From Alluvial Fan to Playa: An Upper Jurassic Ephemeral Fluvial System, Neuquén Basin, Argentina

The Upper Jurassic fill of the back-arc Neuquén Basin includes a lowstand wedge known as the Tordillo Formation. The studied deposits crop out along a N-S oriented belt that runs parallel to the Andean magmatic arc. They are limited to the south by the east-west oriented positive structure of the Huincul arch formed as a result of Upper Jurassic tectonic inversion. The Tordillo deposits were formed in an arid fluvial-dominated system characterised by systematic downstream changes in architectural style. A gravelly and sandy bedload fluvial system is recognised in the southern upstream sector. The reduced thickness and the coarse grain size suggest steep gradients, excess of bedload supply and a low subsidence rate. Thicker and finer-grained deposits prevail to the north and northeast. They were formed under arid conditions in a wadi-sand flat-playa fluvial system. This distal facies association indicates increased accommodation owing to high rates of subsidence relative to coarse siliciclastic sedimentation rates. These low-gradient deposits are characterised by cyclic alternations of mud-dominated and sand-dominated packages interpreted as high- and low-accommodation systems tracts. The overall fining upward stacking pattern of the Tordillo Formation suggests a change towards higher accommodation rates. This is accompanied by frequent development of soil horizons and darker primary and reworked pyroclastic deposits. These attributes indicate a stronger explosive volcanic activity associated with increased precipitation and high water table emplacement towards the end of the Tordillo lowstand wedge.     

Architecture and development of the alluvial sediments of the Upper Jurassic Tordillo Formation in the Cañada Ancha Valley, northern Neuquén Basin, Argentina

The Upper Jurassic Tordillo Formation at Cañada Ancha area, northern Neuquén Basin, Argentina, comprises a multi-stage suit of predominantly alluvial sediments that is heterolithic in nature. In that suit, several lithofacies, architectural elements, and bounding surfaces of different order have been identified and their lateral and vertical distribution characterized. This analysis allowed the differentiation of 3 main units (lower, middle and upper), 20 subunits (C-1 to C-20), and the characterization of their alluvial styles.The lower unit (which comprises subunits C-1 to C-4) is mainly formed by fine- to medium-grained sandstones, which become medium- to coarse-grained towards the top. These sandstones characterize settings ranging from floodplains with isolated, unconfined flows, to more complex, vertically stacked, multi-storey sheet sandstones of braided fluvial systems. The middle unit (C-5 to C-10) is dominated by pale brown-grey fine-to coarse-grained sands and medium size subangular to angular conglomerates, which reflect amalgamated complexes of sandstone sheets and downstream accretion macroforms. Remarkably, this alluvial sedimentation was episodically punctuated by volcaniclastic flows. The upper unit (C-11 to C-20) consists of finer sediments, mainly pink to white fine-to medium grained sandstones and red to green siltstones. Towards the top, bioturbation becomes important, and also the presence of volcanosedimentary flows is noticeable. Fluvial settings include braided sheet sandstones with waning flood deposits evolving to isolated high-sinuosity fluvial systems, with flash flood deposits. At the top of this unit, facies may suggest marine influence.Vertical changes in the fluvial style result from both climatic and tectonic controls. A semiarid to arid climate and the active tectonism linked to the eastward migration of the Andean volcanic arc determined major bounding surfaces, fluvial style evolution and the presence of the volcano-sedimentary deposits. Different stages of high and low subsidence rates has been deduced from the vertical stacking of sediments.     

Depositional history and stratigraphical evolution of the Sakamena group (Middle Karoo Supergroup) in the southern Morondava Basin, Madagascar

The Karoo Supergroup in Madagascar is subdivided into three lithostratigraphical units: the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian Sakoa Group; the Late Permian-Middle Triassic Sakamena Group; and the Triassic-Early Jurassic Isalo Group. The Sakamena Group is fairly well exposed in the southern Morondava Basin, where it is approximately 4000 m thick. The Sakamena Group is separated from the Sakoa Group by an angular unconformity. The Lower Sakamena Formation is characterised by two major facies associations: (1) interbedded muddy conglomerates and coarse sandstones; and (2) interbedded sandstones and mudstones, which were deposited in a rejuvenated rift setting by coarse-grained fluvial systems and debris flows on the rift margins. In the Vatambe area, facies represent fandelta deposition in a saline lake or tongue of the ocean. The Middle Sakamena Formation comprises three major facies: (1) laminated mudstones and sandstones; (2) sandstones; and (3) mudstones. The Middle Sakamena facies were deposited by low gradient meandering streams and in shallow lakes. The Upper Sakamena Formation was deposited in similar environments, except that it is comprised predominantly of red beds. The Isalo Group consists predominantly of coarse-grained sandstones (up to 6000 m thick). These sandstones were deposited by braided streams with the coarse detritus derived from a structural uplift in the east.     

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.     

Fluvial-aeolian interactions: Part II, ancient systems

An understanding of fluvial-aeolian deposition derived from modern case-examples in a previous study is applied to the Permian Cutler Formation and Cedar Mesa Sandstone on the Colorado Plateau. These formations supply an excellent three-dimensional exposure of intertonguing fluvial and aeolian strata. Four distinct facies associations form the bulk of the Cutler Formation and Cedar Mesa Sandstone: (1) aeolian dune deposits; (2) wet interdune deposits; (3) fluvial channel deposits; and (4) overbank-interdune deposits. In addition, two distinctive types of erosion surfaces are found within the Cutler Formation and Cedar Mesa Sandstone: pebble- to granule-rich erosion surfaces (aeolian deflation surfaces) and flood surfaces. Fluvial and aeolian intertonguing result in extensive tabular sheets of aeolian sandstone separated by flood surfaces and overbank-interdune deposits. Fluvial channels are associated with the deposits overlying flood surfaces and are incised into the underlying aeolian sandstones. Overbank-interdune deposits and wet interdune deposits cover flood surfaces and intertongue with overlying aeolian sandstones. The primary characteristics of ancient fluvial-aeolian deposition are overbank-interdune deposits and pronounced extensive erosion surfaces (flood surfaces), which are parallel to underlying fluvial sandstones and thus trend parallel to the palaeoslope and palaeohydrological gradient.     

Aeolian to marine transition in Cambro—Ordovician cratonic sheet sandstones of the northern Mississippi valley, U.S.A.

Cratonic quartz sandstones have presented several intractable problems. Besides their extreme textural and compositional maturity and paucity of shale, their sheet-like geometry is particularly notable. If the sandstones were entirely marine, as long supposed, such geometry is difficult to explain in terms of modern shelf sediments, which are generally held to be either relict or only slightly reworked by the Holocene transgression (palimpsest). Re-study of two quartz sandstones in the northern Mississippi Valley region reveals evidence for significant non-marine deposition followed by varying degrees of marine reworking during transgressions. Facies patterns are similar in the Cambrian Wonewoc and Ordovician St Peter sandstones, both of which overlie unconformities. In both, a large-scale cross-stratified facies believed to represent aeolian ergs passes laterally into a planar-and-channelled facies inferred to represent sand plains composed of braided fluvial and aeolian sand sheet deposits. Criteria of aeolian deposition in both facies include adhesion structures, large ripple index, fine climbing translatent lamination, grainfall and grainflow stratification. Criteria of braided fluvial deposition include shallow channels containing sequences of thinning-upward sets of trough cross-stratification, reactivation surfaces, low-index ripples, and polygonal cracks. Probable aeolian sand sheets contain flat bedding punctuated by small channels, adhesion structures, and coarse-sand ripples with large index. There is a conspicuous absence of trace and body fossils from these inferred non-marine deposits. In contrast is a burrowed and trough cross-stratified facies characterized by medium-scale cross-bedding alternating with bioturbated intervals and rare brachiopod or trilobite-mould coquinas, which is interpreted as shallow marine. In both formations, this last facies replaces laterally and overlaps the other two, reflecting transgression and variable reworking. The main areas of non-marine deposits in both formations are capped by a thin, burrowed subfacies that represents the culmination of each transgression; that is, a stillstand during which sediment influx ceased and both physical winnowing and bioturbation were intense. It is suggested that the sheet-like geometry of many cratonic quartz sandstones is due primarily to initial sand dispersal by aeolian and fluvial processes. That such processes must have been orders-of-magnitude more important on pre-Devonian, vegetation-free landscapes than they have been since, not only helps to explain the sheet-like character but also the exceptional maturity of the older cratonic sandstones.     

鄂尔多斯盆地北部侏罗系直罗组沉积特征与演化*

鄂尔多斯盆地东北部发现的多个砂岩型铀矿床均赋存于侏罗系直罗组下段砂岩中。前人对已知铀矿床分布区直罗组的沉积学研究程度相对较高,但对盆地北部直罗组大区域沉积体系展布与演变、物源供给特征等的研究仍较为薄弱。文中在大量钻井资料分析、野外剖面实测等基础上,将盆地北部砂岩型铀矿含矿层段直罗组下段细分为2个亚段。在直罗组中识别出河流和三角洲相沉积,认为直罗组下段下亚段主要发育砾质、砂质辫状河沉积,东北部地区发育辫状河三角洲沉积;直罗组下段上亚段主要发育砂质辫状河和曲流河沉积;直罗组上段则以曲流河沉积为主。结合前人研究工作,认为源岩物质组成、有利沉积相带和气候条件对鄂尔多斯盆地北部砂岩型铀矿的成矿均具有重要控制作用。对盆地北部直罗组沉积特征及其演化的整体认识,可为该区砂岩型铀矿床的进一步勘查提供重要的沉积学依据。     

民和盆地侏罗系地层划分与对比

民和盆地是一个油、煤、气伴生的中新生代陆相盆地,侏罗系地层层序自下而上划分为下侏罗统炭洞沟组(大西沟组)、中侏罗统窑街组、红沟组、上侏罗统享堂组。中侏罗世早、中期气候温暖湿润,形成了以沼泽相煤系地层和湖相暗色泥岩、油页岩为主的生油建造,晚侏罗世至白垩纪气候较为干燥,形成了以河流相为主的砂砾岩储集建造。根据古生物、岩性、电性、含煤性、构造、古气候等地层划分对比标志,重新确立了盆地的地层系统,建立了盆地中新生界地层标准剖面,为盆地石油勘探奠定了坚实的基础。     

四川省安岳县恐龙埋藏特征及环境意义

近年来四川盆地不断发现恐龙化石,引起人们极大关注。本文以四川省安岳县最新发现的恐龙动物群埋藏特征,初步探讨其环境意义。一、安岳恐龙化石埋藏特征已发现的安岳恐龙化石均埋藏在侏罗系上统上部地层中(图1)。我们重点对顶部马蹄寺和隆家崖化石点进行了发掘。     

华北晚侏罗世—早白垩世风成砂沉积及其古地理和古生态学意义*

华北晚侏罗世—早白垩世风成砂主要分布于鲁西蒙阴盆地上侏罗统三台组、辽西金—羊盆地上侏罗统—下白垩统土城子组、冀西北尚义盆地上侏罗统—下白垩统土城子组/后城组（原阎家窑组）、鄂尔多斯盆地下白垩统志丹群和甘肃下白垩统河口群。各地风成砂岩均具高角度大型—巨型板状、楔状交错层理及平行层理,分选较好—好,磨圆次棱角状—次圆状等沉积特征。对华北晚侏罗世—早白垩世风成砂赋存层位以及风成砂岩形成时代进行了对比,将风成砂主要划分为3个时期,即基末利期—贝利阿斯期、凡兰吟期—欧特里夫期和欧特里夫期—阿普特期,且从鲁西到甘肃风成砂岩形成时代逐渐变新。通过上述5个地区风成砂的古风向研究发现,当时西北风盛行,古地磁研究显示风成砂岩发育于N25°—N45°之间区域。根据当前全球风带分布特征,认为华北晚侏罗世—早白垩世处于西风带上,为行星风系所控制。通过对比南半球同期风成砂岩古风向研究,提出全球南北半球中纬度地区均处于西风带上。结合风成砂及相应层位沉积特征、沉积环境的研究,初步推测晚侏罗世—早白垩世,华北N30°以北地区为干旱寒冷气候,而N30°以南地区则干旱炎热,华北北部整体处于海拔较高的山地环境,山间盆地发育,火山活动频发。燕辽生物群与热河生物群的演替过程与风成砂沉积相耦合,体现了古地理、古环境对生物群发展的制约作用。     

准噶尔盆地头屯河地区侏罗系沉积环境与构造意义

准噶尔盆地头屯河地区侏罗系陆相层序包含4种沉积:(1)冲积扇平原湿地中的砾石质河流沉积(八遭湾组),其特征提示在湿地中发育了规模不同的大河道(深3—5m,宽1OOm左右)及较小的分流或决口河道(深2m以下,宽6—30m)。(2)沙质低弯度河沉积,晚三工河、早西山窑、头屯河及齐古组沉积期的河流沉积属之。其特点是河道相与河间相间的界线清楚,提示河道在某一段时期固定于平原的特定地带;河道规模受古气候和构造的制约;气候干旱化和构造抬升(如头屯河组沉积时期),侵蚀基面降低,河流动力增加,因而河流规模变大,反之变小;晚头屯河组沉积期的干旱气候存在暂时性河道。(3)三角洲前缘沉积(河口中坝),见于八道湾、三工河及喀拉扎组中。(4)开阔湖相沉积,以三工河组厚的页岩层序为代表。 砂岩成分逆向反映源区剥蚀顺序。下侏罗统富含泥质岩屑,表示天山上古生界浅变质及沉积层系被剥蚀。自下而上,碎屑中稳定矿物增加,粒度变细,反映源区由于剥蚀而后退。中—上侏罗统砂岩成分演化方向不同于下侏罗统,可能与三工河组沉积末期盆地边缘构造回春有关。在Q-F-L三角图中,侏罗系样品大都落在构造区之间,反映陆相盆地充填物的混合来源。下—中侏罗统的煤既有原地生成,亦有重要的他生类型。     

宁夏固原古近系寺口子组砂岩成因探讨*

宁夏固原寺口子组砂岩是中国古近纪内陆古环境研究的重要载体。通过岩性、沉积构造、石英颗粒表面微结构和粒度分布特征研究,对其成因进行了深入探讨。结果表明,古近系寺口子组砂岩由3个成因段构成:段Ⅰ为河流相沉积;段Ⅱ,即砂岩主体,为典型风成砂岩,沉积环境为风成沙丘和丘间地;段Ⅲ,初步推断其为湖相沉积。结合中国古近纪气候背景、研究区域地形条件及古风向,推断寺口子组砂岩主体风成沉积为行星风系控制下的沙漠沉积。     

Sedimentology of the Madumabisa Mudstone Formation (Late Permian), Lower Karoo Group,mid-Zambezi Valley Basin,southern Zambia

Sediments of the Upper Carboniferous to Lower Jurassic Karoo Supergroup (∼ 4.5 km thick) were deposited in the mid-Zambezi Valley Basin, southern Zambia. The Upper Palæozoic Lower Karoo Group in this area ends with a Late Permian sedimentary unit called the Madumabisa Mudstone Formation. The formation is 700 m thick and comprises four lithofacies grouped into two facies assemblages, collectively interpreted as lacustrine deposits. Sediments of a massive mudrock facies assemblage were deposited from suspension, probably from sediment-laden rivers entering a lake. Concretionary calcilutite beds probably mark the positions of palæosediment-water interfaces where calcite was precipitated. A laminated mudrock facies assemblage is attributed to lacustrine deposition from inflowing rivers at the lake margins and shallow parts of the lake. Repeated thickening-upward cycles are evidence of upward shallowing, interrupted by events of more abrupt deepening. Sandstone interbeds are interpreted as fluvial deposits laid down during low lake stands, with cross-lamination and asymmetrical ripples indicating current rather than wave deposition. A fossil assemblage of ostracods, bivalves, gastropods, fish scales, the alga Botryococcus sp. and fossil burrows is consistent with a lacustrine origin for the formation.     

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.     

云南丽江古近纪风成沉积的发现及其气候意义

云南丽江地区宝相寺组（E2b）下部（原美乐组）一直被认为是水成沉积,本文认为其属于风成沉积。宝相寺组下部巨厚砂岩的主体岩性为紫红色中细粒石英砂岩,不含泥质和云母等悬移质,大型高角度平板状交错层理发育,厚度巨大,风成沙丘前积层特征明显。石英砂的磨圆度高,在电子显微镜下普遍可见风成砂所特有的碟形撞击坑、新月型撞击坑及毛玻璃化表面等特征,可能为沙漠风成沙丘沉积。研究区古近纪以来的沉积特征表明,青藏高原东部的气候经历了一个由干旱到潮湿的重大转变。推测这种气候转变可能是始新世、渐新世之交全球变冷变干事件（EOGM）在青藏高原东部的沉积响应,也可能与青藏高原初次快速隆升及东亚古季风的开始形成有关。     

Caledonide influences on the Old Red Sandstone fluvial systems of the Oslo Region,Norway

Red or buff‐coloured sandstones and siltstones of fluvial origin comprise approximately 80% of the Ringerike Group, a late Silurian Old Red Sandstone (ORS) sequence that crops out extensively in the Oslo Region of southern Norway. These fluvial sediments are lithostratigraphically ascribed to two laterally equivalent formations—the Stubdal Formation (to the north of Oslo) and the Skien Formation (to the south of Oslo). The fluvial strata of each of the two formations have a distinct style of sandbody geometry, facies, provenance, and palaeocurrent direction. Within the Stubdal Formation, shallow channelized sandbodies, low‐ to upper‐flow regime sedimentary structures, a Caledonide provenance and a palaeoflow toward the southeast are evident. Within the Skien Formation, sandbody geometry is entirely sheet form, with upper‐flow regime sedimentary structures, a provenance from Precambrian rocks to the northern and local parts of the Oslo Region and a palaeoflow toward the east. No stratal contact can be seen between the two fluvial formations, due to a 15 km break in exposure between the southernmost Stubdal Formation and the northernmost Skien Formation. Relationships with adjacent formations indicate that they are diachronous, lateral equivalents. Given the abrupt change in sedimentary style between the two formations, it is proposed that a barrier had developed within the foreland basin, diverting the ORS fluvial systems in southern Norway, from a southward (north of Oslo), to an eastward direction (south of Oslo). This diversion had implications for depositional gradient, fluvial regime and provenance, resulting in the differences visible in the deposits of those rivers. The barrier invoked is arguably a Caledonide blind thrust fault that developed a topographic high, running east–west through the vicinity of Oslo, during the late Silurian. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

The Late Triassic Sequence-Stratigraphic Framework of the Upper Yangtze Region, South China

In the transitional period between the Middle and the Late Triassic, the Indochina orogeny caused two tectonic events in South China: (1) the formation and uplift of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt along the northern margin of the South China Plate, due to its collision with the North China Plate; and 2) the development of a 1300-km-wide intra-continental orogen in the southeastern part of the South China Plate, which led to a northwestward movement of the foreland thrust-fold zone. These tectonic events resulted in the ending of the Yangtze Platform, and were a stable paleogeographic factor from the Eidacaran to the end of the Middle Triassic. This platform was characterized by the widespread development of shallow-water carbonates. After the end of the Yangtze Platform, the upper Yangtze foreland basin (or Sichuan foreland basin) was formed during the Late Triassic and became a accumulation site of fluvial deposits that are composed of related strata of the Xujiahe Formation. In western Sichuan Province, the Xujiahe Formation overlies the Maantang Formation shallow-water carbonate rocks of the Xiaotangzi Formation siliciclastic rocks (from shelf shales to littoral facies). The sequence-stratigraphic framework of the Upper Triassic in the upper Yangtze foreland basin indicates a particular alluvial architecture, characterized by sequences composed of (1) successions of low-energy fluvial deposits of high-accommodation phases, including coal seams, and (2) high-energy fluvial deposits of low-accommodation phases, including amalgamated river-channel sandstones. The spatial distribution of these fluvial deposits belonging to the Xujiahe Formation and its relative strata is characterized by gradual thinning-out, overlapping, and pinching-out toward both the east and south. This sedimentary record therefore expresses a particular sequence-stratigraphic succession of fluvial deposits within the filling succession of the foreland basin. The sequence-stratigraphic framework for the Upper Triassic in the Upper Yangtze region provides a record of the end of the Yangtze Platform and the formation of the upper Yangtze foreland basin.     

Sedimentary petrology and geochemistry of siliciclastic rocks from the upper Jurassic Tordillo Formation (Neuquén Basin, western Argentina): Implications for provenance and tectonic setting

The Upper Jurassic Tordillo Formation is exposed along the western edge of the Neuquén Basin (west central Argentina) and consists of fluvial strata deposited under arid/semiarid conditions. The pebble composition of conglomerates, mineralogical composition of sandstones and pelitic rocks, and major- and trace-element geochemistry of sandstones, mudstones, and primary pyroclastic deposits are evaluated to determine the provenance and tectonic setting of the sedimentary basin. Conglomerates and sandstones derived almost exclusively from volcanic sources. The stratigraphic sections to the south show a clast population of conglomerates dominated by silicic volcanic fragments and a predominance of feldspathic litharenites. This framework composition records erosion of Triassic–Jurassic synrift volcaniclastic rocks and basement rocks from the Huincul arch, which was exhumed as a result of Late Jurassic inversion. In the northwestern part of the study area, conglomerates show a large proportion of mafic and acidic volcanic rock fragments, and sandstones are characterised by a high content of mafic volcanic rock fragments and plagioclase. These data suggest that the source of the sandstones and conglomerates was primarily the Andean magmatic arc, located west of the Neuquén Basin. The clay mineral assemblage is interpreted as the result of a complex set of factors, including source rock, climate, transport, and diagenesis. Postdepositional processes produced significant variations in the original compositions, especially the fine-grained deposits. The Tordillo sediments are characterised by moderate SiO₂ contents, variable abundances of K₂O and Na₂O, and a relatively high proportion of ferromagnesian elements. The degree of chemical weathering in the source area, expressed as the chemical index of alteration, is low to moderate. The major element geochemistry and Th/Sc, K/Rb, Co/Th, La/Sc, and Cr/Th values point to a significant input of detrital volcanic material of calcalkaline felsic and intermediate composition. However, major element geochemistry is not useful for interpreting the tectonic setting. Discrimination plots based on immobile trace elements, such as Ti, Zr, La, Sc, and Th, show that most data lie in the active continental margin field. Geochemical information is not sufficiently sensitive to differentiate the two different source areas recognized by petrographic and modal analyses of conglomerates and sandstones.     

High-resolution stratigraphy and depositional model of wind- and water-laid deposits in the ordovician Guaritas rift (Southernmost Brazil)

The upper portion of the Pedra Pintada Alloformation includes about 100 m of mostly eolian deposits. This paper emphasizes the vertical succession and lateral association of sedimentary facies, based on analysis of outcrop data and aerial photographs, as well as the hierarchy and origin of bounding surfaces. It aims to propose a high-resolution stratigraphic and depositional model that may be useful to exploitation of eolian reservoirs. The succession has been preserved due to basin subsidence, and is described in terms of four facies associations that constitute three dominantly eolian units. These units are sharply bounded by major flooding surfaces (super surfaces) that, in turn, are overlain by 1 to 2 m thick, dominantly water-laid facies (lacustrine, fluvial, deltaic and eolian). Both their internal organization and boundaries were controlled by changes in the base level rise rate. The basal Eolian Unit is composed of crescentic eolian dunes and damp interdune deposits ascribed to a wet eolian system. On the other hand, eolian units II and III, also characterized by crescentic eolian dunes (simple and compound) deposits, were related to dry eolian systems, since they comprise dry (eventually wet) interdune facies. Eolian Unit III is truncated by basinwide unconformity, which is then overlain by the ephemeral fluvial deposits (Varzinha Alloformation). This second type of super surface is related to climate-induced wind erosion (deflation) down to the water table level (regional Stokes surface) followed by fluvial incision linked to tectonic activity.