The Random Formation is a rock unit in Newfoundland dating to the early Cambrian period, dominated by tidal quartz arenites deposited in a near-shore environment, but also incorporating intertidal and open-shelf deposits, including glauconitic and mud-cracked mudstones (now shales), and red channel sandstones.[4][7] It was deposited quickly and is approximately 175 m (574 ft) thick.[8] The Blue Pinion Formation was originally recognized as a separate formation, but is now interpreted as an expression of the Random Formation.[9][10]
^ abSmith, S. A.; Hiscott, R. N. (1987). "Latest Precambrian to Early Cambrian basin evolution, Fortune Bay, Newfoundland: Fault-bounded basin to platform". Can. J. Earth Sci. 21 (12): 1379–1392. doi:10.1139/e84-143.
^Normore, L. S. (2012). "GEOLOGY OF THE RANDOM ISLAND MAP AREA (Nts 2C/04), Newfoundland". Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey Report. 12: 121–145.
^Hiscott, R. N. (1982). "Tidal deposits of the Lower Cambrian Random Formation, eastern Newfoundland; facies and paleoenvironments". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 19 (10): 2028–2042. Bibcode:1982CaJES..19.2028H. doi:10.1139/e82-180.
^Hiscott, Richard N. (1982). "Tidal deposits of the Lower Cambrian Random Formation, eastern Newfoundland: Facies and Paleoenvironments". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 19 (10): 2028–2042. Bibcode:1982CaJES..19.2028H. doi:10.1139/e82-180.
^Crimes, Thomas Peter (1992). "The Record of Trace Fossils across the Proterozoic—Cambrian Boundary". Origin and Early Evolution of the Metazoa. Topics in Geobiology. Vol. 10. pp. 177–202. doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-2427-8_6. ISBN978-1-4899-2429-2.
^Greene, Bryan; Williams, Harold (1974). "New Fossil Localities and the Base of the Cambrian in Southeastern Newfoundland". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 11 (2): 319. Bibcode:1974CaJES..11..319G. doi:10.1139/e74-027.