphipora sp. 

Thamnopora sp. 

Disphyllum sp.

The two localities are plotted on the geologic map of 

this area (Brabb, 1970).

YUKON-NATION RIVERS AND WOODCHOPPER AREAS

The stratigraphy of these areas (fig. 11, areas 6, 

7; fig. 12) was discussed by Churkin and Brabb 

(1965) and is shown on a geologic map by Brabb 

and Churkin (1969). Most of the Devonian corals 

come from two units: (1) the limestone and shale 

member (250 ft thick) that forms the lower part of 

the McCann Hill Chert in the triangular area formed

TABLE 11. Lower or Middle Devonian corals from the Salmontrout Limestone, Porcupine River area

[Churkin's list and cited illustrations are from Churkin and Brabb (1968). See discussion in text]

Oliver list Churkin list Churkin illustrations

Favosites sp. A ____________

F. sp. B __________________

Fasciphyllum sp. (phaceloid) 

Hexagonaria sp. ___________

Spongophyllum sp. C ______________________

Utaratuia sp. _______________________.

Xystriphyllum sp. cf. Stenophyllum devonicum

Bulvaker.

X. sp. cf. Stenophyllum gorskii Bulvanker _. 

X. sp. B ________________________. 

X. sp. E ________________________. 

X.I sp. cf. Fasciphyllum schluteri Soshkina _. 

New genus A (astreoid ptenophyllid) sp. A _. 

New genus A sp. B ______________.

Part Favosites sp., corallites <1 mm _______

F. sp., corallites bioniodal ________ ____ ______________

Fasciphyllnm sp ________________ _ ______________

Hexagonaria sp _____________ ______ ___ PL 3, fig. la, b

( Spongophyllum halysitoides Etheridge ___ PI. 3, fig. 4a, b

[ Utaratuia cf. U. laevigata _____________ PL 3, fig. 5a, b

-U. cf. U. laevigata, corallites >5 mm _______ ______________

Xystriphyllnm sp _________________ ______ ______________

X. sp. cf. Fasciphyllns sitbmassivinn Bulvanker _____________ _ _.

.Y. sp _______________________ _ _ __ __________ __ _.

X. sp. cf. Stenophyllum devonicum Bulvanker. PL 2, fig. 3a, b

"Fasciphyllum" sp. cf. F. schluteri Soshkina_ PL 3, fig. 3a, b

Billingsastraea sp ________________________ PL 2, figs. 4a, b, 5a, b

Not listed or illustrated _________________ ________________.
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 31

by the Yukon and Nation Rivers and the international boundary (fig. 11, area 6) and (2) bioclastic 

limestone (a few hundred feet thick) interbedded 

with the Woodchopper Volcanics exposed along the 

Yukon River, 65 miles west of the international 

boundary (fig. 11, area 7).

The McCann Hill assemblage is characterized by 

species of Xystriphyllum, Spongophyllum, "Fasciphyllum," and Acanthophyllum and is very similar 

to the Salmontrout fauna of the Porcupine River 

area. Churkin and Brabb (1965) and Churkin and 

Carter (1970, p. 56) suggested that the fauna is 

Emsian (late Early Devonian) in age, but the closest affinities of the corals are to species described 

from units considered Eifelian (Middle Devonian) 

in age by Soviet paleontologists, as noted by Oliver 

(in U.S. Geological Survey, 1964, p. A133). Most of 

the comparable U.S.S.R. corals are from faunas described from the Kuznetsk Basin by Bulvanker 

(1958) and considered Eifelian by her and by Hill 

(1967) in her general review of U.S.S.R. coral 

faunas. Some similarities with Canadian Middle 

Devonian corals can also be noted. In any case the 

assemblage is probably older than most of the 

Brooks Range Devonian assemblages.

Corals from limestones associated with the Woodchopper Volcanics (table 12) are mostly tabulates 

and only a few solitary rugosans. However, the presence of Acanthophyllum (Acanthophyllum') sp. and 

Plasmophyllum (Mesophylhcm) sp. indicates an 

Early or Middle Devonian age. Some of the Favosites in this unit are similar to ones from the McCann Hill Chert, and I conclude that the Woodchopper limestone corals are approximately the same age 

as the McCann Hill corals.

A small collection from the unit mapped as Devonian limestone (Brabb and Churkin, 1969) includes Aulocystis sp. and Thamnopora sp. and may 

be part of the same Woodchopper associated unit 

(7188-SD; 63AGs501; 63°31.7'N., 142°53.7'W.).

SEWARD PENINSULA

Devonian and probable Devonian collections from 

the Seward Peninsula (fig. 11, area 8) are few, 

small, and mostly consist of thamnoporoid corals 

or Amphipora, generally not in close association. 

Only four collections are listed and discussed.

One collection (8297-SD) from the north-central 

part of the Teller quadrangle is probably of Middle 

or Early Late Devonian (Frasnian) age: 

Alveolites sp. 

Thecostegites sp. (pi. 20, figs. 13,14).

Farther east, just southeast of the Darby Mountains in the Solomon quadrangle, three small collections (table 13) include a variety of tabulate corals 

and branching stromatoporoids that are of the same 

general age.

ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND

Devonian rocks have been recognized here (fig. 

11, area 9) only recently (Patton and Dutro, 1969) 

and are considered a continuation of the Seward 

Peninsula belt (J. T. Dutro, Jr., oral commun., 

1972). Several collections from the eastern end of 

the island contain Amphipora, Favosites, and Thamnopora and are probably Middle Devonian or Frasnian in age. The rocks are dolomitized, and preservation of the fossils is poor.

SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA

In this large region, Devonian corals are listed 

only from small areas southeast of the middle Kuskokwim River in the McGrath and Sleetmute quadrangles (fig. 11, area 10) and near Kuskokwim Bay 

in the Goodnews quadrangle (fig. 11, area 11). The 

largest assemblage of collections (table 14) is from 

the southwestern part of the McGrath quadrangle. 

Identified forms are listed and are Middle Devonian 

in age if they can be considered as a unit.

Collection 7698-SD is dated on the basis of Antherosalpinx sp., a commensal "worm" associated 

with Favosites (pi. 20, figs. 1, 2). This type of 

"worm" tube is elsewhere known only from rocks 

of Emsian and Eifelian Age (Sokolov, 1962; Oekentorp, 1969).

Southwest of the McGrath area, in the southeastern part of the Sleetmute quadrangle, three small 

collections (table 15) are Devonian or probably 

Devonian. Two of these contain Dendrostella and 

are most likely Givetian in age. The third collection 

includes Parastrlatopora and could be either Silurian or Devonian. Cady, Wallace, Hoare, and Webber 

(1955) reported Devonian corals from the Holitna 

Group in this same general area.

One hundred and eighty miles west-southwest of 

this area, near Kuskokwim Bay, Hoare (1961, p. 

598: Hoare and Coonrad, 1961, loc. 25) reported Devonian corals from a small area south of the Kanektuk River (Goodnews quad.) (fig. 11, area 11). 

These were originally assigned to the Devonian and 

identified by J. M. Berdan (written commun. to J. M. 

Hoare, 1950) as a disphyllid having horseshoe dissepiments and Cladopora sp. I have reexamined the 

collection and would now list the forms as: 

Cladopora sp. 

Thamnophyllum sp.

The age is Middle or Late Devonian, probably 

Frasnian.
TABLE 12. Lower or Middle Devonian corals, Yukon-Nation Rivers area

[© illustrated on pi. 16-19]

USGS colln. No.

Monument 104 

Funnel Creek 

area

Q P Q Q

02 W W W

1 1 1 1

 -> <M CO "*

CO CO CO CO

F. sp. A _ _ _ +

F. sp. B ?

S. sp. B _ _

X. sp. B _

Corals from

Jones Ridge area

QQQQGQQQQ 

t/>w<n«JGpc«www

U5(NOOC-COiaOTJICO

cot-t-t-c-t-cot-t-

__ + _ __ _

? + -

+ __ __ _

_ _- _ . © +

+ + _

© 1 1

McCann Hill Chert

McCann Hill 

to Montauk 

Bluff area

O Q ft Q Q ft 

03 W WWW O3

US U3 rH O Oi O

CO t- t- t- «D CO

+ -

_ + __ + -

©

:_ :: + :: __ 

©

a\

©

(3N " " " " e

+ + © _

Nation 

River 

area

Q O O Q

? "P "P T "* CO (M U5 

M <M (M -^i

CD CO CD CD

- ©

+

?

© +

- +

+

+ +

© -

Tindir 

Creek 

area

Q Q Q 

w w cp 

JL «i co 

t- (M 00 

t- CD t- 

+

+

_L Pf

- © " 

+

+ 

+ 

+ _

+ 

+
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 33

TABLE 13. Devonian corals, Seward Peninsula

USGS colln. No.

8731-SD 8732-SD 8733-SD

Amphipora sp. ___. 

Idiostromal sp. __. 

Cladopora sp. ___ 

Syringopora sp. A 

Thamnopora sp. __

TABLE 14. Middle (?) Devonian corals, McGrath quadrangle

[©, illustrated on pi. 20 or 21]

USGS colln. No.

Alveolites sp.

Cladopora sp.

Hcliolites sp.

Syringopora sp. -

cf. Neostringophyllum sp.

cf. Siphonophrentis sp.

Sociophyllum sp. cf. S. glomerulatum

Q Q Q P P P P

V EH M MM EH EH

ri SJ iH 1 (N 1 «> II U5 CD II00 

<» OJ 04 OJ 05 OS OS 

"3 tO CD CD CD CD CD

>o t- t- t- t- t- t-

+1

.__ + + ++ + 0

©

© 1

1 ?

1

.©_-____ _ __ __ __

- __ __ ____-©__ _

Pm

OS 

OS 

CD

t-

,

1

1

I

+

TABLE 15. Middle Devonian corals, Sleetmute quadrangle

[ ©, illustrated on pi. 20, figs. 9, 10]

USGS colln. No.

6448-SD 6450-SD 6451-SD

Auloporoid coral _______

Favosites sp. ___________

Parastriatopora sp. _____

Dendrostella sp. cf.

D. rhenana (Frech) ____

FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA

The Tolovana Limestone in this area (fig. 11, area 

12; fig. 12) is mostly of Devonian age but includes 

some Silurian in some areas (J. T. Dutro, Jr., oral 

commun., 1972; see under "Silurian Corals.") Several collections (table 16) containing Dendrostella 

sp. cf. D. rhenana and Amphipora sp. are probably 

of Givetian Age. One collection contains Amphipora 

and a distinctive phaceloid cystimorph of a type 

that has been erroneously referred to Pseudomicroplasma by some authors. For convenience, the Tolovana collections are grouped as the Dendrostella assemblage and the "Pseudomicroplasma" assemblage 

in table 16. Numerous additional Tolovana collections (not listed) contain only Amphipora or Favosites or Heliolites and are probably Devonian also.

TABLE 16. Middle Devonian corals, Fairbanks-Rampart 

area

[©, illustrated on pi. 20 or 21. D, Dentrostella assemblage; P, "Pesudomicroplasma" assemblage; S, Sociophyllum assemblage; A, Alveolites 

assemblage. See text]

USGS colln. No.

Tolovana Limestone

D P

P P P P P P P

EH EH EH EH 01 EH EH

«> ,-H t- 00 00 (MM 

00 -^t iff, i& T* W CO

CD t" CD CD 00 00 CO

Dendrostella sp. cf D. rhenana 

(Frech) -.-.-- __ -- -_ - + + ©© + +

Sociophyllum sp. cf. S. glomerulatum

Clastic 

unit(s)

S A

P P

EH EH 

C- OS

t- OS 

00 00

1 _j_© -

_l 1

_l

+

A much larger and more diverse coral assemblage 

is known from an unnamed clastic unit in the same 

area. This is termed the Sociophyllum assemblage. 

It has no significant corals in common with the Tolovana Limestone, although Favosites, Cladopora, and 

Thamnopora probably do appear in both units. This 

assemblage is Middle Devonian and probably Givetian in age. Much of the field work in this area has 

been done by F. R. Weber, who considers the clastic 

unit to be "probably slightly younger than the Tolovana" (written commun., 1972; Chapman, Weber, 

andTaber, 1971).

A fourth Devonian assemblage from this area is 

higher stratigraphically but from the same or another clastic unit. Locally at least this contains 

abundant AIveolites (8919-SD) and few other corals 

(Alveolites assemblage in table 16). Poorly preserved brachiopods are probably of Frasnian Age 

(J. T. Dutro, Jr., oral commun., 1972).

EASTERN ALASKA RANGE

Three collections (table 17) from the eastern 

Alaska Range are probably of Middle Devonian age.

TABLE 17. Middle (?) Devonian corals, eastern Alaska Range

USGS colln. No.

8102-SD 8729-SD 8730-SD

Amphipora sp. ___. 

Alveolitest sp. ___. 

Cladopora sp. ______

Favosites sp. _______

Thamnopora sp. ___. 

Acanthophijllum sp.
34 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

These are from lenses of massive recrystallized limestone within a polymetamorphic terrane of phyllite, 

metaconglomerate, quartz mica schist, micaceous 

quartzite, and minor greenstone in an area north of 

the Denali fault (fig. 11, area 13) (Neal Matson, 

written commun., 1970; D. H. Richter, written commun., 1972).

LOCALITY DATA

The basic locality data for all the collections listed 

in this part of the paper are given below. Catalog 

and field numbers are listed by geologic period and 

geographic area in the same order as they are 

treated in the text. All quadranges are in the Alaska 

1:250,000 series. Most of the collections were made 

by U.S. Geological Survey geologists. In these, the 

collector is indicated by the field number in accordance with the following abbreviations. Collectors 

not employed by the Survey are credited in footnotes 

on the individual lists.

Ba E. E. Brabb Mt J. B. Mertie, Jr. 

Be W. P. Brosge P L. M. Prindle 

Bk J. 0. Berkland Pa W. W. Patton, Jr. 

Bo A. L. Bowsher Rb F. R. (Robinson) 

Ch R. M. Chapman Weber (also Wr) 

Cn Michael Churkin, Jr. Rh D. H. Richter 

Du J. T. Dutro, Jr. RJ R. J. Ross, Jr. 

Gk Donald Grybeck Rr H. N. Reiser 

Hp D. M. Hopkins Sn C. L. Sainsbury 

Hr J. M. Hoare Tb Bond Taber 

Km L. B. Kellum Te R. L. Taylor 

Mm T. P. Miller Tr I. L. Tailleur 

Mn N. A. Matson, Jr. Wr F. R. Weber

Collections of Ordovician corals

USGS Field Latitude Longitude 

colln. No. No. north west

SEWARD PENINSULA, TELLER QUADRANGLE

[*, locality show on map in Sainsbury, Dutro, and Churkin (1971, p. 53)]

4280-CO 63ASn860 65° 33' 167° 18' 

4407-CO 63ASnDRl 65°29.2' 166°54.3' 

*5513-CO 65ASnPG4 65°29.7' 166°58.6' 

5514-CO 65ASn53 65°30.5' 167°01.8' 

*5515-CO 65ASn64 65°29.3' 166°56.6' 

*5516-CO 65ASn78 65°24.1' 166°57.6' 

*5517-CO 65ASn85 65°34.1' 166°59.3' 

*5518-CO 65ASn278 65°33.9' 166°55.9' 

6025-CO 66ASn371 65°30.0' 166°30.8' 

6026-CO 66ASn442 "l 

*6746-CO 68ADul6 ) 65°29.8' 166°56'

*6747-CO 68ADul7 Same as 6746 but stratigraphically higher. 

6748-CO 68ADu28 65°29.5' 166°56.6' 

6749-CO 68ADu29 G5°29.4' 166°56.6'

LAKE MINCHUMINA AREA, MOUNT McKINLEY 

QUADRANGLE

3856-CO 59ARb86 65° 53.0' 152° 09. 6'

Collections of Ordovician carols Continued

USGS Field Latitude Longitude 

colln. No. No. north west

FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA, LIVENGOOD 

QUADRANGLE

[These two collections are probably from the same site]

7092-CO 09AP87 65° 37' 147°21' 

7093-CO 68ACnl751 65°37'20" 147°21'12"

EAST-CENTRAL ALASKA 

Charley River quadrangle

D1071-CO 62RJR-4 65°06' 141°03' 

4387-CO 63ABa3333M 65°06.3' 141°01.0'

Black River quadrangle

7031-CO 61ABal493 66°34.3' 142°33.8' 

7089-CO 64ADu44 66° 59.9' 143° 05.4' 

7091-CO 41AMt39 Approximately the same as 

7089. 

7094-CO '25504-3 66° 50.0' 141° 13.6'

Coleen quadrangle

6275-CO 67ARr445 67°12.5' 141°17.7'

1 Collected by geologists of the Standard Oil Company of California.

Collections of Silurian corals

USGS Field Latitude Longitude 

colln. No. No. north west

SEWARD PENINSULA, TELLER QUADRANGLE 

Don River measured section

[Measured section and additional collection sites are shown in Sainsbury, 

Dutro, and Churkin (1971, 3g. 2)]

8345-SD 68ADu 27 Top 65° 30.0' 166° 55.7' 

8344-SD 68ADu 26 

8343-SD 68ADu 25 

8342-SD 68ADu 24 

8341-SD 68ADu 23 

8340-SD 68ADu 22 

8339-SD 68ADu 21 

8338-SD 68ADu 20 

8337-SD 68ADu 19 Base 65°29.6' 166° 55.8'

Additional collections

7593-SD 65ASn 79 65°29.4' 166°55.2' 

7731-SD 66ASn 444C 65°29.2' 166°56.2'

SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA 

McGrath quadrangle

6449-SD ^ET 1690 62°32.5' 154°51' 

8927-SD 65AHr37 62°07.5' 155°01.7'

Lime Hills quadrangle

6452-SD 1WCG 215 61°45.2' 155°44'

1 Collected by geologists of Union Oil Co.

FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA 

Livengood quadrangle

8300-SD 68AGk431 65°32'30" 147°31'36" 

8301-SD 68ACh323f 65°27'10" 147°44'00" 

8302-SD 68ACh296f 65°32'07" 147°31'42" 

8920-SD 68ACnl861B 65°33'50" 147°30'02" 

8921-SD 68ACnl861C Same site but approx 50 feet 

stratigraphically higher.
Collections of Silurian corals Continued

USGS Field Latitude Longitude 

colln. No. No. north west

EASTERN BROOKS RANGE, ARCTIC QUADRANGLE

8913-SD 2256009-9 68° 09' 144° 17.3'

PORCUPINE RIVER AREA, COLEEN QUADRANGLE

8086-SD 67ABe 367 ) 67°05.8' 141°01.5'

2 Collected by geologists of the Standard Oil Company of California.

Collections of Devonian corals

USGS Field Latitude Longitude 

colln. No. No. north west

BROOKS RANGE 

Western Brooks Range

De Long Mountains quadrangle

8299-SD 68ATrl82.4 68°15' 162°04.5'

Noatak quadrangle

7169-SD ^abcock 22423 67°15' 162°34' 

8788-SD 66ABe228 67° 37' 162° 17'

Misheguk Mountain quadrangle

7991-SD 66ATrl51 6S"14.5' 161 C 10' 7990-SD 66ATrl41 68°14' 159°29.5'

*8914-SD =17334-53-54 68°27.9' 160°53.1'

Baird Mountains quadrangle

7989-SD 66ATrl03 67°49.5' 161°55.5' 

8793-SD 66ARr60 67°22' 161°53' 

7986-SD 66ARrl58 -\ 

7988-SD 66ARrl58A ) 67°47.5' 1G1°52'

8798-SD 66ATr48 67°21.9' 161°51.8' 

8796-SD 66ARr86 67°22' 161°50' 

8797-SD 66ARr89 67°24' 161°40'

7993-SD 66ATrl09.5 67°40' 161°21' 

8794-SD 66ARr69 67° 32' 161° 19'

8789-SD 66ARrl85A <i A H H H 

8790-SD 66ARrl85B j 67°41.5' 161°11'

8795-SD 66ARr73 67°36.5' 161°04' 

7168-SD ^Babcock 22820 67°28' 160°53'

1 Collected by Bear Creek Mining Co. geologists. 

2 Collected by geologists of the Standard Oil Company of California.

Cosmos Hills area (Ambler River quadrangle) 1

Jade Mountains

7983-SD 66APa99 67°14.2' 158°07.7'

7982-SD 66APa98 67°15.0' 158°06.3' 

7981-SD 66APa97 67°14.8' 158°05.S' 

6667-SD =Babcock 120 67°14.4' 158°05.2' 

6668-SD 2Babcock 119 67°15.6' 158°04.3' 

7985-SD 66ATrl8 67°15.4' 158°00.0' 

6669-SD =Babcock 117 67°15.2' 158°00.7'

Cosmos Hills"'

8742-SD 4 69A34b 67 C 04.0' 157 C 15.2' 

6462-SD =Lehner 67° 01. 2' 157° 03.2'

8740-SD *69A12f 67°00.9' 157°01.6' 

8741-SD 4 69A13g 67°03.2' 156°56.7' 

7471-SD 65ABe74A 67°03.1' 156°53.6' 

7659-SD 65ABe66 

6460-SD 'Read A 

79SO-SD 66ABel04 } 67°02.7' 156°53.7' 

8738-SD 4 69A6 )

Collections of Devonian corals Continued

USGS Field Latitude Longitude 

colln. No. No. north west

BROOKS RANGE Continued 

Cosmos Hills area (Ambler River quadrangle) Continued

Cosmos Hills Continued

6461-SD -'Read B 67°01.9' 156°54.5' 

8739-SD 4 69A10b 67°02.0' 156°51.0' 

7996-SD 65AMm34 67° 00. 9' 156° 02'

1 Most of these collection localities are marked on the published geologic 

map of this quadrangle (Patton and others, 1968).

- Babcock, Read, and Lehner collections were made by Bear Creek 

Mining Co. geologists. 

3 All except 8742-SD and 7996-SD, which may be higher stratigraphically, 

apparently are from the same carbonate unit (I. L. Tailleur, written 

commun.. 1972).

Geological Survey and are marked (without numbers) on Fritts' map 

(1970, fig. 4a).

Central and eastern Brooks Range (Arctic, Chandalar, 

Christian, Philip Smith Mountains, and Wiseman 

quadrangles)

1 6406-SD 59ARr597 67°56' 149 = 24'

'6419-SD 60ARr397 67°53' 148°52' 

] 6432-SD 60ABe411 67°52' 148°42'

6429-SD 60ARr798 68° 10. 5' 147°20' 

6439-SD 60ABe684 68°17.5' 147°10' 

6418-SD 60ARr672 67°48' 146°40.5'

2 5727-SD 60ARr782 68°04.5' 14fi°18' 

:6440-SD 60ARr719 68°00.5' 146°15' =6430-SD 60ARr785 68°11.5' 146°14'

2 6422-SD 60ARr787 68°10.5' 146°08'

Unnamed limestone-siltstone unit

" '7469-SD 65ARe21 67° 10' 151° 59' 

] 6402 SD 59ABe523 67°46.5' 149°40'

1 6403-SD 59ABe524 67°46.5' 149°40' 

1 6411-SD 60ABe394 67°59' 148°34' 

'6421-80 60ARr426 67°59.5' 148°29' 

6438-SD 60ABe681 68°11' 147°05' 

37467-SD 65ABe29E ) 

3 7468-SD 65ABe29C j 67°36.5 151 53 

3 6395-SD 59ABe348 67°45' 150°45'

Slate-conglomerate-limestone unit

=6398-SD 59ARr390 67"44' 150°12' 

36399-SD 59ARr439 67°46' 150°02' 

3 6400-SD 59ARel66(ARrl73) 67°33' 152°03' 

3 6401-SD 59AKm40 67 = 34' 151° 58'

-6425-SD 60ABk203 68°09' 145°55' 

=6408-SD 60ARr584 fi8°14' 145° 53' 

=6413-SD 60ABe549 68°12' 145°52' 

=6414-SD \

=6416-lD [ 60ABe555 68° 13' 145° 50' 

26407-SD ) 

=6426-SD 60ABe557 68°12.5' 145°46'

Unnamed slate-sandstone unit

6394-SD 59ABe360 67°42' 152°44' 

6409-SD 60ARr420 68^04' 149°13' 

(6424-SD) 

6423-SD 60ARr449 68°14' 148°59 

6420-SD 60ABe390 6S°03' 148°56' 

6410 SD 60ARr451 68°10.5' 148°39'

6436-SD 60ABe683 6S°17' 147°05' 

-6427-SD 60ABk202 68°08.5' 145°52'

Upper Devonian limestone of Arctic Village

8791-SD 66ABe312B ) 68° 1"' 145°r,8' 

8792-SD 66ABe312D I

8910-SD -'25576-7 1 RJOIOT' 1i^°^7S' 8911-SD -'25576-11 ) 6rf°10.< 145 5 -.8
36 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Collections of Devonian corals Continued

USGS Field Latitude Longitude 

colln. No. No. north west

BROOKS RANGE Continued 

Central and eastern Brooks Range Continued

Kanayut Conglomerate

26417-SD 60ABe619 68°14.5' 144°54'

Fault block limestone in Kanayut Conglomerate

2 6434-SD 60ARr660 68°09' 144°18'

Shublik Mountains, northeastern Brooks Range (Mount Michelson 

quadrangle)

8303-SD 68ARr4 69°31'25" 145°40'30" 

8915-SD 69ADu28 69°31'38" 145°47'00"

8917-SD 69ARr43A } 69°31'55" 145°31'30"

1 Locality shown on published map of Chandalar quadrangle (Brosge 

and Reiser, 1964). 

2 Locality shown on open-file map of Arctic quadrangle (Brosge and 

Reiser, 1965). 

3 Locality shown on open-file map of Wiseman and eastern Survey Pass 

quadrangles (Brosge and Reiser, 1971). 

* Questionably assigned to this unit. 

5 Collected by geologists of the Standard Oil Company of California.

EAST-CENTRAL ALASKA 

Porcupine River area

Coleen quadrangle 

[Localities plotted on map by Brosge and Reiser (1969)]

8079-SD 67ARr464 67°13.3' 141°08.2' 

8072-SD 67ARr442 67°13.5' 141°18' 

8084-SD 67ABe411 67°01.5' 141 = 13.5' 

8087-SD 67ABe417E 67°00.5' 141°20.5'

Black River quadrangle

6456-SD 61ABal463 66°29.8' 142°24.8' 

7394-SD 61ABal533 66°36.3' 142°49.8'

Yukon-Nation Rivers area (Charley River and Eagle 

quadrangles)

McCann Hill Chert

Monument lOk-Funnel Creek area

6441-SD 60ABa83 64 = 59.7' 141°00.7' 

6442-SD 60ABa84B 64°59.8' 141°00.8' 

6443-SD 60ABal92 65 = 00.5' 141°02' 

6444-SD 60ABa204 65°02.3' 141 = 03.7'

Jones Ridge area

7172-1S } 62ABa2802 65"04.6' 141°01.8'

7178-SD 63ABa3343D \ 

7177-SD 63ABa3343C 

7176-SD 63ABa3343A 

7175-SD 63ABa3343 / 

6320-SD 62RJR17 65=06' 141 = 01.8' 

7174-SD 63ABa3333P ) , 1410010' 7173-SD 63ABa3333N ) 65 = 06.3 141=01.0

McCann Hill (105) to Mantauk Bluff

6455-SD 61ATe21 64 = 55.3' 141 °00' 

7185-SD 63ACnl514 64 = 57.2' 141 = 02.4' 

7181-SD 63ABa3261D \ - ,, ... -. , 

7180-SD 63ABa3261C / 64 = 57.2 141 = 04.9

6829-SD 62ACn984 65 = 07' 141 = 23' 

6830-SD 62ACnl032 65 = 07.8' 141=26.4'

Nation River area

6824-SD 62ABa2771H ) 

6823-SD 62ABa2771G > 65 = 16' 141°38.8' 

6822-SD 62ABa2771F > 

6445-SD 60ABa632 65 = 16' 141°38.8'

Collections of Devonian corals Continued

USGS Field Latituda Longitude 

colln. No. No. north west

EAST-CENTRAL ALASKA Continued 

Yukon-Nation Rivers area Continued

Tindir Creek area

7179-SD 62ABa2842 ] 141 o fl v

mSS-SD 63ABa3521A 65"23.4' 140°59.8' 

17184-SD 63ABa3522 65°23.3' 140 = 59.7' 

1 7182-SD 63ABa3511 65 = 23.7' 140=59.7'

1 Yukon Territory, Canada. 

Limestone associated with the Woodchopper Volcanics

7186-SD 63ACn2001 65 = 27.3' 143 = 41.0' 

6454-SD 61ABal762 65°21.8' 143 = 35.7' 

7187-SD 63ACn2013 65 = 21.6' 143=25.5' 

6447-SD 60ABal064 65 = 21.6' 143=25.5' 

6446-SD 60ABal063 65 = 21.9' 143 = 18.2' 

6831-SD 62ACn321 65 = 21.9' 143 = 18.1' 

6828-SD 62ACn453 65°21.8' 143 = 15'

SEWARD PENINSULA 

Teller quadrangle

8297-SD 68ASn229A 65° 166°

Solomon quadrangle

8731-SD 70AMml99 64°52' 162 = 06' 

8732-SD 70AMm202 64°51' 162°07' 

8733-SD 70AMm206 64 = 37' 162°07'

SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA 

McGrath (A-4, A-5) quadrangles

5592-SD 59ASnl6 62°11' 154 = 54' 

7691-SD 65AHr44 62 = 7.5' 155 = 5.6' 

7692-SD 65AHr47-A 62 = 4.8' 155=7.6' 

7693-SD 65AHr54 62 = 3.4' 155 = 8.4' 

7695-SD 65AHr64 62 = 4.7' 155 = 9.4' 

7696-SD 65AHr66 62 = 4.5' 155 = 9.4' 

7697-SD 65AHr72 62 = 2.3' 155 = 12.3'

7698-SD 65AHr74 62°2.3' 155 = 13.0' 

7699-SD 65AHr75-A 62 = 1.9' 155 = 13.6'

Sleetmute (A- 3) quadrangle

[Collected by geologists of the Union Oil Co.]

6448-SD FET 1633 61 = 6.4' 156 = 48.2' 

6450-SD WCG 186 61 = 6.7' 156 = 47.8' 

6451-SD WCG 187 61=6.5' 156=48'

Goodnews quadrangle

[Locality 25 on map by Hoare and Coonrad (1961)]

3000-SD 50AHr356 59 = 39' 160 = 52.5'

FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA 

Livengood quadrangle

6383-SD 53AB025 \ 

7341-SD 64AWr314 65 = 17'20" 148 = 09' 

8918-ST) TlAWrlSI 1 

8922-SD 673Wrl70 1 

6433-SD 60ATW78 65 = 05'35" 148 = 56 

8717-SD 70ACh313f 65 = 30'36" 148°33'10 

8919-SD 68ADul4 66 = 27' 148 = 45

Kantishna River quadrangle

6457-SD 59AHp26 64 = 58'54" 150 = 08'42;; 

6458-SD 59AHp27 64 = 58'30" 150 = 11'13
ORDOVICIAN, SILURIAN, AND DEVONIAN CORALS OF ALASKA 37

Collections of Devonian corals Continued

uses

colln. No.

Field

No.

Latitude 

north

Longitude

west

EASTERN ALASKA RANGE 

Nabesna quadrangle

8102-SD

8729-SD

8730-SD

67ARh245 

70AMnl03 

70AMnl04

62° 53.6' 

62°41.4' 

62°41.3'

143°20.1' 

142°46.8' 

142°46.1'

SILURIAN AND DEVONIAN RUGOSE CORALS 

OF SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA

By C. W. MERRIAM

This section includes lists of rugose corals from 

the Silurian and Devonian rocks of the Alexander 

Archipelago, southeastern Alaska. Most of these 

corals occur in the two best Silurian and Devonian 

stratigraphic reference sections thus far investigated in the Alexander Archipelago, that of northern 

Heceta Island for the Silurian and that of the San 

Alberto Bay area for the Devonian (fig. 13). Table 

18 shows proposed fossil zones in the northern 

Heceta Island Late Silurian reference column.

TABLE 18. Zonation of the northern Heceta Island Late 

Silurian reference section

Formation Zonation

Karheen Formation, 

lower part.

Heceta Limestone, 

upper part.

6. Pha^dactis zone

5. Atrypa-Isorthis zone

4. Atrypella beds

3. Conchidium alaskense zone

2. Pycinodesma beds (Amphipora

horizon) 

1. Brooksina- Harpidium zone

The Devonian reference section of San Alberto 

Bay has recently been studied by Eberlein and Churkin (1970). This section extends from the westernmost and largest island of the Alberto Islands eastward across Wadleigh Island, traversing east-dipping strata which become younger to the east. All 

these Devonian beds are included by Eberlein and 

Churkin (1970) in the Wadleigh Limestone, which 

thus ranges upward in age from possible early Middle Devonian (early Eifelian) through the Stringocephalus zone (Givetian) to the upper Wadleigh of 

Frasnian Age. Rugose corals in the collections with 

String'ocephalus include Acanthophyllum sp. b and 

Xystriphyllum sp. m. The lowest exposed beds of 

this reference section contain Arcophyllum sp. a, cf. 

A, dachshergi (Vollbrecht), Loyolophyllum sp. a, 

and Xystriphyllum.

The lists of fossils in table 19 are a digest from 

tabulations in a monographic study I am making of 

southeastern Alaskan Silurian and Devonian Rugosa. These faunas comprise undescribed genera and 

many new species, the names being inappropriate 

for inclusion here. For some of the species names the 

informal letter designation is the first letter of the 

proposed new species name appearing in the larger 

unpublished report.

TABLE 19. Lists of Silurian and Devonian rugose corals 

from southeastern Alaska

Late Silurian of Heceta, Tuxekan, and Prince of Wales

Islands (fig. 13, SI) : 

Heceta Limestone, upper part: 

Brooksina-Harpidinm zone:

Zelophijllum sp. w (pi. 22, figs. 1-3)

Cystiphyllum sp.

Actinocystist sp. cf. A. perfecta Wedekind

New genus A of Entelophyllnm-like coral sp. b (very

narrow marginarium of small dissepiments) 

Rhizophyllum sp. A, Oliver 

Tryplasma sp. p (pi. 22, figs. 8, 9) 

Amphipora horizon: 

Microplasma sp. H 

Zelophyllum sp. 

Conchidium alaskense zone: 

Cystiphyllum sp. 

Zelophyllum sp. 

Fletcheriat sp. 

Entelophylluml sp. 

Salairophyllum sp. e 

Karheen Formation, lower part: 

Atrypa-Isorthis zone:

Hedstromophyllum sp. H 

Cystiphyllum sp. 

Phaulactis zone:

Phaulactis sp. cf. P. cyathophylloides Ryder (pi. 22,

figs. 11, 12)

P. sp. cf. P. angusta (Lonsdale) (pi. 22, fig. 10) 

P. sp.

Silurian of Kuiu Island, northern part (fig. 13, S2) : 

Conchidium alaskense zone: 

Zelophyllum sp. W 

Microplasma sp.

Salairophyllum sp. e (pi. 22, figs. 13-16) 

Halysites-Petrozium fauna: 

Zelophyllum sp. 

Cystiphyllum sp. 

Lycophyllid coral

Petrozium sp. m (has strong columellar rod) 

Silurian of False Bay area, Chicagof Island (fig. 13, S3) : 

New genus A of Entelophyllum-like coral, sp. F (narrow 

marginarium of dissepiments). Not same species as at 

Heceta Island. Associated with Amphipora. 

Silurian of Glacier Bay area (fig. 13, S4) : 

Tryplasma or Zelophyllum sp. 

Late Silurian or Early Devonian of Glacier Bay area

(fig. 13, S-D1) : 

Black Cap Limestone: 

Lycophyllid coral

(Continued on p. 40)
I. Heceta Islan d-Tuxekan Island vicinity 

Silurian fossil localities (area SI)

1. Marble Cove area, Heceta Island

2. East Heceta area

3. Ham Island, Karheen Passage

4. Tuxekan Passage, east shore 

7. Northwest Heceta area, Cone Bay 

Devonian fossil localities (area D2)

14. Small island having Dentrostella fauna at 

union of Karheen Passage and Tuxehan 

Passage

15. Tonowek Bay

16. Small island having Hexagonaria fauna at 

north entrance to Karheen Passage

II. Kosciusko Island area

Silurian fossil localities (area SI) 

5. Vermont marble quarries northeast of Edna

Bay 

Devonian fossil localities (area D3)

24. El Capitan Passage near Devilfish Bay

III. Kasaan Bay area

Devonian or Late Silurian fossil localities (area

D-S1)

6. Long Island 

IV. San Alberto Bay area

Devonian fossil localitie

Devonian foatil localitie

17. Alberto Islands

18. Fern Point, San 

19. Sunny Hay Mo

Nicholas

20. Port Bagial

21. Wadleigh Island, 

136°

135° 134° 133° 132°
136°

135 134° 133° 13

0 10 20 30 40 50 KILOMETERS

22. Coronados Islands 

V. Port Refugio area

Devonian fossil localities (area D6)

23. Port Refugio 

"VI. Kuiu Island, northern part

Silurian fossil localities (area S2) 

8. Mead Point area

9. 10. Small islets off north shore of Cornwallis

Peninsula 

VII. Northern Chicagof Island

Silurian fossil localities (area S3)

11. False Bay area 

Devonian fossil localities (area D5)

25. Port Frederick area, Grist Point

26. Port Frederick area, Halibut Island

VIII. Glacier Bay area

Silurian fossil localities 

27. Willoughby Island

Silurian or Lower Dev

S-D1)

28. Muir Inlet, east 

29. Sandy Cove and 

FIGURE 13. Locality map of part of the Alexander Archipelago, southeastern Alaska, showing occurrences 

Silurian and Devonian rugose corals and other fossils. Base from Buddington and Chapin (1929, pi. 2).
40 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

TABLE 19. Lists of Silurian and Devonian rugonse corals

from southeastern Alaska Continued

Late Silurian or Devonian limestones containing Hcrcynella, 

Amphipora, and Rhizophyllum at Long Island, Kasaan 

Bay (fig. 13, D-S1) : 

Rhizophyllum sp. B Oliver 

T aimyrophylluml sp.

Pseudamplexus sp. cf. P. princeps Etheridge 

Stauriid coral

Cyathophylloid (indeterminate) 

Devonian Rugosa of the Wadleigh Limestone, San Alberta

Bay area (fig. 13, Dl) :

Middle Devonian part of the Wadleigh Limestone: 

Alberto Islands: 

Acanthophyllum sp. 

A. sp. b (pi. 24, figs. 3, 4) 

Mesophyllnm (Arcophyllum) sp. a cf. A. dachsbergi

(Vollbrecht) (pi. 24, figs. 5, 6) 

Digonophyllum sp. a 

Mesophyllmn sp. a

Loyolophyllum sp. a (pi. 23, figs. 4-6) 

Xystriphyllmn sp. a 

X. sp. m (pi. 23, figs. 1-3) 

Australophyllum sp. b 

Sunny Hay Mountain: 

Taimyrophyllum sp. n 

New genus of Acanthophyllum-like coral 

Fasciphylluml sp.

Upper Middle or Upper Devonian coral beds of San Alberto Bay area: 

Fern Point, San Fernando Island:

Acanthophyllid sp. f (pi. 24, figs. 11, 12) 

Pseudamplexus sp. cf. P. sp. w 

Lyrielasma sp. f

Upper Devonian part of the Wadleigh Limestone: 

Wadleigh Island: 

Tabulophyllum sp. 

T. sp. c

Pseudamplexus sp. w (pi. 25, figs. 3, 4) 

Maegeea sp. k (pi. 25, figs. 5-7) 

Phillipsastraea sp.

P. (Phillipsastraea) sp. c (pi. 25, fig. 11) 

P. (Pachyphijllum) sp. w (pi. 25, figs. 12, 13) 

Phacellophyllum sp. t (pi. 25, fig. 8) 

Disphylluml sp. 

Sociophyllum sp. b 

Coronados Islands

Tabulophyllum sp. c (pi. 25, figs. 1, 2) 

Phacellophyllum sp. t 

Devonian Rugosa of Heceta and Tuxekan Islands (fig. 13,

D2) :

Upper Devonian (Tonowek Narrows) : 

Tabulophyllum sp.

Phacellophyllum sp. t (pi. 25, figs. 9, 10) 

Middle Devonian of Heceta and Tuxekan Islands: 

Microplasma! sp.

Acanthophyllum sp. a (pi. 24, figs. 1, 2) 

Digonophyllum sp. b 

D. sp. d

D. sp. k (pi. 24, figs. 9, 10) 

Hexagonaria sp. k (pi. 23, figs. 7, 8) 

Lyrielasma^ sp. 

Lyrielasma sp. k

Dendrostella sp. cf. D. rhenana (Frech) (D!. 23, figs. 

9, 10)

TABLE 19. Lists of Silurian and Devonian rugonse corals

from southeastern Alaska Continued 

Devonian Rugosa of Kosciusko Island (fig. 13, D3) : 

Devilfish Bay, El Capitan Passage:

Brcviphyllum (emended) sp.

Devonian Rugosa of northern Kuiu Island (fig. 13, D4) : 

Breviphyllum (emended) sp. cf. B. lindstrb'mi (Frech) 

Trapezophyllum sp. k

lowaphyllum sp. cf. I. johanni (Hall and Whitfield) 

Disphyllum or Acinophylluml sp. 

Devonian of northern Chicagof Island (fig. 13, D5) : 

Grist Point, Port Frederick:

Disphyllum, sp. cf. D. goldfussi Geinitz

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INDEX

[Ita!

Page 

Abstract ________________ 13

Acanthophyllum ____ 18, 19, 27, 31, 37, pi. 24 

(Acanthophylhtm) _____________ 31, pi. 19

dachshergi ___-_____-__--________ 37

(Acanthophyllum,), Acanthophyllum .31, pi. 19 

Agetolites _.__.______________ 13, pi. 2

alaskense, Conchidium ________________ pi. 22

Kirkidiwn _______-__-__-__--_-__-_ 17

Alexander Archipelago _ __________ 37

altaica, Pseudotryplasma _____________ 18

Alveolites ________________ 2>0, 31, 33

Amphipora ...____. 17, 20, 30, 31, 33, pi. 22 

angusta, Phaulactis _____--_--_--_-____ pi. 22

Antherosalpinx -________-_,___-____ 31, pi. 20

Aphyllum ___________________________ pi. 12

Arcophyllum _________________________ 19

dachsbergi ______________________ 19

(Arcophyllum) dachsbergi, Mesophyllum pi. 24 

arctica, Hexagonaria __________________ 21

arcticum, Cyathophyllum _____________ 21

Prismatophyllum qitadrigeminum __ 21 

aseptatum, Nippotiophylliim ___________ pi. 8

Atrypa .-_--_----_________-__-.______ 25

Aulocystis ____________________________ 31

Australophyllum ____________________ 19

Bighornia ____..___________ 13, 14, pi. 5

lie page numbers indicate major references and descriptions]

Page 

Miculiella _.____._____.----.____ pi. 9

Monograptus liercynicus ______________ 18

pacificus ___--____--_--__-----__--_ 18

yukoncnsis _______________________ 18

Brachylasma

Brooks Range, Devonian corals __

25

Calapoecia _._--. ______ 13, 14, 24, pi. 4

ellesmerensis ___-____-_---------___ pi. 4

Camarotoechia winiskensis ____________ 25

Catenipora ____________- 13, 14, 25, pi. 3

assemblage __---___-_------_---_-_ 23

robustus ______-__-_____--.-___-__- pi. 3

rubra __-_-_-_------_-_---------__- pi. 3

Chaetetipora __________________________ 24

ellesmerensis _______-_---_-__._-_ 24

Cladopora ___..______________ 31, 33

Collectors _________________ 34

Conehidium ___________________________ 25

alaskense _________________________ pi. 22

Contortophyllum _______________ 16, 25, pi. 9

Coral studies ___-___-___--_-_____-____ 20

Corals, annotated lists ________________ 22

Cosmos Hills area, Devonian corals ___ 27 

Cyathactis _________________________ pis. 9. 12

Cyathophylloidcs _________________ 13, pi 2

Phaulnctis _______________________ pi. 22

Cyathophyllum arcticum, ______________ 21

Cystihalysitcs _________________________ pi. 7

Cystiphyllum __________________________ pi. 9

dachsbergi, Acanthophyllum __________ 37

Arcophyllum _____________________ 19

Mesophyllum (Arcophyllum) ______ pi. 24

r>ciracorallium _____________________ 14, pi. 5

Denali fault _----_-_-_________________ 34

Dendrostclla ___________________ 18,27,31.33

rhenana ______________ 18, 33, pis. 21, 23

Devonian corals ______________________ 2fi, 37

Devonian rocks _____________________ 17

Digonophyllum _________________ 18, 19, pi. 24

Diplochonc _._---______________ 18, 27, pi. 14

Page 

Disphyllum ___________ 18, 22, 28, 30, pi. 14

East-central Alaska, Ordovician

corals ___________--___---_ 24

Eastern Alaska Range, Devonian

corals _-_--____---------__ 33

Eastern Brooks Range, Silurian corals. 26 

Echyropora __________________________ pi. 16

ellesmerensis, Calapoecia _______________ pi. 4

Chaetetipora ______________________ 24

Emmonsia ___--____--_____-_-__-____ 27

Entelophyllum ________________________ pi. 8

33

Fairbanks-Rampart area, Devonian

corals __________________

Ordovician corals _________________ 24

Silurian corals ____________________ 26

Fasciphyllum _________________________ 31

schlutcri _____.___________ 30, pi. 17

Favosites ________ 18, 20, 25, 31, 33, pis. 16, 20

polymorpha ________________-----_ 22

Fossil zones __-___--_-__-------__--_-- 37

Halysites _____________________ 26

Heceta Island __________________ 37

Hdiolitcs -_--____ 18, 20, 26, 30, 33, pis. 13, 20 

Hclioplasmolitcs ______________________ 16,25

hercynicus, Monograptus ______________ 18

Hexagonaria ._._ 18, 22, 28, 30, pis. 14, 18, 23 

arctica ._________________---_--___ 21

Holaeanthia _______.__--_______ 25, pi. 12

Hunt Fork Shale _____________ 28

Introduction 13

Kanayut Conglomerate ___-_-____---_-- 28

Kctophyllnm _________________ 25, pi. 11

kirkbyi, Paleocyelus __________________ 21

Kirkidium _____________________________ 25

alaskense _________________________ 17

Labyrinthitcs _________________________ 14

(Labyrinthitcs) _____________ 22, 23, pi. 1

(Labyrintliitcs), Labyrinthitcs ___ 22, 23, pi. 1 

Lake Minchumina area, Ordovician

corals ___________________ 24

Lamprophylfum ________________________ pi. 9

Locality data .---__________________._ S4

Loyalophyllum ________________ 19, 37. pi. 23

Lykocystipliyllum __________________ 25, pi.11

McCann Hill Chert ______________ 30

mcfarlanci, Zaphrcntis ______________ 22

Macrieca __-_____-_-____-____ 20, 22, 27, pi. 25

Maikottia _____________________________ 26

Mcsofavositcs ________ 13. 25, 26, pis. 1, 6, W

Mesophyllum _________________________ 19

(Arcophyllum) dachsbergi ________ pi 24

(Mesophyllum), Plasm opln/llum ___ 31, pi. 19 

Microct/cliis __________________________ 21. 22

Alicroplasma _______________________ 25, pi. 11

Multisolcnia __--_-___-_-----------__ 16, pi. 7

Nanook Limestone __-____-__-__-_-___ 28 

Ncostringophyllum ___________________ pi. 21

Nipponophyllum aseptatum ____________ pi. 8

Ordovician corals 

Ordovician rocks . 23

13

Pachyfavositcs _______ 16, 25, 30, pis. 6, 14, 20

PachypliyllHm _______-_-_____--__--___ 20

(Pachypyllum) Phillipsastraea ________ pi. 25

pacificus, Monottraptus _______________ 18

Palicofavositcs __________________ pis. 5, 6, 10

Paleocyelus ___________________________ 22

kirkbyi _________________..__ 21

Pahicophyllum ________________________ pi. 13

Parastriatopora __-______--_-__-- 20, 31, pi. 6

Pcncckiclla __.__--_______.- 18, 20, 27, pi. 18

Pcntameroides ________________________ 26

Pcntamcrus -_---_______-------_-----. 25,26

PJiaccllophyllum ________________________ pi. 25

Phaulactis angusta ____________________ pi. 22

cyathophylloidcs __________________ pi. 22

Phillipsnstraca _________.--__-.___ 20,28

(Pachypyllum) _________________ pi. 25

(Phillipsastraca) ______________ pi. 25

(Pliillipsnstraca), PhilUpsastrara _____ pi. 25

Plasmophyllum (Mcsopliyllum) ____ 31, pi. 19

polymorpha, Favosites ________________ 22

Porcupine River area, Silurian corals__ 2fi 

PrismatophyHum qnadrifjcminum

arcticum _________________ 21

Pscudamplcxns ____________________ 20, pi. 25

Pscudomicroplasma _____________ 18, 33, pi. 21

Pseudotryplasma ______________________ 18,27

altaica ___________________________ IS

Pycnactis ____________________________ pi. 12

Pycnolithii.i ___________________________ pi. 1

(jitadrifjrminum arcticum,

Prism dtoph ylhi m 21

recta, Z^phrcntifs _____________________ 22

Rcuachia _____________________________ 14, 23

Khahd-canthia ______________^__ ______ pi. ID

Rltaphidophy'Jif>i ___________________ 13, pi. 2

rhenana, Drnclrnstclia ______ IS, 33, pis. 21. 23

RhizophyUum sp. A _________________ 22

RIn;ophyll"r>i sp. B _____^__________._ 22

robufitKS, Catrnipora __________________ pi. 3

rubra, Ci'tciiipora _______________________pl. 3

Rugose corals, Silurian and Devonian.- .?r

Snffordoplni'htm _____________________ 14, 24

^rtlairopln/ltum ____________________ 17, pi. 22

S"lmontrout Limestone _______________ 30

Sin Alberto Bay area ________________ 37

Sirciinila __________________________ 24, pi. 5

Kchliitrri, Fasciphullum ____________ 30, pi. 17

Seward Peninsula, Ordovician corals__ ?.? 

Silurian cova's ___________________ 24

43
44 INDEX

Page

Silurian corals _.__--_ __ __. 24, 37 

Silurian rocks _______---_--_--_---_-_ 15

Skajit Limestone ______--_--____-___-_ 28

Smithia verrilli _______________________ 22

Smithiphyllum _______________________ 27

Sociophyllum _______.______ 18,19,20,33

glomerulatum _____________________ pi. 21

Southwestern Alaska, Devonian corals. 31

Silurian corals _-_.-______--_______ 25

SpongophyUum _____.-_-.____ 18, 31, pi. 18

St. Lawrence Island, Devonian corals.- 31 

Stfuria _._______._______.. 26, pi. 10

Stelliporella ___________________________ pi. 7

Stratigraphic setting _---___----_--_-_ 13

Striatopora ___________________ 18, 26, pi. 10

Stringocephalus ______--_.._-____.____ 19

zone __-_--.________-.____.. 37

Page 

Strophonella _-.__------. __---._- 25

Syringopora ____________ 18,20,22,25,26 

Syringoporella ______.-._-_._.-_____._ 22

Syringoporinus ________________________ pi. 8

Tabularia ...______ ____ __ pi. 13 

Tabulophyllum ___...___ 18, 27, pis. 14, 25 

Taimyrophyllum _____---_--_--_ 18, 27, pi. 15

Tetradium .___.______..__.__--__.-. 14, pi. 5

Thamnophyllum _ _______._____ 22,31 

Thamnopora .. ..... 18, 20, 28, 30, 31, 33, pi. 14

Thecostegites ...__.._______ 25, 31, pi. 20 

Tollina _..._____________ 13, 25, pi. 1 

Trabeculites _______._.___.-.-_._._ 25

Tryplasma _______.. 18, 27, 28, pis. 9, 22

Utaratuia 20

verrilli, Smithia

Wadleigh Island __ __ -. ______ __ 

Wadleigh Limestone _---_---_--_____-

Western Brooks Range, Devonian Corals 

winiskensis, Camarotoechia ____________

Woodchopper area, Devonian corals __. 

Woodchopper Volcanics .__ __ __ ....

Page 

22

37

37

27

25

30

31

Xystriphyllum ___ 18, 19, 30, 31, 37, pis. 17, 23

Yukon-Nation Rivers area, Devonian 

corals ______--_-._.___.

yukonensis, Monograptus .______._.

SO 

18

Zaphrentis mcfarlanei - __-_--_.______ 22

Zaphrentis recta ______--_-_.__.______ 22

Zelophylhim _______________.. 17, pls.12, 22
PLATES 1-25

[Contact photographs of the plates in this report are available, at cost, from U.S. 

Geological Survey Library, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225]
PLATE 1 

Upper Ordovician corals from the Seward Peninsula

FIGURES 1,2. Tollina sp., USNM 174699. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 10. USGS colln. 6746-CO.

3, 4. Pycnolithusl sp. A, USNM 174700. Longitudinal and transverse thin 

sections, X 10. USGS colln. 4407-CO.

5,6. Mesofavosites sp., USNM 172247. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections, X 5. USGS colln. 6746-CO.

Middle or Upper Ordovician coral from the Seward Peninsula

7. Labyrinthites (Labyrinthites) sp., USNM 174701. Transverse thin 

section, X 10. USGS colln. 4280-CO.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 1

ORDOVICIAN CORALS, SEWARD PENINSULA
PLATE 2 

Upper Ordovician corals from the Seward Peninsula

FIGURES 1, 2. Agetolites sp., USNM 174704. Longitudinal and transverse thin sections, X 4. USGS colln. 6746-CO. 

3-5. Cyathophylloides sp. A, X 3.

3,4. USNM 174705. Longitudinal and transverse thin sections.

USGS colln. 6749-CO. 

5. USNM 172248. Transverse thin section. USGS colln. 4407-

CO.

6, 7. Rhaphidophyllum sp. A, USNM 174708. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections, X 4. USGS colln. 6749-CO.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 2

UPPER ORDOVICIAN CORALS, SEWARD PENINSULA
PLATE 3 

Upper Ordovician corals from the Seward Peninsula

FIGURES 1-10. Catenipora spp., X 3.

1, 2. C. sp. cf. C. robustus (Wilson), USNM 172249. Transverse

and longitudinal thin sections. USGS colln. 5515-CO. 

3, 4. C. sp. D, USNM 172250. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections. USGN colln. 5515-CO. 

5, 6. C. sp. E, USNM 172251. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections. USGS colln. 5515-CO. 

7,8. C. sp. cf. C. rubra Sinclair and Bolton, USNM 172252.

Transverse and longitudinal thin section. USGS 6749-

co.

9,10. C. sp. C, USNM 172253. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections. USGS colln. 4407-CO.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 3

UPPER ORDOVICIAN CATENIPORA, SEWARD PENINSULA
PLATE 4

Upper Ordovician corals from the Fairbanks-Rampart area

FIGURES 1,2. Calapoecia sp., USNM 182857. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 5. USGS colln. 7092-CO. 

3-6. Chaetetipora sp. cf. C. ellesmerensis Norford.

3, 4. USNM 182858. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections,

X 10. USGS colln. 7092-CO. 

5, 6. USMN 182859. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections,

X 5. USGS colln. 7093-CO.

Contrast the meandroid cross-section of 182859 with the more discontinuous walls of 182858. Both conditions are found in the 

same specimen.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 4

UPPER ORDOVICIAN CORALS, FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA
PLATE 5 

Upper Ordovician corals from east-central Alaska

FIGURES 1,2. Palaeofavosites sp., USNM 182854. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X5. USGS colln. 7089-CO. 

3. Deiracorallium sp., USNM 174702. Transverse thin section, X 3.

USGS colln. 7031-CO. 

4, 5. Grewingkia sp., X 3. USGS colln. D1071-CO.

4. USNM 174707. Longitudinal thin section.

5. USNM 174706. Transverse thin section.

6. Bighornia sp., USNM 174703. Transverse thin section, X 3. USGS 

7031-CO.

7. Tetradium sp., USNM 182855. Transverse thin section, X 10. USGS

colln. 6275-CO.

8,9. Sarcinula sp., USNM 182856. Longitudinal and transverse thin sections of silicified specimen, X 5. USGS colln. 7094-CO.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 5

UPPER ORDOVICIAN CORALS, EAST-CENTRAL ALASKA
PLATE 6 

Middle(?) and Upper Silurian tabulates from the Seward Peninsula

FIGURES 1,2. Palaeofavosites sp., A. USNM 182860. Transverse and longitudinal

thin sections, X 5. USGS colln. 8337-SD. 

3,4. P. sp. B, USNM 182861. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections,

X 5. USGS colln. 8337-SD. 

5,6. Pachyfavosites sp. A, USNM 182862. Transverse and longitudinal

thin sections, X 10. USGS colln. 7593-SD. 

7,8. Mesofavosites sp. B, USNM 182863. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 5. USGS colln. 8338-SD. 

9,10. M. sp. A, USNM 182864. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections,

X 5. USGS colln. 8339-SD.

11,12. Parastriatopora sp. A, USNM 182865. Longitudinal (X 3) transverse (X5) thin sections. USGS colln. 7593-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 6

MIDDLE(?) AND UPPER SILURIAN TABULATES, SEWARD PENINSULA
PLATE 7

Middle(?) and Upper Silurian tabulates and heliolitoidids from the Seward Peninsula

FIGURES 1-6. Multisolenia sp. A, transverse and longitudinal thin sections. 

1, 2. USNM 182866, X 10. USGS colln. 8343-SD. 

3, 4. USNM 182867, X 10. USGS colln. 8344-SD. 

5, 6. USNM 182868, X 5. USGS colln. 7731-SD. 

Note that 182867 differs from the others in having common 

short "septa" but this is a variable character and all illustrated 

specimens probably belong to one species.

7-9. Cystihalysites sp., USNM 182869. Transverse thin section, X 3, 

and two parts of longitudinal thin section, X 10. USGS colln. 

8340-SD.

10,11. Stelliporella sp., USNM 182870. Longitudinal and transverse thin 

sections X 10. USGS colln. 8343-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 7

MIDDLE(?) AND UPPER SILURIAN TABULATES AND HELIOLITOIDIDS, SEWARD PENINSULA
PLATE 8 

Middle(?) and Upper Silurian rugose and tabulate corals from the Seward Peninsula

FIGURES 1-3. "Nipponophyllum" sp. cf. N. aseptatitm Ivanovsky. Transverse and 

longitudinal thin sections, X 3. USGS colln. 8343-SD. 

1, 3. USNM 182871. Parts of one section.

2. USNM 182872. Individuals from same "cluster" as those

of 182871. 

4,5. Entelophylluml sp., USNM 182873. Longitudinal and transverse

thin sections, X 3. USGS colln. 8341-SD.

6,7. Undetermined rugose coral, USNM 182874, partly embedded in 

massive stromatoporoid(?) with cf. Syringoporinus sp. (see 

figs. 8-10), X 3. USGS colln. 7731-SD.

8-10. cf. SyringoporimLs sp., USNM 182875, in massive stromatoporoid (?). 

Longitudinal and transverse thin sections, X 10. The transverse 

section was cut parallel to section illustrated in figure 6 but outside the rugose coral; the longitudinal views are from sections 

illustrated in figures 6 and 7.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE

*±~?-*i*r.--*^*S .a . ' -^ «-.s^ .-. J

MIDDLEC?) AND UPPER SILURIAN RUGOSE AND TABULATE CORALS, SEWARD PENINSULA
PLATE 9

Middle(?) and Upper Silurian rugose corals from the Seward Peninsula

LAll figures X 3]

FIGURES 1,2. Cyathactis sp. B, USNM 182876. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections. USGS colln. 8344-SD. 

3, 4. Lamprophyllum sp., USNM 182877. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections. USGS colln. 7731-SD. 

5,6. Tryplasma sp., USNM 182878. Longitudinal and transverse thin

sections, USGS colln. 7593-SD. 

7,8. Cystiphyllum sp., USNM 182879. Longitudinal and transverse thin

sections. USGS colln. 7593-SD. 

9-13. Contortophyllum sp.

9,10. USNM 182880. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections. USGS colln. 8344-SD. 

11. USNM 182881. Longitudinal thin section. USGS colln.

8341-SD.

12,13. USNM 182882. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections. USGS colln. 7731-SD.

14,15. cf. Miculiella sp., USNM 182883. Longitudinal and transverse thin 

sections. USGS colln. 7593-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 9

13

MIDDLE(?) AND UPPER SILURIAN RUGOSE CORALS, SEWARD PENINSULA
PLATE 10

Upper(?) Silurian rugose corals from the eastern Brooks Range

FIGURES 1,2. Stauria sp., USNM 182884. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 3. USGS colln. 8913-SD.

7. Striatopora sp., USNM 182907. Random thin section, X 5. USGS 

colln. 8913-SD.

Middle (?) Silurian tabulate corals from the Fairhanks-Rampart area

3, 4. Palaeofavosites sp., USNM 182885. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections. X 5. USGS colln. 8920-SD. 

5, 6. Mesofavosites sp., USNM 182886. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 5. USGS colln. 8920-SD.
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 10

4 7 

UPPER(?) SILURIAN CORALS, FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AND EASTERN BROOKS RANGE AREAS
PLATE 11

Middle or Upper Silurian rugose corals from southwestern Alaska

[All figures X 3]

FIGURES 1-3. Ketophylhim sp., USNM 182887. Higher transverse, intermediate 

longitudinal, and lower transverse thin sections. USGS colln. 

6452-SD.

4-9. Undetermined rugose corals; transverse and longitudinal thin sections of each of three specimens. USGS colln. 6452-SD. 

4, 5. USNM 182888. 

6,7. USNM 182889. 

8,9. USNM 182890.

10,11. Lykocystiphylhiml sp., USNM 182891. Longitudinal and transverse 

thin sections. USGS colln. 6452-SD.

12,13. Microplasma"! sp., USNM 182892. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections. USGS colln. 8927-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 11

MIDDLE OR UPPER SILURIAN RUGOSE CORALS, SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA
PLATE 12

Middle Silurian rugose corals from the Porcupine River area

FIGURES 1,2. Holacanthia sp., USNM 182893. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 3. USGS colln. 8083-SD. 

3,4. Cyathactis sp. A, USNM 182894. Longitudinal and transverse thin

sections, X 1%. USGS colln. 8083-SD. 

5. Pycnactisl sp., USNM 182895. Traverse thin section of only known

fragment, X 1%. USGS colln. 8086-SD. 

6,7. Zelophylhim sp., USNM 182896. Longitudinal and transverse thin

sections, X 2. USGS colln. 8086-SD. 

8,9. Aphyllum sp., USNM 182897. Longitudinal and transverse thin

sections, X 5. USGS colln. 8086-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 12

MIDDLE SILURIAN RUGOSE CORALS, PORCUPINE RIVER AREA
PLATE 13

Middle Silurian rugose corals from the Porcupine River area

FIGURES 1,2. cf. Palaeophylhim sp., USNM 182898. Two thin sections showing

variously oriented corallites, X 5. USGS colln. 8083-SD. 

3-5. Rhabdacanthia sp., USNM 182889. Longitudinal and transverse thin

sections, X 10. USGS colln. 8083-SD.

6, 7. Tabularia sp., USNM 182900. Longitudinal and transverse thin sections, X 1%. USGS colln. 8083-SD.

Middle (?) Devonian heliolitoidid coral, Porcupine River area

8,9. Heliolites sp., USNM 182901. Longitudinal (X 5) and transverse 

(X 5, X 10) thin sections. USGS colln. 8087-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

30

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 13

MIDDLE SILURIAN AND DEVONIAN CORALS, PORCUPINE RIVER AREA
PLATE 14 

Devonian corals from the Brooks Range

FIGURES 1,2. Diplochone sp., USNM 172259. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 2. USGS colln. 7985-SD. Lower or Middle Devonian,

Jade Mountains. 

3,4. Thamnopora sp., USNM 172260. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 1V2 . USGS colln. 8789-SD. Middle (?) Devonian,

western Brooks Range. 

5, 6. Hexagonaria sp. A, USNM 182814. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 2. USGS colln. 8792-SD. Upper Devonian limestone

of Arctic Village, eastern Brooks Range. 

7. Disphyllum sp., USNM 182815. Longitudinal thin section, X 3.

USGS colln. 6413-SD. Frasnian slate-conglomerate-limestone

unit, eastern Brooks Range. 

8, 9. Tabulophylhim sp., USNM 182816. Longitudinal and transverse thin

sections, X 2. USGS colln. 7988-SD. Upper (?) Devonian, western Brooks Range. 

10. Pachyfavositesl sp., USNM 182817. Transverse and longitudinal thin

section, X 10. USGS colln. 8792-SD. Upper Devonian limestone

of Arctic Village, eastern Brooks Range.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 14

9 10

DEVONIAN CORALS, BROOKS RANGE
PLATE 15 

Devonian corals from the Brooks Range

FIGURES 1,2. Disphyllum sp., USNM 172254. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections, X 3. USGS colln. 8789-SD. Middle (?) Devonian, western Brooks Range.

3,4. Taimyrophyllum sp. A, X 2. Lower or Middle Devonian, Cosmos 

Hills.

3. USNM 172255. Longitudinal thin section. USGS colln. 7659- 

SD.

4. USNM 172256. Transverse thin section. USGS colln. 7980- 

SD.

5,6. Disphyllum sp., USNM 172257. Longitudinal and transverse thin 

sections, X 3. USGS colln. 8788-SD. Upper (?) Devonian, western Brooks Range.

7,8. Disphylhim sp., USNM 172258. Longitudinal and transverse thin 

sections, X 3. USGS colln. 8910-SD. Frasnian, eastern Brooks 

Range.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 1 5

DEVONIAN CORALS, BROOKS RANGE
PLATE 16

Lower or Middle Devonian tabulate corals from the McCann Hill Chert in the 

Yukon-Nation Rivers area

FIGURES 1,2. Favosites sp. C, USNM 182818. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 5. USGS colln. 6826-SD.

3,4. Favosites sp., USNM 182819. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 5. USGS colln. 6445-SD.

5, 6. Favosites sp., USNM 182820. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 5. USGS colln. 6445-SD. 

7,8. Favosites sp. A, USNM 182821. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 5. USGS colln. 6830-SD. 

9 11. Echyroporal sp.

9. USNM 182822. Transverse thin section, X 10. USGS

colln. 6830-SD.

10,11. USNM 182823. USGS colln. 6823-SD. Figure 10 is a 

section showing corallites cut both longitudinally and 

transversely whose walls grade from relatively thin to 

thick, as in figures 9 and 11, X 5. Figure 11 is a 

longitudinal thin section, X 10.

Limestone associated with the Woodchopper Volcanics

12,13. Favosites sp. b, USNM 182824. Longitudinal and transverse thin 

sections, X 5. USGS colln. 7186-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 16

**$&*$£?? : w&£*fk ^v^*4»^iS^ i&i fe<$*¥j? ^^^6^^-^foe^sfe

LOWER OR MIDDLE DEVONIAN TABULATE CORALS, YUKON-NATION RIVERS AREA
PLATE 17

Lower or Middle Devonian corals from the McCann Hill Chert in the 

Yukon-Nation Rivers Area

FIGURES 1-3. Xystriphyllum^. sp. cf. Fasciphyllum schluteri Soshkina, USNM 

182852. USGS colln. 6825-D. 

1, 2. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 5.

3. Detail of figure 1, X 10. 

4,5. Xystriphyllum sp. B, USNM 182826. Transverse and longitudinal

thin sections, X 5. USGS colln. 6829-SD. 

6,7. Xystriphyllum sp. cf. Stenophyllum gorskii Bulvanker, USNM

182827. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 5. USGS 

colln. 6822-SD. 

8,9. Xystriphyllum sp. cf. Stenophyllum devonicum Bulvanker, USNM

182828. Longitudinal and transverse thin sections, X 5. USGS 

6320-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 17

LOWER OR MIDDLE DEVONIAN TABULATE CORALS, YUKON-NATION RIVERS AREA
PLATE 18

Lower or Middle Devonian corals from the McCann Hill Chert in east-central Alaska

FIGURES 1,2. Spongophyllum sp. A, USNM 182829. Transverse and longitudinal

thin sections, X 5. USGS colln. 6830-SD. 

3,4. Spongophyllum sp. B, USNM 182830. Transverse and longitudinal

thin sections, X 5. USGS colln. 6829-SD.

5-7. Peneckiella sp. A, USNM 182831. USGS colln. 6829-SD. 

5, 6. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 5.

7. Detail of figure 6, X 10, to show sigmoidal dissepiments

and phillipsastraeid trabecular fans.

8,9. Hexagonaria sp., USNM 182832. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections, X 3. USGS colln. 6829-SD.

Porcupine River area

10,11. Hexagonaria sp., USNM 182833. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections, X 2. USGS colln. 6456-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL FAFER 823-B FLATE18

LOWER OR MIDDLE DEVONIAN CORALS, EAST-CENTRAL ALASKA
PLATE 19

Lower(?) and Middle Devonian rugose corals from the Yukon-Nation Rivers area

FIGURES 1-8. Acanthophyllum (Acanthophyllum) sp. or spp. Transverse and 

longitudinal thin sections of four specimens. 

1,2. USNM 182902. USGS colln. 7178-SD. 

3,4, USNM 182903. USGS colln. 6455-SD. 

5, 6. USNM 182904. USGS colln. 7178-SD. 

7, 8. USNM 182905. USGS colln. 6454-SD.

9,10. Plasmophyllum (Mesophyllum) sp., USNM 182906. Longitudinal and 

transverse thin sections of fragment. USGS colln. 6447-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 19

LOWER(?) AND MIDDLE DEVONIAN RUGOSE CORALS, YUKON-NATION RIVERS AREA
PLATE 20

DEVONIAN TABULATA AND HELIOLITOIDEA 

Middle(?) Devonian from southwestern Alaska

FIGURES 1,2. Favosites sp. with Antherosalpinx sp., a commensal "worm" tube, 

USNM 182834. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 5. 

In figure 1, the "worm" tube appears as three- to six-rayed openings at "corners" where three or four walls meet; in figure 2, 

the "worm" tubes appear as light-colored zones in some wall 

areas. USGS colln. 7698-SD.

3, 4. Pachyfavosites sp., USNM 182835. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections, X 10. USGS colln. 7691-SD.

5, 6. Pachyfavosites sp., USNM 182836. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections, X 10. USGS colln. 7699-SD.

7, 8. Heliolites sp., USNM 182837. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 5. USGS colln. 7698-SD.

9,10. Parastriatopora sp., USNM 182838. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections, X 1%. USGS colln. 6448-SD.

Middle Devonian coral from the Fairbanks-Rampart area

11,12. Heliolites sp., USNM 182839. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 5. USGS colln. 8717-SD.

Middle or Upper Devonian coral from the Seward Peninsula

13,14. Thecostegites sp., USNM 182840. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections, X 3. USGS colln. 8297-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 20

DEVONIAN TABULATE AND HELIOLITOIDID CORALS FROM SOUTHWESTERN 

ALASKA, FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA, AND SEWARD PENINSULA
PLATE 21

Middle(?) Devonian rugose corals from southwestern Alaska

FIGURES 1,2. Sociophyllnm sp. cf. S. glomerulatum (Crickmay), USNM 182841. 

Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 1%. USGS colln. 

7695-SD.

3, 4. cf. Neostringophyllum sp., USNM 182842. Longitudinal and transverse 

thin sections, X 3. USGS colln. 5592-SD.

Fairbanks-Rampart area

5-8. Dendrostella sp. cf. D. rhenana (Frech).

5, 6. USNM 182843. Transverse thin sections, X 5. USGS colln.

6458-SD. 

7,8. USNM 182844. Longitudinal thin sections, X 3. USGS

colln. 6457-SD.

9 11. "Pseudomicroplasma" sp., USNM 182845. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections, X 3. USGS colln. 6433-SD.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 21

MIDDLEC?) DEVONIAN RUGOSE CORALS, SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA AND FAIRBANKS-RAMPART AREA
PLATE 22 

Upper Silurian corals from southeastern Alaska

FIGURES 1-3. Zelophyllum sp. w. North end of Heceta Island, Alaska; locality 

M1001, north of Cone Bay.

1. USNM 174709. Lateral exterior view, X 1. 

2, 3. USNM 174710. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections,

X 4, of another individual.

4-7. Amphipora sp. North end of Heceta Island, Alaska; locality M1157, 

near old marble quarry at Marble Cove south of exposure containing abundant Conchidium alaskense.

4. USNM 174711. Amphipora and Zelophyllum in same rock

specimen, X 2. 

5-7. USNM 174712. Longitudinal and transverse thin sections

of Amphipora sp., X 2, showing median canal. 

8,9. Tryplasma sp. p. USNM 174713. Transverse and longitudinal thin

sections, X 3. Locality M1231, Nossuk Bay, Alaska.

10. Phaulactis sp. cf. P. angusta (Lonsdale), USNM 174714. Transverse thin section, X 1%. Locality M1153, Ham Island group 

(of islands), Karheen Passage, Alaska.

11,12. Phaulactis sp. cf. P. cyathophylloides Ryder, USNM 174715. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 1%, of same individual. 

Locality M1294, north end of Heceta Island, Alaska.

13-16. Salairophyllum sp. e. Locality M1186, Kuiu Island, Alaska, where 

these corals are associated with Conchidium alaskense. 

13,14. USNM 174716. Longitudinal and transverse thin sections, X 3, of same individual.

15,16. USNM 174717. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 6, of another individual.
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 22

>££ >- » WZtf.'., ^

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UPPER SILURIAN CORALS, SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
PLATE 23

Middle Devonian rugose corals from southeastern Alaska 

FIGURES 1-3. Xystriphyllum sp. m. Alberto Islands group, Alaska.

1,2. USNM 174718. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections 

of same individual, X 4. Locality M1272, third island 

east of main Alberto Island.

3. USNM 174719. Transverse thin section of another colony, 

X 2. Locality M1271, first small island northeast of 

main Alberto Island. 

4-6. Loyolophyllum sp. a. Alberto Islands group, Alaska.

4,5. USNM 174720. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections 

of same colony, X 4. Locality M1219, north end of 

main Alberto Island.

6. USNM 174721. Longitudinal thin section, X 2. Locality 

M1271, first small island northeast of main Alberto 

Island.

7, 8. Hexagonaria sp. k, USNM 174722. Transverse and longitudinal thin 

sections of same colony, X 2. Locality Ml 156, Karheen Passage, 

Alaska.

9,10. Dendrostella sp. cf. D. rhenana (Frech), USNM 174723. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections of same colony, X 4. Locality M1155, Karheen Passage, Alaska.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 23

MIDDLE DEVONIAN RUGOSE CORALS, SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
PLATE 24

Middle Devonian rugose corals from southeastern Alaska

FIGURES 1,2. Acanthophyllum sp. a, USNM 174724. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections of same individual, X 2. Locality M1156, Karheen 

Passage, Alaska.

3,4. Acanthophyllum sp. b, USNM 174725. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections of same individual, X 2. Alberto Islands group. 

Alaska; locality M1271, first small island northeast of Alberto 

Island.

5,6. Mesophyllutn (Arcophyllum) sp. a, cf. A. dachsbergi (Vollbrecht), 

USNM 174726. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections 

(slightly enlarged) of same individual. Alberto Islands group, 

Alaska; locality M1152, east shore of main Alberto Island.

7,8. Digonophylhim sp. c, USNM 174727. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections, X 2, of same individual. Karheen Passage; locality M1154, at junction Karheen Passage and Tuxekan Passage.

9,10. Digonophyllum sp. k, USNM 174728. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections, X 2, of same individual. Locality M1156; Karheen 

Passage, Alaska.

11,12. Acanthophyllid sp. f, USNM 174729. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections, X 2, of same individual. San Fernando Island, 

Alaska; locality M1217, Fern Point.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-B PLATE 24

10

MIDDLE DEVONIAN RUGOSE CORALS, SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
PLATE 25

Upper Devonian rugose corals from southeastern Alaska

FIGURES 1,2. Tabulophyllum sp. c, USNM 174730. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections, X 2, of same individual. Coronados Island group, 

Alaska; locality M1274, north side of Coronados Island.

3,4. Pseudamplexus sp. w, USNM 174731. Transverse and longitudinal 

thin sections, X 2, of same individual. Probably Late Devonian. 

Locality M1170; west shore of Wadleigh Island, Alaska.

5-7. Macgeea sp. k. Locality M1158, near south tip of Wadleigh Island, 

Alaska.

5. USNM 174732. Lateral exterior view, X 1%. 

6,7. USNM 174732a. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections, X 2, of another individual.

8. Phacellophyllum sp. t, USNM 174734. Transverse thin section, X 4. 

Wadleigh Island, Alaska; locality M1167, north end of large 

island west of southeast tip, Wadleigh Island.

9,10. Phacellophyllum sp. t. Locality M1175, northeast of Nossuk Bay at 

Tonowek Narrows, Alaska.

9. USNM 174735. Longitudinal thin section, X 8.

10. USNM 174736. Longitudinal thin section, X 10, of another individual.

11. Phillipsastraea (Phillipsastraea) sp. c, USNM 174737. Transverse 

thin section X 2. Locality M1218, Clam Island, off southeast 

tip of Wadleigh Island, Alaska.

12,13. Phillipsastraea (Pachypyllum) sp. w. West shore of Wadleigh 

Island, Alaska.

12. USNM 174738. Transverse thin section, X 2. Locality 

M1168.

13. USNM 174739. Longitudinal thin section, X 2. Locality 

M1170.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER K23-B PLATE 25

UPPER DEVONIAN RUGOSE CORALS, SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA
Carboniferous Corals of Alaska, 

A Preliminary Report

By AUGUSTUS K. ARMSTRONG

PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-C

Stratigraphic and geographic distribution of 

corals in Carboniferous rocks of Alaska
CONTENTS

Page

Abstract __________________________________ 45

Introduction _____..____________________________ __ _ 45

Acknowledgments _____________________-____ - 47

Arctic Alaska ______________________________________ 47

Biostratigraphic and geographic distribution of corals ________ 47

Regional relationships of the Lisburne Group coral faunas ____ 53

St. Lawrence Island ___-____________________________ 54

Seward Peninsula ______________________________________- 54

East-central Alaska ____________________________________ 54

Alaska Range, central Alaska ________________________________ 54

Southeastern Alaska ______________________________________ 54

References cited ________________________________________ 55

Index ________________________________________ 57

ILLUSTRATIONS

FIGURE 14. Index map of Alaska showing Carboniferous rock outcrops ____

15. Index map of arctic Alaska showing location of measured stratigraphic sections and coral localities ___________ _

16. Correlation chart of Carboniferous rocks, Brooks Range, arctic 

Alaska ___ _________________________________________

17. Chart showing stratigraphic distribution of various species of 

colonial rugose corals within the Lisburne Group _______

Page 

46

48

50

52

III
PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

CARBONIFEROUS CORALS OF ALASKA, A PRELIMINARY REPORT

By AUGUSTUS K. ARMSTRONG

ABSTRACT

The primary studies of Carboniferous coral of Alaska 

have concentrated on the rich fauna from the Brooks Range 

in arctic Alaska and the faunas from the northwestern side 

of Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The Lisburne Group of arctic Alaska contains coral faunas from 

Osagean (Early Mississippian) to Atokan (Middle Pennsylvanian) age. Osagean age beds have a small fauna of 

solitary and tabulate corals. Meramecian and very earliest 

Chesterian age beds contain a large fauna of Ekvasophyllum 

spp., Faberophyllum spp., Diphyphyllum venosum Armstrong, D. klawockensis Armstrong, D. nasorakensis Armstrong, Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) dutroi Armstrong, 

L. (S.) sinuosum (Kelly), L. (S.) warreni Nelson, L. (S.) 

lisburnensis Armstrong, Lithostrotion reiseri Armstrong, 

Lithostrotionella niakensis Armstrong, L. banffensis (Warren), L. mclareni (Sutherland), L. birdi Armstrong, L. 

pennsylvanica (Shinier), Thysanophyllum astraeiforme 

(Warren), T. orientale Thomson, Sciophyllum lambarti 

Marker and McLaren, and S. alaskaensis Armstrong. Rare 

corals in younger Chesterian age beds include Lithostrotionella aff. L mclareni (Sutherland), Lithostrotion (S.) 

ignekensis Armstrong, Syringopora spp., and occasional 

solitary corals. Pennsylvanian (Atokan) age beds of the 

Lisburne Group contain Lithostrotionella wahooensis Armstrong, Corwenia jagoensis Armstrong, a thick-walled 

syringoporoid, and Michelinia sp.

Lisburne Group limestones were deposited on a slowly 

subsiding carbonate platform and are cyclic. Colonial corals 

of Meramecian and Atokan age occur in carbonate deposits 

associated with shallow-water shoaling facies. The poverty 

of corals in carbonate rocks of Osagean, Chesterian, and 

Morrowan age is attributed to regional temperature or 

salinity changes that inhibited their growth. Carboniferous 

corals are not known to have formed reeflike masses in 

arctic Alaska.

The Peratrovich Formation (Mississippian) on the northwest side of Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska 

contains a fauna of Meramecian and Chesterian age consisting of Ekvasophyllum cf. E. inclinatum Parks, Faberophyllum williamsi Armstrong, F. girtyi Armstrong, Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) sp., L. (S.) warreni Nelson, 

L. (S.) succinctus Armstrong, Diphyphyllum venosum 

Armstrong, D. klaivockensis Armstrong, Lithostrotionella 

peratrovichensis Armstrong, L. banffensis (Warren), L. 

pennsylvanica (Shinier), L. birdi Armstrong, Thysanophyllum astraeiforme (Warren), Sciophyllum alaskaensis 

Armstrong, and Syringopora spp.

The overlying Pennsylvanian carbonate rocks of the 

Ladrones Limestone contain a Lithostrotionella sp. of Atokan 

age.

The type locality of Calico Bluff Formation (Carboniferous) in east-central Alaska contains a meager fauna of 

Morrowan age corals Stereocorypha aff. S. spissata Moore 

and Jeffords and Barytichisma aff. B. callosum Moore and 

Jeffords.

INTRODUCTION

The location of Carboniferous outcrops in Alaska 

is shown in figure 14. Since 1962 I have been studying the carbonate biostratigraphy and the rugose 

corals of Alaska. The work is only partially completed, and this paper is an interim report. To date 

my studies have centered on the faunas collected 

from the Peratrovich Formation (Mississippian) on 

Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska 

(Armstrong, 1970a) and on the rich, arctic lithostrotionoid coral faunas of the Lisburne Group (Carboniferous) in the Brooks Range (Armstrong, 

1970b, 1973). Because I have not studied the faunas 

of solitary rugose and tabulate corals that I have 

collected, they are, therefore, poorly represented in 

this report; however, this fact does not reflect the 

numerical importance in the faunas. My studies of 

these arctic faunas have been aimed toward systematic description of the taxa and their stratigraphic and geographic distribution. Careful field 

studies of sedimentary structures and petrographic 

and microfacies analyses of carbonate rocks helped 

me to understand the paleoecological controls on 

coral distribution in a stratigraphic succession. The 

study of the Lisburne fauna and its distribution is 

the major part of this paper. I have also collected a 

small fauna of solitary corals from the type locality 

of the Calico Bluff Formation (Carboniferous) on 

the Yukon River at Calico Bluff.

45
46

70° 174 £ 168

PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

162° 156° 150° 144° 138° 132°

62

Lisburne 

Peninsula

eward Peninsula 

(SteWtmann and Cathcart, 1922)

St. Lawrence Island

(Patton and Dutro,

1969)

Central Alaska Range 

(Wahrhaf tig, 1968)

Rainbow Mountain sequence 

(Rowett, 1969)

Freshwater Bay 

BRISTOL BA Y (Loney and others, 1963)

Keku Islets 

(Muffler, 1967)

Prince of Wales Island 

(Armstrong, 1970a)

60°

58

56

54

100 200 300

I

400

I I I I I 

100 200 300 400 500 KILOMETERS

500 MILES 

_I

FIGURE 14. Index map of Alaska showing location of Carboniferous rock outcrops (patterned).

Rowett (1969) described Pennsylvania!! corals 

and stratigraphy of the Rainbow Mountain sequence 

of the Alaska Range. Carboniferous coral faunas 

from other outcrop regions of Alaska have not as yet 

been systematically described or illustrated.

Stratigraphic sections in the Brooks Range in 

arctic Alaska and on Prince of Wales Island in 

southeastern Alaska were measured by Jacob's staff 

and tape. Rock and foraminiferal samples were collected every 5 to 10 feet; coral collections were made 

throughout the section. Petrographic thin sections 

were made for carbonate microfacies and microfossil studies. The corals collected were studied by 

means of 2- by 3-inch oriented thin sections.

Bernard L. Mamet's microfossil zonations (Armstrong and others, 1970, 1971; Mamet and Armstrong, 1972) and his identifications were used in 

the biostratigraphic analysis of the Lisburne Group 

of arctic Alaska and in the determination of the 

vertical range of its large coral faunas. Although 

stratigraphic, lithologic, and foraminiferal collections were made from the Peratrovich Formation, 

Prince of Wales Island, southeastern Alaska, detailed studies of the Foraminifera fauna have not 

been made. The small collection of solitary corals 

from the Calico Bluff Formation in east-central 

Alaska are tied to Mamet's microfossil identification. I have not examined the remaining Carbonifer-
CARBONIFEROUS CORALS 47

ous outcrops of Alaska and their reported coral 

faunas, and the information about them is taken 

from the literature.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I spent part of June and July 1966 on the west 

side of Prince of Wales Island collecting the Carboniferous sequence. G. D. Eberlein and Michael 

Churkin conducted geologic studies of the area; I am 

grateful to them for their support and help in my 

stratigraphic studies. Earl E. Brabb, party chief, 

September 1967, supported my field collecting of 

corals from the Calico Bluff Formation of eastcentral Alaska.

I appreciated the help by Irvin Tailleur, party 

chief, summer of 1968, and Hillard Reiser, party 

chief, summers of 1969-71, who generously supported my Lisburne Group coral collecting and 

stratigraphic studies. I wish to thank the Naval 

Arctic Research Laboratory (Barrow), Office of 

Naval Research, for their logistical support of fieldwork in the summers of 1968-71. Large collections 

of corals, Foraminifera, and thin sections used in 

this study were collected by Shell Oil Company geologists in 1959-64, and the collections I made in 

1962 and 1964, while employed by Shell Oil Company, were given to the U.S. Geological Survey; 

appreciation is therefore acknowledged to R. E. 

McAdams and G. E. Burton, vice presidents of Shell 

Oil Co.

ARCTIC ALASKA

Bowsher and Dutro (1957) established the names 

Kayak Shale and Lisburne Group for exposures near 

Shainin Lake in the Endicott Mountains and published the first major study of the Carboniferous 

stratigraphy and faunas. They gave (p. 3) an excellent account of the earlier history of studies and 

paleontology of the Carboniferous rocks of arctic 

Alaska. Helen Duncan (unpub. data, 1950) made the 

first detailed study of Lisburne Group corals from 

the Endicott Mountains. She illustrated and listed a 

number of species of solitary rugose and colonial 

tabulate corals of Early and Late Mississippian age. 

She also recognized and illustrated most of the 

colonial lithostrotionoids that occur in the Lisburne 

Group.

Corals are abundant in many of the Lisburne 

Group outcrops in the Brooks Range. These exposures (figs. 15 and 16) extend from the east on 

the Canadian border to the west on the Chukchi Sea.

My research on the Lisburne coral faunas has 

been done in conjunction with the detailed analysis 

of the Lisburne Group biostratigraphy, petrology, 

diagenesis, and environments of deposition. The 

regional biostratigraphy has been based on the 

microfossil studies and research of Dr. Bernard L. 

Mamet, University of Montreal. Parts of his work, 

along with detailed stratigraphic description, have 

been published (Armstrong and others, 1970, 1971; 

Armstrong and Mamet, 1970; and Mamet and Armstrong, 1972). Detailed analysis of the stratigraphy, 

petrography, and diagenesis of the Lisburne Group 

in northeastern Alaska has been done by Wood and 

Armstrong (1974) and in the west-central Brooks 

Range by Armstrong (1970c). Armstrong (1970b, 

1972a, 1972b, 1973) has published descriptions, illustrations, and stratigraphic and paleoecological 

analysis of the major groups of Lisburne corals.

Dunham's (1962) classification of carbonate rocks 

is used in this report.

BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC AND GEOGRAPHIC 

DISTRIBUTION OF CORALS

The stratigraphic distribution of the lithostrotionoid corals from the Lisburne Group is based on 

material collected from 36 measured sections (fig. 

15). The sections were measured with a Jacob's staff, 

and lithologic samples were collected every 5 to 10 

feet for petrographic and foraminiferal studies. Bernard L. Mamet zoned each of these stratigraphic 

sections by microfossils.

The known vertical stratigraphic distribution of 

the lithostrotionoid corals is shown in figure 17, 

plotted on a geologic time scale based on Mamet's 

microfossil assemblage zones. Lithostrotionoid corals are not known in pre-Meramecian age rocks of 

the Lisburne Group. Armstrong, Mamet, and Dutro 

(1970) reported that based on microfossil evidence 

the oldest known carbonate deposits in the central 

and eastern Brooks Range are of earliest Keokuk 

(Osagean) age (zone 8). Mamet (oral commun., 

1970) reported that the oldest known carbonate unit 

in the Kogruk Formation of the De Long Mountains 

is again zone 8. The present knowledge indicates carbonate deposition in the Lisburne Group began after 

the decline and extinction of the widespread Cordilleran late Kinderhookian-earliest Osagean lithostrotionoid coral fauna consisting of Lithostrotionella 

microstyhim (White), L. macro, Kelly, and L. lochmanae Armstrong.

Helen Duncan (in Bowsher and Dutro, 1957, p. 5, 

6) identified the solitary coral "Zaphrentis" ko-
48 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

^ .SP

03 «H

S H
CARBONIFEROUS CORALS 49

nincki s. 1. (Milne-Edwards and Haime) from the 

lower part of the type section of the Wachsmuth 

Limestone at Shainin Lake (fig. 15, W75-135) in 

zone 8 (Osagean).

In the east-central and eastern Brooks Range 

the Endicott, Philip Smith, Franklin, and Romanzof Mountains there are sequences of Upper Mississippian packstones and wackestones ranging in 

thickness from a few hundred feet to more than 

1,500 feet; the environment of deposition was that 

of an open marine, shallow-water platform. Bryozoans and echinoderms are common in the packstone 

and wackestone. Rugose colonial corals are abundant 

in this facies but also are abundant in the basal 

transgressive phase of this facies. In the Romanzof, 

Franklin, and Shublik Mountains, the Meramecian 

age shale and argillaceous limestone facies near the 

Kayak(?) Shale-Alapah Limestone contact commonly has an abundant lithostrotionoid coral 

fauna. The most common lithostrotionoid corals 

in the Meramecian rocks of the region are LitJiostrotionella banffensis (Warren), L. mclareni 

(Sutherland), L. birdi Armstrong, L. pennsylvanica 

(Shimer), Lithostrotion reiseri Armstrong, L. (Siphonodendron) warreni Nelson, L. (S.) sinuosum 

(Kelly),L. (S.) dutroi Armstrong, Thysanophyllum 

astraeiforme (Warren), Sciophyllum alaskaensis 

Armstrong, S. lambarti Harker and McLaren, and 

Diphyphyllum klawockensis Armstrong. Associated 

with the lithostrotionoids are numerous colonies of 

the tabulate coral Syringopora spp. and individuals 

of Faberophyllum spp. and Amplexizaphrentis spp.

To the west, the Lisburne Group in the Killik 

River (fig. 15, 64A-5) to Mount Bupto area (fig. 15, 

68A-7) is thinner (less than 2,000 feet thick) and 

composed of dolomites, some of which were deposited 

in an intertidal-supratidal environment, and dolomitized shallow marine wackestones and packstones 

(Armstrong, 1970c). Corals are relatively rare, and 

those found are poorly preserved and are in the 

dolomitic bryozoan-echinoderm facies. Meramecian 

age carbonate rocks at the Killik River section have 

yielded a small fauna of corals including Lithostrotionella mclareni (Sutherland), Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) war rent Nelson, and a few poorly 

preserved Vesiculophylluml sp. The Mount Bupto 

section (fig. 15, 68A-7) is extensively dolomitized, 

but preserved in the chert are colonies of Lithostrotion (S.) sinosum (Kelly) (Armstrong, 1970c).

Farther west in the Arctic Foothills province, on 

Nuka Ridge, the type section of the Nuka Formation of Tailleur and Sable (1963) consists of three

thrust plates, each of which includes rocks primarily 

of Upper Mississippian age; the Meramecian to 

Chesterian age is based on microfossils from zones 

14 to 19. The Upper Mississippian part of the Nuka 

Formation is siltstone and arkosic sandstone, shale, 

and limestone. The depositional environment of the 

terrigenous clastic-rich Upper Mississippian part of 

the formation was unfavorable for coral growth, and 

it contains a very sparse fauna of solitary corals 

and no colonial corals.

Armstrong (1970b) reported a large fauna of 

Meramecian age lithostrotionoid corals from the 

Kogruk Formation of the De Long Mountains. The 

sections 62C-15, 62C-31, and 60A-400-403 in the 

De Long Mountains indicate that the Kogruk Formation was deposited in an open marine environment on a subsiding shelf on which carbonate deposition and subsidence were in near equilibrium. 

These sections clearly show that the Meramecian 

corals of the Kogruk Formation are most abundant 

in specific rock types. The lithostrotionoid corals are 

common in bryozoan-echinoderm and ooidal packstones adjacent to ooidal and well-sorted crinoid 

grainstones.

The Kogruk coral fauna is Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) sinuosum (Kelly), L. (S.) warreni Nelson, Lithostrotionella niakensis Armstrong, L. mclareni (Sutherland), L. birdi Armstrong, L. aff. L. 

banffensis (Warren), Thysanophyllum astraeiforme 

(Warren), T. orientale Thomson, Sciophyllum lambarti Harker and McLaren, and S. alaskaensis Armstrong. Also associated with the lithostrotionoids 

are the solitary coral Faberophyllum spp. and abundant tabulate corals of the genus Syringopora.

Armstrong, Mamet, and Dutro (1971) listed a 

Meramecian (zone 13) coral fauna from the base of 

section 68A-12. This incomplete section is in a structurally complex terrane and is exposed on a sea cliff 

in the northwestern Lisburne Hills. This location 

yielded the oldest known lithostrotionoid fauna in 

the Lisburne Hills area. The corals collected from 

the base of section 68A-12 are: Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) warreni Nelson, Lithostrotionella 

banffensis (Warren), L. aff. L. banffensis (Warren), 

L. niakensis Armstrong, and Syringopora sp.

South of this location, a large fauna of corals 

(similar to the fauna from 68A-9 listed below) was 

found in the highest beds (68A-13) of the Nasorak 

Formation; the fact that the corals were found with 

a Foraminifera fauna indicates that they are in a 

transition zone between beds of Meramecian and 

Chesterian (zones 15-16j) age.
50 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

System

PENNSYLVANIAN

MISSISSIPPIAN

</>

»°c

9 

W

Middle

<D 

§

O

_l

i_ 

»

a 

a

D

Lower

series Provincial 

Atokan

JMorrowian Chesterian 

Meramecian

Osagean

Midcontinent formation

Kinkaid 

Limestone

Clore 

Limestone

Glen Dean 

Limestone 

Go conda 

Formation 

Paint Creek 

Formation 

Renault 

Formation 

Aux Vases 

Sandstone <UN

SteM^ 

Genevieve 

Limestone

St. Louis

Limestone

Salem Limestone

Keokuk Limestone

Bur mgton 

Limestone

Microfaunal assemblage 

of Mamet zons 

21

20

19

18

17

16

sup

16

inf

15

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

7

Sea cliffs of 

northwestern 

Alaska

Armstrong, Mamet, and Dutro 

(1971)

Northiak Creek

68A-12 section 

Fault 

surface

f f*- 7

» 

c a

RP

.2(3

-?V?-

Tectonic 

breccia 

zone

South NiakCreek 

section 68A-13

Fault 

surface

 7 ?\_? 

Lisburne 

GrouD 

 ? 7-1-

Fault 

surface

Cape Sections Lewis 68A-9; 

68A-10; 68A-11

Group Lisburne c-i° r-n

I Q)^. 701 '£* £ Kogruk ^'f Formation * 

 1 O (D

in C.

(0 t

Z 0

K?-

ult 

face

Western Brooks 

Range 

(this report)

De Long Mountains 

composite section

)jLisburne Group 

s/' */\Utukok Kogruk Tupiko Formation/^^ Formation J \

o

T3 00 E<?

^3®

z

Fault 

surface 

 ? r*-? 

c 

o' p 

(0 Etr

u (0

o a

" c

to '-^ 

^

3 

Z

Fault 

surface

FIGURE 16. Carboniferous correlation chart, Brooks
CARBONIFEROUS CORALS 51

Central Brooks 

Range Eastern Brooks Range

Armstrong, Mamet, and Dutro (1970)

Shainin Lake 

Bowsher and Dutro's 

(1957) type section

Group

Formation

Informal member 

from names Bowsher and (1957) Dutro 

; i

( 5. Group Lisburne J 

OH ) / o 

V 3°

A °Limestone * Alapah 

(\? «

Wachsmuth Limestone

sction is a 

osion surface

Upper Is mbr 

Chert nodule mbr 

Fine grained Is mbr 

Light gray Is mbr

Black chert 

shale member

Banded limestone 

member

Platy limestone

member

Dark limestone 

member 

Shaly limestone 

member

Banded chert and 

limestone member

Dolomite 

member

Crinoidal limestone 

member

Shaly limestone 

member

 »

Kayak 

Shale

Itkillik Lake

Top of section 

Holocene 

erosion

surface

Q.

3 

O

o

0)

c

3 

JD

'.J

Kayak 

Shale

Echooka River

Lisburne Group

Wahoo Limestone

Alapah Limestone

KayaM?) 

Shale

Mts. Sadlerochit 

68A-4A, 4B

P

Wahoo Limestone

Lisburne Grou

Alapah Limestone

Mamet and Armstrong (1972)

River Canning 

70A-4.5

Lisburne Group

Wahoo Limestone

'Alapah Limestone 

KayaM?) 

Shale

LL CN

P

Lisburne Group

Wahoo Limestone

Alapah Limestone

KayaM?) 

Shale

Romanzof Mts. 

70A-6,

Lisburne Group

Wahoo Limestone

Alapah Limestone

KayaM?) 

Shale

European stage

West- Phalian

Lower MUpper [Namurian Namurian 

c

CO 

tf>

Tournaisian

Range, arctic Alaska. See figure 15 for location of sections.
52 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

zz 

z<

UJ>

o

£ S

 S?

0) 03

M 03
CARBONIFEROUS CORALS 53

A few miles to the south at Cape Lewis (68A-9- 

11), a large fauna of lithostrotionoid corals was collected from Nasorak beds of early Chesterian age 

(zone 160.

The coral fauna both both sections (68A-9 and 

69A-13) and the Shell Oil Co. collection from the 

Nasorak Formation at Cape Thompson are similar 

and contain the following: Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) sinuosum (Kelly ),L. (S.) warreni Nelson, 

L. (S.) lisburnensis Armstrong, Lithostrotionella 

banffensis (Warren), L. sp., L. mclareni (Sutherland), L. birdi Armstrong, Thysanophyllum astraeiforme (Warren), Sciophyllum lambarti Harker and 

McLaren, S. alaskaensis Armstrong, and Diphyphyllum nasorakensis Armstrong.

In contrast to the central and eastern Brooks 

Range, where very few lithostrotionoid corals are 

found above the Meramecian-Chesterian boundary, 

the Lisburne Hills faunas persisted in abundance 

into microfossil zone 16, of the Chesterian, then 

abruptly became extinct. This coral fauna is absent 

in beds of zone 16S and younger age.

Armstrong, Mamet, and Dutro (1971) reported 

the occurrence of two new species of poorly preserved cerioid Lithostrotionella from zone 16S at 

Cape Lewis; the carbonate sequence there is thick 

and cyclic and was deposited in a shallow shelf. 

Higher in the same section, corals are rare in cyclic 

shelf carbonate units of zones 17 and 18. The only 

corals collected were a few fragmentary solitary 

corals. One of the few taxa of corals found in beds 

of zone 17 or younger Chesterian age is from the 

northeastern Brooks Range. Here Armstrong 

(1972a) described Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) 

ignekensis Armstrong in zones 17-18 of the Alapah 

Limestone from the Sadlerochit, Shublik, and Franklin Mountains of northeastern Alaska.

Pennsylvanian carbonate rocks in arctic Alaska 

are known only from the northeast part of the State. 

The Wahoo Limestone of the Lisburne Group represents Morrowan (zone 20) and Atokan (zone 21) 

age sediments (fig. 16). Rugose corals are only moderately abundant in beds of Atokan age in the Wahoo Limestone. Only fragments of solitary corals 

are known in the carbonate beds of Morrowan age. 

Armstrong (1972b) described two species of colonial 

rugose corals, Lithostrotionella wahooensis Armstrong and Corwenia jagoensis Armstrong, from 

beds containing a Foraminifera fauna of Atokan 

age. Tabulate corals from the Atokan age carbonate 

beds are a thick-walled syringoporoid and Michelinia 

sp.

REGIONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE LISBURNE 

GROUP CORAL FAUNAS

The Meramecian age (zones 13-15) coral fauna 

from the Lisburne Group contains many species in 

common with the contemporaneous Peratrovich 

Formation on Prince of Wales Island, southeastern 

Alaska. These rocks contain the following species of 

corals in common (Armstrong, 1970a) : Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) warr eni Nelson, L. (S.) 

sinuosum (Kelly), Lithostrotionella birdi Armstrong, L. banffensis (Warren), L. pennsylvanica 

(Shimer), Thysanophyllum astraeiforme (Warren), 

Sciophyllum alaskaensis Armstrong, and Diphyphyllum klawockensis Armstrong.

The Lisburne Group corals shown in figure 17, 

which occur in the upper half of microfaunal assemblage zones 13 and 14, correspond approximately to 

Macqueen and Bamber's (1968) macrofaunal zones 

2 and 3, those corals in zone 15, to their macrofaunal zone 4 for the Mississippian of Alberta, Canada. Macqueen and Bamber's (1967, 1968) and 

Petryk, Mamet, and Macqueen's (1970) papers on 

the lower Carboniferous (zones 13-15) of southwestern Alberta list the following species of corals 

in common with the Lisburne Group: Lithostrotion 

(Siphonodendron) ivarreni Nelson, Lithostrotionella pennsylvanica (Shimer), L. mclareni (Sutherland), and Thysanophyllum, astraeiforme (Warren). 

The large solitary corals Faberophyllum spp. and 

Ekvasophylhim spp. are common to both areas.

Macqueen and Bamber list a number of Meramecian age taxa from southwestern Alberta which 

have not been found in the Lisburne Group. They 

are Lithostrotionella shimeri (Crickmay), Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) arizelum (Crickmay) ; 

the taxon from zones 16} and 16S of the Chesterian 

is Lithostrotion (S.) genevievensis Easton.

Sando, Mamet, and Dutro's (1969, p E7) list of 

lithostrotionoids from the Mississippian of the 

northern Cordillera of the United States shows no 

species in common with the Lisburne Group.

Rugose corals from the Wahoo Limestone 

(Atokan part) of the Lisburne Group are represented by two new species, Corwenia jagoensis Armstrong and Lithostrotionella wahooensis Armstrong. 

The nearest described morphologic and time-stratigraphic equivalents are L. orboensis Groot (1963) 

from the upper Moscovian of Spain and Petalaxis 

mohikana Fomichev (1953) from the upper Moscovian of the Donetz Basin, U.S.S.R. C. jagoensis 

Armstrong shows close similarity to the Late Moscovian coral C. symmetrica (Dobrolyubova, 1958)
54 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

from Spain and the Moscow and Donetz Basins of 

U.S.S.R. Taxa similar to L. wahooensis have not 

been described from the Pennsylvanian of the Cordilleran region of North America. The close relationship of the two Wahoo corals with forms described from Eurasia is probably more apparent 

than real and is due to the lack of detailed systematic 

studies on Pennsylvanian colonial corals from North 

America.

ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND

Patton and Dutro (1969) reported a Late Mississippian coral fauna, identified by W. J. Sando, from 

Mississippian limestones on St. Lawrence Island: 

Caninia sp., Syringopora cf. S. virginica Butts, and 

large Zaphrentites sp. From float material I identified Lithostrotionella aff. L. mclareni (Sutherland).

SEWARD PENINSULA

Steidtmann and Cathcart (1922) reported that 

coral-bearing limestones of probable Late Mississippian age have been recognized in a small exposure 

near Cape Prince of Wales, the extreme western end 

of Seward Peninsula.

EAST-CENTRAL ALASKA

Brabb (1969, figs. 2, 3) redescribed the type locality of the Calico Bluff Formation on the large cut 

bank of the Yukon River; the unit is some 1,500 feet 

thick and consists primarily of argillaceous brownblack shales and some beds of argillaceous lime mudstone to packstone. Limestones and calcareous shales 

are more abundant in the lower 200 to 300 feet of 

the formation. Bernard L. Mamet examined the 

microfossils in the thin sections made from the argillaceous limestone beds. The base of the type locality is zone 16,, early Chesterian age, and the top of 

the unit is zone 20, Morrowan age. The Calico Bluff 

Formation at its type locality appears to represent 

continuous sedimentation from zones 16t to 20 and 

contains a very sparse and poorly preserved solitary 

coral fauna. The lowermost beds yielded fragments 

of Faberophyllumt sp. indet. and Amplexizaphrentis 

spp. indet. Corals near the top of the section in zone 

20 (Morrowan) beds are the most interesting because of the geographic distribution of genera. A 

number of individuals of Stereocorypha aff. S. spissata Moore and Jeffords and Barytichisma aff. B. 

callosum Moore and Jeffords were collected.

ALASKA RANGE, CENTRAL ALASKA

Rowett (1969) published a detailed study of the 

upper Paleozoic stratigraphy and corals of the eastcentral Alaska Range. Most of the material is Permian in age. He described a thick succession of dacite 

tuff volcanic breccias and conglomerates that are 

overlain by sandstones, siltstones, and limestones 

from the northern Rainbow Mountain area (fig. 14). 

The higher beds contain a fauna of Pennsylvanian 

age which includes the corals Cryptophyllum striatum Rowett, Cladochonus sp., and Michelinia sp.

Wahrhaftig (1968) described a thick sequence of 

schist from the central Alaska Range. He found a 

fossiliferous lens in the complex schist terrane which 

yielded crinoid fragments and Syringopora sp., 

identified by Helen Duncan as of probable Mississippian age.

SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA

The Mississippian rugose corals from the Peratrovich Formation of Eberlein and Churkin (1970), 

west coast of Prince of Wales Island, southeastern 

Alaska, were described and illustrated by Armstrong 

(1970a).

The Peratrovich Formation and the overlying 

carbonate rocks of the Ladrones Limestone (Pennsylvanian) are exposed as shoreline outcrops on a 

number of small islands. No continuous exposures 

are available, and a stratigraphic column for the 

Carboniferous was pieced together from various 

outcrops.

The Peratrovich Formation contains three members that represent continuous marine sedimentation from Osagean into Chesterian time. The chert 

member, about 200 feet thick, rests disconformably 

on strata of Devonian age and is composed of darkgray radiolarian cherts, lime mudstones, and thin 

shale beds that were deposited in an euxinic environment. The limestone and chert member, about 400 

feet thick, is composed of gray chert and of bryozoan-echinoderm-foraminiferal wackestones and 

packstones. Ekvasophyllum cf. E. inclinatum Parks 

and Faberophylhim williamsi Armstrong are found 

in the middle to the top of the member. The upper 

100 to 120 feet of the member contains F. girtyi 

Armstrong, Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) sp., L. 

(S.) warreni Nelson, Diphyphyllum venosum Arm-
CARBONIFEROUS CORALS 55

strong, D. klawockensis Armstrong, Lithostrotionella banffensis (Warren), L. pennsylvanica (Shimer), L. birdi Armstrong, Thysanophyllum astraeiforme (Warren), and Sciophylhim alaskaensis Armstrong. This fauna is of Meramecian age and suggestive of a correlation with the Mount Head Formation 

of Alberta, Canada.

The limestone member, about 400 feet thick, is 

gray to light-gray echinoderm-bryozoan-foraminiferal wackestone to echinoderm-foraminiferal ooidal 

grainstone. The lower part of the member contains 

Faberophyllum girtyi Armstrong, Lithostrotionella 

banffensis (Warren), and L. peratrovichensis Armstrong and is of late Meramecian age. The upper 

part of the member contains Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron) succinctus Armstrong. The limestone 

member represents late Meramecian through late 

Chesterian carbonate sedimentation.

The Mississippian strata are overlain by marine 

carbonate deposits of the Ladrones Limestone of 

Early and Middle Pennsylvanian age.

The Ladrones Limestone on the Ladrones Islands 

is incompletely exposed in a series of shoreline outcrops. A measured section totals in excess of 1,000 

feet. The Ladrones Limestone is a thick-bedded gray, 

pelletoid-lime mudstone and ostracode-foraminiferal 

wackestone to ooid packstone. Douglass (1971) described and illustrated a fusulinid fauna of Middle 

Pennsylvanian age from the upper half of the formation. A few coralla of a cerioid coral were collected in association with the Middle Pennsylvanian 

fusulinids. These corals are assigned to the genus 

Lithostrotionella sp. s. 1.

North of Prince of Wales Island (fig. 14), on 

Kuiu Island and Keku Islets, Muffler (1967) described the Saginaw Bay Formation; it is composed 

of four informal members: a volcanic member, a 

black chert member, a chert and limestone member, 

and a silty limestone member. The silty limestone 

member is of Middle Pennsylvanian age (Muffler, 

1967; Dutro and Douglass, 1961). The chert and 

limestone member contains a rugose coral fauna of 

Mississippian age, which has not been studied in 

detail.

To the north at Freshwater Bay (fig. 14) Loney, 

Condon, and Dutro (1963) described the lyoukeen 

Formation, a sequence ±4,500 feet thick of cherty 

limestones and shale of both Early and Late Mississippian age. They reported a rich coral fauna of 

Syringopora spp. and solitary rugose corals. They 

stated that the Upper Mississippian beds contain

abundant lithostrotionoid corals and a variety of 

large horn corals. This fauna has not been studied 

in detail.

REFERENCES CITED

Armstrong, A. K., 1970a, Mississippian rugose corals, Peratrovich Formation, west coast, Prince of Wales Island, 

southeastern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 534, 

44 p., 13 pis. 30 figs.

 1970b, Carbonate facies and the lithostrotionid corals 

of the Mississippian Kogruk Formation, De Long Mountains, northwestern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 664, 38 p., 14 pis., 37 figs.

 1970c, Mississippian dolomites from Lisburne Group, 

Killik River, Mount Bupto region, Brooks Range, Alaska: 

Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 54, no. 2, p. 

251-264, 10 figs.

 1972a, Biostratigraphy of Mississippian lithostrotionoid corals, Lisburne Group, arctic Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 743-A, 28 p., 9 pis.

 1972b, Pennsylvanian carbonates, paleoecology, and 

rugose colonial corals, north flank, eastern Brooks Range, 

arctic Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 747, 21 p., 

8 pis., 16 figs. [1973]

1973, Lithostrotion reiseri n. sp., a cerioid colonial

coral from Meramec-age beds, Lisburne Group, arctic 

Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Jour. Research, v. 1, no. 2, 

p. 137-145.

Armstrong, A. K., and Mamet, B. L., 1970, Biostratigraphy 

and dolomite porosity trends of the Lisburne Group, in 

Adkison, W. L., and Brosge, M. M., eds., Proceedings of 

the geological seminar on the North Slope of Alaska: 

Los Angeles, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Pacific 

Sec., p. N1-N16, 12 figs.

Armstrong, A. K., Mamet, B. L., and Dutro, J. T., Jr., 1970, 

Foraminiferal zonation and carbonate facies of Carboniferous (Mississippian and Pennsylvanian) Lisburne 

Group, central and eastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Am. 

Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 54, no. 5, p. 687- 

698, 4 figs.

 1971, Lisburne Group, Cape Lewis-Niak Creek, northwestern Alaska, in Geological Survey research 1971: U.S. 

Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 750-B, p. B23-B34, 9 figs.

Bowsher, A. L., and Dutro, J. T., Jr., 1957, The Paleozoic 

section in the Shainin Lake area, central Brooks Range, 

Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 303-A, 39 p., 

6 pis., 4 figs.

Brabb, E. C., 1969, Six new Paleozoic and Mesozoic formations in east-central Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 

1274-1, 26 p., 10 figs.

Dobrolyubova, T. A., 1958, Nizhnekamennougol'nye koloniaPnye chetyrekhluchevye korally Russkoi platformy [Lower Carboniferous colonial tetracorals of the Russian platform]: Akad. Nauk SSSR Paleont. Inst. Trudy, v. 70, 

216 p., 38 pis., 34 figs.

Douglass, R. C., 1971, Pennsylvanian fusulinids from southeastern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 706, 21 p., 

9 figs., 7 pis.

Dunham, R. J., 1962, Classification of carbonate rocks according to deposition texture, in Classification of carbonate 

rocks A symposium: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists 

Mem. 1, p. 108-121.
56 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Dutro, J. T., Jr., and Douglass, R. C., 1961, Pennsylvanian 

rocks in southeastern Alaska, in Geological Survey research 1961: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 424-B, p. 

B239-B241, 1 fig.

Eberlein, G. D., and Churkin, Michael, Jr., 1970, Paleozoic 

stratigraphy in the northwest coastal area of Prince of 

Wales Island, southeastern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey 

Bull. 1284, 67 p.

Fomichev, V. D., 1953, Korally Rugosa i stratigrafiya srednei verkhnekamennougolnykh i permskikh otlozhenii Donetskogo basseina [Rugose corals and stratigraphy of 

the middle and upper Carboniferous and Permian deposits of the Donets basin]: Vses. Nauchno-Issled. Geol. 

Inst. Trudy, 622 p., 44 pis.

Groot, G. E. de, 1963, Rugose corals from the Carboniferous 

of northern Palencia (Spain): Leidse Geol. Mededel., 

pt. 29, 123 p. 26 pis., 39 figs.

Loney, R. A., Condon, W. H., and Dutro, J. T., Jr. 1963, 

Geology of the Freshwater Bay area, Chichagof Island, 

Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1108-C, 54 p.

Macqueen, R. W., and Bamber, E. W., 1967, Stratigraphy of 

Banff Formation and lower Rundle Group (Mississippian), southwestern Alberta: Canada Geol. Survey Paper 

67-47, 37 p., 3 pis. 9 figs.

 1968, Stratigraphy and facies relationships of the 

Upper Mississippian Mount Head Formation, Rocky 

Mountains and foothills, southwestern Alberta: Bull. 

Canadian Petroleum Geology, v. 16, no. 3, p. 225-287, 

11 figs.

Mamet, B. L., and Armstrong, A. K., 1972, Lisburne Group, 

Franklin and Romanzof Mountains, northeastern Alaska, 

in Geological Survey research 1972: U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 800-C p. C127-C144.

Muffler, L. J. P., 1967, Stratigraphy of the Keku Islets and 

neighboring parts of Kuiu and Kupreanof Islands, southeastern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1241-C, 52 p., 

15 figs.

Patton, W. W., Jr., and Dutro, J. T., Jr., 1969, Preliminary 

report on the Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary sequence on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska in Geological 

Survey research 1969: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

650-D, p. D138-D143, 5 figs.

Petryk, A., Mamet, B. L., and Macqueen, R. W., 1970, Preliminary foraminiferal zonation, lower Carboniferous 

Rundle Group, southwestern Alberta: Bull. Canadian 

Petroleum Geology, v. 18. no. 1, p. 84-103.

Rowett, C. L., 1969, Upper Palaeozoic stratigraphy and 

corals from east-central Alaska Range, Alaska: Arctic 

Inst. North America Tech. Paper 23, 120 p., 13 pis., 20 

figs.

Sando, W. J., Mamet, B. L., and Dutro, J. T., Jr., 1969, Carboniferous megafossil and microfaunal zonation in the 

northern Cordillera of the United States: U.S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper 613-E, 29 p., 7 figs.

Steidtmann, Edward, and Cathcart, S. H., 1922, Geology of 

the York tin deposits, Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 

733, 130 p.

Tailleur, I. L., and Sable, E. G., 1963, Nuka Formation of 

Late Mississippian to Late Permian age, new formation 

in northern Alaska: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists 

Bull., v. 47, no. 4, p. 632-642.

Wahrhaftig, Clyde, 1965, Physiographic divisions of Alaska: 

U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 482, 52 p., 6 pis., 6 figs. 

[1966]

 1968, Schists of the central Alaska Range: U.S. Geol. 

Survey Bull. 1254-E, 22 p., 4 figs.

Wood, G. V., and Armstrong, A. K., 1974, Diagenesis and 

stratigraphy of the Lisburne Group limestones of the 

Sadlerochit Mountains and adjacent areas, northeastern 

Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 857. (In press.)
INDEX

Abstract -.-----.. 

Acknowledgments . Alapah _-__--.--_. 

Alapah Limestone

[Italic page numbers indicate major references and descriptions]

jagoensis, Corwenia ________________

Alaska Range _._-_.---------._-__ 46, 53

central Alaska, Lisburne fauna ___ 53 

alaskaensis, Sciophyllum _______ 50, 51, 52, 53

Amplexizaphrentis - _-_------_--____ 50, 53

Arctic Alaska ------------ --___. W

arizelum, Lithostrotion

(Siphonodendron) -------- 52

astraeiforme, Tliysanophyllum __ 50, 51, 52, 53

banffensis, Lithostrotionella ____ 50, 51, 52, 53

Barytichisma callosum _-____--___.____ 53

birdi, Lithostrotionella _________ 50, 51, 52, 53

Brooks Range __-------------_-----45,47

Calico Bluflf _________________.- 

Calico Bluflf Formation ______ 45, 

callosum, Barytichisma _______________

Caninia ______________________________

Cape Lewis _-_-___-_-__-___-___--___ 

Cape Prince of Wales __--__________

Cape Thompson ________-____-__--___

Chukchi Sea __________________

Cladochonus _____________________

Classification of carbonate rocks ______

Coral distribution, biostratigraphic and

geographic ___ ___ ___ 

Corwenia jagoensis ___--_-_--________

symmetrica _____________________

Cryptophyllum striatum _____________

Diphyphyllum klawoclcensis ________ 50,

nasorakensis _____________________

venosum _________________________

dutroi, Lithostrotion (Siphonodendron)

East-central Alaska, Lisburne fauna ___ 

Ekvasophyllum _____-__--___________.

inclinatum --__-_--__-______..____

Endicott Mountains _------_---__---__

Eurasian fauna ____________...____

Faberophyllum, ____--__-_-______ 5'0, 51,

girtyi _____________________________

williamsi . _______________________

Franklin Mountains __-__-_-.__._.._

genevievensis, Lithostrotion

(Siphonodendron) 

girtyi, Faberophyllum ._-..__.

45

46,52

53

52

51

52

51

47

53

47

47

52

52

53

52,53

51

53

50

52

52

53

47,50

52

52,53

53

53

50

52

53

ignekensis, Lithostrotion

(Siphonodendron) _--_.-__ 51 

inclinatum, Ekvasophyllum ____________ 53

Introduction ________________________ b5

lyoukeen Formaton, Freshwater Bay __ 54

Kayak Shale ______-____-__ 47,50 

Killik River section _______ __--__-.

Idawockensis, Diphyphyllum __--___ 50, 52, 53 

Kogruk Formation, De Long

Mountains __-__--__--- 47, 51 

Jeoninchi, Zaphrentis ________________

Ladrones Limestone _._-____._____.

lambarti, Sciophyllum ________--___-.- 50,51

Lisburne fauna, regional relationships. 

Lisburne Group ______________________ 45,47

Killik River-Mount Bupto area -._ 

southwestern Alberta -________--__

Lisburne Hills --____-___--___--_-_-__

lisburnensis, Lithostrotion

(Siphonodendron) ________

Lithostrotion reiseri ________________

(Siphonodendron) arizelum _______

dutroi _-^___-________---___-_-

genevievensis ________________

ignekensis __________________

lisburnensis __________________

sinuosum ________-------- 50, 51, 52

succinctus _______.____--___.

warreni ______________- 50, 51, 52, 53

Lithostrotionella ______________________ 51, 53

banffensis __--__________ 50,51,52,53

birdi _________________ 50,51,52,53 

lochmanae -_______--.__________

macro, --_---____--___----_-____

mclareni _______________________ 50, 51, 52

microstylum ___________________

niakensis _______________________

orboensis -____-_-_____-____--___

pennsylvanica __-___-__.-__-___ 50, 52, 53 

peratrovichensis ________________

shimeri ______--_-_____--_____-_.

ivahooensis ___________________

lochmanae, Lithostrotionella _________

macra, Lithostrotionella ____________

mclareni, Lithostrotionella _________ 50, 51, 52

Michelinia -_._______________________ 52, 53

Microfacies analyses _________________

Microfossil zonations ______-____-___._

microstylum, Lithostrotionella ________

mohikana, Petalaxis -_______.._.-..___

Mount Head Formation, Alberta _._-_-

Nasorak Formation, Lisburne Hills __ 

nasorakensis, Diphyphyllum ____-__--__ 

niakensis, Lithostrotionella _-_---_-_-_ 

Nuka Formation, Arctic Foothills _____

orboensis, Lithostrotionella 

orientale, Thysanophyllum

Pennsylvanian corals _._-_

ige 

52

50 

51

51

47

51

47

50

52

51 

50

CO

50

co

51 

51

CO

,53

CO

CO

47

47

,52 

47 

51

52

,53

53

52

CO

47 

47

,52

CO

45

47 

52

CO

51

51 

51 

51

KO

51

Afi

pennsylvanica, Lithostrotionella _ __ 50, 

Peratrovich Formation --------- 45,46, 

peratrovichensis, Lithostrotionella ___ 

Saginaw Bay Formation, Kuiu Island __

Seward Peninsula, Lisburne fauna _____

sinuosum, Lithostrotion (Siphono-

( Siphonodendron) arizelttm,

ignekensis, Lithostrotion ____.--_ _

warreni, Lithostrotion ______ 50, 51

Southeastern Alaska, Lisburne fauna __ 

St. Lawrence Island, Lisburne fauna __

succinctus, Lithostrotion

Thysanophyllum astraeiforme .._ 50, 51

Wachsmuth Limestone, Shainin Lake __

it'arreni, Lithostrotion 

(Siphonodendron) __ 50, 51

Zavhrentites . ___ ___ _ __._ - _____

Page 

52,53 

52,53 

53 

52

45

50

52,53

46

53

47

50

50

53 

52,53

50,51

52 

47

52

51,52

52

50

52

51 

51

51,52

53

52,53 

53

53 

52 

53

53

53

52

53,54

52,53 

51

53

51

52

50 

51

52

52

, 52, 53 

53

45

47

52

57
Stratigraphic Distribution of 

Permian Corals in Alaska

By CHARLES L. ROWETT

PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-D

Permian corals in Alaska comprise 10 families belonging 

to the Rugosa and 3 to the Tabulata. Strong 

provincialism makes interregional correlations difficult 

although local biostratigraphic zonation is possible
CONTENTS

Abstract ______________________________________

Introduction ____________________

Major geologic provinces ________________-

Age distribution of Permian rocks _______-

Composition of coral faunas ___________________

Geographic distribution of Permian corals _______

Discussion _____________________________________

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska 

References cited ________________________________

Index ________________________.

Page 

59 

59

59

60

62

62

63

64

73

75

ILLUSTRATIONS

[Plates follow index]

PLATE 26. Permian solitary corals from Alaska.

27. Large solitary dissepimented corals from the Permian of Alaska.

28. Colonial rugose and tabulate corals from the Permian of Alaska.

FIGURE 18. Index map of Alaska showing distribution of exposed Permian 

rocks and principal lithofacies ________________________

19. Chart showing correlation of Permian strata in Alaska ________

20. Map showing distribution of Permian coral families in Alaska _

Page

60

61

63

ill
PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIAN CORALS IN ALASKA

By CHARLES L. RowEir 1

ABSTRACT

Coral-bearing Lower Permian marine strata occur in most 

major regions in Alaska; however, the most numerous and 

diverse faunas have been found in the northwestern Brooks 

Range, the central and eastern Alaska Range, the western 

Wrangell Mountains, and the Alexander Archipelago. Southern and southeastern Permian rocks are volcaniclastic rocks 

and minor limestones that accumulated in a volcanic geosynclinal belt, but the clastic and carbonate rocks of the 

Brooks Range and east-central Alaska for the most part represent nearshore marine deposition.

Thus far, 34 genera of rugose and tabulate corals that 

represent 13 families have been identified from the Alaskan 

Permian: the Metriophyllidae, Laccophyllidae, Polycoeliidae, 

Lophophyllidiidae, Timorphyllidae, Hapsiphyllidae, Aulophyllidae, Cyathopsidae, Durhaminidae, Waagenophyllidae, Favositidae, Auloporidae, and Sinoporidae.

Interregional correlation of Permian strata based on corals 

is difficult for several reasons. Facies control of coral distribution is pronounced; small, simple nondissepimented corals 

dominated the nearshore neritic faunas, while large solitary 

and compound forms having dissepimental zones and complex axial structures seem to have been limited to deeper 

marine environments. In addition, the faunas of the Brooks 

Range and the Alaska Range are dominated by Asiatic 

genera, whereas faunas from east-central and southeastern 

Alaska contain elements of the indigenous North American 

faunal province. Consequently, there are very few genera in 

common upon which to base correlations between these regions. It has been possible, however, to recognize several 

coral zones in the Permian of the central and eastern Alaska 

Range.

INTRODUCTION

Permian nonmarine and marine coral-bearing 

strata are known from almost every major region 

in Alaska (fig. 18). Detrital marine rocks and minor 

carbonate rocks are exposed almost continuously 

throughout the length of the Brooks Range from 

Point Hope to the Yukon boundary. In east-central 

Alaska Permian strata have been mapped along the 

Porcupine, Nation, and Yukon Rivers. In southwestern Alaska, poorly differentiated marine and nonmarine rocks that range in age from Carboniferous

1 Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Tex.

to Jurassic occur in the lower Yukon-Kuskokwim 

region, in the Goodnews Bay area, and on Cape Kekurnoi. Throughout the central and eastern Alaska 

Range graded volcaniclastic rocks and limestones 

are present in the Delta River area, the Slana area, 

the Nabesna area, and in the eastern Wrangell 

Mountains. Dominantly detrital marine Permian 

strata also have been identified both on the mainland 

and on many islands of the Alexander Archipelago 

of southeastern Alaska.

MAJOR GEOLOGIC PROVINCES

The distribution of major lithofacies shown in 

figure 18 indicates that a volcanic eugeosynclinal 

belt occupied most of southeastern, southern, and 

southwestern Alaska during the Permian. Most 

stratigraphic units in these regions consist of silicified volcaniclastic rocks, graywacke sandstones 

(commonly graded), and andesitic flows and breccias. Limestones typically are impure and are laterally discontinuous; locally, however, they are highly 

fossiliferous. A miogeosynclinal facies, if such were 

recognizably developed during the Permian, presumably lay to the north of this belt in the region 

now termed the "Yukon-Tanana Upland." Other 

than the questionably Permian volcanic Rampart 

Group, however, few vestiges of these deposits have 

been preserved because of deep erosion north of the 

Denali fault, which parallels the axis of the Alaska 

Range for a distance of more than 1,000 miles.

Nearshore marine deposits, however, are present 

both in the Brooks Range and in east-central Alaska. 

The Siksikpuk Formation (Lower Permian) in the 

Brooks Range is dominantly a clastic marine deposit 

that accumulated not too distant from emergent land 

that lay to the north (Campbell, 1967; Patton, 1957; 

Patton and Tailleur, 1964; Tailleur and Kent, 1951; 

Tailleur and Sable, 1963). In east-central Alaska the 

Tahkandit Limestone also seems to represent nearshore deposition (Brabb, 1969; Brabb and Churkin,

59
60

70

PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

162° 156° 150° 144° 138° 70°

DETRITAL NONVOLCANIC 

FACIES

58

56

54

100

I

200

I

300 400

I

500 MILES 

_J r i i i i T

0 100 200 300 400 500 KILOMETERS

FIGURE 18. Distribution of surface exposures of Permian rocks in Alaska and principal lithofacies.

1969; Brabb and Grant, 1971; R. E. Grant and E. E. 

Brabb in U.S. Geological Survey, 1970, p. 47).

It is within this regional tectonic setting that the 

distribution of Permian corals in Alaska should be 

considered, inasmuch as Permian paleoenvironments 

exerted a strong control over the distribution of certain types of corals. It can also be shown that the 

provincialism of Permian corals was a factor that 

influenced the geographic distribution of certain 

genera.

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIAN ROCKS 

Most of the Permian of Alaska is limited to the 

lower part of this System (Sakmarian and Artinskian, or Wolfcampian and Leonardian of North 

American usage) (fig. 19). To date, the only definite 

Late Permian fossils (brachiopods) that have been

identified were collected from the Sadlerochit Formation in the Brooks Range. This fauna is regarded as 

early Late Permian (Kazanian) in age (Detterman, 

1970; Dutro, 1961; Tailleur and others, 1958). In 

east-central Alaska the upper part of the Tahkandit 

Limestone may be post-Artinskian in age, but the 

lower part definitely is Artinskian (R. E. Grant and 

E. E. Brabb in U.S. Geological Survey, 1970, p. 47; 

Brabb and Grant, 1971).

Elsewhere, virtually all marine Permian rocks 

seem to be limited to the Lower Permian. A Sakmarian and Artinskian Age has been securely established for the Mankomen Formation and its equivalents throughout the Alaska Range based on both 

fusulinids (Petocz, 1970) and corals (Rowett, 1969). 

A similar age is indicated for fossiliferous Permian
U.S.S.R.

2. DE LONG MOUNTAINS

3. SHAININ LAKE

1. LISBURNE 4. NORTHEAST BROOKS 

PENINSULA RANGE-LAKE PETERS

a 

a

Lower

Tartarian

§ Kazanian

E ' ?

ro Ufimian

Kungurian

Artinskian

Sakmarian m'

\ 5. YUKON-NATION 

\ RIVERS

\ \

NORTHERN AND EAST-CENTRAL

SOUTHWESTERN

UNITED STATES 

(TEXAS)

Ochoan Series

Capitan 

Formation

Word 

Formation1

Guadalupian 

Series

Leonardian Series

Wolfcampian Series

0)

a 

a

D

a 

O

a

a 

a

D

Lower

Tartarian

n Kazanian

E ? 

 Ufimian

Kungurian

Artinskian

Sakmarian

I IIIHIIII

'

GEMUK

GROUP

(in part, 

thickness 

unknown)

rrnrlTrm

--

__

Mc< 

C 

SEC

JALLUf 

REEK 

2UENC 

6000'

--

* MAh 

FOR 

E " £

_ .?_ _ _ _ _

JKOMEN 

MAT ION

>ooo'

6. SOUTHWESTERN 8. EASTERN 9. WRANGELL 

ALASKA 7. CENTRAL ALASKA MOUNTAINS 

ALASKA RANGE 

RANGE

OUTHEASTERN

900

STAT 

CRE 

VOLGA 

600

/

/ ^/PVBUSF

s/~$

/

/ FO To

ORMAT ON

00

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Ochoan Series

Capitan 

Formation

Guadalupian 

Word Series 

Formation1

Leonardian Series

Wolfcampian Series

Upper

0)

O

EK / 10. SOUTHEAST 

NICS ALASKA 

D' KEKU STRAIT

FIGURE 19. Correlation of Permian strata in Alaska and comparison with North American and Soviet standards.
62 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

rocks in the Slana area (Rowett, 1971), in the Nabesna area, and for the Skolai Group in the eastern 

Wrangell Mountains. Recently identified corals from 

the Halleck and Cannery Formations in southeastern Alaska (Rowett, unpub. data) are also indicative of the Early Permian; the same is true for 

corals from the Siksikpuk Formation in the Brooks 

Range of northern Alaska.

COMPOSITION OF CORAL FAUNAS

Some of the principal kinds of solitary corals 

known from the Permian of Alaska are shown on 

plates 26 and 27. Solitary corals fall into two broad 

categories, namely, small, nondissepimented forms 

having simple axial structures and larger, dissepimented types, typically having complex axial structures. The first group includes genera such as Stereocorypha, Euryphyllum, Ufimia, Lophophyllidium, 

Pseudobradyphyllum, Bradyphyllum, and Allotropiophyllum (pi. 26, figs. 1-11). Larger solitary corals 

having dissepimental zones include Timania, Bothrophyllum, Clisiophyllum, Auloclisia, and Caninia 

(pi. 26, figs. 12-18; pi. 27, figs. 1-12). There is considerable faunal diversity among solitary corals of 

both types, however; in addition to the genera illustrated, 13 other genera have been identified from the 

Alaskan Permian Caninophyllum, Hornsundia, 

Neozaphrentis, Hapsiphyllum, Duplophyllum, Amplexizaphrentis, Tachylasma, Sochkineophyllum, 

Stereostylus, Calophyllum, Plerophyllum, Amplexocarinia, and Verbeekiella. Thus, eight families are 

represented: the Aulophyllidae, Cyathopsidae, 

Metriophyllidae, Hapsiphyllidae, Polycoeliidae, Laccophyllidae, Timorphyllidae, and Lophophyllidiidae.

Plate 28 depicts some of the more common compound rugose corals and two common tabulate coral 

genera. However, there is less variety within these 

groups of corals. Only Durhaminia and Heritschioides (pi. 28, figs. 1-12) represent the family Durhaminidae, and Syringopora and Sinopora (pi. 28, 

figs. 13-18) represent the Auloporidae and Sinoporidae, respectively. The family Waagenophyllidae 

may be represented by Wentzelella (not illustrated). 

Other common tabulate corals not illustrated include 

the favositid coral Michelinia and the auloporid coral Cladochonus.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF 

PERMIAN CORALS

Figure 20 shows the geographic distribution of 

Permian corals by families throughout Alaska. In 

the far-western Brooks Range (fig. 20, area 1, Lisburne Peninsula), only a few polycoelid corals are 

known, including Tachylasma and Ufimia. In the

western Brooks Range (fig. 20, area 2, De Long 

Mountains), the coral faunas are more varied and 

include representatives of the Metriophyllidae 

(Stereocorypha), Laccophyllidae (Amplexocarinia) , 

Hapsiphyllidae (Amplexizaphrentis), and Cyathopsidae (Hornsundia). In the central Brooks Range 

(fig. 20, area 3) both polycoelid corals (Sochkineophyllum and Tachylasma) and hapsiphyllid corals 

(Allotropiophyllum and Euryphyllum) are present. 

This is the type area of the Siksikpuk Formation. 

Corals from the extreme northeastern part of the 

Brooks Range (Sadlerochit Formation) (fig. 20, 

area 4) are uncommon and represent only the Metriophyllidae (Duplophyllum) and Polycoeliidae 

(Pseudobradyphyllum).

Summarizing for this region, the coral faunas are 

strongly dominated by small, simple, nondissepimented corals that occur in clastic, commonly argillaceous nearshore marine facies. Similar nearshore 

marine facies in east-central Alaska (fig. 20, area 5) 

also contain small, nondissepimented corals, including Lophophyllidiidae (Lophophyllidinm) and Hapsiphyllidae (Euryphyllum, Hapsiphyllum, Neozaphrentis, and Amplexizaphrentis). These strata comprise the Permian Tahkandit Limestone (Artinskian and Kungurian?) and a lateral equivalent, 

the Step Conglomerate. These coral faunas are in 

sharp contrast to the large solitary and colonial dissepimented corals that occur in southern and southeastern Alaska.

Only two corals have been studied from southwestern Alaska (fig. 20, area 6). These were collected from the poorly differentiated Gemuk Group, 

whose precise stratigraphic relations are unclear. 

The corals have been identified as belonging to the 

Hapsiphyllidae (Euryphyllum) and the Favositidae 

("Thamnopora").

In the Alaska Range (fig. 20, areas 7 and 8) and 

in the eastern Wrangell Mountains (fig. 20, area 9) 

fossil corals are common. These faunas are dominated by large dissepimented solitary and colonial 

corals. Solitary forms include representatives of the 

Lophophyllidiidae (Lophophyllidium and Stereostylus), Aulophyllidae (Clisiophyllum, Auloclisia), 

and Cyathopsidae (Bothrophyllum, Timania, Caninophyllum, and Caninia). Compound (fasciculate) 

dissepimented Rugosa are represented by the Durhaminidae (Durhamina, Heritschioides). Cerioid 

rugose corals are rare in Alaska and are known only 

from two small fragments recently identified in collections made more than 30 years ago as Wentzelella, 

a member of the family Waagenophyllidae. The 

Timorphyllidae may also be represented by Verbeekiella, also known from only one corallite. Some
STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIAN CORALS

4

63

Coral families

Metriophyllidae

Laccophyllidae"

Polycoeliidae

Lophophyllidiidae

Timorphyllidae

Hapsiphyllidae

Aulophyllidae

Cyathopsidae

Durhaminidae

<\

Waagenophyllidae

Favositidae

Auloporidae

Sinoporidae

100

I

200

I

300

I

400 

I

500 MILES 

I

0 100 200

I I I 

300 400 500 KILOMETERS

FIGURE 2Q. Distribution of Permian rugose and tabulate coral families in Alaksa. Numbered areas keyed to stratigraphic

columns in figure 19.

tabulate corals are common in this eugeosynclinal 

facies, including representatives of the Auloporidae 

(Syringopora, Cladochonus), Favositidae (Michelinia), and Sinoporidae (Sinopora) (Rowett, 1969). 

Southeastern Alaska (fig. 2Q, area 10) also represents a eugeosynclinal environment in which volcanic activity was perhaps even greater than in the 

Alaska Range. The coralline faunas of the Hasen 

Creek Formation are similar to those of the Alaska 

Range and Wrangell Mountains and include representatives of the Aulophyllidae (Clisiophyllum, Timania) and the favositid Michelinia. Compound 

rugose corals have not yet been found in this region, 

however. The only nondissepimented coral known 

thus far from this region is Calophyllum, a 

polycoelid.

DISCUSSION

The foregoing detailed summary of coral distribution and regional lithofacies is presented to document one reason for the difficulty in attempting 

interregional correlations based on corals in the 

Permian of Alaska. As was originally suggested by 

Hill (1938), depositional environments had a strong 

segregating effect on the rugose corals such that in 

offshore, comparatively deep water marine environments, the coralline faunas were likely to be dominated by large solitary or compound dissepimented 

corals, while small nondissepimented forms were 

scarce or absent. Conversely, nearshore clastic depositional environments were preferred by small, 

solitary, morphologically simple, nondissepimented
64 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

corals. Figure 20 indicates that this factor may have 

controlled coral distribution in Alaska to a great 

extent. The biostratigraphic consequence is that 

there are few if any coral species or even genera in 

common upon which to base interregional correlations between these regions.

Regional differences in the composition of coral 

faunas in the Permian of Alaska are also due in part 

to faunal provincialism, or, more specifically, to a 

mixing of genera that perhaps were endemic to this 

region with others whose origin was in some other 

region. This is a very complex problem, and it is not 

yet possible to say with confidence which, if any, of 

the 30-odd coral genera now known from the Permian of Alaska may have been endemic. It is possible, 

however, to recognize elements of the North American midcontinent "cyathaxonid" fauna in genera 

such as Lophophyllidium and Stereostylus, as well as 

genera of western European origin such as the 

audophyllids Clisiophyllum and Auloclisia. However, 

Asiatic genera strongly dominate the Permian coral 

faunas of Alaska and include both solitary nondissepimented forms such as the polycoelids Tachylasma and many large dissepimented cyathopsids such 

as Timania and Bothrophyllum. The tabulate coral 

Sinovora may also fall into this category.

The genus Hornsundia is a cyathopsid coral known 

elsewhere only from the Lower Permian of West 

Spitsbergen. Duplophyllum is otherwise known from 

the Lower Permian of Timor, and Euryphyllum 

from the Permian of Australia and New Zealand. 

The genus Heritschioides occurs in Sakmarian strata 

and may be endemic to Alaska, inasmuch as reported

occurrences of this genus elsewhere (western North 

America, Japan, Russia) are from younger (Artinskian) rocks. Genera such as Allotropiophyllum, 

Sochkineophyllum, Ufimia, and Plerophyllum are not 

endemic to North America, but their ultimate origin 

in Europe, Asia, or elsewhere is unknown.

Figure 20 also indicates that in general, genera of 

Asiatic origin are concentrated in northern and 

central Alaska, whereas the number of North American and European genera increases toward the east 

and south. Coupled with the segregation exerted by 

depositional environments discussed above, the provincialism of Alaskan coral faunas thus adds 

to the difficulty of interregional biostratigraphic 

correlations.

Within a single geologic province, however, Permian corals already have been used with some success as the basis of biostratigraphic correlations. 

For example, an identical stratigraphic sequence of 

coral zones characterized by Auloclisia, Timania, 

Sinopora, and Durhamina has been recognized in 

Lower Permian limestones in two widely separated 

parts of the Alaska Range in the McCallum Creek 

sequence in the Delta River area and in Mankomen 

Formation equivalents in the Slana area (Rowett, 

1969, 1971). Similar biostratigraphic correlations 

based on corals should be possible within other regions. Ultimately, it may be possible to identify a 

sufficient number of faunal elements common to several regions that would permit interregional correlations of the Alaskan Permian based on rugose and 

tabulate corals.

LOCALITY DESCRIPTIONS FOR PERMIAN CORALS IN ALASKA

[Information tabulated by major regions of Alaska is the result of a re study of all available Permian rugose and tabulate corals from Alaska, 

completed in 1972. Most specimens were collected by members of the U.S. Geological Survey, beginning with corals collected by F. C. Schrader 

in 1902, but this list also includes collections of Permian corals made by the writer between 1963 and 1968. Almost half of the specimens 

studied required revised identifications at the generic level, primarily due to recent changes in taxonomy and classification. No attempt was made 

to identify specimens at the species level except for a comparatively few specimens which obviously were conspecific with described species and 

for species described by Rowelt (1969). Stratigraphic and locality information provided by the original collectors also has been updated where 

possible by reference to more recent geologic studies and mapping in Alaska. Some stratigraphic and locality information nevertheless remains 

unclear. PC numbers refer to collections cataloged in the U.S. Geological Survey Permian-Carboniferous catalog; UA specimen numbers refer to 

specimens stored at the University of Alaska at College, Alaska ]

USGS fossil 

colln. 

No.

USGS

field

loc. No.

Stratigraphic 

unit and location

Collector

and year

of collection

Identified 

corals

Lisburne Peninsula

20213-PC __ 60ACrl30 Siksikpuk Formation, undetermined horizon; exposures 

along west bank of Ipewik 

River about 1 mile north of 

its confluence with the Kukpuk River; lat 68°23' N., long 

165°44' W., Point Hope B-2 

quad.

R. H. Campbell, 1960 _ Ufimia sp. 

Tachylasma sp.
STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIAN CORALS 65

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska Continued

USGS fossil 

colln. 

No.

USGS

field

loc. No.

Stratigraphic 

unit and location

Collector

and year

of collection

Identified 

corals

Western and central Brooks Range

12753-PC __ 51ASal33f

12754-PC __ 5lASal35

13213-PC __ 51ARr76

12784-PC __ 51ARr79

13206-PC __ 51ATr342

11814-PC __ 50AKe238

11816-PC _. 

1452-PC __.

Nuka Formation, precise stratigraphic position uncertain; 

listed as "Lisburne limestone, 

4th (uppermost) unit" and 

stated to be correlative with 

"upper clastic unit" in the 

Nuka type area. Lat 68°35'50" 

N., long 160°55'30" W., % mile 

west of Cirque Fork, Driftwood Creek. (This specimen 

was probably collected from 

member m in a subsequent 

subdivision by Tailleur and 

Sable, 1963.)

_ Nuka Formation, precise strati- __do 

graphic position uncertain; 

hill Vz mile east of Kidney 

Fork; lat 68°35'20" N., long 

160°30' W. (Probably corresponds to member m of Tailleur and Sable, 1963.)

___ Nuka Formation, precise stratigraphic position uncertain; 

from "* * * a 100-foot section 

at about 68°42' N., and 158°25' 

W., Reiser's sta. 68" (Probably from member p of Tailleur and Sable, 1963.)

 Nuka Formation, "lower in sec- _do 

tion described above." (Probably corresponds to member m 

in subsequent subdivision of 

the Nuka by Tailleur and 

Sable, 1963.)

_ Nuka Formation, precise stratigraphic position uncertain; 

from Kiligwa River valley; 

lat 68°35' N., long 158°12' W., 

Reiser's station T-91.

_ Siksikpuk Formation, type 

(composite) section; siltstones 

in cutbank on east side of 

Skimo Creek; lat 68°17' N., 

long 151°53' W. 

50AKe242 ___ _do _______________ do

E. G. Sable, 1951 ___ IStereocorypha sp.

Metriophyllid coral, 

indet.

H. N. Reiser, 1951 __ Amplexizaphrentis sp.

I. L. Tailleur and B. H. 

Kent, 1951.

A. S. Keller, 1950 ____

53APal22 .do .do

Hornsundia cf. H,

lateseptata Fedorowski, 

1965.

Amplexocarinia sp.

Allotropiophyllum sp. 

Euryphyllum sp.

lAllotropiophyllum, sp. 

ITachylasma sp. 

Sochkineophyllum sp. 

Sochkineophyllum sp. 

lEuryphyllum sp.

Eastern Brooks Range

15814-PC __ 51AKel04 Sadlerochit Formation, Echooka 

Member; limestone in east 

side of Flood Creek; between 

lat 69°02'40" N. and 69°03'20" 

N., long 147°53' W. (Coral

A. S. Keller, 1951 __ Calophyllum sp.
66 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska Continued

uses f os

colln. 

No.

USGS

field

loc. No.

Stratigraphic 

unit and location

Collector

and year

of collection

Identified 

corals

Eastern Brooks Range Continued

15815-PC __ SlAKelOG

15832-PC __ 52AMo41

15425-PC __ 53Aivlg3

identified by Helen Duncan.) 

Sadlerochit Formation, Echooka 

Member; limy siltstone and 

limestone from lower contact 

to 400 ft above base of member on Saviukviayak River; 

lat 69° N., long 148° 12' W. 

(Coral identified by Helen 

Duncan.)

Sadlerochit Formation, Echooka 

Member; limestones about 166 

ft above base of section on 

small northern tributary of 

Cache Creek; lat 69°30' N., 

long 147°51' W. (Coral identified by Helen Duncan.) 

Sadlerochit Formation, lower 

limestone; east side of Kongakut River; lat 69°01' N., long 

142°04' W.

A. S. Keller, 1951 __ Werbeekiella sp.

R. H. Morris, 1952 __ lEuryphyllum sp.

M. D. Mangus, 1953 __ IDuplophyllum sp. 

IPseudobradyphyllum sp.

East-central Alaska

5839a-PC __ 25AMU86

2438-PC 79

2549-PC ___ 81

23049-PC __ 67A2 + 47

Type section of the Tahkandit 

Limestone, "Southwest bank 

Yukon River, about 2% mi 

air-line upstream from Nation." Brabb and Churkin 

(1969) located these exposures 

in the northwest corner of sec. 

17, T. 4 N., R. 30 E., Charley 

River A-2 quad.; lat 65° 10.8' 

N., long 141°41.9' W.

Type section of the Tahkandit 

Limestone from "* * * transition beds below main white 

limestone." (Same locality as 

above; corals apparently from 

near base of upper limestone 

unit defined by Brabb and 

Churkin, 1969.)

Tahkandit Limestone, "from 

various horizons," from left 

bank of Yukon River, M mile 

below mouth of Coal Creek. 

Brabb and Churkin (1969) 

located these small faultbounded isolated exposures 

near McGregor in sees. 23 and 

24, T. 6 N., R. 22 E., Charley 

River quad.; approx lat 65°20' 

N., long 143° 10' W.

Tahkandit Limestone, 47 ft 

above base of sandstone unit 

in slough section, southwest 

side of Yukon River near 

mouth of Nation River; lat

J. B. Mertie, 1925 __ Euryphyllum sp.

G. H. Girty, 1918 ___ Lophophyllidium sp.

.do Euryphyllum sp. 

lAmplexizaphrentis sp.

R. E. Grant, E. W. 

Bamber, A. K. Armstrong, and E. E. 

Brabb, 1967.

Sochkineophyllum sp. 

ISochkineophyllum sp. 

Lophophyllidium n. sp.
STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIAN CORALS 67

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska Continued

USGS fossil 

colln. 

No.

USGS

field

loc. No.

Stratigraphic 

unit and location

Collector

and year

of collection

Identified 

corals

East-Central Alaska Continued

23485-PC

23486-PC :

23487-PC

65°10.8' N., long 141°41.9' W.,

Charley River A-2 quad. (See

Brabb and Grant, 1971.) 

Tahkandit Limestone; informa- R. Greggs, 1960

tion limited to "RG-1 N60,

unit 9, at 157°. Tahkandit sect.

S side Yukon R." according to

label. 

Tahkandit Limestone; informa- _do _ .

tion limited to "RG-1 N60,

unit 8, at 144°. Tahkandit sect.

S. side Yukon R." according

to label. 

Tahkandit Limestone; informa- __do _____ 

tion limited to "RG~1, N60,

unit 8 at 142°. Tahkandit sect.

S. side Yukon River, opposite

mouth of Nation River" according to label.

Lophophyllidium sp. 

Hapsiphyllum sp. 

Hapsiphyllid coral, indet. 

Cyathopsid coral, indet.

IHapsiphyllum sp.

Neozaphrentis sp. 

Lophophyllidium n. sp. 

IBarytichisma sp.

1 Shell Oil Co. catalog No. 8339.

2 Shell Oil Co. catalog No. 8342.

8 Shell Oil Co. catalog No. 8351.

Southwestern Alaska

16645-PC __ 51ACd206 Gemuk Group, (in part); "upper 

part of 20-30 foot bed of tuffaceous limestone * * * 9.25 

miles N. 53° W. of head of 

Goodnews Lake, 16 miles N. 

62%° E. of outlet of Arolik 

Lake; lat approx 59°40' N., 

long 160°30' W."

J. M. Hoare, 1951 __ lEuryphyllum sp. 

"Thamnopora" sp.

Central Alaska Range

16697-PC __ 52APw64 McCallum Creek sequence; allu- T. L. Pewe, 1952 

vial fan on west side of Rainbow Ridge near milepost 209.5,

Richardson Highway; Mount

Hayes A-4 quad., Delta River

district. 

McCallum Creek sequence; C. L. Rowett, 1963-66 _

about 3,900 ft stratigraphically above base of exposures in

the southern Rainbow Mountain area at elevation of about

4,000 ft (see Rowett, 1969,

text-fig. 3, loc MC-0). 

McCallum Creek sequence; _do ___-_ _-

about 1,600 ft above base of

exposures in the southern

Rainbow Mountain area at an

elevation of about 4,600 ft

(see Rowett, 1969, text-fig. 3,

loc MC-1).

Bothrophyllum cf. B. 

pseudoconicum 

Dobrolyubova, 1937.

Timania sp. A. Rowett, 

1969 (UA 1060-63). 

ISinopora sp. (UA 1079),

Bothrophyllum sp. A

Rowett, 1969 (UA

1071-73). 

IPseudobradyphyllum sp.

A. Rowett, 1969 (UA

1002). 

IBradyphyllum sp. A

Rowett, 1969 (UA

1001).
68 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska Continued

USGS fossil USGS Collector

colln. field Stratigraphic and year Identified

No. loc. No. unit and location of collection corals

Central Alaska Range Continued

__ __ __________ McCallum Creek sequence; ap- C. L. Rowett, 1963-66 _ Bothrophyllum cf. B.

prox 1,000 ft stratigraphically pseudoconicum 

above base of exposures in Dobrolyubova, 1937 

the southern Rainbow Moun- (UA 1064-1066). 

tain area at an elevation of 

approx 5,300 ft (see Rowett, 

1969, text-fig. 3, loc. MC-3).

__ __ __________ McCallum Creek sequence; ap- _-do ______ ___ Syringopora katoi Rowett,

prox 950 ft stratigraphically 1969 (UA 1081, 1082). 

above base of exposures in 

the southern Rainbow Mountain area at an elevation of 

approx 5,250 ft (see Rowett, 

1969, text-fig. 3, loc MC-5).

__ ____ __________ McCallum Creek sequence; ap- _do __________ Heritschioides summitenprox 370 ft stratigraphically sis Rowett, 1969 (UA 

above base of exposures in 1024-1031). 

the southern Rainbow Mountain area at an elevation of 

about 5,900 ft on summit 

ridge (see Rowett, 1969, textfig. 3, loc MC-6).

____ ____ __________ McCallum Creek sequence; ap- _do -_________ Bothrophyllum cf. B.

prox 300 ft stratigraphically pseudoconicum Dobroabove base of exposures in lyubova, 1937 (UA 

the southern Rainbow Moun- 1067-1070). 

tain area at an elevation of ICaninia sp. 

about 5,850 ft on summit Michelinia sp. 

ridge (see Rowett, 1969, textfig. 3, loc MC-7).

_________ __________ McCallum Creek sequence; ap- _do -__________ Timania rainbowensis

prox 850 ft stratigraphically Rowett, 1969 (UA 

above base of exposures in 1051-1055). 

the southern Rainbow Mountain area at an elevation of 

approx 5,300 ft (see Rowett, 

1969, text-fig. 3, loc MC-13). 

________ McCallum Creek sequence; ap- ___do -__ ______ Caninia petoczi Rowett,

prox 5,180 ft stratigraphically 1969 (UA 1032-1048,

above base of exposures; 1084).

south side of Rainy Creek

about 1.4 miles upstream

from confluence with Delta

River; elev approx 3,200 ft,

upper Delta River area (see

Rowett, 1969, text-fig. 4, loc

EC-17).

__ __ _ ________ McCallum Creek sequence; ap- _do ______-_-_ "iClisiophyllum sp. B

prox 5,480 ft stratigraphically Rowett, 1969 (UA

above base of exposures; 1024).

small knoll on terrace, south

side of Rainy Creek about 0.3

mile west of locality RM-17 at

an elevation of 3,300 ft, upper

Delta River area (see Rowett,

1969, text-fig. 4, loc. RC-18).

__ _ ____________ McCallum Creek sequence; ap- __do ___ _ _ _ Caninia petoczi Rowett,

prox 5,180 ft stratigraphically 1969 (UA 1049, 1050).
STRATIGRAPH1C DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIAN CORALS 69

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska Continued

USGS fossil 

colln. 

No.

USGS

Add

loc. No.

Stratigraphic 

unit and location

Collector

and year

of collection

Identified 

corals

Central Alaska Range Continued

above base of exposures; bluff 

on east side of Delta River 

1.3 miles upstream from confluence with Rainy Creek; elev 

approx 2,700 ft, upper Delta 

River area (see Rowett, 1969, 

text-fig. 4, loc. DR-14).

McCallum Creek sequence; ap- C. L. Rowett, 1963-66 _ 

prox 5,680 ft stratigraphically 

above base of exposures; bluff 

on west side of Delta River 

about 1.6 miles south of confluence with Rainy Creek; elev 

2,700 ft (see Rowett, 1969, 

text-fig. 4, loc. DR-15).

McCallum Creek sequence; ap- do __ 

prox 5,480 ft above base of 

exposures; bluff on west side 

of Delta River about 0.1 mile 

north of locality DR-15 at 

same elevation; upper Delta 

River area (see Rowett, 1969, 

text-fig. 4, loc. DR-16).

McCallum Creek sequence; ap- do 

prox 5,510 ft stratigraphically 

above base of exposures; 

north side of small west-flowing tributary of McCallum 

Creek about 1.1 miles east of 

confluence; elev 4,150 ft, McCallum Creek area (see Rowett, 1969, text-fig. 4, loc. VV21a).

McCallum Creek sequence; ap- do 

prox 50 ft stratigraphically 

higher than strata at locality 

W-21a; elev 4,200 feet, McCalluw Creek area (see Rowett, 1969, text-fig. 4, loc. VV21b).

Durhamina sutherlandi 

Rowett, 1969 (UA 

1006).

Sinopora sp. (UA 1080).

Auloclisia, deltense

Rowett, 1969 (UA

1007-1020). 

Clisiophyllum sp. A

Rowett, 1969 (UA 1021,

1022).

Timania cf. T. schmidti 

Stuckenberg, 1895 (UA 

1056-1059).

Durhamina alaskaensis 

Rowett, 1969 (UA 

1004, 1005).

Sinopora minatoi Rowett, 

1969 (UA 1078).

Eastern Alaska Range

8014-PC ___ 35AM-F3

8016-PC ___ 35AM-F5

8022-PC ___ 35AM-F11

Mankomen Formation equiva- F. H. Moffit, 1935

lents; NE^SE1^ quad 621.

3V3 miles N. 15° E. from

north end of Suslota Lake; lat

approx 62°46' N., long 143°30'

W. 

Mankomen Formation equiva- _do _-___-

lents; NW^SE^ quad 621,

head of Fossil Creek near site

of USGS 8014-PC. 

Mankomen Formation equiva- _do _______

lents; NW^SE^ quad 621,

5V2 miles N. 4° E. from

mouth of Ahtell Creek; lat

approx 62°47' N., long 143°56'

W.

Bothrophyllum cf. B.

pseudoconicum Dobrolyubova, 1937. 

Wentzlella sp.

Wentzelella sp.

Amplexizaphrentis sp. 

Allotropiophyllum sp.
70 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska Continued

USGS fossil 

colln. 

No.

USGS

field

loc. No.

Stratigraphic 

unit and location

Collector

and year

of collection

Identified 

corals

Eastern Alaska Range Continued

5875-PC ___ 1620

8023-PC ___ 35AM-F12

Mankomen Formation equivalents; 3 miles northnortheast 

of Suslota Lake; same locality 

as colln. 7046 collected by F. 

H. Moffit in 1931 (Moffit, 1954, 

p. 117). Lithostrotion proln 

ably accidentally mixed with 

this collection.

Mankomen Formation equivalents; NW%SE% quad 621; 

"top of ridge above gulch 

where 8022-PC was collected. 

3.7 miles N. 8° E. from mouth 

of Ahtell Creek" according to 

original specimen label. Lat 

approx 62°47' N., long 143°56' 

W.

Mankomen Formation equivalents; ridge separating Porcupine and Cottonwood Creeks, 

3.9 miles south-southeast from 

Indian Pass Lake and about 

3.5 miles northeast from 

mouth of Ahtell Creek. (Probably the same locality as 

USGS 8023-PC above.)

F. C. Schrader, 1902 __ Clisiophyllum sp. 

Bothrophyllum sp. 

?Lithostrotion sp.

F. H. Moffit, 1935

C. L. Rowett, 1968 __

Durhamina alaskaensis

Rowett, 1969. 

Timania cf. T. multiseptata Fedorowski,

1965. 

ICladochonus sp.

Durhamina alaskaensis 

Rowett 1969 (UA 1088, 

1092-94, 1096, 1101).

Timania cf. T. multiseptata Fedorowski, 

1965 (UA 1085, 1086, 

1089, 1091, 1095, 1098, 

1099, 1100).

Auloclisia deltense 

Rowett, 1969 (UA 

1087).

Sinopora minatoi Rowett, 

1969 (UA1097,1097a).

WRANGELL MOUNTAINS 

Skolai Creek area

[Locality information for collections 6431a-PC to 6442b-PC is limited to that obtained from Moffit's specimen labels]

6431a-PC __ 27AM-F17

6434-PC ___ 27AM-F22

"Chitina Valley. Skolai Creek F. H. Moffit, 1927

Valley, south side, 1.5 miles

from Skolai Creek and on

west side of small glacier opposite mouth of Fredericka

Creek." 

"Skolai Creek Valley, south do __ 

side, elevation 6,250 feet, 2

miles west of Fredericka

Creek."

tLophophyllidium sp.

Bothrophyllum cf. B. permicum Fedorowski, 

1965.

Bothrophyllum cf. B. 

baerl Stuckenberg, 1895.

6437a-PC __ 27AM-F26

6438-PC ___ 27AM-F28

"Chitina Valley. Skolai Creek 

Valley, north side a short 

distance north of 27 A.M.- 

F24." (This locality is described as "* * * 5 miles west 

of Fredericka Creek, elevation 

4,830 feet.")

"Skolai Creek Valley, north 

side, north of 27 A.M.-F24, 25, 

and 26, at elevation of 6,000 

ft." (See description of USGS

.do __________ Metriophyllid coral, indet.

.do Do.
STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF PERMIAN CORALS 71

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska Continued

USGS fossil USGS Collector

colln. field Stratigraphic and year Identified

No. loc. No. unit and location of collection corals

WRANGELL MOUNTAINS Continued 

Skolai Creek area Continued

6437a-PC, above.) 

6439-PC ___ 27AM-F30 ___ "Chitina Valley. Nizina Glacier, F. H. Moffit, 1927 IStereocorypha sp.

ledges along glacier east of Cladochonus sp.

Chimney Mountain." 

6441-PC ___ 27AM-F34 ___ "Chitina Valley. Nizina Glacier, do PlerophyUum sp.

Valley, east side, 2 miles

south of Lower Skolai Lake." 

6441a-PC __ 27AM-F35 ___ "Same locality as 34." (See _do __________ Stereostylus sp .

USGS 6441-PC, above.) ?Stereostylus sp. 

6442a-PC __ 27AM-F37 ___ "Same locality as 36." (Locality _do __________ Clisiophyllum sp.

F36 is described as "Chitina IVerbeekiella sp.

Valley, Nizina Glacier Valley,

east side, 1.5 miles south of

Skolai Lake. These fossils are

lower in the section than F34,

35.)"

6442b-PC __ 27AM-F38 ___ Same locality as F37, above do Michelinia sp. 

23372-PC __ 62AMk231 ____ Hasen Creek Formation, Golden E. M. MacKevett, Jr., Lophophyllidium aff. L.

Horn Limestone Lentil; south H. C. Berg, and vidriensis Ross and

of Skolai Creek, 0.55 mile N. George Plafker, 1962. Ross, 1962.

21° W. of triangulation station FULCRUM; lat 61°40'06" 

N,. long 142°21'51" W. 

22378a-PC _ 62Bg270F ___ Hasen Creek Formation; west- _do __________ Clisiophyllum sp.

central part of McCarthy C-4

quad, east of Nisina glacier;

lat 61°38'09" N., long

142°24'55" W. 

22378b-PC _ 62Bg270F ___ _do _______________ _do __________ Lophophyllidium cf. L.

solidum Ross and Ross, 

1962.

22378c-PC __ 62Bg270F ____ __do ________________ __do __________ Caninophyllum sp. 

22380-PC 62APr-llE _____ Hasen Creek Formation; slabby _do __________ Lophophyllidium cf. L.

limestones about 200 ft S 9° solidum Ross' and Ross,

E. of locality 62APr-llD and 1962.

"probably lower stratigraphically." Lat 61°31'01"N., long

142°15'56" W. 

22382-PC 62APr-25E ___ Hasen Creek Formation, Golden _do __________ Stereocorypha cf. S.

Horn Limestone Lentil; near spissata Moore and

Golden Horn, 0.75 mile S. Jeffords, 1945.

74 Vs 0 W. from triangulation

station COAL; lat 61°41'27" N.,

long 142° 1615" W.

Nabesna area

[Locality information provided by D. H. Richter (written commun., 1972)]

23432-PC 69-DW-15 __ "Nabesna A-4 quad., lat. 62°08' D. H. Richter, 1960 __ ISochkineophyllum sp.

N., long 142°45' W., elev 5600'. 

SW^ sec 18, T. 4 N., R. 15 E. 

From massive dark gray limestone."

23878-PC 68ARh-360 "Nabesna A-4 quad., lat 62°08.0' _do __________ IClisiophyllum sp.

N., long 142° 38.1' W., elev 

6800'. NE% sec. 15, T. 4 N., 

R. 15 E. From massive gray
72 PALEOZOIC CORALS OF ALASKA

Locality descriptions for Permian corals in Alaska Continued

USCS fossil 

colln. 

No.

uses

field 

loc. No.

Stratigraphic 

unit and location

Collector

and year

of collection

Identified 

corals

WRANGELL MOUNTAINS Continued 

Nebesna area Continued

23879-PC __ 68ACk-14R

23881-PC __ 68ARh-78

23882-PC __ 68ARh-344

recrystallized limestone." 

"Nabesna A-4 quad., lat 62°11.0' D. H. Richter, 1960 __ Clisiophyllum sp.

N., long 142°45.6' W., elev

6900'. SE1! sec. 26, T. 5 N., R.

14 E. From massive recrystallized limestone." 

"Nabesna B-5 quad., lat 62°24.6' _do ________.

N., long 143°02.5' W., elev

3600'. SE*4 sec. 5, T. 7 N., R.

13 E. From thin-bedded gray

and gray-green argillite. 5 ' 

"Nabesna A-3 quad., lat 62°05.5' _do _____________

N., long 142°26.7' W., elev

6400'. NE% sec. 34, T. 4 N., R.

16 E. From massive dark

limestone."

Polycoelid coral, indet.

Timania sp.

Southeastern Alaska

3700-PC

5452-PC 2349

23443-PC __ 63AMp-389

23442-PC __ 63AMp-354

18491-PC __ 59ALy38

Information limited to "Keku

Islet No. 1, northwest corner"

and "* * * sandy beds be-»

low whitish cherty limestone"

NEVaSE1! of 561."

Information on 'original report 

limited to "* * * collections 

* * * near Klawak and on 

Kuiu Island * * *"

Halleck Formation(?); northeast shore Saginaw Bay, % 

mile from southeast entrance 

to Halleck harbor, northern 

Kuiu Island, Port Alexander 

D-l quad.; lat 56°54'13" N., 

long 134°12'39" W.

Halleck Formation( ?); north- _do 

east side of Saginaw Bay, 1.78 

miles S. 26° E. from tip of 

islet, Vz mile south, of abandoned cannery, Port Alexander 

D-l quad. The coordinates 

originally given by the collectors (lat 56°31'31" N., long 

134°07'71" W.) do not agree 

with the coordinates given for 

this locality in a later report 

by Muffler (1967).

Cannery Formation; massive 

graywacke in stream 2.0 miles 

from mouth of stream flowing 

into west end of Snug Cove, 

Gambier Bay, Admiralty Island; lat 57°24' N., long 

134°03' W.

A. E. Waters, Jr., and 

G. H. Girty, 1918.

A. F. Buddington, 1924

J. P. Muffler, 1963 __

Calophyllum sp. 

Michelinia sp.

Timania sp. 

tClisiophyllum sp.

Timania cf. T. mosquensis Dobrolyubova, 

1937.

Michelinia sp.

Timania cf. T. mosquensis Dobrolyubova, 

1937.

R. A. Loneyv 1964 ____ Allotropiophyllum sp.
STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OP PERMIAN CORALS 73

REFERENCES CITED

Brabb, E. E., 1969, Six new Paleozoic and Mesozoic formations in east-central Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 

1274-1, 26 p., 10 figs.

Brabb, E. E., and Churkin, Michael, Jr., 1969, Geologic map 

of the Charley River quadrangle, east-central Alaska: 

U.S. Geol. Survey Misc. Geol. Inv. Map 1-573, scale 

1:250,000.

Brabb, E. E., and Grant, R. E., 1971, Stratigraphy and paleontology of the revised type section for the Tahkandit 

Limestone (Permian) in east-central Alaska: U.S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper 703, 26 p., 2 pis., 11 figs.

Campbell, R. H., 1967, Areal geology in the vicinity of the 

Chariot site, Lisburne Peninsula, northwestern Alaska: 

U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 395, 71 p.

Detterman, R. L., 1970, Sedimentary history of the Sadlerochit and Shublik Formations in northeastern Alaska, 

in Adkison, W. L., and Brosge, M. M., eds., Proceedings 

of the geological seminar on the North Slope of Alaska: 

Los Angeles, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Pacific 

Sec., p. 01-013.

Dutro, J. T., Jr., 1961, Correlation of the Arctic Permian, in 

Short papers in the geologic and hydrologic sciences: 

U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 424-C, p. C225-C228.

Hill, Dorothy, 1938, A monograph on the Carboniferous rugose corals of Scotland, Part 1: Palaeontographical Soc., 

v. 91, p. 1-78, 2 pis., 2 figs.

Moffit, F. H., 1954, Geology of the eastern part of the Alaska 

Range and adjacent area: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 989-D, 

p. 65-218.

Muffler, L. J. P., 1967, Stratigraphy of the Keku Islets and

neighboring parts of Kuiu and Kupreanof Islands, southeastern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1241-C, 52 p. 

15 figs.

Patton, W. W., Jr., 1957, A new upper Paleozoic formation, 

central Brooks Range, Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 303-B, p. 40-45.

Patton, W. W., Jr., and Tailleur, I. L., 1964, Geology of the 

Killik-Itkillik region, Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 303-G, p. 409-500, 2 pis., 26 figs.

Petocz, R. G., 1970, Biostratigraphy and lower Permian Fusulinidae of the upper Delta River area, east-central Alaska 

Range: Geol. Soc. America Spec. Paper 130, 94 p., 7 figs., 

10 pis.

Rowett, C. L., 1969, Upper Paleozoic stratigraphy and corals 

from the east-central Alaska Range, Alaska: Arctic Inst. 

North America Tech. Paper 23, 120 p., 13 pis., 20 figs.

 1971, Reconnaissance biostratigraphy of the lower 

Permian in the Slana area, eastern Alaska Range, 

Alaska: Pacific Geology, v. 3, p. 31-44.

Tailleur, I. L., and Kent, B. H., 1951, Stratigraphy and structure of the southern foothills section between Etivluk 

and Kiligwa Rivers: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file report, 

28 p.

Tailleur, I. L., and Sable, E. G., 1963, Nuka Formation of 

Late Mississippian to Late Permian age, new formation 

in northern Alaska: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists 

Bull., v. 47, no. 4, p. 632-642.

Tailleur, I. L., Sable, E. G., and Dutro, J. T., Jr. 1958, Unusual upper Paleozoic rock sequence in northern Alaska 

[abs.]: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 69, no. 12, pt. 2, 

p. 1746-1747.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1970, Geological Survey research, 

1970: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 700-A, 426 p.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1975 O 585 475/95
INDEX

[Italic page numbers indicate major references and descriptions]

Page 

Abstract __________._.______ 59

Alaska Range _ --..___ ._.-- 62 

alaskaenais, Durhamina ____________ pi. 28

Attotropiophyllum __-_-..-_ 61, 62, 64, pi. 26 

Amplexizaphrentis - _________________ 61, 62

Amplexocarinia __________-___.___-. 61, 62

Auloclisia ................ 61, 62, 63, 64, pi. 27

Australia __-_-__-_----__--_-________ 64

Biostratigraphic correlations ______ 64 

Bothrophyllum ______________ 61, 62, 63, pi. 26

Bradyphyllum __________________ 61, pi. 26

Brooks Range ______________ 62

Calophyllum ...___________________ 61, 62

Caninia ... __ _____________ 61, 62, pi. 27 

Caninophyllum ________________, 61,62

Cladochonus _________-___--._________ 62

Clisiophyllum ___________ 61, 62, 63, pi. 27

Compositon, coral faunas ____________ 61

Correlations, interregional ________ 62

De Long Mountains ________________ 62

DuplophyUum ___________________ 61,62,64

Durhamina ...______________ 62, 64, pi. 28

alaskaensis _______________________ pi. 28

sutherlandi ____________________ pi. 28

Eugeosynclinal belt _____________ 59

Eurasian fauna __________________ 63

Euryphylhim ______________ 61, 62, pi. 26

Faunal provincialism __ 

Favositidae (Michelinia)

63

62

Gemuk Group, southwestern Alaska __ 62

Geographic distribution, Permian corals 62

Geologic provinces ___-_-----.______ 59

Halleck Formation _____________ 61

Hapsiphyllum ... ___________________ 61, 62

Hasen Creek Formation ____________ 62

Heritschioides ________________ 62, 64, pi. 28

Hornsundia ... _________________ 61, 62, 64

Introduction

Japan

59

64

Lisburne Peninsula 62

Lithofacies, geographic distribution 59

Locality descriptions, Permian corals.. 65

Lophophyllidium ... ______ 61, 62, 63, pi. 26

Mankomen Formation, Alaska Range .. 61

Marine dejosits ___ __ _ - ________ 59

Michelinia ___________________- ____ 62

(Michelinia), Favositidae ___________ 62

Miogeosynclinal facies _-_-----_ ___. 59

Neozaphrentis .__-_____- _____ -__-_ 61, 62 

New Zealand ____________ ____-_.-__ 64

Paleoenvironment, Permian __ __ 59, 62 

Permian rocks, distribution by age ___ 60 

Plerophyllum ... _______________ 61,64 

Pseudobradyphyllum ... _._ 61, 62, pi. 26

Russia 64

Sadlerochit Formation, Brooks Range._ 60, 62 

Siksikpuk Formation _________ _____ 61

Sinopora . _____. _____ 62, 64, pi. 28 

Skolai Group __ .--._ . 61 

Sochkineophyllum ................. 61, 62, 64

Southeastern Alaska _________________ 62

Southwestern Alaska ___---- _. 62

Step Conglomerate ----- ___- _._ 62

Stereocorypha .................. 61, 62, pi. 26

Stereostyhis -.........________ 61,62,63

sutherlandi, Durhamina ________.-.____ pi. 28

Syrivgopora ..........________ 62, pi. 28

Tachylasma ....................... 61,62,63

Tahkandit Limestone __________ 60,62

Thamnopora __________________________ 62

Timania .............. ___ 61, 62, 63, 64, pi. 26

Timor ______ -._ . _ 64

Ufimia ..______________ 61, 62, 64, pi. 26

Verbeekiella .......................... 61,62

WentzeJella .........

West Spitsbergen __ 

Wrangell Mountains

62

64

62

75
PLATES 26-28

[Contact photographs of the plates in this report are available, at cost, from U.S. 

Geological Survey Library, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225]
PLATE 26

[See p. 64-72 for locality descriptions]

FIGURES 1-11. Small solitary nondissepimented corals.

1. Stereocorypha Moore and Jeffords, 1945 (Metriophyllidae). Transverse section, ephebic stage (inked), X 2; 

Early Permian, Skolai Creek area, Wrangell Mountains. USGS colln. 22382-PC.

2. Euryphyllum Hill, 1927 (Hapsiphyllidae). Transverse 

section, ephebic stage (inked), X 2; Early Permian, 

Tiglukpuk Creek (type s-ection of Siksikpuk Formation), central Brooks Range. USGS colln. 11814-PC.

3. Ufimia Stuckenberg, 1895 (Polycoeliidae). Transverse 

section, ephebic stage (inked), X 2; Early Permian, 

lower Kukpuk valley, Lisburne Peninsula. USGS colln. 

20213-PC.

4. Lophophyllidium Grabau, 1928 (Lophophyllidiidae). 

Transverse section, ephebic stage (inked), X 2; Early 

Permian, south of Skolai Creek, western Wrangell 

Mountains. USGS colln. 22380-PC.

5. Allotropiophyllum Grabau, 1928 (Hapsiphyllidae). Transverse section, ephebic stage (inked), X 2; Early Permian, Tiglukpuk Creek, central Brooks Range. USGS 

colln. 11814-PC.

6-9. IBradyphyllum Grabau, 1928 (Hapsiphyllidae). Transverse sections of neanic through ephebic stages 

(inked), X 2; Early Permian, McCallum Creek sequence, southern Rainbow Mountain area, central 

Alaska Range. Rowett (1969) loc. MC-1.

10,11. IPseudobradyphyllum Dobrolyubova, 1940 (Polycoeliidae). X 2; Early Permian, McCallum Creek sequence, 

southern Rainbow Mountain area, central Alaska 

Range. Rowett (1969) loc. MC-1.

10. Transverse section, early ephebic stage 

(inked).

11. Transverse section, ephebic stage (inked). 

12-18. Large solitary dissepimented corals.

12-14. Timania Stuckenberg, 1895 (Cyathopsidae). X 1; Early 

Permian, McCallum Creek sequence.

12. Transverse section, ephebic stage; McCallum

Creek area. Rowett (1969) loc. VV-21a. 

13,14. Transverse and longitudinal sections, ephebic 

stage; Rainbow Mountain area. Rowett 

(1969) loc. MC-13.

15-18. BothrophyUum Trautschold, 1879 (Cyathopsidae). Early 

Permian, McCallum Creek sequence, southern Rainbow 

Mountain area, central Alaska Range.

15,16. Transverse sections of early ephebic and 

ephebic stages (inked), X 1. Rowett 

(1969) loc. MC-1.

17,18. Longitudinal (inked) and transverse sections, 

X 2. Rowett (1969) loc. MC-7.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-D PL ATE 26

is

PERMIAN SOLITARY CORALS FROM ALASKA
PLATE 27

[See p. 64 72 for locality descriptions]

FIGURES 1-5. Auloclisia Lewis, 1927 (Aulophyllidae). X 2; Early Permian, 

McCallum Creek sequence, upper Delta River area. Rowett (1969) 

loc. DR-16.

1, 2. Transverse sections, ephebic stage.

3, 4. Transverse sections, early ephebic stage.

5. Longitudinal section.

6-9. Clisiophyllum Dana, 1846 (Aulophyllidae). X 2; Early Permian, 

McCallum Creek sequence, upper Delta River area, central Alaska 

Range. Rowett (1969) loc. DR-16.

6, 7. Transverse section and inked duplicate print, early ephebic

stage.

8, 9. Transverse sections, ephebic stage.

10-12. Caninia Michelin in Gervais, 1840 (Cyathopsidae). X 1; Early 

Permian, McCallum Crek sequence, upper Delta River area, central Alaska Range. Rowett (1969) loc. RC-17.

10. Longitudinal section (inked).

11,12. Transverse section and inked duplicate print, ephebic 

stage.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-D PLATE 27

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LARGE SOLITARY DISSEPIMENTED CORALS -FROM THE PERMIAN OF ALASKA
PLATE 28

[See p. 64-72 for locality descriptions]

FIGURES 1-12. Fasciculate colonial rugose corals.

1-5. Durhamina Wilson and Langenheim, 1962 (Durhaminidae). X 2.

1,2. Transverse and longitudinal sections of D. 

sutherlandi, ephebic stage. Upper Delta 

River area. Rowett (1969) loc. DR-15. 

3-5. Transverse and longitudinal sections and 

inked duplicate print of D. alaskaensis, 

ephebic stage. Early Permian, McCallum 

Creek sequence, McCallum Creek area, central Alaska Range. Rowett (1969) loc. 

VV-21b.

6-12. Heritschiodes Yabe, 1950 (Durhaminidae). X 2; Early 

Permian, McCallum Creek sequence, southern Rainbow Mountain area, central Alaska Range. Rowett 

(1969) loc. MC-6.

6,7. Transverse section and inked duplicate

print, ephebic stage.

8. Transverse section, early ephebic stage. 

9,10. Transverse section and inked duplicate, 

ephebic stage.

11. Transverse section, early ephebic stage.

12. Longitudinal section. 

13-18. Tabulate corals.

13-15. Syringopora Goldfuss, 1826 (Auloporidae). X 5; Early 

Permian, McCallum Creek sequence, southern Rainbow Mountain area, central Alaska Range. Rowett 

(1969) loc. MC-5.

13. Transverse section of corallum, ephebic

stages. 

14, 15. Longitudinal section and inked duplicate

print of corallite.

16-18. Sinopora Sokolov, 1955 (Sinoporidae). X 5; Early Permian, McCallum Creek sequence, McCallum Creek 

area, central Alaska Range. Rowett (1969) loc. VV21b.

16. Transverse section of corallum. 

17,18. Longitudinal section and inked duplicate 

print of single corallite.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 823-DPLATE28

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COLONIAL RUGOSE AND TABULATE CORALS FROM THE PERMIAN OF ALASKA