Platform Evolution in an Oligo–Miocene Back-arc Basin: An Example from the Central Iran Basin

The Qom Formation is the most important hydrocarbon reservoir target in Central Iran. The Qom platform developed in a back-arc basin during the Oligo–Miocene due to the closing of the Tethyan Seaway. This formation consists of a variety of carbonate and non-carbonate facies deposited on a platform ranging from supratidal to basin. A combination of tectonic and eustatic events led to some lateral and vertical facies variations in the study area. Six third-order depositional sequences and related surfaces were identified regarding vertical facies changes in the studied sections of this Oligo–Miocene succession. According to all results and data, this succession was initially deposited during the Chattian upon a distally steepened ramp of siliciclastic-carbonate composition, including the Bouma sequence. Then, from the late Chattian to the Aquitanian, the platform changed into a homoclinal carbonate ramp with a gentle profile. With respect to tectonic activity, this phase was a calm period during the deposition of the Qom Formation. Finally, a drowned carbonate platform and a rimmed shelf emerged during the Burdigalian, terminated by the continental deposits of the Upper Red Formation. Regarding all geological characteristics, three main tectono-eustatic evolutionary phases have been recognized in the Qom back-arc basin.     

Significance of Carbon Isotopes in Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy—As Exemplified by the Permian System in Southwest China

Based on the research on sequence stratigraphy of the Permian in Southwest China,in conjunction with the carbon isotope data from the typical sections at Ganluo,Sichuan and Tianlin and Masan,Guangxi,the authors suggest that the genetic framework and internal architicture of different sequences possess quite different carbon isotopic characteristics.Therefore ,the following problems can be solved in terms of carbon isotopic values,evolutionary curve patterns and structures of carbonate sequences:(1) to determe the nature of sequence boundary surface and related geological events;(2) to recognize various kinds of sedimentary system tracts;(3) to discuss the internal architicture and genetic framework of the sequences and their evolution;(4) to subdivide and correlate sedimentary sequences on a regional or global scale; and (5)to enhance the resolution of sequence stratigraphic analysis.Stable carbon isotopes have proved themselves to be valid in sequence stratigraphic studies of carbonate rocks,as demonstrated by our results presented in this paper.     

Tectono–sedimentary Evolution of the Late Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin

The early stage of Sichuan Basin formation was controlled by the convergence of three major Chinese continental blocks during the Indosinian orogeny that include South China,North China,and Qiangtang blocks.Although the Late Triassic Xujiahe Formation is assumed to represent the commencement of continental deposition in the Sichuan Basin,little research is available on the details of this particular stratum.Sequence stratigraphic analysis reveals that the Xujiahe Formation comprises four third-order depositional sequences.Moreover,two tectono-sedimentary evolution stages,deposition and denudation,have been identified.Typical wedge-shaped geometry revealed in a cross section of the southern Sichuan Basin normal to the Longmen Shan fold-thrust belt is displayed for the entire Xujiahe Formation.The depositional extent did not cover the Luzhou paleohigh during the LST1 to LST2 （LST,TST and HST mean Iowstand,transgressive and highstand systems tracts,1,2,3 and 4 represent depositional sequence 1,2,3 and 4）,deltaic and fluvial systems fed sediments from the Longmen Shan belt,Luzhou paleohigh,Hannan dome,and Daba Shan paleohigh into a foreland basin with a centrally located lake.The forebulge of the western Sichuan foreland basin was located southeast of the Luzhou paleohigh after LST2.According to the principle of nonmarine sequence stratigraphy and the lithology of the Xujiahe Formation,four thrusting events in the Longmen Shan fold-thrust belt were distinguished,corresponding to the basal boundaries of sequences 1,2,3,and 4.The northern Sichuan Basin was tilted after the deposition of sequence 3,inducing intensive erosion of sequences 3 and 4,and formation of wedge-shaped deposition geometry in sequence 4 from south to north.The tilting probably resulted from small-scale subduction and exhumation of the western South China block during the South and North China block collision.     

On the Carboniferous Sequence Stratigraphy in the Tazhong Area, Xinjiang——A Model of the Sequence Stratigraphy Framework of Intracratonic Depressional Basins

The Carboniferous prototype sedimentary basin in the Tazhong (Central Tarimbasin) area is recognized as a compressive intracratonic depressional one. Three type Ⅰ sequenceboundaries and three type Ⅱ sequence boundaries can be identified in the CarboniferousSystem, which can accordingly be divided into five sedimentary sequences. These sequencespossess stratigraphic characters of the standard sequence and correspond to the depositionalstratigraphic unit of a third-order eustatic cycle. They can be regionally or globally correlatedwith each other. The framework of sequence stratigraphy of the intracratonict basin in thestudy area distinctly differs from that of the passive continental-margin basin in the lack ofdepositional systems of early-middle lowstand, poor development of the deeply incised valleyand condensed section of the maximum sea-flood, good development of type Ⅱ sequenceboundaries and coastal plain depositional systems coexisting with shelf-type fan deltas underwet climatic conditions, Which consequently led to the formation of a paralic lithofacies frame-work.     

Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Qal’eh Dokhtar Formation (Middle–Upper Jurassic) in the West of Boshrouyeh, East Central Iran

The study area is located in the east Tabas Block in Central Iran. Facies analysis of the Qal’eh Dokhtar Formation (middle Callovian to late Oxfordian) was carried out on two stratigraphic sections and applied to depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy interpretation. This formation conformably overlies and underlies the marly-silty Baghamshah and the calcareous Esfandiar formations, respectively. Lateral and vertical facies changes documents low- to high energy environments, including tidal-flat, beach to intertidal, lagoon, barrier, and open-marine. According to these facies associations and absence of resedimentation deposits a depositional model of a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic ramp was proposed for the Qal’eh Dokhtar Formation. Seven third-order depositional sequences were identified in each two measured stratigraphic sections. Transgressive systems tracts (TSTs) show deepening upward trends, i.e. shallow water beach to intertidal and lagoonal facies, while highstand systems tracts (HST) show shallowing upward trends in which deep water facies are overlain by shallow water facies. All sequence boundaries (except at the base of the stratigraphic column) are of the no erosional (SB2) types. We conclude eustatic rather than tectonic factors played a dominant role in controlling carbonate depositional environments in the study area.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000600

Detailed studies on Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous carbonate rocks in central Hunan, southern China have led to the recognition of 25 lithofacies which can be grouped into:(1) inner ramp peritidal platform,(2) inner ramp organic bank and mound.(3) mid ramp,(4) outer ramp,and(5) shelf basin fades associations.The peritidal platform fades association dominates the Zimenqiao Formation (Namurian A or late Datangian) and is characterized by gypsum and dolostone-containing sequences, indicating a peritidal platform environment.The other four fades associations dominate the Menggongao Formation(late Famennian).Liujiatang Formation(Tournaisian or Yangruanian).Shidengzi Formations (early Visean or early Datangian).Five upward-shallowing cycles were distinguished in these three Formations.The predominant fades associations developed in each Formation demonstrate an overall transgression-regression cycle in the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous in central Hunan.The overall transgressive sequence was preserved in the Shaodong.Menggongao.and Liujiatang Formations,and the overall regressive sequence was preserved in the Liujiatang.Shidengzi.Ceshui and Zimenqiao Formations.     

Evolution of the Extensional Rifted Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi Oceanic Basin During the Late Hercynian to Middle Indosinian Stage

On the basis of exhaustive researches on the facies sequences and depositlonal evolutionary process of various depositional systems, the genetic stratigraphic framework of the extensional rifted oceanic basin, which has undergone strong structural destruction, has been reconstructed by means of dynamic genetic stratigraphic analysis. Five depositional episodes have been distinguished from various isochronous stratigraphic boundaries and stratigraphic sequences with the three-dimensional structure of each depositional episode analysed in detail. The tectonic paleogeographic environment corresponding to different stages of each depositional episode has been reconstructed for individual depositional system tracts. And the evolution history of this rifted basin has been divided into four stages' initial rifting and oceanization of continental crust, stretching and spreading of the basin, subduction and basin differentiation, and convergence and collision. A NNE-trending intracontinental soft collision sutur     

Simulation of the Subsidence and Deposition Processes of the Foreland Basin in the Southwestern Margin of Ordos

Characteristics of deformation in the thrust belt and sequence stratigraphic framework in the foreland basin, structural features of the basin margin, and the episodic thrusting are studied in this paper by combining the eastern Qilian thrust belt and the Late Triassic foreland basin on the southwestern margin of Ordos. On this basis, a geological model and a mechanical model of coupling mechanism were established for the pair of thrust belt and foreland basin, and the subsidence and deposition process of the foreland basin were simulated on given parameters.     

Abstracts of Acta Geologica Sinica (Chinese Edition)

The stratigraphic sequence, framework and thickness of the abyssal-bathyal Cretaceous in Gyangze, the northern Tethyan Himalayas, South Xizang(Tibet), are revised in this paper. It is proposed that the Jiabula Formations: Chuangde Formation and Zongzhuo Formation constitute the Cretaceous in this area, in which their sequences, ages and thicknesses are distinctively different from the previous ones. The Jiabula Formation, aged from Berriasian to Santonian, is composed of black shale with intercalated turbiditic sandstone, lenticular limestone and pyrite     

A Climatic Sequence Stratigraphic Model in the Terrestrial Lacustrine Basin: A Case Study of Green River Formation,Uinta Basin,USA

In recent years, with the development of terrestrial sequence stratigraphy, more attention has been focused on the study of the terrestrial lacustrine sequence stratigraphic model globally. Different viewpoints are preferred by researchers. Under the guidance of the theory of sequence stratigraphy, the findings of this paper indicate that climate is a major factor controlling the formation of the fourth-order sequence, based upon the study of the sequence stratigraphy in the Green River Formation of the Uinta basin in the USA. It also divides the fourth-order sequence in the terrestrial lacustrine basin into two system tracts: the wet (rising) half-cycle and the dry (falling) half-cycle, establishing a new-style fourth-order sequence stratigraphic model for the terrestrial lacustrine basin, that is, the climate-genetic sequence stratigraphic model. As a result, the theory of sequence stratigraphy is greatly enriched.     

中伊朗盆地卡尚地区库姆组层序地层研究

利用野外露头、钻井和地震资料．通过岩相、沉积旋回以及地震层序和地震相分析建立中伊朗盆地库姆组的层序地层系统、框架模式及沉积体系，岩性地层单元与沉积层序的对应关系。研究发现库姆组沉积于一个受全球海平面升降变化及区域构造活动影响而与波斯湾间歇性相通的弧后大陆边缘海盆地，是一顶底面以不整合界面为界的构造层序(超层序组)，其内部发育3个3级层序。依据库姆组沉积时的盆地形态和沉积环境分析将盆地分为岛弧、台地、斜坡、盆地4个次级构造一沉积单元。盆地南缘为障壁岛，由于陆源碎屑少，南带及中带沉积碳酸盐岩为主；而北东缘为陆地，陆源(火山)碎屑供应充分，发育扇、河控三角洲沉积体系；东南岛弧带则沉积碳酸盐岩夹火山碎屑岩为主。     

Unconventional reservoir potential of the upper Permian Zechstein Group: a slope to basin sequence stratigraphic and sedimentological evaluation of carbonates and organic-rich mudrocks, Northern Germany

The Late Permian Zechstein Group in northeastern Germany is characterized by shelf and slope carbonates that rimmed a basin extending from eastern England through the Netherlands and Germany to Poland. Conventional reservoirs are found in grainstones rimming islands created by pre-existing paleohighs and platform-rimming shoals that compose steep margins in the north and ramp deposits in the southern part. The slope and basin deposits are characterized by debris flows and organic-rich mudstones. Lagoonal and basinal evaporites formed the seal for these carbonate and underlying sandstone reservoirs. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate potential unconventional reservoirs in organic-rich, fine-grained and/or tight mudrocks in slope and basin as well as platform carbonates occurring in this stratigraphic interval. Therefore, a comprehensive study was conducted that included sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, petrography, and geochemistry. Sequence stratigraphic correlations from shelf to basin are crucial in establishing a framework that allows correlation of potential productive facies in fine-grained, organic-rich basinal siliceous and calcareous mudstones or interfingering tight carbonates and siltstones, ranging from the lagoon, to slope to basin, which might be candidates for forming an unconventional reservoir. Most organic-rich shales worldwide are associated with eustatic transgressions. The basal Zechstein cycles, Z1 and Z2, contain organic-rich siliceous and calcareous mudstones and carbonates that form major transgressive deposits in the basin. Maturities range from over–mature (gas) in the basin to oil-generation on the slope with variable TOC contents. This sequence stratigraphic and sedimentologic evaluation of the transgressive facies in the Z1 and Z2 assesses the potential for shale-gas/oil and hybrid unconventional plays. Potential unconventional reservoirs might be explored in laminated organic-rich mudstones within the oil window along the northern and southern slopes of the basin. Although the Zechstein Z1 and Z2 cycles might have limited shale-gas potential because of low thickness and deep burial depth to be economic at this point, unconventional reservoir opportunities that include hybrid and shale-oil potential are possible in the study area.     

伊朗Kashan 地区库姆盆地层序地层及沉积体系分布

中伊朗库姆盆地 Kashan(卡山)地区是中国石化海外重要的勘探区块,并首钻ARN-1井成功。该区是始新世中期—中新世中期形成的一个弧后边缘海盆地,其库姆组以浅海相的碳酸盐岩和碎屑岩沉积为主。依据野外露头、钻井、测井、地震等资料建立了库姆组层序地层格架,划分为2个二级层序（SS1和SS2）和5个三级层序即S1—S5。并通过层序地层的划分对比分析了该区各层序的沉积体系的演化及展布特征,主要为三次海侵形成三期沉积体系：即S1层序为初次海侵期（A,B段,C1亚段）,S2层序为沉降充填期（C2,C3,C4亚段）,S3—S5再次海侵期（D—E段）。最后探讨了油气勘探意义。     

河南登封晚古生代层序地层及聚煤特征研究

运用露头、钻井岩心层序地层学的有关理论方法,对蹬槽剖面的晚古生代地层进行了详细的沉积学和层序地层学研究,共识别出8个三级层序界面,把本研究区域晚古生代地层划分为7个三级层序。S1大致相当于本溪组;S2大致相当于太原组;S3大致相当于山西组;S4和S5分别对应下石盒子组的上下部分;S6对应上石盒子组;S7对应石千峰组。在这些层序中,低位体系域往往以发育三角洲平原分流河道相砂砾岩、或残积相风化壳、或滨湖相中细砂岩为特征,而水进体系域多障壁岛-潟湖相泥岩和粉砂岩、三角洲前缘相砂泥层以及浅湖相细砂岩为主,高位体系域则主要为浅海相碳酸盐岩、前三角洲相泥岩及富泥质的浅湖相沉积序列。层序S1～层序S2物源不丰富,聚煤作用主要发生在海侵初期或海退时期;层序S3～层序S6物源相对丰富,聚煤作用主要出现在最大海泛附近。     

鄂尔多斯盆地奥陶系层序地层格架

通过大量露头、钻井与地震层序地层学综合分析,建立了全盆地奥陶系层序地层格架。研究提出了“碳酸盐岩层序地层划分与对比五要素”分析方法。应用该分析方法在奥陶系识别出3个二级层序界面、6个三级层序界面,将奥陶系划分为2个二级层序和8个三级层序。盆地不同构造环境形成不同的层序地层格架:在盆地西部窄大陆边缘北部奥陶系发育层序 Osq3-层序Osq7五套地层,持续时间从早奥陶世弗洛阶到晚奥陶世桑比阶末,南部发育层序Osq1-层序Osq7七套地层,持续时间从早奥陶世特马道克阶到晚奥陶世桑比阶末,总体上西部地层西厚东薄,南北向条带状展布,向伊盟隆起-庆阳古隆起上超覆尖灭;在盆地南部宽大陆边缘奥陶系发育盆地所发现的8个层序,持续时间从早奥陶世弗洛阶到晚奥陶世凯特阶早期,地层南厚北薄,向庆阳古隆起上超覆尖灭;在盆地中东部台内洼陷奥陶系仅发育层序Osq3-层序Osq5 TST,以盆地东部洼陷东侧最厚向伊盟隆起-庆阳古隆起上超覆尖灭;盆地北部伊盟古隆起、西南部庆阳古隆起主体一直处于隆起剥蚀状态,二者的鞍部仅发育Osq4 TST层序,表明盆地西部的祁连海槽与盆地东部的华北海在中奥陶世晚期有过短暂连通。     

豫北东姚一带马家沟组层序地层研究

中奥陶统马家沟组为一套海相碳酸盐岩地层.豫北东姚一带马家沟组出露较全,分布稳定,是进行马家沟组层序地层研究的有利地区.在系统研究野外实测剖面的基础上,根据8个岩性段的岩石组合特征、垂向变化规律,在区内马家沟组中识别出2个Ⅰ型层序界面和5个Ⅱ型层序界面,划分出1个二级层序和6个三级层序.通过讨论和分析该区马家沟组各级层序的特征,建立了东姚一带马家沟组的层序地层格架.结合层序地层特征分析,认为区内马家沟组的沉积环境经历了6次海进海退旋回.对区内中奥陶统马家沟组的层序地层研究,可以为研究豫北地区古生代的海平面变化提供参考.     

豫北东姚一带马家沟组层序地层研究

中奥陶统马家沟组为一套海相碳酸盐岩地层.豫北东姚一带马家沟组出露较全，分布稳定，是进行马家沟组层序地层研究的有利地区.在系统研究野外实测剖面的基础上，根据8个岩性段的岩石组合特征、垂向变化规律，在区内马家沟组中识别出2个Ⅰ型层序界面和5个Ⅱ型层序界面，划分出1个二级层序和6个三级层序.通过讨论和分析该区马家沟组各级层序的特征，建立了东姚一带马家沟组的层序地层格架.结合层序地层特征分析，认为区内马家沟组的沉积环境经历了6次海进海退旋回.对区内中奥陶统马家沟组的层序地层研究，可以为研究豫北地区古生代的海平面变化提供参考.     

沉积盆地的层序和沉积充填结构及过程响应

现代层序地层学的理论发展,把沉积过程纳入到地质演化的时空框架中并与地球的多旋回或节律演化结合研究,形成了一套带有革命性的、在等时地层格架中研究沉积作用的新方法,成为了油气资源等沉积矿产预测勘探的重要工具。沉积盆地的沉积充填可划分出与各级沉积旋回相对应的层序地层单元。追踪对比由不整合面或不整合面及其对应的整合面为界的高级别层序地层单元建立的区域性等时地层格架,对盆地构造古地理再造和油气勘探战略性研究至关重要;追踪四、五级等低级别层序地层单元和体系域建立的高精度层序地层格架,可为重点区域或区带的沉积体系和储集体的沉积构成和分布等的解剖提供精细的地层对比基础。依据沉积基准面的变化,从层序内水进到水退的沉积旋回中可划分出正常水退沉积、强制性水退沉积、水进沉积及垂向加积等成因沉积类型。海相或湖相盆地中三级层序地层单元内均可较好地划分出低位、水进、高位及下降体系域。盆地构造作用、气候变化、海、湖平面升降过程对层序发育的控制作用及沉积响应研究,一直是层序地层学或沉积地质分析领域的研究热点。沉积盆地的层序地层序列演化是盆地地球动力学过程的总体响应。层序地层学把盆地古构造、古地理的变迁纳入到统一的地球演化系统中研究,形成了与区域地球演化史或盆地动力学演化相结合的重要研究领域。多旋回盆地或叠合盆地中多期次的构造变革导致了多个区域性不整合面所分隔的多个构造层序的叠加。注重构造—层序地层的结合分析,揭示盆地的层序地层序列与多期盆地构造作用的成因联系,是构造活动盆地或大型叠合盆地沉积地质演化和油气聚集规律研究的关键。盆地构造作用,如前陆盆地多期次的逆冲挠曲沉降和回弹隆起的构造作用、多幕裂陷过程、多期构造反转等与重要不整合及区域性沉积旋回或层序的形成密切相关;而由气候变化引起的海或湖平面变化是控制高频沉积旋回或低级别层序发育的主要因素。在构造活动盆地中,构造坡折带对沉积体系域和沉积相的发育分布具重要控制作用。     

西藏甲马弧内盆地的形成演化

位于西藏冈底斯带的甲马弧内盆地是随着甲马岛弧的发育而产生的，沉积了一套演浅海相活动大陆边缘的沉积物，主要由碎屑岩与海绵礁灰岩构成，在盆地内的上侏罗统至白垩系中，共识别出七个3级层序，包括1个I类层序和6个Ⅱ类层序，重新建立了该区层序地层年代格架，层序地层的研究表明，盆地的演化可划分为具深切谷的碎屑陆架阶段，碳酸盐台地与海绵礁形成阶段，滞流的碎屑陆架阶段，无障壁海岸的碎屑陆架阶段和具障壁海岸的碎屑陆架5个阶段。     

鄂尔多斯盆地北部奥陶系碳酸盐岩层序地层研究

碳酸盐岩的物源性质、形成背景、沉积机理和扩散方式都与碎屑岩有很大的差异．对于碳酸盐岩层序地层，需要从成因上、从台地的性质与演化、海不的进退、台地的淹没与暴露等方面进行研究．在总结露头层序地层工作方法的基础上，阐述了密集段、首次洪泛面和层序边界的识别标志，建立了高分辨率层序地层格架．鄂尔多斯盆地早奥陶世三道坎组沉积时，为碳酸盐岩－碎屑岩混合缓坡背景；桌子山组及克里摩里组沉积时为镶边陆架与末端陡倾缓坡的背景；乌拉力克组及中奥陶世时，转化为拗拉槽背景．由此分别建立了碳酸盐岩－碎屑岩缓坡模式和镶边陆架与末端陡倾缓坡的综合模式