Sequence stratigraphy of the Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

The Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation corresponds to a second-order depositional sequence that formed within a continental shelf setting under relatively low-rate conditions of positive accommodation (< 200 m during 3–6 My). This overall trend of base-level rise was interrupted by three episodes of base-level fall that resulted in the formation of third-order sequence boundaries. These boundaries are represented by subaerial unconformities (replaced or not by younger transgressive wave ravinement surfaces), and subdivide the Bahariya Formation into four third-order depositional sequences.

The construction of the sequence stratigraphic framework of the Bahariya Formation is based on the lateral and vertical changes between shelf, subtidal, coastal and fluvial facies, as well as on the nature of contacts that separate them. The internal (third-order) sequence boundaries are associated with incised valleys, which explain (1) significant lateral changes in the thickness of incised valley fill deposits, (2) the absence of third-order highstand and even transgressive systems tracts in particular areas, and (3) the abrupt facies shifts that may occur laterally over relatively short distances. Within each sequence, the concepts of lowstand, transgressive and highstand systems tracts are used to explain the observed lateral and vertical facies variability.

This case study demonstrates the usefulness of sequence stratigraphic analysis in understanding the architecture and stacking patterns of the preserved rock record, and helps to identify 13 stages in the history of base-level changes that marked the evolution of the Bahariya Oasis region during the Early Cenomanian.     

四川江油马角坝地区上石炭统层序地层研究

应用露头层序地层学基本原理和方法、结合碳酸盐岩微相、古生物学、成岩作用、沉积相和沉积事件等理论,对江油马角坝地区上石炭统碳酸盐岩地层进行了露头层序地层研究。研究表明,研究区晚石炭世为典型的陆表海沉积,地形平坦,地壳下降相对缓慢,海水较浅,沉积物界面与海平面接近,主体为碳酸盐岩开阔台地和浅滩沉积环境。水体主体深度为0~50m,为低幅高频低速的海平面变化。根据沉积层序界面的露头和镜下标志,共划分出7个三级层序,反映了研究区晚石炭世具有7次相对较大的海平面升降旋回。发育TST和HST,普遍缺失LST,局部CS难以识别。平均每个层序时限约为2.7Ma,并伴随着多次四级、五级乃至高频海平面变化,共同组成了研究区简单而复杂的碳酸盐岩地层格架。动力机制主要源于晚古生代冰川型全球海平面变化,其原因可能为晚古生代冰期(大洋水体积的周期型变化或大陆冰盖的增长和衰减)和风暴事件共同作用的结果,同时受到古地形、物源和沉积物供应量变化的制约。其中,CSQ1、CSQ3和CSQ4对应的海平面变化幅度较大,海平面变化速率主要为突发性的快递上升到缓慢下降或缓慢上升到相对下降的特点。CSQ2、CSQ5、CSQ6和CSQ7对应的海平面变化幅度不大,为缓慢上升和缓慢下降的特点。     

Facies and sequence stratigraphy of a Late Barremian wave-dominated deltaic deposit, Agadir Basin, Morocco

The late Barremian succession in the Agadir Basin of the Moroccan Western High Atlas represents wave-dominated deltaic deposits. The succession is represented by stacked thickening and coarsening upwards parasequences 5–15 m thick formed during fifth- or fourth-order regression and building a third-order highstand systems tract. Vertical facies transitions in parasequences reflect flooding followed by shoaling of diverse shelf environments ranging from offshore transition interbedded mudstones, siltstones and thin sandstones, lower shoreface/lower delta front hummocky bedforms to upper shoreface/upper delta front cross-bedded sandstones. The regional configuration reflects the progradation of wave-dominated deltas over an offshore setting. The maximum sea-level fall led to the development of a sequence boundary that is an unconformity. The subsequent early Aptian relative sea-level rise contributes to the development of an extensive conglomerate lagged transgressive surface of erosion. The latter and the sequence boundary are amalgamated forming a composite surface.     

Depositional facies,environments and sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the Middle Triassic–Lower Cretaceous (pre-Late Albian) succession in Arif El-Naga anticline,northeast Sinai,Egypt

The Middle Triassic–Lower Cretaceous (pre-Late Albian) succession of Arif El-Naga anticline comprises various distinctive facies and environments that are connected with eustatic relative sea-level changes, local/regional tectonism, variable sediment influx and base-level changes. It displays six unconformity-bounded depositional sequences. The Triassic deposits are divided into a lower clastic facies (early Middle Triassic sequence) and an upper carbonate unit (late Middle- and latest Middle/early Late Triassic sequences). The early Middle Triassic sequence consists of sandstone with shale/mudstone interbeds that formed under variable regimes, ranging from braided fluvial, lower shoreface to beach foreshore. The marine part of this sequence marks retrogradational and progradational parasequences of transgressive- and highstand systems tract deposits respectively. Deposition has taken place under warm semi-arid climate and a steady supply of clastics. The late Middle- and latest Middle/early Late Triassic sequences are carbonate facies developed on an extensive shallow marine shelf under dry-warm climate. The late Middle Triassic sequence includes retrogradational shallow subtidal oyster rudstone and progradational lower intertidal lime-mudstone parasequences that define the transgressive- and highstand systems tracts respectively. It terminates with upper intertidal oncolitic packstone with bored upper surface. The next latest Middle/early Late Triassic sequence is marked by lime-mudstone, packstone/grainstone and algal stromatolitic bindstone with minor shale/mudstone. These lower intertidal/shallow subtidal deposits of a transgressive-systems tract are followed upward by progradational highstand lower intertidal lime-mudstone deposits. The overlying Jurassic deposits encompass two different sequences. The Lower Jurassic sequence is made up of intercalating lower intertidal lime-mudstone and wave-dominated beach foreshore sandstone which formed during a short period of rising sea-level with a relative increase in clastic supply. The Middle-Upper Jurassic sequence is represented by cycles of cross-bedded sandstone topped with thin mudstone that accumulated by northerly flowing braided-streams accompanying regional uplift of the Arabo–Nubian shield. It is succeeded by another regressive fluvial sequence of Early Cretaceous age due to a major eustatic sea-level fall. The Lower Cretaceous sequence is dominated by sandy braided-river deposits with minor overbank fines and basal debris flow conglomerate.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东缘保德地区上古生界层序地层与沉积相特征*

为了揭示鄂尔多斯盆地东缘层序地层与沉积相特征,以层序地层学和沉积学理论为指导,对鄂尔多斯盆地东缘保德扒楼沟剖面及周缘上古生界的层序与体系域界面类型、层序结构、沉积相类型及沉积演化进行研究。依据区域性不整合面、下切谷冲刷面、海侵方向转换面和区域性海退面等层序界面将研究区上古生界划分为7个三级层序,分别对应于本溪组、太原组2段、太原组1段、山西组、下石盒子组、上石盒子组和石千峰组。保德扒楼沟及周缘上古生界剖面发育16种岩石类型和8种岩石组合。区内上古生界发育障壁海岸相、碳酸盐岩台地相、辫状河相和曲流河相。SQ1-SQ3中低位体系域发育风化壳和潮道亚相,海侵体系域发育潮坪亚相和潟湖亚相,高位体系域发育碳酸盐岩台地相、潟湖亚相和潮坪亚相;SQ4-SQ7中低位体系域发育辫状河河床亚相,海侵体系域主要发育曲流河泛滥平原亚相,高位体系域主要发育多期曲流河河床亚相—堤岸亚相—泛滥平原亚相的演化序列。区内上古生界经历了由障壁海岸相和碳酸盐岩台地相向河流相的演化过程,沉积演化主要受物源供给、海平面变化和构造活动的控制。     

层序地层中的混合沉积作用及其控制因素

简要介绍了硅质碎屑与碳酸盐混合沉积有关概念及混合沉积作用类型,分析了层序体系域中的混合沉积作用及其控制因素。总结认为,硅质碎屑与碳酸盐的混合沉积作用不仅发生在低水位体系域（LST）,而且其它各体系域中也都有不同程度的混合沉积现象,但混合沉积作用方式有差别：LST主要为源区混合,陆棚边缘体系域（SMT）和高水位体系域（HST）晚期以间断混合及相混合占优,海浸体系域（TST）早期以间断混合为主。综合研究显示,准层序一级的海平面变化型式差异可能是导致层序体系域混合沉积作用的主要因素,其中,LST、SMT、晚期HST的混合沉积作用分别与准层序一级海平面变化的幅度、速率、位置和持续时间有关,TST则受控于物源供给;先期地形、气候变化（含碳酸盐生产速率影响）或多或少对体系域的混合沉积作用有影响。此外,某些情况下层序体系域的混合沉积作用可能会受到局部构造活动影响,而层序组或超层序内层序体系域的混合沉积作用强弱及其旋回性变化可以提供脉动性区域构造活动信息。     

贵州南部泥盆系层序地层划分和层序地层格架的建立

贵州南部的泥盆系为一个大型的楔状体。从深水背景的广西南丹罗富剖面到古陆边缘的贵阳乌当剖面,泥盆系由13个层序变薄尖灭成5个层序,这是泥盆纪早期海侵尖灭与晚期海退尖灭的结果。研究区泥盆系由海侵碎屑岩岩系到清水台地碳酸盐岩岩系地层序列构成2个二级层序,又可进一步划分为13个三级层序。二级层序和三级层序均由其特殊的沉积相序列组成。研究区泥盆系层序地层划分和层序地层格架的建立提供了一个在年代地层与海平面变化框架内研究“相迁移”的良好实例。     

塔河油田石炭系卡拉沙依组层序地层及沉积相研究

石炭系卡拉沙依组作为塔河油田碎屑岩领域主要产层之一,其沉积相类型及分布一直存在争议。本文通过井震结合,建立了该区的高精度层序地层格架。通过岩心观察,利用地震、测井、分析化验等资料,确定了沉积体系的类型,并开展了沉积相类型和展布的研究。研究表明,卡拉沙依组可划分为两个三级层序,其中层序CKLSQ1可划分为3个体系域,分别为低位体系域、海侵体系域和高位体系域;层序CKLSQ2可划分为两个体系域,分别为海侵体系域和高位体系域。沉积相为三角洲和潮坪相交互沉积,其中北部以三角洲相为主,南部盐上区以潮坪相为主,中部的盐边区为两者的过渡带。该认识为目的层段窄薄砂体的预测和精确刻画提供了地质依据。     

Sequence stratigraphy of coal‐bearing,high‐energy clastic units: The Maitland‐Cessnock‐Greta Coalfield and Cranky Corner Basin

Upper Carboniferous to Lower Permian sedimentary rocks extend along the periphery of the northern Sydney Basin, a sub‐basin of the Sydney‐Gunnedah‐Bowen Basin complex. The basin contains basal basalts and volcanic sediments deposited in a nascent rift zone. This rift zone was created through crustal thinning during trench rollback on the eastern edge of the New England Orogen. Thermal subsidence created accommodation for predominantly marine Dalwood Group sediments. Clastic sedimentation then occurred in the Maitland‐Cessnock‐Greta Coalfield and Cranky Corner Basin during the Early Permian. This occurred on a broad shelf undergoing renewed thermal subsidence on the margin of a rift flank of the Tamworth Belt of the southern New England Orogen. Braidplain fans prograded or aggraded in two depositional sequences. The first sequence commences near the top of the Farley Formation and includes part of the Greta Coal Measures, while the second sequence includes the majority of the Greta Coal Measures and basal Branxton Formation. Thin, areally restricted mires formed during interludes in a high sedimentation regime in the lowstand systems tracts. As base‐level rose, areally extensive mires developed on the transgressive surface of both sequences. A paludal to estuarine facies changed to a shallow‐marine facies as the braidplain was transgressed. The transgressive systems tracts continued to develop with rising relative sea‐level. Renewed uplift in the hinterland resulted in the erosion of part of the transgressive systems tract and all of the highstand systems tract of the lower sequence. In the upper sequence a reduction in relative sea‐level rise saw the development of a deltaic to nearshore shelf highstand systems tract. Extensional dynamics caused a fall in relative base‐level and the development of a sequence boundary in the Branxton Formation. Finally, renewed thermal subsidence created accommodation for the overlying, predominantly marine Maitland Group.     

前陆盆地层序地层学研究简介

前陆盆地层序地层学是将层序地层学理论应用于构造活动的前陆盆地分析的一个特例。前陆盆地三级层序成因并非受全球统一的海平面变化控制，而是与盆缘造山带区域本报特约记者运动、盆内沉积作用和相对海平面变化的联合作用有关，代表了前陆分地一个成盆期的不同发育阶段。层序界面是相对海平面下降和区域构造隆的联合作用面。在盆地演化的不对称沉降阶充填阶段，邻造山带区为低水位浊积扇沉积层序；远离造山带区，低水位体系域不发育     

Eustatically-controlled sedimentation in the Hettangian-Sinemurian (Early Jurassic) of Poland and Sweden

In earliest Jurassic times, terrigenous, continental and marginal marine deposition occurred in a large epeiric basin along the Tornquist Line in Europe. Detailed sedimentological studies allow recognition of palaeoenvironmental fluctuations in space and time. The main earliest Jurassic transgressions occurred in the early Hettangian, early Sinemurian, mid-Sinemurian and latest Sinemurian and formed bounding discontinuities (transgressive surfaces) of considerable correlative significance. There is a step-wise trend of increasing marine extension and influence during the early Hettangian, early Sinemurian, mid-Sinemurian and latest Sinemurian-earliest Pliensbachian transgressions. Four sequences, four transgressive systems tracts, three highstand systems tracts and three levels regarded as equivalents of maximum flooding surfaces are distinguished. In the case of type 2 sequences, when incised valley-fill deposits are not developed and regional erosion is less common, it may be rather difficult to define the sequence boundaries, which are often concealed within the amalgamated fluvial deposits occurring in the neighbouring parts of two adjacent sequences (fluvial/deltaic sediments terminate the highstand systems tracts and in this setting the transgressive systems tracts start with continental deposits prior to the transgressive surfaces). Generally, an exact correlation can be achieved between the sequence stratigraphy of the northeast and northwest European Lower Jurassic and the eustatic curve proposed by EPR (assuming some changes proposed by A. Hallam). The establishment of this correlation hopefully will stimulate future studies of the sequence stratigraphy of poorly dated siliciclastic deposits of marginal basins. In this setting even minor changes in sea-level may cause major changes in facies development over large areas.     

Late Quaternary stratigraphy and sedimentology of the inner part of southwest Joseph Bonaparte Gulf

Joseph Bonaparte Gulf is a large embayment on the northwestern continental margin of Australia. It is approximately 300 km east‐west and 120 km north‐south with a broad continental shelf to seaward. Maximum width from the southernmost shore of Joseph Bonaparte Gulf to the edge of the continental shelf is 560 km. Several large rivers enter the gulf along its shores. The climate is monsoonal, sub‐humid, and cyclone‐prone during the December‐March wet season. A bedrock high (Sahul Rise) rims the shelf margin. The sediments within the gulf are carbonates to seaward, grading into clastics inshore. A seaward‐thinning wedge of highstand muds dominates the sediments of the inner shelf of Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. Mud banks up to 15m thick have developed inshore. Coarse‐grained sand ridges up to 15 m high are found off the mouth of the Ord River. These overlie an Upper Pleistocene transgressive lag of mixed carbonate and gravelly siliciclastic sand. Four drowned strandlines are present on the inner shelf at depths of 20, 25, 28 and 30 m below datum. These are interpreted as having formed during stillstands in the Late Pleistocene transgression. Older strandlines at great depths are inferred as having formed during the fall in sea‐level following the last highstand. For the most part the Upper Pleistocene‐Holocene marine sediments overlie an erosion surface cut into older Pleistocene sediments. Incised valleys cut into this erosion surface are up to 5 km wide and have a relief of at least 20 m. The largest valley is that cut by the Ord River. Upper Pleistocene sediments deposited in the incised valleys include interpreted lowstand fluvial gravels, early transgressive channel sands and floodplain silts, and late transgressive estuarine sands and gravels. Older Pleistocene sediments are inferred to have been deposited before and during the 120 ka highstand (isotope stage 5). They consist of sandy calcarenites deposited in high‐energy tide‐dominated shelf environments. Still older shelf and valley‐fill sediments underlie these. The contrast between the Holocene muddy clastic sediments and the sandy carbonates deposited by the 120 ka highstand suggests that either the climate was more arid in the past, with less fluvial transport, or that mud was more effectively trapped in estuaries, allowing development of carbonate depositional environments inshore.     

Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy of a Back-Arc Basin： A Case Study of the Qom Formation in the Kashan Area, Central Iran

The Qom Formation comprises Oligo-Miocene deposits from a marine succession distributed in the Central Basin of Iran. It is composed of five members designated as A-F. Little previous work exists on the sequence stratigraphy. Based on an integrated study of sequence stratigraphy with outcrop data, wells and regional seismic profiles, the Qom Formation is interpreted as a carbonate succession deposited in a mid-Tertiary back-arc basin. There are two second-order sequences (designated as SS1 and SS2) and five third-order sequences (designated as S1-S5). Five distinct systems tracts including transgressive, highstand, forced regressive, slope margin and lowstand have been recognized. The relationship between the sequences and lithologic sub-units has been collated and defined (S1 to S5 individually corresponding to A-C1, C2-C4, D-E, the lower and upper portions of F); a relative sea level change curve and the sequence stratigraphic framework have been established and described in detail. The coincidence of relative sea level change between that of the determined back-arc basin and the world indicates that the sedimentary cycles of the Qom Formation are mainly controlled by eustatic cycles. The variable combination of the systems tracts and special tectonic-depositional setting causally underpin multiple sequence stratigraphic framework styles seen in the carbonates of the back-arc basin revealing: (1) a continental margin basin that developed some form of barrier, characterized by the development of multiple cycles of carbonate-evaporites; (2) a flat carbonate ramp, which occurred on the southern shelf formed by the lack of clastic supply from nearby magmatic islands plus mixed siliciclastics and carbonates that occurred on the northern shelf due to a sufficient clastics supply from the land; and (3) a forced regressive stratigraphic stacking pattern that occured on the southern shelf and in basin lows due to the uplifting of the southern shelf. Thick and widespread aggradational framework limestone usually occurs in the initial sequences (S1 and S3) of the supersequence, which led to preferential oil reservoir deposition but a lack of source and cap rocks, whereas the retrogradational and progradational framework limestone usually occurs in the later sequences (S2 and S4-S5) of the supersequence, which results in two perfect sets of source, reservoir and cap rock assemblies, so that the limestone in sub-member C2-C4 and the F-Member can be predicted as important objects for oil exploration.     

燕山地区冀北坳陷中元古界杨庄组沉积特征与层序地层

燕山地区冀北坳陷中元古界蓟县系杨庄组主要为一套碳酸盐岩沉积.通过对该地区野外仔细观察、测量,结合室内薄片资料和地球化学分析,认为该区杨庄组沉积相为碳酸盐岩台地相,可进一步划分碳酸盐岩潮坪亚相以及潮上带、潮间带2种微相.在此基础上,结合层序界面特征,对杨庄组层序进行了探讨,由于研究区在杨庄期处于浅水陆表海沉积环境,层序界面主要以浅水环境的沉积物及沉积构造作为识别标志.沉积体系域以海侵体系域和高位体系域为主,普遍缺少低位体系域或陆棚边缘体系域,同时,也不具备形成凝缩层的环境,以最大海泛面沉积物与深海中的凝缩层相对应,最终划分出1个二级层序和3个三级层序.系统地阐述了每个层序的岩石、构造及体系域等特征.     

陇东地区延长组层序地层特征及油气勘探意义

综合应用测井曲线、岩心、野外露头剖面等资料,分析鄂尔多斯盆地陇东地区延长组的层序地层特征及沉积相,在延长组识别出4个三级层序界面,将延长组分为4个三级层序10个体系域,识别出4种主要的沉积体系:扇三角洲、辫状河三角洲、曲流河三角洲及湖泊沉积体系。分析了各体系域沉积体系的平面展布特征,探讨了体系域沉积模式及层序与油气的关系。指出低位体系域中发育的三角洲平原河道及前缘水下分流河道砂体是最主要的储层,水进及高位体系域中发育的浊积岩砂体分布面积大,是潜在的储层、水进和高位体系域中发育的湖相泥、页岩是良好的生油层和盖层,使得陇东地区存在有利的生储盖组合,处于有利的含油气系统之中,具较好的油气勘探前景。     

Facies and sequence stratigraphic analysis in an intracratonic, thermal-relaxation basin: the Early Proterozoic, Lower Quilalar Formation and Ballara Quartzite, Mount Isa Inlier, Australia

The Quilalar Formation and correlative Mary Kathleen Group in the Mount Isa Inlier, Australia, conformably overlie rift-related volcanics and sediments and non-conformably overlie basement rocks. They represent a thermal-relaxation phase of sedimentation between 1780 and 1740 Ma. Facies analysis of the lower siliciclastic member of the Quilalar Formation and the coeval Ballara Quartzite permits discrimination of depositional systems that were restricted areally to either N-S-trending marginal platform or central trough palaeogeographic settings. Four depositional systems, each consisting of several facies, are represented in the lower Quilalar Formation-Ballara Quartzite; these are categorized broadly as storm-dominated shelf (SDS), continental (C), tide-dominated shelf (TDS) and wave-dominated shoreline (WDS). SDS facies consist either of black pyritic mudstone intervals up to 10 m thick, or mudstone and sandstone associated in 6–12-m-thick, coarsening-upward parasequences. Black mudstones are interpreted as condensed sections that developed as a result of slow sedimentation in an outer-shelf setting starved of siliciclastic influx. Vertical transition of facies in parasequences reflects flooding followed by shoaling of different shelf subenvironments; the shoreface contains evidence of subaerial exposure. Continental facies consist of fining-upward parasequences of fluvial origin and tabular, 0·4–4-m-thick, aeolian parasequences. TDS facies are represented by stacked, tabular parasequences between 0·5 and 5 m thick. Vertical arrangement of facies in parasequences reflects flooding and establishment of a tidal shelf followed by shoaling to intertidal conditions. WDS facies are preserved in 0·5–3-m-thick, stacked, tabular parasequences. Vertical transition of facies reflects initial flooding with wave reworking of underlying arenites along a ravinement surface, followed by shoaling from lower shoreface to foreshore conditions. Parasequences are stacked in retrogradational and progradational parasequence sets. Retrogradational sets consist of thin SDS parasequences in the trough, and C, TDS and probably WDS parasequences on the platforms. Thick SDS parasequences in the trough, and TDS, subordinate C and probably WDS parasequences on the platforms make up progradational parasequence sets. Depositional systems are associated in systems tracts that make up 40–140-m-thick sequences bounded by type-2 sequence boundaries that are disconformities. Transgressive systems tracts consist of C, TDS and probably WDS depositional systems on the platforms and the SDS depositional system and suspension mudstone deposits in the trough. The transgressive systems tract is characterized by retrogradational parasequence sets and developed in response to accelerating rates of sea-level rise following lowstand. Condensed-section deposits in the trough, and the thickest TDS parasequences on the platforms reflect maximum rates of sea-level rise and define maximum flooding surfaces. Highstand systems tract deposits are progradational. Early highstand systems tracts are represented by TDS and probably WDS depositional systems on the platforms and suspension mudstone deposits in the trough and reflect decreasing rates of sea-level rise. Later highstand systems tracts consist of the progradational SDS depositional system in the trough and, possibly, thin continental facies on the platforms. This stage of sequence development is related to slow rates of sea-level rise, stillstand and slow rates of fall. Lowstand deposits of shelf-margin systems tracts are not recognized but may be represented by shoreface deposits at the top of progradational SDS parasequence sets.     

Mid-cycle condensed shellbeds from mid-Pleistocene cyclothems, New Zealand: implications for sequence architecture

Richly fossiliferous and disconformity-bounded facies successions, termed Mid-Cycle Condensed Shellbeds (MCS), occupy a mid-cycle position within depositional sequences in the Castlecliff section (mid-Pleistocene, Wanganui Basin, New Zealand). These shell-rich intervals (0.1–4.5 m thick) comprise the upper of two loci of shell accumulation in Castlecliff sequences. The lower disconformable contacts are sharp and variably burrowed, and are interpreted as submarine transgressive surfaces formed by storm or tidal current erosion at the feather-edge of contemporary transgressive systems tracts. Above (i.e. seaward) of this erosion surface, macrofossil remains (mainly bivalves and gastropods) accumulated, with little reworking, on the inner-shelf under conditions of reduced terrigenous sediment supply. The upper contacts are sharp transitions from shell-rich to relatively shell-poor lithofacies; parautochthonous shell accumulation was ‘quenched’by downlapping highstand systems tract shelf siltstones and muddy fine sandstones. Castlecliff MCS, together with the basal shell-rich part of overlying highstand systems tracts, occupy a stratigraphic position which corresponds to the condensed section that forms at the transgressive/highstand systems tract boundary in the sequence model of Haq et al. (1987). Palaeoenvironmental analysis indicates that Castlecliff MCS are substantially, if not entirely, transgressive deposits. This study therefore shows that the ‘condensation maximum’within a depositional sequence does not necessarily bracket the transgressive systems tract/highstand systems tract boundary.     

华北地台晚寒武世层序地层及其与北美地台海平面变化的对比

华北地台在晚寒武世为一个较为典型的缓坡型台地。在其北部地层中,以发育风暴砾屑灰岩及生物丘灰岩闻名,包括崮山组、长山组和凤山组。在该套地层中,深缓坡相泥岩和泥灰岩与浅缓坡相颗粒灰岩和泥粒灰岩一起构成若干潮下型碳酸盐米级旋回,这些米级旋回本身即为有序的异成因岩相序列而成为基本工作单元。在长周期三级层序中。米级旋回形成有序垂直叠加形式,反映了三级层序本身是一个与三级相对海平面变化相关的、环境加深和变浅过程中所形成的沉积相序列根据这些特征,在华北地台北部晚寒武世地层中可识别出4个三级层序。从北向南,相变为一套白云岩,其中三级层序的高水位体系域则发育较多的潮坪相白云岩以及由其构成的环潮坪型米级旋回。这些层序的典型特征是：层序界面为淹没不整合面,层序的相序序列以“深缓坡相—浅缓坡相”为特征,从而构成特殊的“CS(?) HST”序列;而在华北地台南部,层序界面多为暴露间断面,层序的相序组构多以“缓坡相—潮坪相”为特征。从北向南的变化,形成了一个富有规律性的层序地层格架。从旋回到层序、从岩相序列到沉积相序列的层序地层研究表明：作为基本工作单元,米级旋回实际上是由“间断—加积作用”旋回机制所形成的岩相序列,由米级旋回的有序叠加形式所构成的三级层序则是一个沉积相序列。由各剖面点的古水深变化曲线,可以定性地综合出华北地台晚寒武世的海平面变化曲线。与北美晚寒武世海平面变化曲线相对比,既存在相似性更存在差异性,说明了长周期海平面变化既受全球性海平面变化的控制,同时也受区域因素的影响。     

3D and 4D controls on carbonate depositional systems: sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic analysis of an attached carbonate platform and atoll (Miocene, Níjar Basin, SE Spain)

This study investigates the controls on three-dimensional stratigraphic geometries and facies of shallow-water carbonate depositional sequences. A 15 km² area of well-exposed Mid to Late Miocene carbonates on the margin of the Níjar Basin of SE Spain was mapped in detail. An attached carbonate platform and atoll developed from a steeply sloping basin margin over a basal topographic unconformity and an offshore dacite dome (Late Miocene). The older strata comprise prograding bioclastic (mollusc and coralline algae) dominated sediments and later Messinian Porites reefs form prograding and downstepping geometries (falling stage systems tract). Seven depositional sequences, their systems tracts and facies have been mapped and dated (using Sr isotopes) to define their morphology, stratigraphic geometries, and palaeo-environments. A relative sea-level curve and isochore maps were constructed for the three Messinian depositional sequences that precede the late Messinian evaporative drawdown of the Mediterranean. The main 3D controls on these depositional sequences are interpreted as being: (i) local, tectonically driven relative sea-level changes; (ii) the morphology of the underlying sequence boundary; (iii) the type of carbonate producers [bioclastic coralline algal and mollusc-dominated sequences accumulated in lows and on slopes of < 14° whereas the Porites reef-dominated sequence accumulated on steep slopes (up to 25°) and shallow-water highs]. Further controls were: (iv) the inherited palaeo-valleys and point-sourced clastics; (v) the amount of clastic sediments; and (vi) erosion during the following sequence boundary development. The stratigraphy is compared with that of adjacent Miocene basins in the western Mediterranean to differentiate local (tectonics, clastic supply, erosion history, carbonate-producing communities) versus regional (climatic, tectonic, palaeogeographic, sea-level) controls.     

珠江口盆地番禺低隆起韩江组高精度层序格架和沉积样式与岩性地层圈闭的发育分布

番禺低隆起是珠江口盆地重要的含油气区。区内的韩江组可划分为3个三级层序,其顶底界面均以削蚀和上超不整合及其对应的整合为界;依据四级旋回的海泛面可进一步划分出11个四级层序或体系域。三级层序SQhj1上部的2个四级层序发育两套具有前积结构的三角洲沉积,SQhj2的低位域广泛发育下切谷充填和低水位楔。结合钻井约束的地震沉积学和古地貌学分析,揭示了四级层序沉积相的平面分布和演化。高位域三角洲前缘砂坝和水下水道、低位下切水道及低位楔三角洲、海滩砂坝砂体等为区内主要的储集砂体,它们与其上覆的海进泥岩形成良好的储盖组合,沿上超斜坡带、下斜坡或坡折带可形成岩性地层圈闭。