LAST INTERGLACIAL MUIR POINT FORMATION, VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH-COLUMBIA

The Muir Point Formation probably represents the last interglacial and climatic maximum of the Late Pleistocene in southwest British Columbia. It comprises estuarine, floodplain, fluvial, alluvial fan, and debris flow lithofacies. The lower exposed part of the formation is normally magnetized and probably formed during the Brunhes Normal Polarity Chron (<790 ka BP). On the basis of similar polarity, palynology, lithologies, and stratigraphic position, the Muir Point Formation is correlated with the Whidbey Formation of northwest Washington State. It probably also correlates with the Highbury Formation under the Fraser Lowland of mainland British Columbia. Throughout most of this record Douglas fir pollen is more abundant than in modern pollen rain around the study sites which indicates that paleoclimate was at least as warm and dry as presented. -from Author