黄骅坳陷歧口凹陷古近系沙三2亚段辫状河三角洲沉积模拟实验研究

黄骅坳陷歧口凹陷古近系沙河街组是大港油田油气勘探的主要目的层,该组主要发育辫状河三角洲和扇三角洲沉积砂体,其中辫状河三角洲砂体是有利的油气储集体。在区域构造、古地貌和沉积体系等研究基础上,应用沉积模拟技术,再现了研究区孔店物源辫状河三角洲的形成过程和沉积微相特征,在实验条件下,孔店物源辫状河三角洲可划分为3个亚相、7个微相。实验研究表明,基底沉降、相对湖平面升降、流量及流量变幅、加砂量（物源供给）等是影响辫状河三角洲的形成及其演化的控制因素。通过实际砂体和实验砂体厚度展布对比分析,预测了有利储集层分布区域。综合歧口凹陷原始地质模型和实验模拟成果,建立了模拟实验条件下歧口凹陷古近系沙三²亚段辫状河三角洲沉积模式。     

干旱环境河流扇概念与鄂尔多斯盆地延长组“满盆砂”成因新解

河流扇是陆相盆地中近年来日益受到重视的一种新沉积模式,其主要形成于干旱气候环境中。该文阐述了河流扇的概念演变与发展由来、沉积特征、鉴别标志与控砂机理等,讨论了河流扇与分支河流体系、末端扇及浅水三角洲等相关概念之间的区别与联系,认为河流扇形成主要受“分支型”河道控制,而末端扇及浅水三角洲主要受“分流型”河道控制。在对鄂尔多斯盆地晚三叠世古气候环境深入分析的基础上,运用河流扇概念对延长组“满盆砂”形成机制进行了重新解释。主要结论是:1）延长组沉积时期,古气候具有三分性——早期为干旱环境,中期为湿润环境,晚期再次转变为半干旱—半湿润环境;2）在干旱气候环境下,缺少大面积汇水区,以洪水搬运—事件沉积作用为主,形成了别具特色的河流扇体系,这可能是造成延长组“满盆砂”的主要原因之一;3）干旱环境河流扇砂体与潮湿环境水进域富含有机质泥岩相匹配,有利于形成大型岩性油气藏,从而使延长组由“满盆含砂”变为“满盆含油”。该研究改变了以往大型坳陷湖盆以“三角洲模式”为主导的传统认识,对丰富发展我国陆相盆地沉积理论认识及指导油气勘探实践均有积极意义。     

辫曲转换与共存的主要影响因素及对古代河流沉积环境恢复的启示

河流辫曲转换与共存是自然地理学、水力学、河流沉积地质方面的研究热点问题,也对古代河流沉积环境恢复与储层预测有重要借鉴意义.首先对河流辫曲转换与共存特征的主要影响因素进行了探讨,指出构造变动与地貌单元、坡度（坡降）的陡缓差异、物源远近与水动力条件、气候变化与植被发育状况、海/湖平面变化等主要因素控制着辫曲河型转换过程,其中构造变动与地貌单元是最为关键因素;然后总结了辫曲转换与共存这一理念对古代河流沉积恢复研究的4点启示;再以鄂尔多斯盆地大牛地气田中二叠统下部的下石盒子组为例,结合测井曲线特征、地震属性与砂岩厚度分布规律,把辫曲转换与共存的理念应用于古代河流沉积环境恢复之中,最终再现了气田区H21砂层河流沉积分布格局,明确了该区北辫南曲、辫曲转换与共存的规律,指出在辫曲转换地带与相邻的曲流河发育的区域更易于产生废弃河道.      

Depositional processes,bedform development and hybrid bed formation in rapidly decelerated cohesive (mud–sand) sediment flows

Flows with high suspended sediment concentrations are common in many sedimentary environments, and their flow properties may show a transitional behaviour between fully turbulent and quasi‐laminar plug flows. The characteristics of these transitional flows are known to be a function of both clay concentration and type, as well as the applied fluid stress, but so far the interaction of these transitional flows with a loose sediment bed has received little attention. Information on this type of interaction is essential for the recognition and prediction of sedimentary structures formed by cohesive transitional flows in, for example, fluvial, estuarine and deep‐marine deposits. This paper investigates the behaviour of rapidly decelerated to steady flows that contain a mixture of sand, silt and clay, and explores the effect of different clay (kaolin) concentrations on the dynamics of flow over a mobile bed, and the bedforms and stratification produced. Experiments were conducted in a recirculating slurry flume capable of transporting high clay concentrations. Ultrasonic Doppler velocity profiling was used to measure the flow velocity within these concentrated suspension flows. The development of current ripples under decelerated flows of differing kaolin concentration was documented and evolution of their height, wavelength and migration rate quantified. This work confirms past work over smooth, fixed beds which showed that, as clay concentration rises, a distinct sequence of flow types is generated: turbulent flow, turbulence‐enhanced transitional flow, lower transitional plug flow, upper transitional plug flow and a quasi‐laminar plug flow. Each of these flow types produces an initial flat bed upon rapid flow deceleration, followed by reworking of these deposits through the development of current ripples during the subsequent steady flow in turbulent flow, turbulence‐enhanced transitional flow and lower transitional plug flow. The initial flat beds are structureless, but have diagnostic textural properties, caused by differential settling of sand, silt and cohesive mud, which forms characteristic bipartite beds that initially consist of sand overlain by silt or clay. As clay concentration in the formative flow increases, ripples first increase in mean height and wavelength under turbulence‐enhanced transitional flow and lower transitional plug‐flow regimes, which is attributed to the additional turbulence generated under these flows that subsequently causes greater lee side erosion. As clay concentration increases further from a lower transitional plug flow, ripples cease to exist under the upper transitional plug flow and quasi‐laminar plug flow conditions investigated herein. This disappearance of ripples appears due to both turbulence suppression at higher clay concentrations, as well as the increasing shear strength of the bed sediment that becomes more difficult to erode as clay concentration increases. The stratification within the ripples formed after rapid deceleration of the transitional flows reflects the availability of sediment from the bipartite bed. The exact nature of the ripple cross‐stratification in these flows is a direct function of the duration of the formative flow and the texture of the initial flat bed, and ripples do not form in cohesive flows with a Reynolds number smaller than ca 12 000. Examples are given of how the unique properties of the current ripples and plane beds, developing below decelerated transitional flows, could aid in the interpretation of depositional processes in modern and ancient sediments. This interpretation includes a new model for hybrid beds that explains their formation in terms of a combination of vertical grain‐size segregation and longitudinal flow transformation.     

Preservation of pre-vegetational mixed fluvio–aeolian deposits in a humid climatic setting: an example from the Middle Proterozoic Eriksfjord Formation, Southwest Greenland

Sedimentological studies of a 30 m thick coastal cliff section within the Middle Proterozoic Eriksfjord Formation in western South Greenland reveals three distinct types of fluvial sand sheet deposits that reflect perennial streams (Type I), semi-perennial streams (Type II), and ephemeral flash floods (Type III). Perennial river sand sheets are characterised by co-sets of medium-scale trough cross-beds, interbedded with isolated medium- and large-scale, high-angle, tabular cross-beds. Indications of desiccation or subaerial exposure are absent. Semi-perennial fluvial sand sheets consist predominantly of low-angle cross-beds, interbedded with isolated sets of high-angle tabular cross-beds with common reactivation surfaces. Horizontal lamination and climbing ripple lamination form subordinate structures. Associated with the sand sheets are adhesion structures and 0.05–0.4 m thick sets of wind ripple-lamination indicating periods of subaerial exposure and aeolian reworking. High-energy ephemeral flash flood sand sheets consist almost exclusively of planar-parallel lamination and climbing ripple lamination with some isolated sets of low-angle cross-bedding. Scouring and internal truncation surfaces are common. The three types of sand sheets are considered to reflect deposition under changing climatic conditions, varying from humid to arid or semi-arid. Aeolian deposits are preserved within the sand sheets showing characteristics of dominantly perennial flow punctuated by shorter periods of desiccation (Type II), while sand sheets showing features typical of arid and or semi-arid flow conditions (Type III) contain no preserved aeolian deposits. This selective preservation is interpreted to be a result of the combined effect of groundwater table level and fluvial style which in turn are inferred to have been controlled by the climatic regime. The deposits show that during pre-vegetational times the preservation of aeolian deposits, under certain conditions, may be more optimal in fluvial systems formed in a humid climate than in fluvial systems formed under semi-arid or arid circumstances. The occurrence of aeolian deposits within a Precambrian succession of fluvial deposits therefore, need not be an indication of the most arid environmental conditions.     

东油田北坡馆陶组河流相砂岩沉积微相研究

本文以济阳坳陷埕东油田北坡馆陶组河流相砂岩为例,详细阐述了河流相砂体的沉积微相研究方法,将研究区内的河流相砂体划分为曲流河、网状河和辫状河三种沉积相,并进一步划分为七类主要的沉积微相。通过单井剖面和井间剖面对比分析,结合地震资料的精细解释,编制了研究区内不同砂层组沉积时期沉积微相平面展布图。     

渤海湾盆地垦东凸起北坡馆上段沉积相模式探讨

主要通过岩心观察、粒度分析、参数计算、录测井分析等手段,充分吸收国内外河流研究成果,结合研究区区域地质背景,揭示垦东凸起北坡馆上段沉积相模式。得到以下认识：研究区馆上段地层为河流相沉积,从沉积物特征和平面形态角度可以将研究区馆上段河流沉积理解为介于辫状河及曲流河之间的过渡河型。其平均河道弯曲度大于1.7,垂向层序表现为泥多砂少,具有曲流河的特征;但沉积层序顶部常直接覆盖河漫/洪泛平原沉积,特别是河道内砂坝发育造成河道分汊河,砂坝沉积物粒度特征反映受洪水控制的震荡性特点而与曲流河有重要差别。本文借用在水利学界和地貌学界广为使用的分汊河概念建立了研究区馆上段沉积相模式,包括河床、堤岸、河漫/洪泛平原、废弃河道等4个亚相,组成下粗上细的正旋回。其中,河道砂坝是其主要砂体,顶部常被洪泛平原直接覆盖;决口扇是仅次于河道砂坝的第二大砂体。     

河流相砂体识别预测及古气候响应: 以渤中坳陷石南地区明下段为例

河流相砂体的识别预测及其发育演化对古气候变化的响应是当前河流相沉积研究的热点。基于地震沉积学方法,采用三步走的河流相砂体识别预测方法(井震结合建格架→90°相位调整标岩性→切片属性辨砂体),在渤海湾盆地渤中坳陷石臼坨凸起南部(石南)新近系明化镇组下段(简称“明下段”)识别出了顺直和蜿蜒河道砂、河道—堤坝复合体、点砂坝、河口坝、牛轭湖和决口扇6种河流相砂体。依据明下段泥岩颜色,结合藻类种属记录和孢粉记录分析,认为石南地区明下段沉积早期到中期经历了干湿交替→湿润主导的湿润化气候演变; 而明下段沉积中期到晚期经历了湿润主导→干旱主导的干旱化气候演变。润湿化气候演变使得明下段沉积中期河流相砂体宽度和单层厚度减小、弯曲度增大,且带状孤立河道砂体更发育; 而干旱化气候演变使得明下段沉积晚期流相砂体宽度和单层厚度增大、弯曲度减小,且带状河道—溢岸复合带和河口坝砂更发育。研究成果可为其他断陷盆地河流相砂体识别、预测提供参考,对指导构造活动相对较弱的湖盆萎缩期油气勘探实践具有一定的实践价值。     

Sediment distribution and depositional processes along the fluvial to marine transition zone of the Mekong River delta,Vietnam

The area of coastal rivers with a combination of fluvial, tidal and wave processes is defined as the fluvial to marine transition zone and can extend up to several hundreds of kilometres upstream of the river mouth. The aim of this study is to improve the understanding of sediment distribution and depositional processes along the fluvial to marine transition zone using a comprehensive dataset of channel bed sediment samples collected from the Mekong River delta. Six sediment types were identified and were interpreted to reflect the combined action of fluvial and marine processes. Based on sediment‐type associations, the Mekong fluvial to marine transition zone could be subdivided into an upstream tract and a downstream tract; the boundary between these two tracts is identified 80 to 100 km upstream of the river mouth. The upstream tract is characterized by gravelly sand and sand and occasional heterolithic rhythmites, suggesting bed‐load supply and deposition mainly controlled by fluvial processes with subordinate tidal influence. The downstream tract is characterized by heterolithic rhythmites with subordinate sand and mud, suggesting suspended‐load supply and deposition mainly controlled by tidal processes with subordinate fluvial influence. Sediment distributions during wet and dry seasons suggest significant seasonal changes in sediment dynamic and depositional processes along the fluvial to marine transition zone. The upstream tract shows strong fluvial depositional processes with subordinate tidal influence during the wet season and no deposition with weak fluvial and tidal processes during the dry season. The downstream tract shows strong coexisting fluvial and tidal depositional processes during the wet season and strong tidal depositional processes with negligible fluvial influence during the dry season. Turbidity maxima are present along the downstream tract of the fluvial to marine transition zone during both wet and dry seasons and are driven by a combination of fluvial, tidal and wave processes.     

河流相砂体识别预测及古气候响应: 以渤中坳陷石南地区明下段为例

河流相砂体的识别预测及其发育演化对古气候变化的响应是当前河流相沉积研究的热点。基于地震沉积学方法,采用三步走的河流相砂体识别预测方法(井震结合建格架→90°相位调整标岩性→切片属性辨砂体),在渤海湾盆地渤中坳陷石臼坨凸起南部(石南)新近系明化镇组下段(简称“明下段”)识别出了顺直和蜿蜒河道砂、河道—堤坝复合体、点砂坝、河口坝、牛轭湖和决口扇6种河流相砂体。依据明下段泥岩颜色,结合藻类种属记录和孢粉记录分析,认为石南地区明下段沉积早期到中期经历了干湿交替→湿润主导的湿润化气候演变; 而明下段沉积中期到晚期经历了湿润主导→干旱主导的干旱化气候演变。润湿化气候演变使得明下段沉积中期河流相砂体宽度和单层厚度减小、弯曲度增大,且带状孤立河道砂体更发育; 而干旱化气候演变使得明下段沉积晚期流相砂体宽度和单层厚度增大、弯曲度减小,且带状河道—溢岸复合带和河口坝砂更发育。研究成果可为其他断陷盆地河流相砂体识别、预测提供参考,对指导构造活动相对较弱的湖盆萎缩期油气勘探实践具有一定的实践价值。     

A comparison of grain‐size analysis methods for sand‐dominated fluvial sediments

Grain‐size distribution is a fundamental tool for interpreting sedimentary units within depositional systems. The techniques assessed in this study are commonly used to determine grain‐size distributions for sand‐dominated sediments. However, the degree of consistency and differences in interpretation when using a combination of grain‐size methods have not yet been assessed systematically for sand‐dominated fluvial sediments. Results obtained from laser diffraction, X‐ray attenuation and scanning electron microscopy grain‐size analysis techniques were compared with those obtained from the traditional sieve/hydrometer method. Scanning electron microscopy was shown to provide an inaccurate quantitative analysis of grain‐size distributions because of difficulties in obtaining representative samples for examination. The X‐ray attenuation method is unsuitable for sand‐dominated sediments because of its upper size range of only 300 μm. The consistently strong correlation between the laser diffraction results and the sieve/hydrometer results shows that these methods are comparable for sand‐dominated fluvial sediments. Provided that sample preparation is consistent, the latter two methods can be used together within a study of such sediments while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. These results indicate that data for sand‐dominated fluvial sediments gained from the long‐established sieve/hydrometer method can be compared with confidence to those obtained by modern studies using laser diffraction techniques.     

Unincised fluvial and tide-dominated estuarine systems from the Mesoproterozoic Lower Tombador Formation,Chapada Diamantina basin,Brazil

The Mesoproterozoic Lower Tombador Formation is formed of shallow braided fluvial, unconfined to poorly-channelized ephemeral sheetfloods, sand-rich floodplain, tide-dominated estuarine, and shallow marine sediments. Lowstand braided fluvial deposits are characterized by a high degree of channel amalgamation interbedded with ephemeral, intermediate sheetflood sandstones. Sand-rich floodplain sediments consist of intervals formed by distal sheetflood deposits interbedded with thin layers of eolian sandstones. Tide-dominated estuarine successions are formed of tide-influenced sand-bed braided fluvial, tidal channel, tidal sand flat and tidal bars. Shallow marine intervals are composed of heterolithic strata and tidal sand bars. Seismic scale cliffs photomosaics calibrated with vertical sections indicate high lateral continuity of sheet-like depositional geometry for fluvial–estuarine successions. These geometric characteristics associated with no evidence of incised-valley features nor significant fluvial scouring suggest that the Lower Tombador Formation registers deposition of unincised fluvial and tide-dominated systems. Such a scenario is a natural response of the interplay between sedimentation and fluctuations of relative sea level on the gentle margins of a sag basin. This case study indicates that fluvial–estuarine successions exhibit the same facies distributions, irrespective of being related to unincised or incised-valley systems. Moreover, this case study can serve as a starting point to better understand the patterns of sedimentation for Precambrian basins formed in similar tectonic settings.     

Recognition of strong seasonality and climatic cyclicity in an ancient,fluvially dominated,tidally influenced point bar: Middle McMurray Formation,Lower Steepbank River,north‐eastern Alberta,Canada

Inclined heterolithic stratification in the Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation, exposed along the Steepbank River in north‐eastern Alberta, Canada, accumulated on point bars of a 30 to 40 m deep continental‐scale river in the fluvial–marine transition. This inclined heterolithic stratification consists of two alternating lithologies, sand and fine‐grained beds. Sand beds were deposited rapidly by unidirectional currents and contain little or no bioturbation. Fine‐grained beds contain rare tidal structures, and are intensely bioturbated by low‐diversity ichnofossil assemblages. The alternations between the sand and fine‐grained beds are probably caused by strong variations in fluvial discharge; that are believed to be seasonal (probably annual) in duration. The sand beds accumulated during river floods, under fluvially dominated conditions when the water was fresh, whereas the fine‐grained beds accumulated during the late stages of the river flood and deposition continued under tidally influenced brackish‐water conditions during times of low‐river flow (i.e. the interflood periods). These changes reflect the annual migration in the positions of the tidal and salinity limits within the fluvial–marine transition that result from changes in river discharge. Sand and fine‐grained beds are cyclically organized in the studied outcrops forming metre‐scale cycles. A single metre‐scale cycle is defined by a sharp base, an upward decrease in sand‐bed thickness and upward increases in the preservation of fine‐grained beds and the intensity of bioturbation. Metre‐scale cycles are interpreted to be the product of a longer term (decadal) cyclicity in fluvial discharge, probably caused by fluctuations in ocean or solar dynamics. The volumetric dominance of river‐flood deposits within the succession suggests that accumulation occurred in a relatively landward position within the fluvial–marine transition. This study shows that careful observation can reveal much about the interplay of processes within the fluvial–marine transition, which in turn provides a powerful tool for determining the palaeo‐environmental location of a deposit within the fluvial–marine transition.     

Sedimentary cycles and facies architecture of aeolian–fluvial strata of the Upper Jurassic Guará Formation, southern Brazil

The Upper Jurassic Guará Formation comprises an 80–200 m thick continental succession exposed in the western portion of the Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil). It comprises four distinct facies associations: (i) simple to locally composite crescentic aeolian dune sets, (ii) aeolian sand sheets, (iii) distal floodflows, and (iv) fluvial channels. The vertical stacking of the facies associations defines several 5–14 m thick wetting-upward cycles. Each cycle starts with aeolian dune sets followed by aeolian sand sheets deposits and culminating in either fluvial channels or distal flood strata. Within some cycles, aeolian sand sheets are absent and fluvial deposits rest directly above aeolian dune facies. The transitions from one facies association to another are abrupt and marked by erosive surfaces that delineate distinct episodes of sediment accumulation. The origin of both the wetting-upward cycles and the erosive surfaces was controlled by the ground-water table level, dry sand availability and aeolian and fluvial sediment transport capacity variations, related to climatic fluctuations between relatively arid and humid conditions. Preservation of the fluvial–aeolian deposits reflects an overall relative water table rise driven by subsidence.     

Quartzite development in early Palaeozoic nearshore marine environments

Quartzites are especially characteristic of Proterozoic and Cambro‐Ordovician shallow marine strata, whereas equivalent age fluvial deposits are commonly arkosic. The absence of land vegetation in the pre‐Silurian influenced weathering processes and styles of fluvial deposition. It may also have had an impact on shallow marine sedimentation. Two field studies from the English Channel region are presented to investigate the processes leading to quartzite formation. On Alderney, nearshore marine and fluvial facies occur interbedded on a metre scale and are interpreted to represent deposition on the lower reaches of an alluvial plain, and in beach and upper shoreface environments. The marine and fluvial sandstones display marked differences in textural and mineralogical maturity, pointing to a process of sediment maturation by the destruction of feldspar and labile grains at the shoreline. At Erquy, fully mature, marine quartzites occur bounded above and below by alluvial deposits via sharp or erosional surfaces, and are interpreted to represent high energy, storm and tidally influenced lower shoreface and inner shelf deposits. A model for quartzite development is proposed where, under a cool climate, frequent storms in un‐vegetated, tectonically rejuvenated uplands provided an abundance of arkosic sand to fluvial basins and clastic shorelines. The model proposes that the marine basins were subject to high wave energies, frequent storm events and tidal currents. These were conditions conducive to transforming arkosic sand to quartz‐rich sand by the attrition of feldspar at the shoreline and in the shallow marine environment. On sediment burial, further feldspar destruction occurred during diagenesis. The proposed model highlights the potential for a step change in sediment maturity to occur at the shoreline in early Palaeozoic depositional systems tracts.     

Inherited drainage - paleochannels and preferential groundwater flow

It is suggested that in a localized remnant of Kalahari sand at Dufuya, central Zimbabwe, groundwater flows in an integrated pattern inherited from the paleochannel network of the underlying gneiss. Contact springs occur at discrete localities along the Kalahari sand/gneiss boundary and are associated with spring sapping and land surface subsidence. Subsidence is presumed to be due to preferential solute removal by leaching and dissolution as a result of concentration of groundwater flow within the buried paleochannel network and the location of the springs is presumed to occur where the paleochannel network intersects the Kalahari sand/gneiss boundary. Over time the surficial Kalahari sand is preferentially removed along these buried drainage lines by spring sapping and headwards erosion, exposing the gneiss. Multi-electrode direct current resistivity profiling and radar have been used to map the sub-surface, revealing the topography of the basement and nature of the Kalahari cover. Coincidence of gneiss basement depressions with the spring sites, leached sands and subsidence zones suggests inheritance of the gneiss fluvial paleochannel network pattern by the present day groundwater flow. Washed sand and gravel intersected in shallow boreholes in these areas provides further evidentiary support for the concept of inherited drainage.     

青海共和盆地多石在沟河道沙丘现代风水交互过程

选择青海共和盆地多石在沟河道中6道新月形沙丘链作为研究对象,采用Trimble4700DGPS与常规测量手段,结合野外风沙观测与自动气象站数据,初步观测分析了2006年多石在沟河道沙丘在不同季节的形态变化过程,计算出2006年风季前比雨季后多石在沟河道沙丘体积减小了548.3m³,风积量为2351m³,流水的蚀平量为2899m³,2006年风水两相营力对河道沙丘的侵蚀贡献率约为45%∶55%,流水的搬运作用强于风力的堆积作用。但从较长的时间尺度来看,研究区的风力侵蚀作用强于流水侵蚀作用,河道沙丘不断增大。多石在沟河道沙丘是一个典型的风水交互作用系统,河道成为风力与流水交互作用的"中转站",在风水的交替作用下,沉积物由风积环境进入流水环境中。     

Braided rivers within an arid alluvial plain (example from the Lower Triassic,western German Basin): recognition criteria and expression of stratigraphic cycles

Based on a detailed sedimentological analysis of Lower Triassic continental deposits in the western Germanic sag Basin (i.e. the eastern part of the present‐day Paris Basin: the ‘Conglomérat basal’, ‘Grès vosgien’ and ‘Conglomérat principal’ Formations), three main depositional environments were identified: (i) braided rivers in an arid alluvial plain with some preserved aeolian dunes and very few floodplain deposits; (ii) marginal erg (i.e. braided rivers, aeolian dunes and aeolian sand‐sheets); and (iii) playa lake (an ephemeral lake environment with fluvial and aeolian sediments). Most of the time, aeolian deposits in arid environments that are dominated by fluvial systems are poorly preserved and particular attention should be paid to any sedimentological marker of aridity, such as wind‐worn pebbles (ventifacts), sand‐drift surfaces and aeolian sand‐sheets. In such arid continental environments, stratigraphic surfaces of allocyclic origin correspond to bounding surfaces of regional extension. Elementary stratigraphic cycles, i.e. the genetic units, have been identified for the three main continental environments: the fluvial type, fluvial–aeolian type and fluvial/playa lake type. At the time scale of tens to hundreds of thousands of years, these high‐frequency cycles of climatic origin are controlled either by the groundwater level in the basin or by the fluvial siliciclastic sediment input supplied from the highland. Lower Triassic deposits from the Germanic Basin are preserved mostly in endoreic basins. The central part of the basin is arid but the rivers are supplied with water by precipitation falling on the remnants of the Hercynian (Variscan)–Appalachian Mountains. Consequently, a detailed study of alluvial plain facies provides indications of local climatic conditions in the place of deposition, whereas fluvial systems only reflect climatic conditions of the upstream erosional catchments.