Lithologic transition and bed thickness periodicities in turbidite successions of the Antola Formation, Northern Apennines, Italy

The Antola Formation of Upper Cretaceous age crops out extensively in the Northern Apennines and consists of graded units of calcareous sandstones, sandstones, marlstones, and shales. It can be subdivided into the Cerreto, Antola Marlstone, Bruggi, and S. Donato Members on the basis of bed thicknesses and percentage of shales. Although the whole formation is interpreted as a deep-sea basin plain deposit, the members constitute lateral facies subdivisions which range from proximal, thick-bedded turbidities that show a prevalence of thinning upward cycles in bed thicknesses to distal turbidites that show predominantly thickening upward cycles and have a high percentage of shale. Repetitive patterns in the lithological sequence of the turbidite association are generally distinctive and are satisfactorily described as first order Markov chains. Only the Antola Marlstone Member has an additional second order Markov property. Imaginary eigenvalues of the transition probability matrices of all but the Bruggi Member demonstrate a strong cyclic character in the lithologic ordering within the formation. The behaviour of the Antola Marlstone and of the Bruggi may reflect the influence of a secondary ophiolitic intra-basinal source of clastics that contributed sandy turbidites and olistostromes. Systematic long-term variations in the sequence of bed thickness development in some sections of the Antola Formation are often subtle and equivocal, and pose special problems in interpretation. Fourier analysis was applied to the task of partitioning fundamental wavelengths from “background noise” introduced by essentially random depositional processes. In all members there is (1) strong short-term wavelength of two to three beds indicative of alternating thin and thick beds and judged to be typical of turbidite sequences; (2) an intermediate wavelength ranging from about five beds (proximal facies), eight beds (distal) to nine beds (very distal), which have both thinning and thickening upward trends, interpreted respectively as valley fill due to shifting talwegs of low density turbidity currents, and to progradational, flat turbidite lobes; (3) a poorly defined long-term wave-length of from thirty to greater than sixty beds that may be related to an unspecified trend in the evolution of the sedimentary basin. Phase angles associated with the coniputed power spectra give indications as to the asymmetry (thickening or thinning upward) or symmetry of the representative units.     

Possible retrogressive flow slide deposits from the Kongsfjord Formation: a Precambrian submarine fan, Finnmark, N. Norway

Three thinning and fining-upward turbidite sequences are described from the Precambrian Kongsfjord Formation, a 3.5 km thick flysch succession. Their thicknesses range between about 2 and 5 m. They show a progressive upward decrease in bed thickness, bulk mean grain size and the ratio of the higher to lower energy division of the Bouma sequence. In one case, however, there is an initial upward bed thickness and grain size increase, with an increase in the proportion of the higher energy division. The absence of structureless mud of the Bouma E division and the presence of wavy interfaces between beds, together with similar palaeo-currents within each sequence suggest that these sequences resulted from related depositional events. These sequences are interpreted as the deposits of retrogressive flow slides, as an alternative to the classic mechanism of channel fill after abandonment.     

华北地台中寒武统张夏组上部高频层序研究

根据华北地台东部寒武系露头层序地层研究,将张夏组划分为两个正层序,其中上部正层序（５３０－５２５ＭａＢ．Ｐ．,三叶虫带Ａｍｐｈｏｔｏｎ－Ｔａｉｔｚｕｉａ带至Ｄａｍｅｓｅｌａ带）由４个亚层序和１７－２３个小层序组成,其中正层序和亚层序具有高分辨率区域地层对比意义。每一级层序均表现为向上变浅和变粗进积型序列,底部常以间断－加深面或洪泛面为界。该时期的海平面变化具有高频振荡特点,构成一个三级复合海平面变化旋回。由不同级别层序所反映的海平面变化旋回可以分别与天文周期的奥特周期（２—５Ｍａ）、米兰科维奇长周期（０．１—０．４Ｍａ）和米兰科维奇短周期（０．０２—０．０４Ｍａ）相对比。据层序地层和相序及相模式的研究,识别出６种类型的小层序,陆棚盆地至上缓坡显示出由Ａ—Ｆ类型的规律性变化。     

浅析前岭井田4煤层层滑构造及薄化带展布特征

通过对前岭煤矿部分采区层滑构造形态特征及展布规律的观测和研究,分析了该地段主采煤层薄化带及增厚带的展布方向和幅度,揭示了3₁~5煤层组中,软弱夹层及滑动构造发育情况,指出4煤层变薄及增厚的规律性,为矿井安全提供了超前地质信息。      

Texture and structure of resedimented conglomerates: examples from Książ Formation (Famennian—Tournaisian), southwestern Poland

The Famennian-Tournaisian conglomerates and sandstones of the Ksiaz Formation are interpreted as marine resedimented deposits. Matrix- and clast-supported conglomerate beds are equally common, and two textural sequences (motifs) have been recognized: (I) matrix-rich conglomerate → pebbly sandstone → sandstone, and (II) clast-supported conglomerate → sandstone. Variation in clast type partly controls motif type, and therefore, to some extent, matrix percentage in the conglomerates generally. Grading is extremely common in both clast- and matrix-supported conglomerates: inverse (19%), inverse-to-normal (14%) and normal (26%). The studied succession, itself part of a 4 km thick, fan delta, basin-fill sequence, is organized into large (110–150 m) and small-scale (5–30 m) sequences, both of which show (1) upward coarsening and thickening, (2) upward trend of sandstones and pebbly sandstone → matrix-rich conglomerates → clast-supported conglomerates and (3) a less clear upward tendency of massive and normally graded beds → inversely graded beds. Variation in matrix percentage in beds is therefore also partly controlled by fan processes, during the progradation of fan bodies and lobes. It is predicted that individual resedimented conglomerate beds or motifs show general downfan trends in thickness, texture and structure opposite to those evident in the vertical sequences.     

Bed thickness characteristics of inner-shelf storm deposits associated with a transgressive to regressive Holocene wave-dominated shelf, Sendai coastal plain, Japan

Holocene inner-shelf storm deposits preserved beneath the Sendai coastal plain facing the Pacific coast of north-eastern Japan were formed during a transgressive–regressive cycle. The evolution of the Holocene wave-dominated depositional system along the Sendai coast is reconstructed using 76 AMS (accelerator mass spectrometers) ¹⁴C ages and the origin of bed thickness variations in the inner-shelf storm deposits is explored. The Holocene succession is <30 m thick and overlies latest Pleistocene to early Holocene non-marine deposits above a transgressive ravinement surface. It comprises transgressive ravinement and inner-shelf deposits, and regressive inner shelf, shoreface, and coastal plain deposits. The inner-shelf deposits comprise alternating sand and mud layers interpreted as stacked storm beds. The average preservation interval of a single storm bed is shortest during the transgression (5·7–20·6 years), and then increases to a maximum during the early regression (83·3–250·0 years), decreasing to 7·7–31·3 years with shoreline progradation. Average accumulation rates decreased during the transgression and then increased during the regression, but the sand/mud ratio varies little, reflecting inefficient sediment segregation downdip on the inner shelf. The vertical pattern of sand-layer thicknesses also shows no relationship to position within the cycle, although small-scale intervals of upward thickening and thinning probably relate to lateral switching of river mouths and/or random storm processes. The average thickness of storm beds is the highest in the interval deposited during the period from maximum flooding to early regression. This is probably because of the low preservation potential of thin beds associated with frequent, low-magnitude storms during this period of low accumulation rates and extensive reworking. This preservation bias and the nature of the Sendai inner shelf resulted in an absence of characteristic bed thickness trends in the preserved storm deposits.     

Rhythms in deep sea, fine-grained turbidite and debris-flow sequences, Middle Ordovician, eastern Tennessee

Rhythms in fine-grained sediments have not previously been studied because of their complex depositional cycles and diagenetic changes. Examination of nearly 9000 layers in outcrops, polished slab samples, and thin sections has led to recognition of rhythms in the Middle Ordovician Whitesburg, Blockhouse, and Sevier formations of east Tennessee. Rhythms have been described in four orders based on relative magnitude. First order cycles (basin-fill sequences, hundreds of metres thick)are composed of thinning upward debris-flow sequences and thickening upward turbiditic shale sequences. Second order cycles (multiple sedimentation units, tens of centimetres thick) consist of: (1) thinning upward cycles; (2) symmetrical cycles; (3) thickening upward cycles; (4) minor multiple cycles; (5) uniform cycles; and (6) dubious cycles. Third order cycles (single sedimentation unit, tens of millimetres thick) have thinning upward and asymmetrical cycles. Fourth order portrays the grain-size variations within a single layer of the third order. First order rhythms were controlled by tectonism and progradation of a deep-sea fan system. Second and third order rhythms were controlled by depositional processes, bottom topography, and sediment source. Depositional processes, sediment source, and bioturbation were the dominant controlling factors in the fourth order. A deep-sea fan model is proposed for the fine-grained turbidites in which channels and lobes coexist in the lower fan. The lower fan/mid fan boundary is marked by the presence of a channel cycle near the top of a lobe sequence. The basin plain/lower fan boundary is suggested by the appearance of minor lobe cycles over the non-cyclic basin plain sequence.     

High-frequency cyclicity (Milankovitch and millennial-scale) in slope-apron carbonates: Zechstein (Upper Permian), North-east England

The Upper Permian (Zechstein) slope carbonates in the Roker Formation (Zechstein 2nd‐cycle Carbonate) in North‐east England consist of turbidites interbedded with laminated lime‐mudstone. Studies of turbidite bed thickness and relative proportion of turbidites (percentage turbidites in 20 cm of section) reveal well‐developed cyclicities consisting of thinning‐upward and thickening‐upward packages of turbidite beds. These packages are on four scales, from less than a metre, up to 50 m in thickness. Assuming that the laminae of the hemipelagic background sediment are annual allows the durations of the cycles to be estimated. In addition, counting the number and thickness of turbidite beds in 20 cm of laminated lime‐mudstone, which is approximately equivalent to 1000 years (each lamina is 200 μm), gives the frequencies of the turbidite beds, the average thicknesses and the overall sedimentation rates through the succession for 1000 year time‐slots. Figures obtained are comparable with modern rates of deposition on carbonate slopes. The cyclicity present in the Roker Formation can be shown to include: Milankovitch‐band ca 100 kyr short‐eccentricity, ca 20 kyr precession and ca 10 kyr semi‐precession cycles and sub‐Milankovitch millennial‐scale cycles (0·7 to 4·3 kyr). Eccentricity and precession‐scale cycles are related to ‘highstand‐shedding’ and relative sea‐level change caused by Milankovitch‐band orbital forcing controlling carbonate productivity. The millennial‐scale cycles, which are quasi‐periodic, probably are produced by environmental changes controlled by solar forcing, i.e. variations in solar irradiance, or volcanic activity. Most probable here are fluctuations in carbonate productivity related to aridity–humidity and/or temperature changes. Precession and millennial‐scale cycles are defined most strongly in early transgressive and highstand parts of the larger‐scale short‐eccentricity cycles. The duration of the Roker Formation as a whole can be estimated from the thickness of the laminated lithotype as ca 0·3 Myr.     

Subglacial Lake McGregor, south-central Alberta, Canada

It is proposed that a lake, here named “Subglacial Lake McGregor”, existed beneath the Laurentide Ice Sheet at, or near, the last glacial maximum. The lake resided in the ancient buried McGregor and Tee Pee preglacial valleys, which are now mostly filled with glacigenic deposits. The greatest thickness of sediment in the valleys is in the form of chaotically deposited lake beds that were laid down in a subaqueous environment by a number of process: gravity flow, water transport, and suspension settling. Topographic, sedimentary, and stratigraphic evidence point to a subglacial, not a proglacial, origin for the beds. During the early stages of lake existence, ice movement was significant as there are numerous sets of shear planes in the sedimentary beds. This indicates that the lake filled (lake sedimentation) and drained (shearing of the beds by overlying ice when ice contacted the bed) often. Thus, early in its history, the lake(s) was/were ephemeral. During the later stages of lake existence, the lake was relatively stable with no rapid draining or influx of sediment. Gradual drainage of the lake resulted in lowering of the ice onto the lake beds resulting in subglacial till deposition. Drainage was not a single continuous event. Rather it was characterized by multiple phases of near total drainage (till deposition), followed by water accumulation (lake sedimentation). Water accumulation events became successively less significant reflected by thinning of lake beds and thickening of till beds higher in the stratigraphic sequence. Since subglacial lake sedimentation appears to be restricted to the subglacial valleys, it is suggested that the valleys acted as a large-scale interconnected cavity system that both stored and transported water. It is also suggested that these acted as the main routes of water flow beneath the Laurentide Ice Sheet.     

Pinch-and-swell structures at the Middle/Upper Muschelkalk boundary (Triassic): evidence of earthquake effects (seismites) in the Germanic Basin

A limestone bed with synsedimentary deformations is described from the Middle/Upper Muschelkalk boundary (Middle Triassic) of Thuringia, Germany. The deformation structures have an elongated geometry in a preferential N-S to NNW-SSE direction and are several metres across in size. They are similar to ball-and-pillow structures but differ from these by absence of significant loading into underlying beds. Their development is interpreted as a result of bed-internal deformation with bed thickening due to lateral contraction and bed thinning due to stretching. This deformation mechanism is comparable to the one producing boudinage structures, in particular pinch-and-swell structures. The deformation style and size of these structures and their widespread occurrence together with other synsedimentary deformation structures support their interpretation as earthquake-induced structures (seismites). Synsedimentary deformation structures are common features that occur in a narrow stratigraphic unit at the Middle/Upper Muschelkalk boundary in different parts of the Germanic Basin and point to tectonically influenced changes in the depositional regime and basin organization. Further examples of pinch-and-swell structures from the Lower and Upper Muschelkalk suggest that tectonics significantly influenced the sedimentation in the Germanic Basin during Middle Triassic time.     

Geometry,distribution and fill of erosional scours in a heterolithic,distal lower shoreface sandstone reservoir analogue: Grassy Member,Blackhawk Formation,Book Cliffs,Utah, USA

Many shoreface sandstone reservoirs host significant hydrocarbon volumes within distal intervals of interbedded sandstones and mudstones. Hydrocarbon production from these reservoir intervals depends on the abundance and proportion of sandstone beds that are connected by erosional scours, and on the lateral extent and continuity of interbedded mudstones. Cliff‐face exposures of the Campanian ‘G2’ parasequence, Grassy Member, Blackhawk Formation in the Book Cliffs of east‐central Utah, USA , allow detailed characterization of 128 erosional scours within such interbedded sandstones and mudstones in a volume of 148 m length, 94 m width and 15 m height. The erosional scours have depths of up to 1·1 m, apparent widths of up to 15·1 m and steep sides (up to 35°) that strike approximately perpendicular (N099 ± 36°) to the local north–south palaeoshoreline trend. The scours have limited lateral continuity along strike and down dip, and a relatively narrow range of apparent aspect ratio (apparent width/depth), implying that their three‐dimensional geometry is similar to non‐channelized pot casts. There is no systematic variation in scour dimensions, but ‘scour density’ is greater in amalgamated (conjoined) sandstone beds over 0·5 m thick, and increases upward within vertical successions of upward‐thickening conjoined sandstone beds. There is no apparent organization of the overall lateral distribution of scours, although localized clustering implies that some scours were re‐occupied during multiple erosional events. Scour occurrence is also associated with locally increased amplitude and laminaset thickness of hummocky cross‐stratification in sandstone beds. The geometry, distribution and infill character of the scours imply that they were formed by storm‐generated currents coincident with riverine sediment influx (‘storm floods’). The erosional scours increase the vertical and lateral connectivity of conjoined sandstone beds in the upper part of upward‐thickening sandstone bed successions, resulting in increased effective vertical and horizontal permeability of such intervals.     

鄂尔多斯周缘奥陶纪海相红层的分布与时代

海相红层是红层研究的一个重要方向,在前人地层学、古生物学等资料基础上,笔者在鄂尔多斯周缘露头区针对奥陶纪海相红层进行了专门研究,从中识别出7套奥陶纪海相红层。借助于对应地层中已报道的笔石、三叶虫、珊瑚等不同化石类别的特征分子、典型化石带或化石组合,基本确定了这7套海相红层的形成时代:自下而上分别为特马豆克期、弗洛期晚期(也许包括大坪期早期)、大坪期、达瑞威尔期、桑比期、凯迪期早期和凯迪期晚期。建立了鄂尔多斯周缘奥陶纪海相红层对比表,分析了奥陶纪海相红层形成环境和古地理分布情况。     

Alluvial fan and lacustrine sediments from the Stephanian A and B (La Magdalena, Ciñera—Matallana and Sabero) coalfields, northern Spain

Vertical sequence analysis within 1500-2500 m thick coarse-grained coalfield successions allows six sedimentary associations to be distinguished. These are interpreted in terms of depositional environments on, or related to alluvial fans which fringed a fault bounded source region. (i) Topographic valley and fanhead canyon fills: occurring at the bases of the coalfield successions and comprising sporadically reddened, scree, conglomeratic thinning and fining upward sequences, and fine-grained coal-bearing sediments. (ii) Alluvial fan channels: conglomerate and sandstone filled. (iii) Mid-fan conglomeratic and sandstone lobes: laterally extensive, thickly bedded (1-25 m) and varying from structureless coarse conglomerates and pebbly sandstones, to stratified fine conglomerates and cross-bedded sandstones. (iv) Interlobe and interchannel: siltstones, fine-grained sheet sandstones, abundant floras, thin coals and upright trees. (v) Distal fan: 10 cm-1.5 m thick sheet sandstones which preserve numerous upright trees, separated by silt-stones and mudstones with abundant floras, and coal seams. The sheet sandstones and normally arranged in sequences of beds which become thicker and coarser or thinner and finer upwards. These trends also occur in combination. (vi) Lacustrine: coals, limestones, and fine-grained, low-energy, regressive, coarsening upward sequences. Proximal fan sediments are only preserved in certain basal deposits of these coalfields. The majority of the successions comprise mid and distal alluvial fan and lacustrine sediments. Mid-fan depositional processes consisted of debris flows and turbulent streamflows, whilst sheetfloods dominated active distal areas. A tropical and seasonal climate allowed vegetation to colonize abandoned fan surfaces and perhaps resulted in localized diagenetic reddening. Worked coals, from 10s cm-20 m thick, occur in the distal fan and lacustrine environments. These alluvial fan deposits infill‘California-like’basins developed and preserved along major structural zones. In many of their characteristics, in particular the occurrence of thinning and fining, and thickening and coarsening upward sequences and megasequences, these sediments have similarities to documented ancient submarine fan deposits.     

库车前陆褶皱冲断带前缘滑脱层内部变形特征

古近系库姆格列木组和新近系吉迪克组膏盐层构成了库车前陆褶皱冲断带的区域滑脱层。在褶皱冲断带前缘,膏盐层发生塑性流动,其内部形成多种构造样式。根据野外考察、地震剖面解释和钻井资料识别出的膏盐层内部构造变形样式主要包括盐枕、盐墙、盐推覆、鱼尾构造、盐焊接(断层焊接)、盐缩颈、透镜状增厚和盐垛等盐构造。盐构造在形成时间上具有一定的演化序列,库车前陆褶皱冲断带总体表现为由北向南迁移,前缘秋里塔格构造带则是从西往东迁移,盐推覆、盐焊接、盐枕等构造形成时间较早,盐墙形成较晚,东秋地区的盐构造形成时间整体较西段和中段晚,规模也较小。     

Logging Evaluation of the Ordovician Carbonate Reservoir Beds in the Lungudong Region,Tarim Basin

<正>In recent years,great progress has been made constantly in oil and gas exploration in the Lungudong region of the Tarim Basin.However,progress has been slow in the evaluation of its main oil-producing horizons-the Ordovician carbonate reservoir beds.Based on previous researches and on the various data such as drilling,geology and oil test,in combination with the interpretation of each single-well imaging and conventional logging data,and through analysis and comparison,the identification methods in imaging and conventional logging for four types of carbonate reservoir beds in this region are summarized in this paper.Calculation formulas for four reservoir bed parameters,i. e.shale content,porosity,permeability and oil saturation in this region are proposed;and reservoir beds in this region are divided into three levels(Ⅰ,ⅡandⅢ) by combining oil test data and logging data,The lower limits of the effective porosity of reservoir beds and the fracture porosity of effective reservoir beds are determined as 1.8%and 0.04%,respectively.The physical property parameters are calculated by conventional logging curves,and the most advantageous areas for reservoir development are predicted comprehensively.On the plane,the high-value zones of reservoir bed parameters are mainly concentrated in the N-S-trending strike-slip fault,the Sangtamu fault horst zone and near the LG38 well area;vertically,the reservoir bed parameters of the Yijianfang Formation are better than those of the Yingshan and Lianglitage formations.     

Sedimentology of the Cretaceous Maha Sarakham evaporites in the Khorat Plateau of northeastern Thailand

Evaporites of the Cretaceous to early Tertiary Maha Sarakham Formation on the Khorat Plateau of southeast Asia (Thailand and Laos) are composed of three depositional members that each include evaporitic successions, each overlain by non-marine clastic red beds, and are present in both the Khorat and the Sakon Nakhon sub-basins. These two basins are presently separated by the northwest-trending Phu Phan anticline. The thickness of the formation averages 250 m but is up to 1.1 km thick in some areas. In both basins it thickens towards the basin centre suggesting differential basin subsidence preceding or during sedimentation. The stratigraphy, lithological character and mineralogy of the evaporites and clastics are identical in both basins suggesting that they were probably connected during deposition. Evaporites include thick successions of halite, anhydrite and a considerable accumulation of potassic minerals (sylvite and carnallite) but contain some tachyhydrite, and minor amounts of borates. During the deposition of halite the basin was subjected to repeated inflow of fresher marine water that resulted in the formation of anhydrite marker beds. Sedimentary facies and textures of both halite and anhydrite suggest deposition in a shallow saline-pan environment. Many halite beds, however, contain a curious `sieve-like' fabric marked by skeletal anhydrite outlines of gypsum precursor crystals and are the product of early diagenetic replacement by halite of primary shallow-water gypsum. The δ³⁴S isotopic values obtained from different types of anhydrite interbedded with halite range from 14.3‰ to 17.0‰ (CDT), suggesting a marine origin for this sulphate. Bromine concentration in the halite of the Lower Member begins around 70 ppm and systematically increases upward to 400 ppm below the potash-rich zone, also suggesting evaporation of largely marine waters. In the Middle Member the initial concentration of bromine in halite is 200 ppm, rising to 450 ppm in the upper part of this member. The bromine concentration in the Upper Member exhibits uniform upward increase and ranges from 200 to 300 ppm. The presence of tachyhydrite in association with the potassic salts was probably the result of: (1) the large volumes of halite replacement of gypsum, on a bed by bed basis, releasing calcium back into the restricted waters of the basin; and (2) early hydrothermal input of calcium chloride-rich waters. The borates associated with potash-rich beds likely resulted from erosion and influx of water from surrounding granitic terrains; however, hydrothermal influx is also possible. Interbedded with the evaporites are non-marine red beds that are also evaporative, with displacive anhydrite nodules and beds and considerable amounts of displacive halite. The δ³⁴S isotopic values of this anhydrite have non-marine values, ranging from 6.4‰ to 10.9‰ (CDT). These data indicate that the Khorat and Sakhon Nakhon basins underwent periods of marine influx due to relative world sea-level rise but were sporadically isolated from the world ocean.     

Variable character and diverse origin of hybrid event beds in a sandy submarine fan system,Pennsylvanian Ross Sandstone Formation,western Ireland

Hybrid event beds comprising both clean and mud‐rich sandstone are important components of many deep‐water systems and reflect the passage of turbulent sediment gravity flows with zones of clay‐damped or suppressed turbulence. ‘Behind‐outcrop’ cores from the Pennsylvanian deep‐water Ross Sandstone Formation reveal hybrid event beds with a wide range of expression in terms of relative abundance, character and inferred origin. Muddy hybrid event beds first appear in the underlying Clare Shale Formation where they are interpreted as the distal run‐out of the wakes to flows which deposited most of their sand up‐dip before transforming to fluid mud. These are overlain by unusually thick (up to 4·4 m), coarse sandy hybrid event beds (89% of the lowermost Ross Formation by thickness) that record deposition from outsized flows in which transformations were driven by both substrate entrainment in the body of the flow and clay fractionation in the wake. A switch to dominantly fine‐grained sand was accompanied initially by the arrest of turbulence‐damped, mud‐rich flows with evidence for transitional flow conditions and thick fluid mud caps. The mid and upper Ross Formation contain metre‐scale bed sets of hybrid event beds (21 to 14%, respectively) in (i) upward‐sandying bed set associations immediately beneath amalgamated sheet or channel elements; (ii) stacked thick‐bedded and thin‐bedded hybrid event bed‐dominated bed sets; (iii) associations of hybrid event bed‐dominated bed sets alternating with conventional turbidites; and (iv) rare outsized hybrid event beds. Hybrid event bed dominance in the lower Ross Formation may reflect significant initial disequilibrium, a bias towards large‐volume flows in distal sectors of the basin, extensive mud‐draped slopes and greater drop heights promoting erosion. Higher in the formation, hybrid event beds record local perturbations related to channel switching, lobe relocations and extension of channels across the fan surface. The Ross Sandstone Formation confirms that hybrid event beds can form in a variety of ways, even in the same system, and that different flow transformation mechanisms may operate even during the passage of a single flow.     

The role of wave reworking on the architecture of storm sandstone facies, Bell Island Group (Lower Ordovician), eastern Newfoundland

Stacked shallow marine cycles in the Lower Ordovician, Bell Island Group, of Bell Island, Newfoundland, show upward thickening and upward coarsening sequences which were deposited on a storm-affected shelf. In the Beach Formation each cycle has a facies sequence comprised, from base to top, of dark grey mudstones, light grey mudstones, tabular sandstones and mudstones, lenticular sandstones and mudstones, and thick bedded lenticular sandstones, reflecting a progressive increase of wave orbital velocities at the sediment surface. The mudstones and tabular sandstones reflect an environment in which the sea floor lay in the lower part of the wave orbital velocity field and in which tempestites were deposited as widespread sheets from weak combined flow currents. The lenticular sandstones in the succeeding facies are wave reworked sands, commonly lying in erosional hollows and having erosional tops and internal hummocky cross-stratification. Planar lamination is relatively uncommon and sole marks are mainly absent. In this facies oscillatory currents were dominant and accumulated sand in patches generally 10–30 m in diameter. The facies formed on the inner shelf where the oscillatory currents generated by storm waves had powerful erosional effects and also determined the depositional bedforms. Mud partings and second-order set boundaries within sandstone beds are believed to separate the products of individual storms so that many lenticular sandstone beds represent the amalgamation of several event beds. This interpretation has important implications for attempts to estimate event frequency by counting sandstone beds within a sequence and for estimates of sand budgets during storm events. The thick bedded lenticular facies appears to have been formed by erosion of the mud beds between the lenticular sands, leading to nearly complete amalgamation of several lenticular sand bodies except for residual mud partings. In the overlying Redmans Formation the process of amalgamation progressed even further so that nearly all the mud partings were removed, resulting in the formation of thick bedded tabular sandstones. Sequence stratigraphic analysis of the cyclical sequence suggests that the cycles were eustatically controlled. The rising limb of the sea level curve produced only the dark grey mudstone part of the cycle while the remainder of the cycle was deposited on the falling limb. There is a gradational but rapid facies transition from the tabular to the lenticular sandstone facies which is interpreted as occurring at the inflexion point on the falling limb. The thick bedded facies of the Beach Formation and the thick bedded tabular facies of the Redmans Formation represent periods of maximum sea level fall. The stacked cycles in the Beach Formation are interpreted as an aggradational, high frequency sequence or parasequence set bounded at the top by a sequence boundary and succeeded by the three aggradational parasequences of the Redmans Formation. The recognition of storm facies with sandstone beds of very different bed length has important implications for the reservoir modelling of such facies.     

A model for low-pressure facies metamorphism during crustal thickening

Low-pressure metamorphic facies (i.e. high T/P ratios) are widespread in a wide range of tectonic settings. Explanations offered for the occurrence of these facies include extensional and/or magmatic models. However, these fail to explain that the low- P facies metamorphism is commonly coeval with a phase of pervasive crustal thickening, with T/P ratios increasing during, or slightly lagging behind, the thickening. We propose an alternative explanation based on the approximate synchroneity of crustal thickening and erosion (thinning) of the mantle lithosphere.