Bentonite occurrences are common adjacent to the Fraser fault along the eastern margin of the Chilcotin Plateau. Bentonite occurs in Eocene volcanic rocks of dominantly rhyolitic composition which are correlative with the Kamloops Group east of the Fraser fault. The Fraser fault system itself was probably instrumental in the formation of the bentonite deposits in areas of Eocene volcanic rocks in that the movement of the fault system caused the development of basins in which the bentonite formed.

While the volcanic rocks of the region have been dated as Eocene in age by both radiometric and paleontological methods, the age of formation of bentonite by the hydrothermal alteration of tephra is not known. However, it is likely that bentonite formation occurred not long after volcanism had ceased.

The South Ward Creek showing occurs in the core of a northerly trending anticline where maroon and brown weathering, fine volcanic breccia, rhyolite tuff and bentonite-rich lenses up to 1.5 metre thick are exposed.