A revised stratigraphic framework for later Cenozoic sequences in the northeastern Mediterranean region

This study describes the lithostratigraphic character of mid-Cenozoic (Oligocene-Pliocene) sequences in different parts of the northeastern Mediterranean area and offers a detailed stratigraphic correlation for this region. The sequences concerned are drawn from the Camardi area (south-central Anatolia), the Adana Basin, the Misis Mountains and the Kyrenia Range (northern Cyprus) and the submerged Florence Rise (west of Cyprus). The stratigraphic relationships identified here indicate the following: (a) Following the middle Eocene (Lutetian) regression there was uplift throughout the entire region; (b) Episodes of fluvial and lacustrine deposition in intramontane settings ensued in most of this region during the late Eocene/early Miocene interval; (c) Following a regionally extensive phase of tectonic compression, major marine transgression commenced in the late Oligocene in northern Cyprus and in the early Miocene in adjacent southern Turkey, with the exception of the Ecemi§ Fault Zone where continental deposition continued; (d) These Oligo-Miocene transgressive sequences comprise a broadly diachronous complex of both shallow and deeper marine facies, including reefal carbonates, littoral clastics, basinal shales and fan-turbidites; (e) Deeper marine Miocene facies persisted longer in the Misis area and in northern Cyprus; (f) A regional regression occurred throughout most of the area during the late Serravallian to Tortonian interval and is marked by the abrupt, locally discordant appearance of extensive shallow marine, deltaic and fluvial deposits; (g) Continued regression in the Messinian led to the formation of significant evaporite deposits in the western and southern parts of the region, but localized uplift of the Misis area is attested by the initial deformation of the Neogene rocks there and the absence of Messinian sediments from this area; (h) In the Pliocene there was extensive emergence of the northern parts of the region interrupted by brief marine incursions. The present-day drainage pattern was established at this time; (i) Marine conditions persisted longer in northern Cyprus, where emergence occurred only in the latest Pliocene.     

西秦岭南部白龙江隆起中三叠统光盖山组岩相及盆地分析意义

对西秦岭南部白龙江隆起南北两侧的中三叠统上部光盖山组岩相进行了研究,按照沉积作用方式识别划分出碎屑流、颗粒流、浊流、牵引流、平坦床砂静水5种沉积作用及岩相类型,并区分各种亚相类型.位于隆起北侧迭部飞仙剖面的岩相可识别出9个相序旋回,单个相序基本结构为砾质碎屑流相-鲍玛序列组合相,反映构造和沉积作用的旋回性和阶段性.总结发现,隆起南北两侧岩相的共同点是斜坡碎屑流和浊流型重力流较为发育,滑塌型重力作用少见,物源区较近且以灰岩为主;差别是不同剖面岩相结构、相序旋回有所不同,被侵蚀的物源地层时代不一样.进一步研究表明,光盖山组属于较缓的边坡沉积,是大陆碰撞阶段残留海盆大陆一侧的边缘相,盆地的形成与构造挠曲作用产生的沉降有关.鉴于洮河盆地晚古生代和早-中三叠世存在深海和残留洋盆,若尔盖盆地与之共用一个基底,因此,推测这2个盆地的中-上三叠统复理石之下可能没有台地相上古生界和中-下三叠统,不利于在该区开展油气勘探.      

Palaeostress analysis of the northern Nijar and southern Vera basins: constraints for the Neogene displacement history of major strike-slip faults in the Betic Cordilleras, SE Spain

This paper presents the results of a detailed structural analysis of the northern Nijar and southern Vera basins with special emphasis on the evolution of the regional stress field and the associated timing of movement of the Serrata, Gafarillos and Palomares strike-slip fault zones. These major fault zones control the Neogene deformation of the SE Internal Betic Cordilleras in Spain. Detailed stress analysis on Neogene sediments of the Vera and Nijar basins shows a strike-slip regime with NW–SE-oriented subhorizontal maximum principal stress (σ₁) during Tortonian and earliest Messinian times. Under the influence of this stress field, dextral displacement along the N090E-trending Gafarillos fault zone resulted in deformation of the sediments of the southern Sorbas and northeastern Nijar basins. During the early Messinian a clock-wise rotation of the stress field occurred. Stress analysis in rocks with late–early Messinian up to Quaternary ages in the Nijar and Vera basins indicates a strike-slip regime with N–S-oriented subhorizontal maximum principal stress (σ₁). Under the influence of this stress field the main activity along the N010E-striking Palomares strike-slip fault zone took place, resulting in deformation of the Neogene sediments of the southeastern Vera basin and culminating in a maximum sinistral displacement of more than 20 km. At the same time the stress field was not suitably oriented to exert a large shear component on the Gafarillos fault zone, which activity ended after the earliest Messinian. Fault and outcrop patterns of syntectonic Neogene sediments in the Vera basin show that displacement along the Palomares fault zone decreased at the end of the Middle Miocene although minor displacement phases may still have occurred during the Late Miocene and possibly even Pliocene. From the Middle Miocene onward, deformation in the Nijar basin was controlled by sinistral displacement along the N040E-trending Serrata strike-slip fault zone.     

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.     

Lithostratigraphy of the Neoproterozoic Chattisgarh Sequence, its Bearing on the Tectonics and Palaeogeography

The Neoproterozoic Purana succession in the eastern part of Chattisgarh basin around Sarangarh has been classified into a conglomerate-sandstone-shale dominated proximal assemblage, and a lithographic limestone-shale dominated distal assemblage. The proximal assemblage constitutes the Chandarpur Group, and unconformably overlies the Archean crystalline basement complex. The Chandarpur succession has been classified into three formations that were deposited in fan-fan delta, deep water prodelta and storm- tide dominated prograding shelf environments. The distal assemblage, the Raipur Group, conformably overlies the Chandarpur Group, and may be subdivided into two shale-dominated formations separated by a limestone-dominated formation. The limestone sequence, the Sarangarh Limestone, comprises a lower member of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession deposited in a storm dominated shallow water platform, and an upper member of pelagic limestone that grades upward into a deep water shale, the Gunderdehi Shale. The rapid transition from shallow water platformal succession to deep-water pelagic limestone and shale points to abrupt deepening of the basin and drowning of the craton. The peak of transgression is represented by a persistent horizon of black limestone, a product of basin wide anoxia. Disposition of facies belts in proximal and distal assemblages and palaeocurrent directions measured from different facies belts point to a north-northwesterly palaeoslope of the basin. Signatures of intense storm and tidal currents in different litho-units collectively point to an open marine circulation condition. It has been inferred that the basin was connected to a major seaway that skirted the northern and north-western margin of the craton. Development of thick fan-delta sequence at the base of the succession, occurrence of felsic welded tuff within the Gunderdehi Shale, thick sandstone-mudstone cyclothems in the Chandarpur Group, and abrupt drowning of the carbonate platform leading to pelagic sedimentation collectively point to major tectonic control on basin evolution. The basin developed as a cratonic rift and evolved into a deeply subsiding one, without any major stratigraphic hiatus, through episodic tectonic pulses.     

四川盆地及邻区晚震旦世古地理与构造—沉积环境演化

利用最新的地震资料、探井资料及区域地质资料等,结合前人的研究成果,建立四川盆地及邻区晚震旦世区域地层格架,编制晚震旦世各沉积时期构造—沉积环境图,并探讨构造—沉积演化过程。研究认为,四川盆地及邻区晚震旦世构造—沉积环境展布受基底构造限制,并具一定继承性。晚震旦世开始大规模的碳酸盐岩台地沉积,整体来看自西向东海域环境由浅变深,由古陆过渡至碳酸盐岩台地、向东至台地边缘—斜坡沉积泥质岩,至深水盆地相沉积硅质岩,各相带总体呈南西—北东走向。上震旦统灯影组一段（简称灯一段）沉积时期—灯二段沉积中期为填平补齐沉积充填过程;灯二段沉积时期末—灯三段沉积期在克拉通内拗陷盆地基础上初步形成了平缓的克拉通内部隆起;灯四段沉积时期伴随着海平面的下降,碳酸盐岩台地边界整体向东迁移。灯二、灯四段沉积时期末受桐湾运动两期抬升的影响,川中部分地区形成岩溶不整合面,盆地西部灯三、灯四段遭受强烈剥蚀。灯影组是四川盆地及邻区重要的油气储集层。     

中生代羌塘前陆盆地充填序列及演化过程

中生代羌塘前陆盆地位于青藏高原巨型造山带内 ,夹于金沙江缝合带与班公湖—怒江缝合带之间 ,是一个与两侧缝合带逆冲作用相关的沉积盆地 ,由羌北盆地 (对应于金沙江缝合带 )、羌南盆地 (对应于班公湖—怒江缝合带 )和中央隆起带构成 ,其中中央隆起是北部前陆盆地和南部前陆盆地共有的前陆隆起 ,显示为对称型复合前陆盆地 ;该盆地形成于晚三叠世 ,并持续发育至早白垩世 ,盆地中充填了巨厚的同构造期的复理石和磨拉石 ,具有总体向上变粗变浅的充填序列 ,以不整合面可将其划分为 5个由顶底不整合面限制的构造层序 ,其中晚三叠世诺利期构造层序对应于金沙江缝合带主碰撞期 ,晚三叠世瑞替期构造层序对应于金沙江缝合带碰撞闭合后冲断抬升 ,早侏罗世构造层序对应于班公湖—怒江缝合带初始逆冲推覆 ,中侏罗世—早白垩世构造层序对应于班公湖—怒江缝合带主碰撞期 ,中白垩世构造层序为班公湖—怒江缝合带碰撞闭合后冲断抬升与金沙江缝合带冲断抬升的产物 ,为中生代羌塘盆地关闭后的磨拉石建造     

重庆地区晚二叠世煤系层序地层与聚煤作用

重庆地区上二叠统包括龙潭组/吴家坪组和长兴组,主要发育海陆过渡相(海湾-泻湖-潮坪)及浅海碳酸盐沉积,其中龙潭组和吴家坪组为同期异相沉积。通过对区内钻井剖面及露头剖面的分析,在本区上二叠统中识别出区域性构造不整合面和沉积相转换面等地层界面,并将上二叠统划分为2个三级层序。基于近海煤盆地的背景,研究区厚煤层常靠近初始海泛面发育。总体来看,近海含煤盆地三级层序以海侵体系域聚煤最好。      

From platform to basin: the evolution of a Paleocene carbonate margin (Eastern Desert, Egypt)

In this study, progradation and the subsequent retrogradation of a late Paleocene isolated carbonate platform (Galala Mountains, Eastern Desert, Egypt) is demonstrated by variations of distinct facies associations from the platform margin in the north to the hemipelagic basin in the south. A combination of a sea-level drop and tectonic uplift at around 59 Ma (calcareous nannofossil biozone NP5) favored the initiation of the carbonate platform. From this time onwards, the facies distribution along the platform–basin transect can be subdivided into five facies belts comprising nine different facies associations. Their internal relationships and specific depositional settings are strongly coupled with the Maastrichtian–Paleocene seafloor topography, which resulted from local tectonic movements. Patch reefs and reef debris were deposited at the platform margin and the horizontally bedded limestones on the upper slope. Slumps and debris flows were stored on the lower slope. In the subhorizontal toe-of-slope facies belt, mass-flow deposits pass into calciturbidites. Further southwards in the basin, only hemipelagic marls were deposited. Between 59 and 56.2 Ma (NP5–NP8), the overall carbonate platform system prograded in several pulses. Distinct changes in facies associations from 56.2 to 55.5 Ma (NP9) resulted from rotational block movements. They led to increased subsidence at the platform margin and a coeval uplift in the toe-of-slope areas. This resulted in the retrogradation of the carbonate platform. Furthermore the patch-reef and reef-debris facies associations were substituted by the larger foraminifera shoal association. The retrogradation is also documented by a significant decrease in slump and debris-flow deposits on the slope and calciturbidites at the toe of slope.     

Sedimentation in shallow to deep water carbonate environments across a sequence boundary: effects of a fall in sea-level on the evolution of a carbonate system (Ladinian-Carnian, eastern Lombardy, Italy)

In the Concarena‐Pizzo Camino Massif (Lombardy Basin, Southern Alps, Italy) the lateral transition from Ladinian‐Carnian carbonate platforms to coeval intraplatform basins is preserved. The succession records the sedimentological evidence of a sea‐level fall on a flat‐topped platform with a narrow marginal reef rim and its effects in the adjacent deeper‐water basin. Repeated high‐frequency exposures of the platform top are recorded by a peritidal–supratidal succession that overlies subtidal inner platform facies of the former highstand system tract (HST). On the slope and in the basin, the sea‐level fall is recorded by a few metre thick succession of bioclastic packstones. These facies directly lie on coarse clinostratified breccia bodies (slope facies of the former HST) or on resedimented, well‐bedded, dark laminated limestones (basinal facies of the HST). This facies distribution indicates that during the sea‐level fall carbonate production on the platform top decreased rapidly and that sedimentation in the basin was mainly represented by condensed facies. Microfacies record an enrichment, during low stand, in pelagic biota (packstones with radiolarians and spiculae), whereas the occurrence of platform‐derived, shallow‐water materials is limited to thin lenses of reworked and micritized Fe‐rich oolites and bioclasts (mainly pelecypods and echinoderms). The facies association in the Concarena‐Pizzo Camino Massif demonstrates that a highly‐productive carbonate factory was almost completely turned off during the emergence of the platform top at a sequence boundary, leading to low‐stand starvation in the basin. The reconstruction of the stratigraphic evolution of the Concarena‐Pizzo Camino carbonate platform therefore represents a significant case history for the study of the behaviour of ancient carbonate systems during a fall in sea‐level, independent of its origin (eustatic or tectonic).     

Reconstruction of the Triassic Tectonic Lithofacies Paleogeography in Qiangtang Region, Northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

The Triassic petrostratigraphic system and chronologic stratigraphic sketch have been updated and perfected in the Qiangtang area, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on the integrated 1:250000 regional geological survey and the latest research progeny. The first finished 1:3000000 Triassic tectonic lithofacies paleogeographic maps in the Qiangtang area shows that the Triassic tectonic unit in the Qiangtang area can been divided into three parts from north to south: northern Qiangtang block; Longmucuo-Shuanghu suture zone; and southern Qiangtang block.     

Platform margins, reef facies, and microbial carbonates; a comparison of Devonian reef complexes in the Canning Basin, Western Australia, and the Guilin region, South China

Devonian reef complexes were well developed in Western Australia and South China, but no detailed direct comparison has been made between reef building in the two regions. The regions differ in several respects, including tectonic, stratigraphic and palaeoceanographic–palaeogeographic settings, and the reef building styles reflect minor differences in reef builders and reef facies. Similarities and differences between the two reef complexes provide insights into the characteristics of platform margins, reef facies and microbial carbonates of both regions. Here we present a comparison of platform margin types from different stratigraphic positions in the Late Devonian reef complex of the Canning Basin, Western Australia and Middle and Late Devonian margin to marginal slope successions in Guilin, South China. Comparisons are integrated into a review of the reefal stratigraphy of both regions. Reef facies, reef complex architecture, temporal reef builder associations, 2nd order stratigraphy and platform cyclicity in the two regions were generally similar where the successions overlap temporally. However, carbonate deposition began earlier in South China. Carbonate complexes were also more widespread in South China and represent a thicker succession overall. Platforms in the Canning Basin grew directly on Precambrian crystalline basement or early Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks, but in South China, carbonate complexes developed conformably on older Devonian siliciclastic strata. Pre-Frasnian reef facies in South China had more abundant skeletal frameworks than in Canning Basin reefs of equivalent age, and Famennian shoaling margins containing various microbial reefs may have been more common and probably more diverse in South China. However, Late Devonian platform margin types have been documented more completely in the Canning Basin. Deep intra-platform troughs (deep depressions containing non-carbonate pelagic sediments — Nandan-type successions) that developed along syndepositional faults characterize Devonian carbonate platforms in South China, but have no equivalent on the Lennard Shelf, Canning Basin where inter-reef areas were more shallow. The South China platform-to-depression pattern was generally continuous from the Lower to Upper Devonian, indicating that many pre-Devonian tectonic features continued to exercise considerable effect through deposition. Localized, fault-controlled subsidence was an important factor in both regions, but similarities in 2nd order aggradation–progradation cycles suggest that eustasy was also an important control on the larger scale stratigraphic development of both regions.     

New age constraints on the western Betic intramontane basins: A late Tortonian closure of the Guadalhorce Corridor?

Several gateways connected the Mediterranean with the Atlantic during the late Miocene but the timing of closure and therefore their role prior to and during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.97–5.33 Ma) is still under debate. The timing of closure of the Guadalhorce Corridor is especially disputed as the common lack of marine microfossils hampers precise age determination. Here we present new biostratigraphic age constraints on the sediments of the Ronda, Antequera and Arcos regions, which formed the northern part of the Guadalhorce Corridor. The general presence of Globorotalia menardii 4 in the youngest deep‐marine sediments of all three regions indicates a late Tortonian age, older than 7.51 Ma. We conclude that the Guadalhorce Corridor closed during the late Tortonian, well before the onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis and that the late Tortonian tectonic uplift of the eastern Betics extended into the western Betics.     

Distribution of Palaeozoic tectonic superimposed unconformities in the Tarim Basin,NW China: significance for the evolution of palaeogeomorphology and sedimentary response

Seismic and drilling well data were used to examine the occurrence of multiple stratigraphic unconformities in the Tarim Basin, NW China. The Early Cambrian, the Late Ordovician and the late Middle Devonian unconformities constitute three important tectonic sequence boundaries within the Palaeozoic succession. In the Tazhong, Tabei, Tadong uplifts and the southwestern Tarim palaeo‐uplift, unconformities obviously belong to superimposed unconformities. A superimposed unconformity is formed by superimposition of unconformities of multiple periods. Areas where superimposed unconformities develop are shown as composite belts of multiple tectonic unconformities, and as higher uplift areas of palaeo‐uplifts in palaeogeomorphologic units. The contact relationship of unconformities in the lower uplift areas is indicative of truncation‐overlap. A slope belt is located below the uplift areas, and the main and secondary unconformities are characterized by local onlap reflection on seismic profiles. The regional dynamics controlled the palaeotectonic setting of the Palaeozoic rocks in the Tarim Basin and the origin and evolution of the basin constrained deposition. From the Sinian to the Cambrian, the Tarim landmass and its surrounding areas belonged to an extensional tectonic setting. Since the Late Ordovician, the neighbouring north Kunlun Ocean and Altyn Ocean was transformed from a spreading ocean basin to a closed compressional setting. The maximum compression was attained in the Late Ordovician. The formation of a tectonic palaeogeomorphologic evolution succession from a cratonic margin aulacogen depression to a peripheral foreland basin in the Early Caledonian cycle controlled the deposition of platform, platform margin, and deep‐water basin. Tectonic uplift during the Late Ordovician resulted in a shallower basin which was followed by substantial erosion. Subsequently, a cratonic depression and peripheral or back‐arc foreland basin began their development in the Silurian to Early–Middle Devonian interval. In this period, the Tabei Uplift, the Northern Depression and the southern Tarim palaeo‐uplift showed obvious control on depositional systems, including onshore slope, shelf and deep‐water basin. The southern Tarim Plate was in a continuous continental compressional setting after collision, whereas the southern Tianshan Ocean began to close in the Early Ordovician and was completely closed by the Middle Devonian. At the same time, further compression from peripheral tectonic units in the eastern and southern parts of the Tarim Basin led to the expansion of palaeo‐uplift in the Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous interval, and the connection of the Tabei Uplift and Tadong Uplift, thus controlling onshore, fluvial delta, clastic coast, lagoon‐bay and shallow marine deposition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mountain front migration and drainage captures related to fault segment linkage and growth: The Polopos transpressive fault zone (southeastern Betics,SE Spain)

The Polopos E–W- to ESE–WNW-oriented dextral-reverse fault zone is formed by the North Alhamilla reverse fault and the North and South Gafarillos dextral faults. It is a conjugate fault system of the sinistral NNE–SSW Palomares fault zone, active from the late most Tortonian (≈7 Ma) up to the late Pleistocene (≥70 ky) in the southeastern Betics. The helicoidal geometry of the fault zone permits to shift SE-directed movement along the South Cabrera reverse fault to NW-directed shortening along the North Alhamilla reverse fault via vertical Gafarillos fault segments, in between. Since the Messinian, fault activity migrated southwards forming the South Gafarillos fault and displacing the active fault-related mountain-front from the north to the south of Sierra de Polopos; whilst recent activity of the North Alhamilla reverse fault migrated westwards. The Polopos fault zone determined the differential uplift between the Sierra Alhamilla and the Tabernas-Sorbas basin promoting the middle Pleistocene capture that occurred in the southern margin of the Sorbas basin. Continued tectonic uplift of the Sierra Alhamilla-Polopos and Cabrera anticlinoria and local subsidence associated to the Palomares fault zone in the Vera basin promoted the headward erosion of the Aguas river drainage that captured the Sorbas basin during the late Pleistocene.     

南黄海盆地中部隆起CSDP-2井志留系-石炭系岩石学特征及其沉积相

目前,大陆架科学钻探CSDP-2井是南黄海盆地中部隆起上的唯一深钻,是揭示南黄海中-古生界海相地层时代,恢复其沉积环境和构造运动的基准井。本文针对该井开展岩心描述并进行薄片观察,结合测井数据、古生物化石等资料,将志留系-石炭系划分为下志留统高家边组、侯家塘组、坟头组,上泥盆统五通组,下石炭统高骊山组、和州组,上石炭统黄龙组、船山组。其中,志留系沉积了一套浅海陆棚相的细碎屑岩,沉积物以浅海-滨海相砂泥岩为主;泥盆系五通组同样为碎屑岩沉积,稳定的石英砂岩和紫红色泥岩并存,下部为潮坪相,上部则为三角洲相;而石炭系发育台坪、泻湖、颗粒滩等碳酸盐岩台地亚相,岩性以生屑灰岩和泥晶灰岩为主。区域地层对比表明,南黄海盆地中-古生界海相地层是下扬子区由陆域向海域的延伸,其志留系-石炭系岩性序列与下扬子陆域基本一致。     

Mapping the rise and demise of Urgonian platforms (Late Hauterivian - Early Aptian) in southeastern France and the Swiss Jura

Lower Cretaceous carbonate deposits historically called “Urgonian limestones” are widely exposed around the margins of the Vocontian basin in southeastern France and in the adjacent Swiss Jura. This paper presents the history of their rise, growth and sudden demise. Eleven maps were constructed for deposits ranging in age from the Late Hauterivian pro parte to the Early Aptian (Bedoulian) pro parte. Based on sequential interpretations, they illustrate the present geographical distribution of the inner platform facies (Urgonian limestones stricto sensu, with rudists), the outer platform facies (essentially bioclastic deposits) and the basinal facies (slope, hemipelagic, pelagic deposits). These maps depict only the final terms of each successive sequence (the late highstand intervals). Chronostratigraphy is constrained by ammonites found mainly in basinal deposits, by echinoids, by rudists and to a lesser extent by dinoflagellates and calcareous nannoplancton. Inner platform, outer platform and slope (talus) deposits are dated by rich assemblages of orbitolinids and dasycladalean algae. Currently 39 species of orbitolinids have been recognized and their ranges collated with those of the ammonites in the area.In the Jura and in Provence the oldest Urgonian deposits are dated early Late Hauterivian, thus showing the synchroneity of the onset of platform carbonates development on both the southern and northern margins of the basin. Thereafter, growth of the platforms led a clearly regressive shallowing-upward trend, resulting from a stepwise progradation toward the center of the Vocontian area, coordinated with cyclical exposures in the inner platform areas. The maximum reduction of the platform deposits occurred early in Late Barremian times, coeval with a noticeable turnover in the orbitolinids assemblages.Thereafter, carbonate platform deposition shifted toward the margins of the Vocontian basin. In Early Aptian time, a well-dated discontinuity of regional extent marks the sudden, almost synchronous disappearance of the Urgonian deposits.     

永安盆地晚古生代—中—新生代沉积构造环境演化特征

永安盆地发育在前泥盆纪基底之上,位于华夏块体南缘,沿NE向政和—大埔断裂带展布。利用层序地层学方法,辅之以野外调查,研究了永安盆地的地层序列和岩石组合：① 对晚古生代至早三叠世地层格架及柱状剖面的分析表明,伴随海平面的升降,海相沉积序列具有阶段性,不同沉积相在盆地东、中、西区段分布不均,盆地沉积沉降中心大致位于龙岩和梅县地区;② 对横贯盆区的地质剖面及盆内辅助剖面的研究表明,中—新生代,盆内以断块作用为主,改造了晚古生代地层,代之以断褶复合地层;③ 有机碳质层为盆地的海陆变迁作了时域界定,并且其赋存部位和形态也在空间上表征了盆地构造演化的力学机制。通过分析构造事件、古地理及物源区、深部构造、边界构造等盆地要素,研究了盆地的沉积构造环境演化及其应力机制,结果表明：① 晚古生代,海进海退的快慢受控于不同时期构造事件的强弱变化,由此产生的沿岸隆起区的剥蚀以及拉张背景的山体风化剥蚀为盆地提供了物源,存在北、南两个物源区;中—新生代,盆地总体为火山活动背景下的山前及河湖相沉积环境。② 盆地具有隆起—伸展构造发育的特点,主要经历了华力西期海陆交互相巨厚沉积阶段,印支期稳定的台地向活动大陆边缘转变阶段并伴随挤压隆升,以及印支期后中—新生代由挤压向拉张机制转换的构造改造阶段。以上认识为中国东南部盆地的薄弱基础研究提供了新的基础参考信息。     

Sedimentary response to a tectonically induced sea-level fall in a shallow back-arc basin: the Mulichinco Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Neuquén Basin, Argentina

This study examines the sedimentary response to a tectonically driven relative sea‐level fall that occurred in the Neuquén Basin, west‐central Argentina, during the late Early Valanginian (Early Cretaceous). At this time the basin lay behind the emergent Andean magmatic arc to the west. Following the relative sea‐level fall, sedimentation was limited to the central part of the Neuquén Basin, with the deposition of a predominantly clastic, continental to shallow marine wedge on top of basinal black shales. This lowstand wedge is called the Mulichinco Formation and consists of a third‐order sequence that lasted about 2 Myr and contains high frequency lowstand, transgressive, and highstand deposits. Significant variations in facies, depositional architecture, and internal organization of the sequence occur along depositional strike. These variations are attributed mainly to tectonic and topographic controls upon sediment flux, basin gradient, fault tilting, and shifting of the depocentre through time. These controls were ultimately related to asymmetrically distributed tectonic activity that was greater towards the magmatic arc in the west. The superposition of fluvial deposits directly upon offshore facies provides unequivocal evidence for a sequence boundary at the base of the Mulichinco Formation. However, the Mulichinco sequence boundary is marked by shallow, low erosional relief and widespread fluvial deposition. The surface lacks prominent valleys traditionally associated with sequence boundaries. This non‐erosive sequence boundary geometry is attributed to the ramp‐type geometry of the basin and/or rapid uplift that limited stratigraphic adjustment to base‐level fall. Significant along‐strike facies changes and a low‐relief sequence boundary are attributes that may be common in tectonically active, semi‐enclosed basins (e.g. shallow back‐arc basins, foreland basins).