Gravity flow deposits associating with ichnoassemblages within the middle Member 3 of Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Dongpu sag,Henan Province

Based on the observation and analyses of 97 exploratory well cores in Dongpu sag,four types of gravity flow(including sliding,slumping,debris flow and turbidity current)deposits in lacustrine facies have been recognized within the middle Member 3 of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation. Their main identification marks are outlined as follows: (1)the sliding deposits are characterized by the partial preservation of primary sedimentary structures,the development of small penecontemporaneous fracture or fault in sandstone beds,and steep dip of strata,with Skolithos-Palaeophycus ichnoassemblage and/or Planolites-Taenidium ichnoassemblage,which commonly occurred in the shore and shallow lake environments. (2)General characteristics of slumping deposits mainly are the abrupt contact between sandstone beds(top and bottom)and dark mudstone beds,and development of all kinds of penecontemporaneous soft-sediment deformation structures such as convolution bedding,flame structure,water-escape structure,liquefied vein and tearing debris. (3)The sandy debris flow deposits are mainly marked by the massive sandstone,abrupt contact between sandstone beds(top and bottom)and dark mudstone beds,as well as developing floating gravels near the top of sandstone beds and tearing mudstone debris in the bottom of sandstone beds,sometimes with occurring the mud-coated intraclasts. Meanwhile,slumping and sandy debris flow deposits commonly associated with the Mermoides-Parapaleodictyon ichnoassemblage produced in semi-deep water lake environment. (4)The turbidity deposit is mainly indicated by the complete or incomplete Bouma sequences,normal-graded bedding,and all kinds of sole marks such as scour marks,irregular flute casts and load casts,and the Semirotundichnus-Puyangichnus ichnoassemblage frequently occurred in the middle to upper parts of the turbidite beds that formed in deep-water lake environment. After comprehensive analyses of above four types of gravity flow deposits and water-depth variation reflected by different ichnoassemblages,it can be considered that ichnoassemblage changes appear a zonation with the depth of the lake,which is consistent with variations in gravity flow deposits from sliding-slumping-debris flows to turbidity currents,and the bioturbation generated with gravity flow deposits is enhanced. Therefore,the research of bioturbation structures(ichnofossils)is not only of great significance to study the physical property of sandstone reservoir in lacustrine deposits,but also to provide important ichnological information for discerning various types of gravity flow deposits.