Upper Carboniferous to Lower Permian transgressive–regressive sequences of central Spitsbergen,Arctic Norway

Investigation of the Upper Carboniferous to Lower Permian sedimentary strata of central Spitsbergen shows that this highly cyclic rock succession is composed of four long-term transgressive–regressive cycles. These long-term cycles are themselves composed of stacked higher order cycles. Transgressive phases are characterized by increasing accommodation space, and include a basal transgressive part of marked retrogradation of facies belts and thickening-upward component cycles. Regressive phases are characterized by decreasing accommodation space, displayed by progradation of facies belts, overall shallowing and increased restriction of the depositional environment, influx of coarse terrigenous sediments and increasing evidence of exposure and/or non-deposition. The oldest transgressive–regressive sequence identified, Sequence 1, is of Serpukhovian to Bashkirian age and represents a syn-rift sequence. Also composed of syn-rift sediments is the transgressive–regressive Moscovian to mid-Gzhelian-aged Sequence 2. The late Gzhelian to late Asselian Sequence 3 is mainly a post-rift sequence. The youngest sequence, Sequence 4, is of Sakmarian to possible Artinskian age, and is also composed of post-rift sediments. The individual transgressive–regressive cycles are defined as second-order cycles, based on lithological signatures, lateral extent of bounding unconformities, and the actual time period the cycles span. Local tectonic activity is believed to control to some extent the development of short-term cycles in the syn-rift succession. However, cyclicity within the long-term cycles is mainly controlled by eustatic sea-level fluctuations, and therefore enables them to be correlated to other Circum-Arctic regions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facies analysis and sequence stratigraphy of neoproterozoic Platform deposits in Adrar of Mauritania, Taoudeni basin, West Africa

The Neoproterozoic and Palaeozoic Taoudeni basin forms the flat-lying and unmetamorphosed sedimentary cover of the West African Craton. In the western part of this basin, the Char Group and the lower part of the Atar Group make up a 400-m-thick Neoproterozoic siliciclastic succession which rests on the Palaeoproterozoic metamorphic and granitic basement. Five erosional bounding surfaces of regional extent have been identified in this succession. These surfaces separate five stratigraphic units with lithofacies associations ranging from fluvial to coastal and fluvial-, tide-, or wave-dominated shallow marine deposits. Owing to their regional extent and their position within the succession, the erosive bounding surfaces correspond to relative sea-level falls, and accordingly the five stratigraphic units they bound represent allocyclic transgressive–regressive depositional sequences (S₁–S₅). Changes in the nature of the deposits forming the transgressive–regressive cycles reflect landward or seaward shifts of the stacked sequences. These successive relative sea-level changes are related to the reactivation of basement faults and tilting during rifting of the Pan-Afro-Brasiliano supercontinent 1000 m.y. ago. The stromatolite bearing carbonate-shale sequences which form the rest of the Atar Group mark the onset of a quiet period of homogeneous subsidence contemporaneous with the Pan-African I oceanization 800–700 m.y. ago.     

Carbonate Diagenesis Controlled by Glacioeustatic Sea-Level Changes： A Case Study from the Carboniferous-Permian Boundary Section at Xikou, China

The diagenesis of modern and ancient carbonatesedi ments has been widely studied and systematicallyreviewed since the 1960s (e .g. Moore ,2001 ,1989 ;Wang et al ., 1994 , 1991 ; McIlreath and Morrow,1990 ; Tucker and Bathurst , 1990 ; Schneidermannand Harris , 1985 ; Longman, 1980 ; Bathurst ,1975) . With the development of sequence stratigra-phy and its more widespread application, discussionabout the relationship between diagenesis and se-quence stratigraphy/sea-level changes ,as well as…     

Late Cretaceous paleoenvironmental evolution of the Tarfaya Atlantic coastal Basin,SW Morocco

Lithological evidence, benthic foraminiferal census counts, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanner-derived elemental data were integrated with planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and bulk carbonate stable isotopes to retrace the Turonian to early Campanian paleoenvironmental evolution and sea-level history of the Tarfaya Atlantic coastal basin (SW Morocco). The lower Turonian is characterized by laminated organic-rich deposits, which contain impoverished benthic foraminiferal assemblages, reflecting impingement of the oxygen minimum zone on the shelf during a sea-level highstand. This highstand level is correlated to the global transgressive pulse above the sequence boundary Tu1. The appearance of low-oxygen tolerant benthic foraminiferal assemblages dominated by Gavelinella sp. in the middle to upper Turonian indicates an improvement in bottom water oxygenation, probably linked to offshore retraction of the oxygen minimum zone during a regressive phase. This interval is marked by major regressive events expressed by a series of erosional truncations associated with the prominent sequence boundaries Tu3 and/or Tu4. Dysoxic–anoxic conditions recorded in the upper Santonian of the Tarfaya Basin coincide with the eustatic sea-level rise prior to Sa3 sequence boundary. The lower Campanian transgression, only recorded in the southern part of the Tarfaya Basin, coincided with substantial deepening, enhanced accumulation of fine-grained clay-rich hemipelagic sediments and improved oxygenation at the seafloor (highest diversity and abundance of benthic foraminiferal assemblages). Stable isotope data from bulk carbonates are tentatively correlated to the English Chalk carbon isotope reference curve, in particular the Hitch Wood Event in the upper Turonian, the Navigation Event in the lower Coniacian, the Horseshoe Bay Event in the Santonian and the Santonian/Campanian Boundary Event.     

Sequence stratigraphy with emphasis on platform-related parasequences of the Zechstein 2 carbonate (Ca2) – the northern platform margin of the Southern Permian Basin (NE Germany)

Facies analysis combined with sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the Upper Permian carbonate (Ca2) of NE Germany (i.e. northern basin margin of the Southern Permian Basin) confirm the existence of a rimmed platform with a steep and tectonically structured slope. The karstified A1 platform is overlain by deposits of a thin transgressive systems tract (TST) and a thick highstand systems tract (HST) which shows two larger-scale regressive shallowing-upwards cycles (4th order) with typical stacking patterns of small-scale cycles (5th order). The TST consists of bitumen-rich mudstones with reworked clasts of anhydrite and early cemented wacke- to grainstones, and it shows two, probably 5th-order, deepening-upwards cycles. The first larger-scale shallowing-up cycle on the Ca2 platform (4th-order) is dominated by aggradation of the bar and shoal deposits, whereas the second one is dominated by progradation. The tops of both cycles are characterised by erosional and exposure surfaces. Various types of small-scale shallowing-upwards cycles (5th-order) are observed in the bar, in the intertidal and in the algal-dominated supratidal environment, showing pronounced transgressive boundaries. On the slope and in the basin, equally thick TST and HST are observed. These incorporate carbonate turbidites which indicate "highstand shedding" from the platform. Various orders of relative sea-level variations are discussed. Controlling factors include tectonics, climate, and eustatic processes. A combined carbonate and evaporite sequence was found on the upper Ca2 slope, which may indicate a Ca2-lowstand systems wedge.     

Facies sequences on a carbonate ramp: the Carboniferous Limestone of South Wales

During early Carboniferous times a major sea-level rise led to the development of an extensive carbonate ramp over what is now South Wales. Differential subsidence and sea-level changes resulted in distinctive facies sequences in the ramp succession and a model is offered which recognizes three distinct geomorpho-tectonic settings; inner, mid- and outer ramp. The inner ramp zone occurs in the more landward part of the province and was an area undergoing little or no subsidence. The sequence is dominated by oolitic grainstones and peritidal limestones representing shoal and back shoal environments. The peritidal units are transgressive deposits consisting of stacked asymmetrical shallowing-up cycles. The sequence contains many subaerial breaks and tectonic uplift resulted in base-level changes and fluvial incision. The mid-ramp zone sequence is intermediate in thickness between the inner and outer ramp successions and consists mainly of bioclastic limestones deposited below fairweather wave base. Sedimentation periodically exceeded sea-level rise and subsidence, and regressive (progradational) oolitic sand bodies developed, the thickest of which are stacked units with up to four individual sand bodies. Storm processes were of major importance in this setting. The outer ramp zone is represented by a thick sequence of muddy bioclastic limestones deposited below storm wave base and major Waulsortian reef-mounds also developed. None of the shallowing phases seen in the other ramp zones can be detected in this sequence. Subsidence and eustatic sea-level rise seem to have been the major controls on deposition but the recognition of eustatic sea-level falls is difficult. The detailed facies model for ramp carbonates presented here may be applicable elsewhere in the geological record.     

Architecture and formation of transgressive–regressive cycles in marginal marine strata of the John Henry Member,Straight Cliffs Formation,Upper Cretaceous of Southern Utah,USA

Marginal marine deposits of the John Henry Member, Upper Cretaceous Straight Cliffs Formation, were deposited within a moderately high accommodation and high sediment supply setting that facilitated preservation of both transgressive and regressive marginal marine deposits. Complete transgressive–regressive cycles, comprising barrier island lagoonal transgressive deposits interfingered with regressive shoreface facies, are distinguished based on their internal facies architecture and bounding surfaces. Two main types of boundaries occur between the transgressive and regressive portions of each cycle: (i) surfaces that record the maximum regression and onset of transgression (bounding surface A); and (ii) surfaces that place deeper facies on top of shallower facies (bounding surface B). The base of a transgressive facies (bounding surface A) is defined by a process change from wave‐dominated to tide‐dominated facies, or a coaly/shelly interval indicating a shift from a regressive to a transgressive regime. The surface recording such a process change can be erosional or non‐erosive and conformable. A shift to deeper facies occurs at the base of regressive shoreface deposits along both flooding surfaces and wave ravinement surfaces (bounding surface B). These two main bounding surfaces and their subtypes generate three distinct transgressive – regressive cycle architectures: (i) tabular, shoaling‐upward marine parasequences that are bounded by flooding surfaces; (ii) transgressive and regressive unit wedges that thin basinward and landward, respectively; and (iii) tabular, transgressive lagoonal shales with intervening regressive coaly intervals. The preservation of transgressive facies under moderately high accommodation and sediment supply conditions greatly affects stratigraphic architecture of transgressive–regressive cycles. Acknowledging variation in transgressive–regressive cycles, and recognizing transgressive successions that correlate to flooding surfaces basinward, are both critical to achieving an accurate sequence stratigraphic interpretation of high‐frequency cycles.     

Sequence stratigraphy in the context of rapid regional uplift and high‐amplitude glacio‐eustatic changes: the Pleistocene Cutro Terrace (Calabria,southern Italy)

The Cutro Terrace is a mixed marine to continental terrace, where deposits up to 15 m thick discontinuously crop out in an area extending for ca 360 km² near Crotone (southern Italy). The terrace represents the oldest and highest terrace of the Crotone area, and it has been ascribed to marine isotope stage 7 (ca 200 kyr bp ). Detailed facies and sequence‐stratigraphic analyses of the terrace deposits allow the recognition of a suite of depositional environments ranging from middle shelf to fluvial, and of two stacked transgressive–regressive cycles (Cutro 1 and Cutro 2) bounded by ravinement surfaces and by surfaces of sub‐aerial exposure. In particular, carbonate sedimentation, consisting of algal build‐ups and biocalcarenites, characterizes the Cutro 1 cycle in the southern sector of the terrace, and passes into shoreface and foreshore sandstones and calcarenites towards the north‐west. The Cutro 2 cycle is mostly siliciclastic and consists of shoreface, lagoon‐estuarine, fluvial channel fill, floodplain and lacustrine deposits. The Cutro 1 cycle is characterized by very thin transgressive marine strata, represented by lags and shell beds upon a ravinement surface, and thicker regressive deposits. Moreover, the cycle appears foreshortened basinwards, which suggests that the accumulation of its distal and upper part occurred during forced regressive conditions. The Cutro 2 cycle displays a marked aggradational component of transgressive to highstand paralic and continental deposits, in places strongly influenced by local physiography, whereas forced regressive sediments are absent and probably accumulated further basinwards. The maximum flooding shoreline of the second cycle is translated ca 15 km basinward with respect to that of the first cycle, and this reflects a long‐term regressive trend mostly driven by regional uplift. The stratigraphic architecture of the Cutro Terrace deposits is the result of the interplay between regional uplift and high amplitude, Late Quaternary glacio‐eustatic changes. In particular, rapid transgressions, linked to glacio‐eustatic rises that outpaced regional uplift, favoured the accumulation of thin transgressive marine strata at the base of the two cycles. In contrast, the combined effect of glacio‐eustatic falls and regional uplift led to high‐magnitude forced regressions. The superposition of the two cycles was favoured by a relatively flat topography, which allowed relatively complete preservation of stratal geometries that record large shoreline displacements during transgression and regression. The absence of a palaeo‐coastal cliff at the inner margin of the terrace supports this interpretation. The Cutro Terrace provides a case study of sequence architecture developed in uplifting settings and controlled by high‐amplitude glacio‐eustatic changes. This case study also demonstrates how the interplay of relative sea‐level change, sediment supply and physiography may determine either the superposition of cycles forming a single terrace or the formation of a staircase of terraces each recording an individual eustatic pulse.     

Palaeoecological,sedimentological and stratigraphical insights into microbially induced sedimentary structures of the lower Cambrian successions of Iran

Micro-organisms producing microbially induced sedimentary structures, particularly epibenthic cyanobacteria, are not facies-dependent and could flourish in any environment if appropriate ecological conditions were provided. Hence, the changes in environmental parameters are the controlling factors on ecological tolerance of the producers. This study on the lower Cambrian successions of the Lalun Formation in Central Iran shows that paralic environments reacted differently to changes in parameters such as river and tide energy, palaeo-topography, the rate of sediment supply and fluctuations in sea-level, even though all were characterized by sandy substrates suitable for the development of microbially induced sedimentary structures. Therefore, the abundance and preservation of microbially induced sedimentary structures varied in the different paralic environments. From a sequence stratigraphic viewpoint, this study demonstrates that erosional discontinuities lacked the conditions required for the substrate stabilization by microbial communities. The distribution, size and type of microbially induced sedimentary structures within high frequency cycles generally follow the trends of changes in vertical facies stacking patterns. Within systems tracts, the pattern, morphological diversity and size of microbially induced sedimentary structures are not dependent on the type of systems tract, but on the type of depositional system developed such as delta, incised valley, coastal plain, estuaries and shoreline to shelf systems. Generally, estuarine and peritidal carbonates record an increase in the development of mat colonization during the transgressive systems tract, owing to decreased sedimentation rate as well as extended shallow water habitats. In contrast, the existence of microbially induced sedimentary structures depends on the pattern of shoreline shift in depositional systems developed during the highstand systems tract, such as open coast tidal flat and delta environments. If a shoreline regression was continuous (depositional trend and stacking pattern are a set of high frequency cycles), a greater increase in the aggradational component than the progradational component would cause intensified destructive processes hindering the development of microbial communities.     

塔里木盆地寒武-奥陶纪海平面升降变化规律研究

利用元素地球化学特征和地震几何构型特征,对塔里木盆地寒武-奥陶纪时期海平面升降变化规律进行了研究,建立了寒武-奥陶纪相对海平面变化曲线。研究发现,塔里木盆地寒武-奥陶纪可划分出3个一级旋回,8个二级旋回,17个三级旋回和多期高频震荡旋回。其中,寒武纪经历了3期二级旋回,早中奥陶世经历了2期旋回。相对于寒武纪,早奥陶世海平面升幅较大。晚奥陶世经历了3期二级旋回：第一期处于海平面低位期,幅度较小;后二期快速上升,直达最高水位状态。海平面相对升降变化控制着盆地的沉积充填和层序的形成演化,其旋回性与盆地沉积作用的旋回性相一致,并可通过沉积相的演变表现出来。     

Allogenic and autogenic controls on facies and stratigraphic architecture of the Lower Jurassic Mashabba Formation,Gebel Al-Maghara,North Sinai,Egypt

The Lower Jurassic Mashabba Formation crops out in the core of the doubly plunging Al-Maghara anticline, North Sinai, Egypt. It represents a marine to terrestrial succession deposited within a rift basin associated with the opening of the Neotethys. Despite being one of the best and the only exposed Lower Jurassic strata in Egypt, its sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic framework has not been addressed yet. The formation is subdivided informally into a lower and upper member with different depositional settings and sequence stratigraphic framework. The sedimentary facies of the lower member include shallow-marine, fluvial, tidal flat and incised valley fill deposits. In contrast, the upper member consists of strata with limited lateral extension including fossiliferous lagoonal limestones alternating with burrowed deltaic sandstones. The lower member contains three incomplete sequences (SQ1-SQ3). The depositional framework shows transgressive middle shoreface to offshore transition deposits sharply overlain by forced regressive upper shoreface sandstones (SQ1), lowstand fluvial to transgressive tidal flat and shallow subtidal sandy limestones (SQ2), and lowstand to transgressive incised valley fills and shallow subtidal sandy limestones (SQ3). In contrast, the upper member consists of eight coarsening-up depositional cycles bounded by marine flooding surfaces. The cycles are classified as carbonate-dominated, siliciclastic-dominated, and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate. The strata record rapid changes in accommodation space. The unpredictable facies stacking pattern, the remarkable rapid facies changes, and chaotic stratigraphic architecture suggest an interplay between allogenic and autogenic processes. Particularly syndepositional tectonic pulses and occasional eustatic sea-level changes controlled the rate and trends of accommodation space, the shoreline morphology, the amount and direction of siliciclastic sediment input and rapid switching and abandonment of delta systems.     

西南地区二叠纪层序地层及海平面变化

西南地区二叠系可划分为２个二级层序、１１个三级层序,它们代表１１次三级海平面升降旋回,其中有６次可与欧美地区二叠纪海平面变化相对比,它们是伦纳德（Ｌｅｏｎａｒｄｉａｎ）早期、瓜达卢普（Ｇｕａｄａｌｕｐｉａｎ）早期、瓜达卢普（Ｇｕａｄａｌｕｐｉａｎ）晚期、卡赞（Ｋａｚａｎｉａｎ）早期、鞑靼（Ｔａｔａｒｉａｎ）早期和鞑靼（Ｔａｔａｒｉａｎ）晚期的海平面旋回。研究表明,该区二叠纪相对海平面变化作为全球海平面变化和同沉积构造活动相互作用的产物,它与欧美地区乃至联合古陆发展具反向效应,即具有以海侵型碳酸盐沉积序列为典型的主体海平面上升的特点。作者认为显生宙全球海平面旋回曲线的二叠纪部分总体具有两种类型或分支：其一是以海侵型碳酸盐沉积序列为主的反映海平面主体上升的特提斯型或华南型;其二是以海陆过渡—陆相海退沉积序列为主的揭示海平面主体下降的经典型或欧美型。作者强调,全球二叠纪海侵型全球海平面旋回曲线应以西南地区为代表。     

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。     

Discriminating between tectonic and eustatic controls on the stratigraphic record in the Paris basin

The quantification of tectonic and eustatic factors in the control of the sedimentary record is one of the main questions in sedimentary basin dynamics. We propose two methods allowing: (i) 3D measurement of accommodation at basin scale and (ii) to decipher between local (10–100 km wavelength) and basin-scale accommodation. The local signal is necessarily of tectonic origin, the basin-scale signal is of both eustatic and large tectonic origin. The measurement of accommodation requires (a) high-resolution time-lines calibrated in ages (sequence stratigraphy on well-logs and biostratigraphy on cores), (b) decompacted lithologies (well-logs), and (c) palaeodepth/palaeoaltitude (sedimentology and well-logs). Application of these methods to the intracratonic Paris basin during the Lias (early Jurassic) suggests a tectonic origin for the 1–5 Myr stratigraphic cycles, with basin-scale flexure during transgressive half-cycles, and 10–100 km uplift of basement units, during regressive half-cycles.     

Tectonic,sea-level,and climatic controls on Late Paleozoic sedimentation in the western basins of Argentina

Tectonic activity, sea-level changes, and the climate controlled sedimentation in Late Paleozoic basins of western Argentina. The role of each factor is investigated from the geologic record of the Río Blanco and Paganzo basins using three hierarchical orders of stratigraphic bounding surfaces. First-order surfaces correspond to regional unconformities, second-order ones to local unconformities with a lesser regional extent, and third-order surfaces represent locally extended sedimentary truncation. Using this methodology, the Carboniferous–Permian record of the Paganzo and Río Blanco basins may be divided into two megasequences, four sequences, and 12 stratigraphic sections. Megasequences are bounded by regional unconformities that result from tectonic events important enough to cause regional paleogeographic changes. Sequences are limited by minor regional extension surfaces related to local tectonic movements or significant sea-level falls. Finally, stratigraphic sections correspond to extended sedimentary truncations produced by transgressive events or major climatic changes. Sequence I is mainly composed of marine deposits divided into basal infill of the basin (Section 1) and Tournaisian–Visean transgressive deposits (Section 2). Sequence II is bounded by a sharp erosional surface and begins with coarse conglomerates (Section 3), followed by fluvial and shallow marine sedimentary rocks (Section 4) that pass upward into shales and diamictites (Section 5). The base of Sequence III is marked by an extended unconformity covered by Early Pennsylvanian glacial sedimentary rocks (Section 6) that represent the most important glacial event along the western margin of Gondwana. Postglacial deposits (Section 7) occur in the two basins and comprise both glaciolacustrine (eastern region) and transgressive marine (central and western regions) deposits. By the Moscovian–Kasimovian, fluvial sandstones and conglomerates were deposited in most of the Paganzo Basin (Section 8), while localized volcanic activity took place in the Río Blanco Basin. Near the end of the Carboniferous, an important transgression is recorded in the major part of the Río Blanco Basin (Section 9), reaching the westernmost portion area of the Paganzo Basin. Finally, Sequence IV shows important differences between the Paganzo and Río Blanco basins; fluvial red beds (Section 10), eolian sandstones (Section 11), and low-energy fluvial deposits (Section 12) prevailed in the Paganzo Basin whereas volcaniclastic sedimentation and volcanism dominated in the Río Blanco Basin. Thus, tectonic events, sea-level changes and climate exerted a strong and complex control on the evolution of the Río Blanco and Paganzo basins. The interaction of these allocyclic controls produced not only characteristic facies association patterns but also different kinds of stratigraphic bounding surfaces.     

Allogenic controls on the evolution of storm to tidal shelf sequences in the Early Proterozoic Uncompahgre Group, southwest Colorado, USA

Dominantly coarse-grained, shallow-marine, metasedimentary rocks of the Early Proterozoic Uncompahgre Group (UG) record periods of shoaling and drowning on different temporal scales that are attributed to episodic long-term oscillations in relative sea-level with superimposed shorter duration excursions in relative sea-level. Long-term events are probably tectonic whereas short-term events are eustatic. The 2–5 km thick Uncompahgre Group consists of 250–600 m thick, dominantly coarse-grained quartzite units (Q1–Q4) and 200–300 m thick mudstone/pelite units (P1–P5). Five depositional systems comprise the Uncompahgre Group. The outer shelf system (OSS) is composed of Bouma-type beds and intercalated mudstones that are transitional vertically to parallel-laminated to wave-rippled sandstones and hummocky cross-stratified sandstones of the inner shelf system (ISS). Trough cross-stratified sandstones comprise the shoreface system (SHS). The tidal inner shelf/shoreface system (TIS/SHS) consists of a complex interlayering of cross-bedded sandstones, thin-bedded conglomerates, mudstones and rippled sandstones. Trough cross-bedded pebbly sandstones and thin- to thick-bedded conglomerates represent the alluvial system (ALLS). Depositional systems in the UG are associated in transgressive and highstand-systems tracts that make up four sequences (1 to 4). Sequence boundaries do not correspond with lithostratigraphic boundaries but are defined by subtle unconformities. The basal Q1–P1 unit (lower sequence 1) consists of ALLS to TIS/ SHS to ISS comprising a transgressive systems tract. A maximum marine incursion is reflected by deposition of OSS facies in stratigraphic units P1–P2. Shoaling in the transition from P2 to the uppermedial portion of Q2 (OSS—ISS—SHS to a thick TIS/SHS—ALLS) records the highstand systems tract of upper sequence 1. A subtle disconformity/paraconformity delineates a type 2 sequence boundary at the top of the highstand systems tract. The drowning to shoaling pattern is replicated in sequence 2 (upper Q2 to P3 to upper medial Q3); sequence 3 (upper Q3 to P4 to upper-medial Q4); and an incomplete sequence 4 (upper Q4 through P5). Thinner shoaling intervals of OSS—ISS—SHS in P3 and in lower Q2, Q3 and Q4 represent parasequences. Sequences of 10⁷ years duration are attributed to periods of increasing and decreasing subsidence rates due to tectonism marginal to the sedimentary basin. Parasequences record shorter duration temporal controls of c. 10⁴ to 10⁵ years related to eustatic oscillations. As a consequence of shoaling and aggradation/ progradation in the highstand systems tract, TIS/SHS and ALLS overlie and are temporally separated from OSS to ISS to SHS. This transition records filling of the basin to sea-level leading to a shelf geometry that was conducive to tidal amplification. A composite relative sea-level curve integrating long-term pulsatory subsidence and short-term eustasy best explains the stratigraphic evolution of the Uncompahgre Group.     

东辛油田沙三中亚段沉积特征与油藏分布规律

东辛油田沙三中亚段发育大量与三角洲前缘滑塌相伴生的坡移浊积扇、滑塌浊积扇、远源浊积岩以及洪水成因的水下碎屑流,发育岩性油藏及岩性-构造油藏。纵向上,湖退体系域早期准层序组PS7～PS5是最主要的油气富集层位,其次为湖侵体系域PS8;平面上,各准层序组西部油气富集程度好于东部,含油储层主要为滑塌浊积扇及部分远源浊积岩,其次为坡移浊积扇。油气分布主要受宏观沉积相带、构造、微观储集物性和成岩作用等多种因素控制,距油源远近控制油藏纵向有利层位,砂体成因类型控制着平面有利区带。     

Tectonic, sea-level, and climatic controls on Late Paleozoic sedimentation in the western basins of Argentina

Tectonic activity, sea-level changes, and the climate controlled sedimentation in Late Paleozoic basins of western Argentina. The role of each factor is investigated from the geologic record of the Río Blanco and Paganzo basins using three hierarchical orders of stratigraphic bounding surfaces. First-order surfaces correspond to regional unconformities, second-order ones to local unconformities with a lesser regional extent, and third-order surfaces represent locally extended sedimentary truncation. Using this methodology, the Carboniferous–Permian record of the Paganzo and Río Blanco basins may be divided into two megasequences, four sequences, and 12 stratigraphic sections. Megasequences are bounded by regional unconformities that result from tectonic events important enough to cause regional paleogeographic changes. Sequences are limited by minor regional extension surfaces related to local tectonic movements or significant sea-level falls. Finally, stratigraphic sections correspond to extended sedimentary truncations produced by transgressive events or major climatic changes. Sequence I is mainly composed of marine deposits divided into basal infill of the basin (Section 1) and Tournaisian–Visean transgressive deposits (Section 2). Sequence II is bounded by a sharp erosional surface and begins with coarse conglomerates (Section 3), followed by fluvial and shallow marine sedimentary rocks (Section 4) that pass upward into shales and diamictites (Section 5). The base of Sequence III is marked by an extended unconformity covered by Early Pennsylvanian glacial sedimentary rocks (Section 6) that represent the most important glacial event along the western margin of Gondwana. Postglacial deposits (Section 7) occur in the two basins and comprise both glaciolacustrine (eastern region) and transgressive marine (central and western regions) deposits. By the Moscovian–Kasimovian, fluvial sandstones and conglomerates were deposited in most of the Paganzo Basin (Section 8), while localized volcanic activity took place in the Río Blanco Basin. Near the end of the Carboniferous, an important transgression is recorded in the major part of the Río Blanco Basin (Section 9), reaching the westernmost portion area of the Paganzo Basin. Finally, Sequence IV shows important differences between the Paganzo and Río Blanco basins; fluvial red beds (Section 10), eolian sandstones (Section 11), and low-energy fluvial deposits (Section 12) prevailed in the Paganzo Basin whereas volcaniclastic sedimentation and volcanism dominated in the Río Blanco Basin. Thus, tectonic events, sea-level changes and climate exerted a strong and complex control on the evolution of the Río Blanco and Paganzo basins. The interaction of these allocyclic controls produced not only characteristic facies association patterns but also different kinds of stratigraphic bounding surfaces.     

Stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental changes in the Yangtze Delta during the Late Quaternary

The Yangtze Delta area may be subdivided into paleo-valley and paleointerfluves of the last glaciation. The postglacial transgressive sedimentary cycle (PTSC) on the front zones of the paleointerfluves is composed of marsh-nearshore and barrier-lagoon, shallow marine and nearshore-tidal flat units, with a basement in stiff clay. The PTSC in back zones of the paleointerfluves consists of lacustrine-marsh deposits. The PTSC in the incised valley contains river channel, floodplain-estuary, estuarine-shallow marine and deltaic units, with an erosional surface at its bottom. The stiff clay and the erosional surface constitute the PTSC lower boundary.The stiff clay, consisting of a paleosol, experienced deposition alternating with pedogenesis during the falling of sea-level during δ¹⁸O stage 3; ongoing pedogenesis in the sea-level lowstand of δ¹⁸O stage 2; and early diagenesis after paleointerfluve inundation by the sea-level rise of δ¹⁸O stage 1. The climate during the paleosol formation was temperate with more than 500-mm a⁻¹ rainfall and frequently fluctuating groundwater.The Yangtze River incised its course during falling sea level of stage 3, and a huge incised valley was formed during the sea-level lowstand (stage 2). The filling of the incised valley took place during the postglacial sea-level rise, and delta formation occurred at a late stage of PTSC development.     

Distribution of sedimentary organic matter in Anisian carbonate series of S Poland: evidence of third-order sea-level fluctuations

The stratigraphic distribution of sedimentary organic matter in Anisian carbonate series of southern Poland is studied with respect to relative sea-level fluctuations. Palynofacies patterns clearly reflect transgressive–regressive trends that are interpreted in terms of third-order cyclicity. Major flooding phases are detected by maximum abundance of marine plankton in the upper Bithynian and Pelsonian. Transgressive and highstand deposits are recognized by changes in the terrestrial input of organic particles and the relative percentages and diversity of the plankton group. The palynological data support the sequence stratigraphic interpretation based on sedimentological features and geochemical signatures. The corresponding eustatic signals of sedimentary and organic facies are discussed. The study highlights the potential of palynofacies analysis for sequence stratigraphical interpretation.