Facies and facies association of the siliciclastic Brak River and carbonate Gemsbok formations in the Lower Ugab River valley,Namibia, W. Africa

The Neoproterozoic Zerrissene Turbidite Complex of central-western Namibia comprises five turbiditic units. From the base to the top they are the Zebrapüts Formation (greywacke and pelite), Brandberg West Formation (marble and pelite), Brak River Formation (greywacke and pelite with dropstones), Gemsbok River Formation (marble and pelite) and Amis River Formation (greywacke and pelites with rare carbonates and quartz-wacke).In the Lower Ugab River valley, five siliciclastic facies were recognised in the Brak River Formation. These are massive and laminated sandstones, classical turbidites (thick- and thin-bedded), mudrock, rare conglomerate and breccia. For the carbonate Gemsbok River Formation four facies were identified including massive non-graded and graded calcarenite, fine grained evenly bedded blue marble and calcareous mudrock. Most of these facies are also present in the other siliciclastic units of the Zerrissene Turbidite Complex as observed in other areas.The vertical facies association of the siliciclastic Brak River Formation is interpreted as representing sheet sand lobe to lobe-fringe palaeoenvironment with the abandonment of siliciclastic deposition at the top of the succession. The vertical facies association of the carbonate Gemsbok Formation is interpreted as the slope apron succession overlain by periplatform facies, suggesting a carbonate slope sedimentation of a prograding depositional shelf margin.If the siliciclastic–carbonate paired succession would represent a lowstand relative sea-level and highstand relative sea-level, respectively, the entire turbidite succession of the Zerrissene Turbidite Complex can be interpreted as three depositional sequences including two paired siliciclastic–carbonate units (Zebrapüts-Brandberg West formations; Brak River–Gemsbok formations) and an incomplete succession without carbonate at the top (Amis River Formation).     

湘西-黔东地区早寒武世沉积序列及铅锌成矿制约

湘西-黔东地区下寒武统发育完整,是一套从黑色岩系到碳酸盐岩的沉积序列,代表早寒武世复杂的古地理变迁。纵向上,下寒武统组成一个二级层序,可以进一步划分为5个三级层序,构成总体向上变浅的沉积相序列,同时反映了缓坡型碳酸盐岩台地的生长发育过程,铅锌矿赋存于第四层序高水位体系域中;空间上从北西至南东发育从局限台地、浅滩和微生物(藻)丘相、陆棚相等沉积。岩相古地理对层控铅锌矿具有明显的控制作用,主要分布于台地边缘藻丘和浅滩相与局限台地潮下过渡部位。研究表明牛蹄塘组黑色碳质页岩是铅锌矿源层,清虚洞组灰岩是主要容矿层,其中浊积岩、藻丘体、砾(粒)屑灰岩构成一个完整的铅锌控矿序列。     

湘西—黔东地区寒武系清虚洞组地层特征与铅锌成矿关系

湘西—黔东地区寒武系发育完整,是一套从黑色岩系到碳酸盐岩的沉积序列。下寒武统清虚洞组由灰岩段和白云岩段组成,纵向上构成总体向上海水变浅的沉积相序列,同时反映了缓坡型碳酸盐岩台地的发育过程。该组空间上从北西至南东可识别出潮坪相、局限台地相粉细晶云岩、台地边缘浅滩相粉细晶灰岩和台地边缘(滩)丘相微晶灰岩、浅-深缓坡相、陆棚相泥灰岩、台地前缘盆地等沉积。研究表明,地层岩性、岩相古地理对铅锌矿具有明显的控制作用,微晶丘是主要容矿层,与微生物和海底热水关系密切。铅锌成矿明显与浊流沉积和风暴沉积等事件沉积相关,浊积岩、微晶丘、砾(粒)屑灰岩构成一完整的铅锌控矿序列。     

Facies mosaic and diagenetic patterns of the early Devonian (Late Pragian–Early Emsian) microbialite‐dominated carbonate sequences,Qasr Member,Jauf Formation,Saudi Arabia

The Al‐Jawf area of northern Saudi Arabia provides spectacular outcrops of Early Devonian carbonate bioherms in the Wadi Murayr and Dumat Al‐Jandal areas. These carbonate bioherms belong to the Qasr Member of the Late Pragian–Early Emsian Jauf Formation (~405 Ma) and are surrounded by a bioclastic carbonate succession. The Qasr Member is the first major carbonate unit of the Palaeozoic succession in Saudi Arabia that mainly consists of microbialite carbonates and metazoan reefs exhibiting distinct mound features. These bioherm complexes and their associated carbonate facies are pervasively dolomitized. Stratigraphic, petrographic and geochemical analyses were conducted to determine the facies distribution and interpret their depositional and diagenetic processes. A total of 11 facies are identified from a range of depositional environments within a carbonate platform system, ranging from tidal flats, lagoon, shoal, patch reefs to reef front. The main diagenetic processes are carbonate cementation and dolomitization. Dolomitization occurred as both fabric preserved (mostly in grain‐dominated facies) and fabric destructive (mud‐dominated facies). The microbialites and coralline sponges facies show poor reservoir with visual porosity less than 5%, but this succession may have a potential to serve as a good source for the underlying and overlying facies. Ooid and peloidal grainstone facies show fair to good visual porosity that locally exceeds 10% with intergranular porosity as the dominant type. However, in the most studied samples, vuggy and intraparticle porosities are observed as the dominant type. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中国西部晚第三纪—第四纪有孔虫和钙质超微化石的发现及其地质意义

摘 要　 报导了中国西北晚中新世—第四纪陆相咸化湖泊介形类群中发现的有孔虫和钙质超 微化石组合‚并从生态和古地理的角度论证了它们属于非海侵来源‚图示了这些生物化石的 地理分布。认为由于主要受到干燥气候下咸化湖泊环境的控制‚中新世以来‚喜盐水生生物 群介形类、有孔虫和钙质超微生物等随干旱气候控制的咸化湖泊不断向东扩展。因此‚不能 笼统地把这些生物化石作为海侵证据。根据地质学现实主义类比原则‚提出中国东部早第三 纪没有大规模的海侵沉积‚丰富的石油天然气资源来自陆相咸化湖泊和深水湖泊沉积。     

Acervulinid macroid and rhodolith facies in the Eocene Nummulitic Limestone of the Dauphinois Domain (Maritime Alps,Liguria, Italy)

The Eocene Nummulitic Limestone of the Dauphinois domain in the Argentina Valley (Maritime Alps, Liguria, Italy) is characterized by the local presence of carbonate ramp facies rich in acervulinid macroids, rhodoliths and larger foraminifera. The development of these particular facies is mainly controlled by palaeomorphology of the substratum, tectonics, type and amount of terrigenous supply and global sea level changes.

The Upper Cretaceous to Eocene succession outcropping in the Argentina Valley shows differences in facies and age if compared to the typical succession of the Maritime Alps:

• the Cretaceous substratum is younger (early Maastrichtian) and is followed by an unconformity that is interpreted as a submarine discontinuity surface;
• the first Eocene carbonate deposits are older (late Lutetian);
• the Nummulitic Limestone is characterized by the development of carbonate facies deposited in a deep infralittoral-circalittoral setting of a carbonate ramp, sheltered from terrigenous input; in these facies encrusting foraminifera (Solenomeris) replace calcareous red algae in nodules similar to rhodoliths (acervulinid macroids);
• the Nummulitic Limestone is thicker than usual, reaching 110–160 m of thickness.

The Eocene tectonostratigraphic evolution can be summarized as follow: (1) synsedimentary tectonic activity that causes the development of a carbonate ramp with an adjacent structural trough where ramp-derived bioclastic material is deposited (late Lutetian); (2) interruption of the tectonic activity and uniform deposition of deep circalittoral sediments, characterized by deepening upward trend (late Lutetian?); (3) regression indicated by an abrupt shallowing of the depositional setting (Bartonian); and (4) deepening of the depositional setting, ending with the drowning of the carbonate ramp (late Bartonian).The evolution of the Eocene Argentina Valley succession is strongly influenced by tectonics related to the Alpine foreland basin development, but locally, and during definite time intervals, the global sea level changes could be recorded by the sediments during periods of stasis in tectonic activity. The regressive events recognized in the studied succession could be related to the sea level fall reported in the global sea level curve during the Bartonian.     

中元古界非叠层石灰岩中的MISS:以北京延庆千沟剖面高于庄组第三段为例

前寒武纪碳酸盐岩多以叠层石碳酸盐岩序列为特征。燕山地区中元古界高于庄组,其中的第三段(张家裕亚组)则为一个以灰岩为主、贫乏叠层石的碳酸盐岩沉积序列,该序列被定义为前寒武纪非叠层石碳酸盐岩序列。该非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列,尤其以燕山西部的延庆千沟剖面最为典型。根据沉积相序列及其所反映的旋回性,可以将该剖面的高于庄组第三段划分为3个三级层序。在这些三级层序的海侵体系域和早期高水位体系域中,中薄层隐晶质泥晶灰岩(均一石灰岩)和灰黑色薄层泥灰岩组成若干潮下型米级旋回;而在隐晶质泥晶灰岩层面上,普遍发育各种奇形怪状的沉积构造。这些沉积构造包括穹窿状构造、规则网状和杂乱的帐篷脊、变余波痕等,构成一个潮下相灰岩层面上的特别的微生物形成的沉积构造(Microbial Induced Sedimentary Structure,MISS)组合。因此,延庆千沟剖面的高于庄组第三段,特别的岩石类型和沉积构造成为前寒武纪碳酸盐岩沉积中非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列的典型代表,尤其是那些奇形怪状的MISS所代表的沉积学特点表明:在前寒武纪,即使在叠层石生长的黄金时段,也发育非叠层石碳酸盐岩沉积序列。因此,这些现象将特别有助于对前寒武纪非叠层石生态系所造成的另一类席底生境的深入理解,也有助于复杂多变的碳酸盐岩世界。     

Sedimentation in shallow to deep water carbonate environments across a sequence boundary: effects of a fall in sea-level on the evolution of a carbonate system (Ladinian-Carnian, eastern Lombardy, Italy)

In the Concarena‐Pizzo Camino Massif (Lombardy Basin, Southern Alps, Italy) the lateral transition from Ladinian‐Carnian carbonate platforms to coeval intraplatform basins is preserved. The succession records the sedimentological evidence of a sea‐level fall on a flat‐topped platform with a narrow marginal reef rim and its effects in the adjacent deeper‐water basin. Repeated high‐frequency exposures of the platform top are recorded by a peritidal–supratidal succession that overlies subtidal inner platform facies of the former highstand system tract (HST). On the slope and in the basin, the sea‐level fall is recorded by a few metre thick succession of bioclastic packstones. These facies directly lie on coarse clinostratified breccia bodies (slope facies of the former HST) or on resedimented, well‐bedded, dark laminated limestones (basinal facies of the HST). This facies distribution indicates that during the sea‐level fall carbonate production on the platform top decreased rapidly and that sedimentation in the basin was mainly represented by condensed facies. Microfacies record an enrichment, during low stand, in pelagic biota (packstones with radiolarians and spiculae), whereas the occurrence of platform‐derived, shallow‐water materials is limited to thin lenses of reworked and micritized Fe‐rich oolites and bioclasts (mainly pelecypods and echinoderms). The facies association in the Concarena‐Pizzo Camino Massif demonstrates that a highly‐productive carbonate factory was almost completely turned off during the emergence of the platform top at a sequence boundary, leading to low‐stand starvation in the basin. The reconstruction of the stratigraphic evolution of the Concarena‐Pizzo Camino carbonate platform therefore represents a significant case history for the study of the behaviour of ancient carbonate systems during a fall in sea‐level, independent of its origin (eustatic or tectonic).     

Sequence stratigraphy of a Mesozoic carbonate platform-to-basin system in western Sicily

Sequence stratigraphic studies of the Triassic through Paleogene carbonate successions of platform, slope and basin in western Sicily (Palermo and Termini Imerese Mountains) have identified a sedimentary cyclicity mostly caused by relative oscillations of sea level. The stratigraphic successions of the Imerese and Panormide palaeogeographic domains of the southern Tethyan continental margin were studied with physical-stratigraphy and facies analysis to reconstruct the sedimentary evolution of this platform-to-basin system. The Imerese Basin is characterized by a carbonate and siliceous-calcareous succession, 1200–1400m thick, Late Triassic to Eocene in age. The strata display a typical example of a carbonate platform margin, characterized by resedimented facies with progradational stacking patterns. The Panormide Carbonate Platform is characterized by a carbonate succession, 1000–1200 m thick, Late Triassic to Late Eocene, mostly consisting of shallow-water facies with periodic subaerial exposure. The cyclic arrangement has been obtained by the study of the stratigraphic signatures (unconformities, facies sequences, erosional surfaces and stratal geometries) found in the slope successions. The recognized pattern has been compared with coeval facies of the shelf. This correlation provided evidence of sedimentary evolution, influenced by progradation and backstepping of the shelf deposits. The stratigraphic architecture of the platform-to-basin system is characterized by four major transgressive/regressive cycles during the late Triassic to late Eocene. These cycles, framed in a chronostratigraphic chart, allows the correlation of the investigated shelf-to-basin system with the geological evolution of the African continental margin during the Mesozoic, showing tectono-eustatic cycles. The first cycle, encompassing the late Triassic to early Jurassic, appears to be related to the late syn-rift stage of the continental margin evolution. The following three cycles, spanning from the Jurassic to Eocene, can be related to the post-rift evolution and to thermal subsidence changes.     

湘西-黔东地区寒武系都匀阶清虚洞期 岩相古地理与铅锌成矿关系研究

依据地层记录中的两种相变面和两种穿时性,结合上扬子地区寒武系十余条代表性剖面的沉积特征及其横向展布规律,应用等时面优势相成图方法编制了寒武系都匀阶清虚洞期岩相古地理图.区内古地理格局具有西高东低、北浅南深(水深)的特点,沉积自北西向南东超覆,层位逐渐抬高穿时;岩性、厚度、颜色和沉积相类型上的差异是统一沉积背景下沉积物相变、穿时的结果.清虚洞组由灰岩段和白云岩段组成,以发育缓坡型碳酸盐台地为特征,纵向上构成总体向上变浅的沉积相序列,同时反映了缓坡型碳酸盐台地的生长发育过程;横向上从北西至南东发育从混积潮坪相、浅缓坡相、中缓坡相、深缓坡相和陆棚-盆地等沉积.岩相古地理对层控铅锌矿具有明显的控制作用,主要分布于中缓坡相藻灰岩微晶丘中,浊积岩、微晶丘、砾(粒)屑灰岩构成一完整的铅锌控矿序列.     

Carbonate platform growth and cyclicity at a terminal Proterozoic passive margin, Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group, Lesser Himalaya, India

Abstract The Infra Krol Formation and overlying Krol Group constitute a thick (< 2 km), carbonate-rich succession of terminal Proterozoic age that crops out in a series of doubly plunging synclines in the Lesser Himalaya of northern India. The rocks include 18 carbonate and siliciclastic facies, which are grouped into eight facies associations: (1) deep subtidal; (2) shallow subtidal; (3) sand shoal; (4) peritidal carbonate complex; (5) lagoonal; (6) peritidal siliciclastic–carbonate; (7) incised valley fill; and (8) karstic fill. The stromatolite-rich, peritidal complex appears to have occupied a location seaward of a broad lagoon, an arrangement reminiscent of many Phanerozoic and Proterozoic platforms. Growth of this complex was accretionary to progradational, in response to changes in siliciclastic influx from the south-eastern side of the lagoon. Metre-scale cycles tend to be laterally discontinuous, and are interpreted as mainly autogenic. Variations in the number of both sets of cycles and component metre-scale cycles across the platform may result from differential subsidence of the interpreted passive margin. Apparently non-cyclic intervals with shallow-water features may indicate facies migration that was limited compared with the dimensions of facies belts. Correlation of these facies associations in a sequence stratigraphic framework suggests that the Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group represent a north- to north-west-facing platform with a morphology that evolved from a siliciclastic ramp, to carbonate ramp, to peritidal rimmed shelf and, finally, to open shelf. This interpretation differs significantly from the published scheme of a basin centred on the Lesser Himalaya, with virtually the entire Infra Krol–Krol succession representing sedimentation in a persistent tidal-flat environment. This study provides a detailed Neoproterozoic depositional history of northern India from rift basin to passive margin, and predicts that genetically related Neoproterozoic deposits, if they are present in the High Himalaya, are composed mainly of slope/basinal facies characterized by fine-grained siliciclastic and detrital carbonate rocks, lithologically different from those of the Lesser Himalaya.     

吉南地区新元古代地层沉积模式

吉南地区新元古代地层系古华北板块东北部第一套具有典型意义的盖层沉积,由四个不同类型的不整合面所限。可划分为三个沉积序列（层序）。其沉积相序分别为：河流相（属早期深切河谷沉积）—陆缘斜坡相—滨滩相（席状砂）相结合;近岸砂坝—坝后泻湖—滨滩相组合;碳酸盐台地（开阔缓坡）—台缘生物（藻）礁—礁后盆地相组合,进而建立了其沉积模式。     

浙江江山寒武纪沉积相研究

浙江江山寒武纪为一套深色海相碳酸盐沉积，包含了湖相和台地相组成的海进相序。本文在江山一带沉积相研究的基础上，结合区域地质资料，探讨了浙皖海盆东南缘的区域古地理格局的演变规律及其构造意义     

东秦岭陕西聂家沟剖面二叠纪—三叠纪之交沉积特征及其古环境意义*

东秦岭陕西镇安聂家沟地区二叠纪—三叠纪之交发育一套海相碳酸盐岩沉积序列,较完整地记录了二叠纪末生物大灭绝事件前后浅海碳酸盐岩台地相生物群落演替及环境变化等信息,是研究二叠纪末生物大灭绝事件前后生态环境变化与沉积响应的理想区域。通过碳酸盐岩微相分析方法,对陕西镇安聂家沟剖面二叠系—三叠系界线附近的碳酸盐岩生物组合和微相类型进行了详细分析,共识别出11个微相类型: 斑点状凝块石、叠层石灰岩、鲕粒—纹层状叠层石灰岩、有孔虫颗粒灰岩、藻—海百合泥粒灰岩、含有被包壳和被磨蚀骨屑颗粒的粒泥灰岩、鲕粒颗粒灰岩、集合颗粒灰岩、含鲕粒的粒泥灰岩、泥晶灰岩和泥岩。根据碳酸盐岩微相特征及沉积相标志,在二叠系—三叠系界限附近划分出台地边缘、开阔台地和局限台地3种沉积相,其反映了二叠纪—三叠纪之交频繁的沉积相带变更的特点。该剖面碳酸盐岩微相反映的古生态和生物群落演替特征与中国华南同时期其他剖面具有较好的一致性,即二叠纪末生物大灭绝事件之后,早三叠世正常浅水碳酸盐岩台地生物类型和丰度极低,仅含有少量的双壳类、海百合等,灭绝事件界线附近以微生物碳酸盐岩等特殊微生物沉积构造占主导,之后微生物岩等消失,又出现了以双壳类为首的生物碎屑石灰岩。研究结果为了解二叠纪末生物大灭绝事件中生物和环境的协同演化提供了新的材料和认识。     

东秦岭陕西聂家沟剖面二叠纪—三叠纪之交沉积特征及其古环境意义*

东秦岭陕西镇安聂家沟地区二叠纪—三叠纪之交发育一套海相碳酸盐岩沉积序列,较完整地记录了二叠纪末生物大灭绝事件前后浅海碳酸盐岩台地相生物群落演替及环境变化等信息,是研究二叠纪末生物大灭绝事件前后生态环境变化与沉积响应的理想区域。通过碳酸盐岩微相分析方法,对陕西镇安聂家沟剖面二叠系—三叠系界线附近的碳酸盐岩生物组合和微相类型进行了详细分析,共识别出11个微相类型: 斑点状凝块石、叠层石灰岩、鲕粒—纹层状叠层石灰岩、有孔虫颗粒灰岩、藻—海百合泥粒灰岩、含有被包壳和被磨蚀骨屑颗粒的粒泥灰岩、鲕粒颗粒灰岩、集合颗粒灰岩、含鲕粒的粒泥灰岩、泥晶灰岩和泥岩。根据碳酸盐岩微相特征及沉积相标志,在二叠系—三叠系界限附近划分出台地边缘、开阔台地和局限台地3种沉积相,其反映了二叠纪—三叠纪之交频繁的沉积相带变更的特点。该剖面碳酸盐岩微相反映的古生态和生物群落演替特征与中国华南同时期其他剖面具有较好的一致性,即二叠纪末生物大灭绝事件之后,早三叠世正常浅水碳酸盐岩台地生物类型和丰度极低,仅含有少量的双壳类、海百合等,灭绝事件界线附近以微生物碳酸盐岩等特殊微生物沉积构造占主导,之后微生物岩等消失,又出现了以双壳类为首的生物碎屑石灰岩。研究结果为了解二叠纪末生物大灭绝事件中生物和环境的协同演化提供了新的材料和认识。     

Late Carboniferous–Early Permian Sequence Stratigraphy and Depositional Evolution in the Northeast Ordos Basin, North China

Sequence stratigraphical analysis was applied to the Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian sedimentary succession of the northeastern Ordos Basin, north China based on data acquired from ten entire logging curves and eight outcrops. The facies framework of the lithostratigraphical unit, the Taiyuan Formation comprises seven facies in two facies associations, varying from fluvio-delta to shelf-barrier islands. The facies are presented within a chronostratigraphical framework, linked by systems tract, which in turn are limited by flooding surfaces and sequence boundaries. Six third-order depositional sequences are recognised, bounded by six type 2 unconformities. An upwards-shallowing epicontinental sea sedimentary model is created, which consists of a sandstone, coal seam and carbonate succession.     

Drowning history of a Miocene carbonate platform (Zhujiang Formation, South China Sea)

The identification and interpretation of drowning events in the geologic record can aid significantly to the reconstruction of the depositional, tectonic and eustatic history of a study area and often improve reservoir and seal prediction in carbonate rocks. The differentiation between drowned platforms showing a record of continuous deepening and those with a record of exposure followed by rapid deepening remains, however, problematic. The Zhujiang carbonate platform (Liuhua 11-1 field, South China Sea) study shown here provides an example of an integrated approach combining high-resolution geochemistry, microfacies analyses and foraminiferal biostratigraphy in order to improve the reconstruction of environmental conditions prior, during and after platform demise and drowning. The Zhujiang carbonate platform displays the following vertical succession of four facies types i) skeletal grain facies with a miogypsinid/lepidocyclinid-dominated fauna deposited in a moderately deep (< 50 m), oligotrophic back-reef setting; ii) in situ corals in patch-reef facies in an oligotrophic lagoon (< 10 m); iii) rhodoid facies with in situ red algal crusts, dominated by Heterostegina sp. and spiroclypeids, possibly capped by a subaerial exposure surface. Well-rounded rhodoids representing a mesotrophic lagoon dominate the upper portions of the rhodoid facies; iv) pelagic marine shales of the Hanjiang Formation burying the carbonate platform after drowning. This facies succession, in combination with geochemical evidence suggests a deepening-upward trend. This trend might have been interrupted by transient subaerial exposure but no evidence for meteoric diagenesis was found at the drowning unconformity topping the carbonate platform. Instead, microfacies analyses suggest that platform demise may be related to progressive changes in environmental conditions, including increasing nutrient-levels and/or decreasing temperature up-core towards the drowning unconformity. These findings are of significance for those concerned with Miocene carbonate factories and, more specifically, the demise of carbonate platforms in general.     

Sedimentary Features and Implications for the Precambrian Non-stromatolitic Carbonate Succession: A Case Study of the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou Section in Yanqing County of Beijing

In the long Precambrian period, stromatolitic carbonate successions were very common. However, the non-stromatolitic carbonate succession that is marked by subtidal deposits shows a sharp contrast to the stromatolitic carbonate succession. Both the non-stromatolitic and the stromatolitic carbonate successions are important clues for the further understanding of the evolving carbonate world of the Precambrian. The Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou section in northwestern suburb of Beijing is a set of more than 1000 m-thick carbonate strata that can be divided into four members （or subformations）, in which a non-stromatolitic carbonate succession marked by the scarcity of stromatolites makes up the third member of the formation. This non-stromatolitic carbonate succession can further be subdivided into three third-order sequences that are marked by the regular succession of sedimentary facies. In third-order sequences, a lot of subtidal carbonate meter-scale cycles made up of medium-bedded leiolite limestones and thin-bedded marls constitute their transgressive system tracts （TSTs） and the early high-stand system tracts （EHSTs）, a lot of meter- scale cycles made up by thin-bedded limestones and marls constitute their condensed sections （CSs）, and thick-bedded to massive dolomitic limestones or lime dolomites make up the late high-stand system tracts （LHSTs）. The particularly non-stromatolitic carbonate succession making up the third member of the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Qiangou section might be the representative of the non-stromatolitic carbonate succession of the Precambrian because of its special lithological features and particular sedimentary structures, and its general sedimentary features are helpful and meaningful for the further understanding of the evolution rules of the sophisticate and evolving carbonate world of the Precambrian. The time scale of the Gaoyuzhuang Formation is deduced as that from 1600 Ma to 1400 Ma; thus, the non-stromatolitic     

西藏西部昂拉仁错地区下白垩统岩石地层特征及空间变化规律

将西藏昂拉仁错地区下白垩统划分为则弄群、多尼组、郎山组和捷嘎组4个正式岩石地层单位。讨论了各组段的空间分布、岩石组合特征、沉积环境及横向变化规律。认为多尼组仅分布于班戈-八宿地层分区的东部,在改则厚齿玛里以西相变尖灭,与则弄群二段既有上下层位关系又呈横向相变关系。郎山组为只见于昂拉仁错北部班戈-八宿地层分区内的一套稳定碳酸盐台地相沉积,而捷嘎组为只见于昂拉仁错中南部措勤-申扎地层分区内的较活动的火山活动碳酸盐台地相沉积。郎山组与捷嘎组为同时异相关系。     

From Cycles to Sequences:Sequence Stratigraphy and Relative Sea Level Change for the Late Cambrian of the North China Platform

In the Late Cambrian, the North China Platform was a typical carbonate ramp platform. The Upper Cambrian of the northern part of the North China Platform is famous for the development of bioherm limestones and storm calcirudites and can be divided from bottom to top into the Gushan, Changshan and Fengshan formations. In this set of strata, the deep-ramp mudstone and marls and the shallow-ramp packstones and grainstones constitute many carbonate meter-scale cycles of subtidal type. More tidal-flat dolomites axe developed in the Upper Cambrian of the southern margin of the North China platform, in which limestone and dolomite beds also constitute many carbonate meter-scale cycles of the peritidal type. These cycles are marked by a variety of litho-facies successions. There are regularly vertical stacking patterns of meter-scale cycles in long-term third-order sequences, which is the key to discerning such sequences. Third-order sequence is marked by a particular sedimentary-facies succession that is the result of the environment-changing process of deepening and shoaling, which is genetically related to third-order sea level changes. Furthermore, four third-order sequences can be grouped in the Upper Cambrian of the North China Platform. The main features of these four third-order sequences in the northern part of the platform can be summarized as follows: firstly, sequence-boundaries are characterized by drowning unconformities; secondly, the sedimentary-facies succession is generally constituted by one from deep-ramp facies to shallow-ramp facies; thirdly, a succession of “CS (?) HST” (i.e., “condensed section and highstand system”) forms these four third-order sequences. The chief features for the third-order sequences in the southern part of the North China Platform comprises: more dolomites are developed in the HSTs of third-order sequences and also developed more carbonate meter-scale cycles of peritidal types; the sedimentary-facies succession of the third-order sequences is marked by “shallow ramp-tidal flat”; the sequence boundaries are characterized by exposure punctuated surfaces. According to the changes for the third-order sequences from the north to the south, a regular sequence-stratigraphic framework can be established. From cycles to sequences, the study of sequence stratigraphy from litho-facies successions to sedimentary-facies successions exposes that as follows: meter-scale cycles that are used as the basic working unit actually are litho-facies successions formed by the mechanism of a punctuated aggradational cycle, and third-order sequences that are constituted by regularly vertical stacking patterns of meter-scale cycles are marked by sedimentary-facies successions. On the basis of the changing curve of water depth at each section, the curve of the relative third-order sea level changes in the late Cambrian of the North China Platform can be integrated qualitatively from changing curve of water depth. The correlation of Late Cambrian long-term sea level changes between North China and North America demonstrates that there are not only similarities but also differences, reflecting control of long-term sea level changes both by global eustacy and by regional factors.