Structures in the Wabush Formation west of Wabush Lake with special reference to the Smallwood Mine

Wabush Formation consists of a lower carbonate-silicate member and an upper iron-oxide member. The stratigraphic succession of the rocks associated with the Wabush Formation is established from surface geological mapping and diamond drilling.In the northern part of the Smallwood Mine the Wabush Formation appears to be composed of two iron-oxide and two carbonate-silicate members. This repetition is due not to primary deposition or to thrust faulting but to repeated folding. The first generation of folds trends easterly, the second generation trends 020°1 southwest of Wabush Lake, and 350° to 010° west of the central part of the lake. Folds of the third generation trend 040° to 060°. Both sets of later folds are overturned to the west or northwest. The rocks of the Wabush Formation have, therefore, undergone deformation by forces acting at different times in different directions.1. All angular values expressed in three figures refer to azimuth.