Seismic tectono-stratigraphy of fluvio-deltaic to deep marine Miocene silicoclastic hydrocarbon reservoir systems in the Gulf of Hammamet,northeastern Tunisia

Most of hydrocarbon accumulations within the Gulf of Hammamet foreland basins in eastern Tunisia are reservoired within the Upper Miocene Birsa and Saouaf sandstones. It is the case of Birsa, Tazarka, Oudna, Baraka, Maamoura, Cosmos and Yasmine fields. These sandstones constitute oil and gas fields located on folded and faulted horst anticline highs and described as varying from shoreface to shallow marine and typically exhibit excellent reservoir quality of 30 to 35% porosity and good permeability from 500 to 1100 md. In addition, the fracturing of faults enhanced their reservoir quality potential. However, due to the lack of seismic stratigraphic studies to highlight depositional environment reservoir characterization and distribution, petroleum exploration faces structural and stratigraphic trap types and remains on targeting only high fold closures with limited reserve volumes of hydrocarbons. As an example of the Birsa concession case, syn-sedimentary tectonic structuring and geodynamic evolution during Middle to Upper Miocene Birsa reservoir sequences have guided the distribution of depositional environment of sandstone channel systems around horst and grabens by E-W, NE-SW and N-S strike slip flower faults controlling the subsidence distribution combined with the eustatic sea level variations. Seismic sequence stratigraphy study of Miocene Birsa reservoir horizons, based on the analysis and interpretations of E-W and N-S 3D selected regional lines that were compared and correlated to outcrops and calibrated by well data, permitted to highlight the basin configuration and sequence deposit nature and distribution. Sedimentary infilling of the basin from Langhian Ain Ghrab carbonate to Serravallian Tortonian Birsa and Saouaf sandstone and shale formations is organized in four third-order seismic sequences, limited by regional erosional toplap, onlap and downlap unconformity surfaces and by remarkable chronostratigraphic horizons of forced and normal erosive lowstand and highstand system tracts separated by transgressive and maximum flooding surfaces. Reconstructed sedimentary paleo-environment distribution vary from deltaic fluvial proximal deposits in the northern part of the high central Birsa horst to a delta front and prodelta coastal and shelf shore face and shore line channelized deposits in the surrounding borders of grabens. Distal deposits seem to be distributed from upper to lower slope fans and probably to the basin floor on the flanks of the subsiding grabens. Synthetic predictive paleogeographic depositional reservoir fairway map distribution of Lower, Middle and Upper Birsa sandstone reservoirs highlights four main domains of channelized superposed and shifted reservoirs to explore.     

Late Cretaceous to early Miocene deposits of the Carpathian foreland basin in southern Moravia

 The Late Cretaceous to Early Miocene strata of the Carpathian foreland basin in southern Moravia (Czech Republic) are represented by a variety of facies which reflects the evolution of the foreland depositional system. However, because of the intensive deformation and tectonic displacement and the lack of diagnostic fossils the stratigraphic correlation and paleogeographic interpretation of these strata are difficult and often controversial. In order to better correlate and to integrate them into a broader Alpine–Carpathian foreland depositional system, these discontinuous and fragmentary strata have been related to four major tectonic and depositional events: (a) formation of the Carpathian foreland basin in Late Cretaceous which followed the subduction of Tethys and subsequent deformation of the Inner Alps-Carpathians; (b) Middle to Late Eocene transgression over the European foreland and the Carpathian fold belt accompanied by deepening of the foreland basin and deposition of organic-rich Menilitic Formation; (c) Late Oligocene to Early Miocene (Egerian) uplifting and deformation of inner zones of the Carpathian flysch belt and deposition of Krosno-type flysch in the foreland basin; and (d) Early Miocene (Eggenburgian) marine transgression and formation of late orogenic and postorogenic molasse-type foreland basin in the foreland. These four principal events and corresponding depositional sequences are recognized throughout the region and can be used as a framework for regional correlation within the Alpine–Carpathian foreland basin. Received: 18 August 1998 / Accepted: 9 June 1999     

Orogenic evolution of the External Dinarides in the NE Adriatic region: a model constrained by tectonostratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene carbonates

Mesozoic to Cenozoic evolution of the central part of the Adriatic plate (External Dinarides and Adriatic foreland) is still a matter of debate. This is expressed by opposing paleogeographic models: single carbonate platform (Adriatic or Adriatic-Dinaridic) versus two carbonate platforms (Adriatic and Dinaridic) separated by the inter-platform Budva-Cukali basin. Estimates of shortening during Adria NE subduction, that resulted in the development of the Dinaric Alps, differ substantially. The single-platform model involves minor shortening achieved by folding and faulting along steep reverse faults. The two-platform model involves significant shortening achieved mainly by thrust stacking, which resulted in almost complete underthrusting of the intervening basinal deposits.Analysis of Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene stratigraphical data from both outcrops and boreholes allows regional correlation and the interpretation of major lithostratigraphic units. As a result, a few tectonostratigraphic units are recognized. The tectonostratigraphy is used as a basis for a new model on the late Mesozoic to Cenozoic evolution of the region.Generally, Adriatic and Dinaridic segments acted as major regional crustal entities of Adria. The upper portions of the sedimentary cover were differentially affected by progressive, southwestward verging thin-skinned deformations during the Paleocene to Eocene (Miocene?). The Adriatic foreland stayed out of the deformations, and is characterized predominantly by wrench and salt tectonics. The regional tectonic map shows arcuate thrust fronts of the External Dinarides. They could be a consequence of both, differential propagation of early-orogenic thin-skinned deformations over crustal fragments separated by transversal faults, and/or differential (isostatic?) movements of the fragments. The collision zone of the Adriatic and Dinaridic segments is characterized by late-orogenic (Oligocene to Miocene) thick-skinned compressional uplift (exhumation), related gravity gliding, and still active escape tectonics (wrenching). These processes masked primary thin-skinned deformations. A significant amount of shortening within and between the thin-skinned sedimentary covers is proposed. Therefore, the question of the general paleogeography of the region and the original NW extent of the Budva-Cukali basin (NE Adriatic trough) remains open.     

Manifestations tectono-diapiriques synsédimentaires et polyphasées d'âge Crétacé supérieur–Quaternaire dans la région de Zag Et Tir (Tunisie centre-nord)

The geodynamic evolution of the diapir of Zag Et Tir is the result of the coexistence of the diapiric and tectonic activity from the Upper Cretaceous until the Quaternary. The interference of the tectonic and diapiric phenomena is at the origin of the basin individualization with differential sedimentation during the Miocene. This explains the current distribution of the Neogene deposits on both sides of Zag Et Tir Triassic structure. The submeridian faults that subdivide our sector played a significant role during the Atlasic compression, inducing an unequal distribution of the folds on both sides of these accidents, as well in kind as in number, showing the anteriority of the faults compared to the folds. To cite this article: R.A. Gharbi et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Mise en évidence d'un nouveau front de chevauchement dans l'Atlas tunisien oriental de Tunisie par sismique réflexion. Contexte structural régional et rôle du Trias salifère

Structural interpretations of newly acquired seismic lines in northeastern Tunisia allow us to highlight a new thrust front for the Atlasic range of Tunisia, in contrast to the previously Zaghouan fault thrust Dorsale zone. This new thrust front takes place on weakness tectonic zones, materialized by inherited faults anchored on the pre-Triassic basement. This front seems to be a paleogeographic trend controlling structural style and basin fill with a synsedimentary activity. The front is expressed by reverse faults, thrust faults, back thrusting, and decollement structures. To cite this article: S. Khomsi et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Miocene formations and NE-trending right-lateral strike–slip tectonism in Thrace,northwest Turkey: geodynamic implications

In the Thrace Peninsula, Neogene units were deposited in two areas, the Enez Basin in the south and the Thrace Basin in the north. In the southwesternmost part of the peninsula, upper lower–lower upper Miocene continental to shallow marine clastics of the Enez Formation formed under the influence of the Aegean extensional regime. During the last stage of the transpressional activity of the NW-trending right-lateral strike–slip Balkan–Thrace Fault, which had controlled the initial early middle Eocene deposition in the Thrace Basin, a mountainous region extending from Bulgaria eastwards to the northern Thrace Peninsula of Turkey developed. A river system carried erosional clasts of the metamorphic basement southwards into the limnic depositional areas of the Thrace Basin during middle Miocene time. Deposition of fluvial, lacustrine, and terrestrial strata of the Ergene Formation, which conformably and transitionally overlie the Enez Formation, began in the late middle Miocene in the southwest part and in the late Miocene in the north‐northeast part of the basin. Activity along the NE-trending right-lateral strike–slip faults (the Xanthi–Thrace Fault Zone) extending from northeast Greece northeastwards through the Thrace Peninsula of Turkey to the southern shelf of the western Black Sea Basin began during the middle Miocene in the northern Aegean, at the beginning of the late Miocene in the southwest part, and at the end of the late Miocene in the northeast part of the Thrace region. Although the Neogene deposits in the Thrace Basin were evaluated as the products of a northerly fault, our data indicate that the NW-trending northerly fault zone became effective only during the initial stage of the basin development. The later stage deposition in the basin was controlled by the NE-trending Xanthi–Thrace Fault Zone, and the deposits of this basin progressively evolved north/northeastwards during the late Miocene. During the late early Miocene–late Miocene interval, extension within the Thrace region was part of the more regional Aegean extensional realm, but from latest Miocene time, it has been largely decoupled from the Aegean extensional realm to the south.     

Tectonic evolution of a restricted ocean basin: the Powell Basin (Northeastern Antarctic Peninsula)

Abstract

The Powell Basin is one of the few present-day examples of a small isolated ocean basin largely surrounded by blocks of continental crust. The continental blocks in this basin result from the fragmentation of the northern Antarctic Peninsula. This basin was created by the eastward motion of the South Orkney microcontinent relative to the Antarctic Peninsula. The axial rift, identified by multichannel seismic profiles obtained during the HESANT 92/93 cruise, and the gravimetric anomalies of the basin plain, together with the transcurrent faults along the northern and southern margins, indicate a predominant WSW-ENE trend of basin extension. The South Orkney microcontinent was incorporated into the Antarctic Plate during the Miocene as a consequence of the end of basin spreading. The eastern and western margins are conjugate and have an intermediate crust in the region of transition to the basin plain. The differences in the basement structure and the architecture of the depositional units suggest that the extensional process was asymmetrical. The southern transtensive margin and the northern transcurrent margin are rectilinear and steep, without any intermediate crust in the narrow fault zone between the base of the continentalblocks slope and the oceanic crust. The multichannel seismic profiles across the central sector of the basin reveal a spreading axis with a double ridge and a central depression filled with sediments. The geometry of the reflectors in this depression indicates that the ponded deposits belong to the early stages of oceaniccrust accretion. This structure is similar to the overlapping spreading centres observed in fast-spreading oceanic axes, where the spreading axis has relay and overlapping segments.

The depositional units of the margins and basin plain have been grouped into four depositional sequences, comprising the classic stages in the formation of an ocean basin: pre-rift (S1), syn-rift (S2), syn-drift (S3), and post-drift (S4). The pre-rift sequence has deformed reflectors and is observed in the southern and eastern margins. The syn-rift sequence, tectonically disrupted, fills depressions bounded by faults and is well-developed in the eastern margin where it is truncated by an erosive surface identified as the break-up unconformity. The syn-drift sequence is wedge-shaped in the basin, thickening towards the margins and having onlap relations on the flanks of the spreading ridge. The post-drift sequence is the thickest unit and is characterised by a cyclic pattern of alternating packages of high-amplitude reflectors, very continuous, and low-amplitude reflectors. Towards the western and eastern margins, the same sequence has channel-levee complexes and channelised, wedged bodies attributed to turbiditic deposits of submarine fans derived from canyons located in the slope and outer shelf. The cyclic nature of this sequence is probably related to advancing and receding grounded ice sheets in the continental shelf since the latest Miocene.     

北秦岭南缘弧前盆地沉积作用及盆地发展

秦岭被商丹缝合带分为北秦岭和南秦岭两个部分,在北秦岭南缘残留着与俯冲作用相关的岛弧火山岩以及弧前沉积体。对沿海丹带两个地区(黑河地区和黑山地区)弧前沉积体岩相组合和相序的研究显示,它们主要由深水浊积岩系。火山碎屑岩,扇三角洲沉积以及局限性台地碳酸盐岩和陆棚碎屑岩组成。总的沉积序列显示向上变浅趋势,但在弧前内侧边缘则表现为向上变深趋势。两个不同地区岩相和相序的差异明显受物源、海平面变化以及特别是构造作用的挫制。深水浊积岩系所反映的线状物源供给形式、扇三角洲体系的发育和其内部不同沉积段反复重叠的特征指示一种活动构造环境。弧前区构造发展一方面与其前部加积或下部垫底作用有关,另一方面则在很大程度上受由斜向俯冲而导致的伸展作用的影响。     

Biogeochemical properties of bituminous deposits in the Miocene Himmetoǧlu basin (Turkey)

In this study, geochemical and biogeochemical investigations by means of organic carbon (Corg) and element chemistry were performed on deposits in the Miocene Himmeto lu basin which is represented by various depositional characteristics. As a result of Corg and element analyses conducted on more than 50 samples, precious and rare metals such as Ag, Hg, Bi, In and U were found to have wide accumulation ranges. The average concentrations of these metals in bitumen-rich sediments in the area are 0.9, 1.17, 0.9, 0.85 and 10.0 ppm, respectively. Enrichment coefficients (EC) of these metals are 12.86, 58.5, 4.5, 14.2 and 3.7 times greater than the earth crust. However, in some sediment units enrichment coefficients are much higher such as 34.3 for Ag, 100 for Hg, 13.3 for Bi, 33.3 for In and 12.44 for U. The average Corg values of sediments studied is 37.21%. Except for two samples (2.78 and 2.65%), Corg values range from 11.09 to 80.03 wt % indicating that this part of Miocene basin has unique paleobionomic and paleogeographic characteristics. The main source of OM is algal/amorphous Type I and also Type II kerogens consisting of vegetal sources such as spore-pollen and leaf cuticle. Results show that region under investigation is important by means of energy and metal sources.     

南海西部海域新生代构造古地理演化及其对油气勘探的意义

南海西部海域构造复杂,主要发育有北东—北东东向、北西向和近南北向3组深大断裂。其中,北西向断裂与板块汇聚、碰撞有关,多具走滑性质;北东—北东东向断裂具有与中国东部裂谷盆地相似的发育特点,呈张扭性质;近南北向断裂可能是南海在扩张活动期间于洋、陆壳过渡部位形成的走滑调节断裂,是洋盆扩张的西部边界。新生代里,南海经历了4次成盆事件与3期扩张活动,盆地经历了古新世—中始新世陆缘断陷、渐新世—早中新世扩展与中中新世以来的热沉降3个演化阶段。陆缘断陷阶段的充填系列主要是北东—北东东向与北西向的河流—冲积扇、湖泊沼泽等陆相沉积及火山岩等;盆地扩展阶段表现为中-小型断陷、断-坳陷逐渐复合与联合为大-中型坳陷,古地理格局逐渐由河流与湖沼陆相环境演变为滨海至浅海相的沉积环境;热沉降阶段的成盆活动逐渐减弱以至停止,地层表现超覆,盆地出现联合迹象。结合以往勘探与油气资源调查成果分析,认为南海西部海域陆架陆坡区发育的大-中型沉积盆地石油地质条件良好,蕴藏着丰富的油气资源,勘探潜力巨大。     

Carbonate platform growth influenced by contemporaneous basaltic intrusion (Albian of Larrano, Spain)

Abstract Carbonate platform growth in active tectonic settings may be strongly influenced by the structural evolution of the basin, including volcanic activity. In this paper, the sedimentary–tectonic evolution of the Duranguesado carbonate platform (Larrano) in northern Spain is described, and an evolutionary depositional model is presented. The Albian Duranguesado carbonate platform deposits are dominated by rudist and coral limestones with small intervening argillaceous limestone-filled troughs (10–30 m deep). The platform succession is divided into two parts. The lower platform deposits were intruded by volcanics and tilted before the deposition of the upper platform succession. A volcanic vent plug filling an upward-flaring pipe occurs in the lower carbonate platform succession. The timing of intrusion is well constrained to the early Albian. Tectonic extension and active deep-seated strike-slip faults induced magma ascent at a fault intersection. Sedimentological analysis of these areas indicates that, before volcanic intrusion, they acted as weakened zones of extension, and were slightly more subsident basinal areas. These sites contain anomalous accumulations of siliceous sponge spicule deposits, linked to the release of hydrothermal fluids on the sea floor. After the phase of intrusion, tilting and erosion of the platform and its associated volcanic products occurred. As the intrusion cooled, the platform downwarped, leading to the formation of an overlying perched capping basin bordered by carbonate platforms. Over the volcanic plug, carbonate mounds grew on local palaeohighs. The presence of strike-slip and magma emplacement in the Duranguesado platform is related to movements between the Iberian and European lithospheric plates, which were accommodated by rotation and lateral movement of the crust along wrench faults.     

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     

构造活动盆地沉积层序形成过程模拟——以断陷和前陆盆地为例

应用二维层序地层模拟系统开展了构造活动盆地沉积层序的形成过程的动态模拟分析,揭示了同沉积断裂活动、湖平面变化及沉积物供给量变化相互作用对沉积层序形成的控制作用。模拟表明,快速的构造沉降、相对高的湖平面和大量的沉积物供给是形成相对深水扇三角洲的必要条件;而沉积物的供给量变小或构造沉降量加大时有利于形成近岸湖底扇或水下扇。模拟揭示出断陷湖盆陡坡边缘断裂形成的古地貌坡折控制着低水位域浊积扇或湖底扇的发育部位,同时对水进或高位域的三角洲前缘的沉积中心的分布具控制作用。断裂坡折带的构造沉降是控制可容纳空间变化的关键因素。在陆内前陆逆冲构造边缘,层序发育早期（底部）发育冲积扇和河流沉积,但由于相对快的构造沉降形成水进序列;在快速沉降的晚期沉降速率减小,碎屑体系向盆地方向推进,形成广泛河流三角洲沉积。由隐伏逆冲断裂形成的构造坡折带对低位域的分布具控制作用。在构造坡折带下的低位域砂体与上覆的水进域泥岩组合可形成重要的地层油气藏。     

黔南地区早、中泥盆世沉积演化的动力机制

泥盆纪时，黔南地区为一相对稳定的台地，早泥盆世晚期，海水开始漫漫其上.初始发育陆源碎屑沉积体系，中泥盆世发育陆源碎屑～碳酸盐混合体系.空间配置有下列几种类型:滨岸障壁～泻湖～河流体系，碳酸盐缓坡～滨岸障壁～泻湖体系，镶边型碳酸盐台地～泻湖三角洲（潮坪）体系，碳酸盐缓坡～三角洲体系。基底断裂限定了台地和台间沟的延限范围和演化进程，这两种不同沉积背景的沉积演化旋回可能主要受海平面变化控制。     

华北地台东部石炭—二叠纪岩相古地理特征

华北地台东部石炭—二叠纪沉积建造由５个沉积层序构成，下部ＤＳ１—ＤＳ３为陆表海型层序，ＤＳ４为过渡型层序，ＤＳ５为湖泊型层序。从早石炭世晚期至晚二叠世早期，华北陆表海的海侵范围自东向西、自北而南依次发展，这一岩相古地理演化过程主要受地台北部的阴山—燕山造山带在华力西期已经开始关闭，而地台南侧的秦岭造山带在晚华力西期至印支期由东向西逐次闭合这一过程的控制。     

南堡凹陷滩海地区不同级别断裂活动及其对沉积的影响

南堡凹陷是渤海湾盆地中一个小型裂谷成因的陆相沉积盆地,盆地内不同级次的断裂活动影响着砂体的展布。所以在研究区中进行层序地层以及沉积相研究须以构造演化研究作为轴线,通过对不同级次断层活动史的分析解释沉积砂体在盆地内部的充填特征。基于580 m岩心的观察以及覆盖整个工区的三维地震资料,对南堡凹陷滩海地区进行了详细的沉积相与断层演化的研究。古近系沙河街组到东营组沉积时期该地区发育有七个裂陷亚幕。每个裂陷亚幕之间的沉积具有继承性,而裂陷内部砂体的垂向分期主要受湖平面的升降变化控制。湖盆边缘的断层影响朵叶体的迁移摆动以及沉积相的发育,湖盆内部次级断层则控制砂体的再次分配。明确不同级别断裂活动对沉积砂体展布的影响,为后续的勘探提供了新的思路。     

大兴安岭北段砂宝斯-老沟地区金成矿规律及找矿方向

大兴安岭北段漠河县砂宝斯-老沟地区是我国重要的金矿产出地.在系统总结前人研究成果的基础上,对上黑龙江盆地构造演化、沉积充填历史、砂宝斯-老沟地区典型矿床成矿规律综合分析,将上黑龙江盆地二十二站组时期沉积古地理环境与有利成矿位置叠合,并研究含矿砂岩的粒度和还原物质含量,提出赋矿围岩二十二站组中的辫状河三角洲沉积体系中三角洲前缘是该区域有利的成矿部位.结合本区岩浆活动、构造发育状况,指出了该区在砂宝斯-老沟环形构造与辫状河三角洲沉积体系叠合部位,以地球化学、大比例尺地质填图等为手段,找寻南北向断裂带,进而对发育其中的构造破碎蚀变带进行空间定位的找矿方向.     

New insights on the tectonic and paleogeographic evolution of the central Atlasic domain of Tunisia

Geological and geoseismic profiles and well data gathered with field observations from the Atlasic Chain in central Tunisia highlight folded structures, tectonic events, and significant faults. These events controlled basin formation and evolution during successive Mesozoic extensional phases, followed by the tectonic inversion during the Atlasic Orogeny known on a Tethyan scale. The Cretaceous extension is well recorded through deposition, which supplied the normal faults system and influenced sediment distribution and regional subsidence. The major event is the normal slip of the principle inherited fault during the Cretaceous subsidence. The northwestern blocks, which are north of the faults of Mrhila–Trozza–Cherichira and Ballouta and west of the NS axis, correspond to continually subsiding areas of the Upper Cretaceous series. Subsequent faulting reactivated compressional structures such as strike-slips, reverse, and thrust faults during the Tertiary Orogeny which largely affected the Tunisian Atlasic domain. Geological profiles point out the evidence of the Upper Cretaceous emersion of the central Tunisia domain and lateral thickness variation of the series from Jurassic to Quaternary, unconformities, and halokinesis movement.     

Tectonic controls on spatio-temporal development of depositional systems and generation of fining-upward basin fills in a strike-slip setting: Kyokpori Formation (Cretaceous), south-west Korea

Abstract The Kyokpori Formation (Cretaceous), south‐west Korea, represents a small‐scale lacustrine strike‐slip basin and consists of an ≈ 290 m thick siliciclastic succession with abundant volcaniclasts. The succession can be organized into eight facies associations representing distinctive depositional environments: (I) subaqueous talus; (II) delta plain; (III) steep‐gradient large‐scale delta slope; (IV) base of delta slope to prodelta; (V) small‐scale nested Gilbert‐type delta; (VI) small‐scale delta‐lobe system; (VII) subaqueous fan; and (VIII) basin plain. Facies associations I, III and IV together constitute a large‐scale steep‐sloped delta system. Correlation of the sedimentary succession indicates that the formation comprises two depositional sequences: the lower coarsening‐ to fining‐upward succession (up to 215 m thick) and the upper fining‐upward succession (up to 75 m thick). Based on facies distribution, architecture and correlation of depositional sequences, three stages of basin evolution are reconstructed. Stage 1 is represented by thick coarse‐grained deposits in the lower succession that form subaqueous breccia talus and steep‐sloped gravelly delta systems along the northern and southern basin margins, respectively, and a sandy subaqueous fan system inside the basin, abutting against a basement high. This asymmetric facies distribution suggests a half‐graben structure for the basin, and the thick accumulation of coarse‐grained deposits most likely reflects rapid subsidence of the basin floor during the transtensional opening of the basin. Stage 2 is marked by sandy black shale deposits in the upper part of the lower succession. The black shale is readily correlated across the basin margins, indicating a basinwide transgression probably resulting from large‐scale dip slip suppressing the lateral slip component on basin‐bounding faults. Stage 3 is characterized by gravelly delta‐lobe deposits in the upper succession that are smaller in dimension and located more basinward than the deposits of marginal systems of the lower succession. This lakeward shift of depocentre suggests a loss of accommodation in the basin margins and quiescence of fault movements. This basin evolution model suggests that the rate of dip‐slip displacement on basin‐margin faults can be regarded as the prime control for determining stacking patterns of such basin fills. The resultant basinwide fining‐upward sequences deviate from the coarsening‐upward cycles of other transtensional basins and reveal the variety of stratigraphic architecture in strike‐slip basins controlled by the changes in relative sense and magnitude of fault movements at the basin margins.     

Coarse-grained submarine fan and slope apron deposits in a Cretaceous back-arc basin, Antarctica

The Cretaceous of west James Ross Island, Antarctica represents the proximal fill of a late Mesozoic back-arc basin that was probably initiated by oblique extension during the early development of the Weddell Sea. The succession records sedimentation in two contrasting depositional systems: a laterally persistent slope apron flanking the faulted basin margin interrupted both spatially and temporally by coarse-grained submarine fans. Slope apron deposits are dominated by thinly interbedded turbiditic sandstones and mudstones (mudstone association), interspersed with non-channelized chaotic boulder beds, intraformational slump sheets and isolated exotic blocks representing a spectrum of mass-flow processes from debris flow to submarine gliding. Localized sand-rich sequences (sandstone-breccia association) represent sandy debris lobes at the mouths of active slope chutes. The submarine fan sediments (conglomerate association) are typified by coarse conglomerates and pebbly sandstones, interpreted as the deposits of high-density turbidity currents and non-cohesive debris flows. Three assemblages are recognized and are suggested to represent components of the inner channelled zone of coarse-grained submarine fans, from major fan channels through ephemeral, marginal channels or terraces to levee or interchannel environments. The occurrence of both slope apron and submarine fan depositional systems during the Early and Mid-Cretaceous is attributed to localized input of coarse arc-derived sediment along a tectonically active basin margin. Periods of extensive fan development were probably linked to regional tectonic uplift and rejuvenation of the arc source region; cyclicity within individual fan sequences is attributed to migration or switching of fan channels or canyons. Slope apron sedimentation was controlled largely by intrabasinal tectonics. Local unconformities and packets of amalgamated slide sheets and debris flow deposits probably reflect episodic movement on basin margin faults. Differential subsidence across the basin margin anchored the basin slope for at least 20 Myr and precluded basinward progradation of shallow marine environments.