Sedimentology of an ancient erg margin: the Lower Jurassic Aztec Sandstone, southern Nevada and southern California

The Lower Jurassic Aztec Sandstone is an aeolian-deposited quartzose sandstone that represents the western margin of the southerly-migrating Navajo-Nugget sand sea (or erg). Vertical and lateral facies relations suggest that the erg margin encroached upon volcanic highlands, alluvial fan, wadi and sabkha environments. In southern Nevada, 700 m thick facies successions record the arrival of the Aztec sand sea. Initial erg sedimentation in the Valley of Fire consists of lenticular or tongue-shaped aeolian sand bodies interstratified with fluvially-deposited coarse sandstone and mudstone. Above, evaporite-rich fine sandstone and mudstone are overlain by thick, cross-stratified aeolian sandstone that shows an upsection increase in set thickness. The lithofacies succession represents aeolian sand sheets and small dunes that migrated over a siliciclastic sabkha traversed by ephemeral wadis. These deposits were ultimately buried by large dunes and draas of the erg. In the Spring Mountains, a similar facies succession also contains thin, lenticular volcaniclastic conglomerate and sandstone. These sediments represent the distal margin of an alluvial fan complex sourced from the west. Thin aeolian sequences are interbedded with volcanic flow rocks, ash-flow tuffs, debris flows, and fluvial deposits in the Mojave Desert of southern California. These aeolian strata represent erg migration up the eastern flanks of a magmatic arc. The westward diminution of aeolian-deposited units may reflect incomplete erg migration, thin accumulation of aeolian sediment succeptible to erosion, and stratigraphic dilution by arc-derived sediment. A two-part division of the Aztec erg is suggested by lithofacies associations, the size and geometry of aeolian cross-strata, and sediment dispersal data. The leading or downwind margin of the erg, here termed the fore-erg, is represented by a 10–100 m thick succession of isolated pods, lenses, and tongues of aeolian-deposited sediment encased in fluvial and sabkha deposits. Continued sand-sea migration brought large dunes and draas of the erg interior into the study area; these 150–500 m thick central-erg sediments buried the fore-erg deposits. The trailing, upwind margin of the erg is represented by back-erg deposits in northern Utah and Wyoming.     

Preservation of aeolian genetic units by lava flows in the Lower Cretaceous of the Paraná Basin, southern Brazil

The Lower Cretaceous geological record of the intracratonic Paraná Basin in southern Brazil comprises a thick succession of aeolian sandstones and volcanic rocks. The intercalation between aeolian sandstone and volcanic floods allowed the preservation of distinct aeolian genetic units. Each genetic unit represents an accumulation episode, bounded by supersurfaces, that coincides with the base of lava flood events. The entire package can be subdivided into a Lower Genetic Unit, which corresponds to aeolian sandstones preserved below the initial lava flows (Botucatu Formation), and an upper set of genetic units, which comprises interlayered aeolian deposits and lava floods (Serra Geral Formation). The Lower Genetic Unit is up to 100 m thick. Its base is composed of ephemeral stream and aeolian sand sheet deposits that are overlain by cross‐bedded sandstones whose origin is ascribed to simple, locally composite, crescentic and complex linear aeolian dunes. Aeolian accumulation of the lower unit was possible as a result of the existence of a wide topographic basin, which caused wind deceleration, and a large sand availability that promoted a positive net sediment flux. The Upper Genetic Units comprise isolated sand bodies that occur in two different styles: (1) thin lenses (<3 m thick) formed by aeolian sand sheets; and (2) thick sand lenses (3–15 m) comprising cross‐bedded cosets generated by migration and climbing of simple to locally composite crescentic aeolian dunes. Accumulation of the aeolian strata was associated with wind deceleration within depressions on the irregular upper surface of the lava floods. The interruption of sedimentation in the Lower and Upper Genetic Units, and related development of supersurfaces, occurred as a result of widespread effusions of basaltic lava. Preservation of both wind‐rippled topset deposits of the aeolian dunes and pahoehoe lava imprints indicates that lava floods covered active aeolian dunes and, hence, protected the aeolian deposits from erosion, thus preserving the genetic units.     

Tidal inlet sequence, Sundance Formation (Upper Jurassic), north-central Wyoming

The sandstones and coquinas of the upper 20 m of the Sundance Formation are interpreted as a tidal inlet, back-barrier shoal and sandy tidal-flat sequence deposited at the close of marine Jurassic sedimentation in north-central Wyoming. The barrier strandline maintained a generally E-W trend as it prograded to the north. The lateral migration of inter-barrier tidal inlets along the regressive shoreline of the late Sundance sea caused the coquinas and sandstones of the uppermost Sundance Formation to be deposited as tabular, laterally-extensive units. Tidal bundles, sigmoidal reactivation surfaces, herringbone cross-lamination and abundant mud drapes within the sandstones are evidence of considerable tidal influence during the deposition of the uppermost Sundance Formation. Earlier models, which attach an offshore environment of deposition to the sequence, do not explain the tabular geometries of the sandstone and coquina units and their conformable stratigraphic relationship with the overlying non-marine sediments of the Morrison Formation.     

Quantitative interrogation of a fossilized carbonate sand body – The Pleistocene Miami oolite of South Florida

Exposures of the Pleistocene Miami oolite in South Florida provide excellent examples of preserved primary sedimentary features and subsequent diagenetic changes of a ‘fossilized’ ooid sand body that has been subaerially exposed in a tropical climate since its deposition during the last interglacial highstand – Marine Isotope Stage 5e. Using a robust airborne light detection and ranging digital terrain model and select outcrops, a detailed analysis of the morphologies and dimensions of the different portions of the Miami oolite was conducted. The sand body, extending 95 km north to south and approximately 15 km wide, consists of shoals (or bars) separated by tidal channels and is partly bounded on the ocean‐facing side by a prograding barrier bar that collectively cover an area of approximately 1000 sq. km. Results of the quantitative interrogation of the Miami oolite are compared with those of previously published work from modern sand bodies on Great Bahama Bank including the Exumas, Schooners Cays and Tongue of the Ocean. Digital terrain models developed for these modern sand bodies on the Great Bahama Bank and the ancient Miami oolite were used as the basis for the definition of shoals, shoal crests (peaks) and channels which were examined with respect to their size, shape and orientation. The Exumas sand body is the best morphometric match when analysing the bars and the channels, and the Joulter Cays area is an analogue for the formation of the barrier bar and for burrow reworking of cross‐bedding within stabilized sand shoals. The Exumas is a particularly compelling analogue for the Miami oolite with respect to length and overall visual comparison between the morphologies of the sand bodies, shoal (or bar) shape, number of tidal channels, channel length and width, and high areas parallel to the strike trend of the sand body (islands in the Exumas and possible islands as part of the Miami oolite barrier bar). Despite ca 115 kyr of subaerial exposure and meteoric diagenesis including karst, the morphology of the Miami oolite is still relatively intact to the point where it can be easily analysed and meaningful comparisons to modern systems can be made. The Miami oolite serves as a key reference example for comparison to Holocene sand units in the Bahamas – it validates the concept of comparative sedimentology and in particular emphasizes how results from the modern can improve the interpretation of a fossilized example.     

柴达木盆地旺尕秀地区上侏罗统-下白垩统风成砂的发现及其意义*

本次研究在柴达木盆地旺尕秀地区上侏罗统红水沟组上覆地层中,首次发现了风成沉积。地层主体为一套棕黄色细-中砂岩,由分选、磨圆好的石英砂组成;扫描电镜下可见风成砂特有的碟形撞击坑和新月形撞击坑等特征;层内普遍发育风成大型高角度板状交错层理,层系厚度巨大,风成沙丘前积层特征明显;发育液化作用产生的牵引褶曲、倒转褶曲等常见的风成沙丘同沉积变形构造。根据岩性和沉积构造特征共在地层中识别出4种沉积亚相: 沙丘亚相、丘间亚相、旱谷亚相和沙漠湖亚相,其中沙丘亚相以风成大型交错层理为显著特征,丘间、旱谷和沙漠湖亚相则以水成沉积为主。风成砂沉积的存在丰富了柴达木盆地中生代的沉积类型,为区域地层对比及西北地区晚中生代古气候和古环境研究提供了新的证据和材料。     

Periodic accumulation and destruction of aeolian erg sequences in the Permian Cedar Mesa Sandstone, White Canyon, southern Utah, USA

The Permian Cedar Mesa Sandstone represents the product of at least 12 separate aeolian erg sequences, each bounded by regionally extensive deflationary supersurfaces. Facies analysis of strata in the White Canyon area of southern Utah indicates that the preserved sequences represent erg‐centre accumulations of mostly dry, though occasionally water table‐influenced aeolian systems. Each sequence records a systematic sedimentary evolution, enabling phases of aeolian sand sea construction, accumulation, deflation and destruction to be discerned and related to a series of underlying controls. Sand sea construction is signalled by a transition from damp sandsheet, ephemeral lake and palaeosol deposition, through a phase of dry sandsheet deposition, to the development of thin, chaotically arranged aeolian dune sets. The onset of the main phase of sand sea accumulation is reflected by an upward transition to larger‐scale, ordered sets which represent the preserved product of climbing trains of sinuous‐crested transverse dunes with original downwind wavelengths of 300–400 m. Regularly spaced reactivation surfaces indicate periodic shifts in wind direction, which probably occurred seasonally. Compound co‐sets of cross strata record the oblique migration of superimposed slipfaced dunes over larger, slipfaceless draa. Each aeolian sequence is capped by a regionally extensive supersurface characterized by abundant calcified rhizoliths and bioturbation and which represents the end product of a widespread deflation episode whereby the accumulation surface was lowered close to the level of the water table as the sand sea was progressively cannibalized by winds that were undersaturated with respect to their potential carrying capacity. Aeolian sequence generation is considered to be directly attributable to cyclical changes in climate and related changes in sea level of probable glacio‐eustatic origin that characterize many Permo‐Carboniferous age successions. Sand sea construction and accumulation occurred during phases of increased aridity and lowered sea level, the main sand supply being former shallow marine shelf sediments that lay to the north‐west. Sand sea deflation and destruction would have commenced at, or shortly after, the time of maximum aridity as the available sand supply became exhausted. Restricted episodes of non‐aeolian accumulation would have occurred during humid (interglacial) phases, accumulation and preservation being enabled by slow rises in the relative water table. Subsidence analysis within the Paradox Basin, together with comparisons to other similar age successions suggests that the climatic cycles responsible for generating the Cedar Mesa erg sequences could be the product of 413 000 years so‐called long eccentricity cycles. By contrast, annual advance cycles within the aeolian dune sets indicate that the sequences themselves could have accumulated in just a few hundred years and therefore imply that the vast majority of time represented by the Cedar Mesa succession was reserved for supersurface development.     

青藏高原东缘盐源盆地古近纪风成沙丘及其古地理意义*

盐源盆地始新世丽江组沉积时期发育了一套具大型高角度交错层理的红色砂岩,其确切成因对于厘定青藏高原东缘古近纪古地理格局、恢复东亚新生代干旱带与古气候演化过程具有重要意义。文中通过对盐源盆地始新统丽江组红色砂岩的沉积特征进行系统分析,证明该套砂岩的岩性、粒度分布、石英颗粒表面特征与沉积构造等明显不同于水成沉积,而与典型风成沙丘相应特征完全一致,表明其为风成沙丘沉积。结合古近纪研究区的古气候条件、大气环流样式与大地构造背景,笔者进一步推断盐源盆地始新世风成沙丘可能沉积于中国古近纪干旱带内的沙漠环境。根据目前相关研究资料,确认青藏高原东缘存在一个厚度稳定的古近纪风成沙丘富集带。     

Significance of interdune deposits and bounding surfaces in aeolian dune sands

Bounding surfaces and interdune deposits provide keys for detailed interpretations of the development, shape, type, wavelength and angle of climb of aeolian bedforms, as well as overall sand sea conditions. Current alternate interpretations of bounding surfaces require very different, but testable models for sand sea deposition. Two perpendicular traverses of Jurassic Entrada Sandstone, Utah, reveal relations among cross-strata, first-order bounding surfaces, and horizontal strata. These field relations seem explicable only as the deposits of downwind-migrating, climbing, enclosed interdune basins (horizontal strata) and dune bodies consisting of superimposed smaller crescentic dunes (cross-stratified deposits). A 1.7 km traverse parallel to the palaeowind direction provides a time-transgressive view showing continuous cosets of cross-strata, first-order bounding surfaces and interdune deposits climbing downwind at an angle of a few tenths of a degree. Changes occur in the angle of climb, cross-strata structure, and interdune deposits; these reflect changes in depositional conditions through time. A 1.5 km traverse perpendicular to the palaeowind direction provides a view at an instant in geological time showing first-order bounding surfaces and interdune deposits forming flat, laterally discontinuous lenticular bodies. The distribution of interdune sedimentary structures in this traverse is very similar to that of some modern interdune basins, such as those on Padre Island, Texas. Hierarchies of bounding surfaces in an aeolian deposit reflect the bedform development on an erg. The presence of three orders of bounding surfaces indicates dune bodies consisting of smaller, super-imposed dunes. The geometry of first-order bounding surfaces is a reflection of the shape of the inter-dune basins. Second-order bounding surfaces originate by the migration of the superimposed dunes over the larger dune body and reflect individual dune shape and type. Third-order bounding surfaces are reactivation surfaces showing stages in the advance of individual dunes. The presence of only two orders of bounding surfaces indicates simple dunes. Modern and Entrada interdune deposits show a wide variety of sediment types and structures reflecting deposition under wet, damp, and dry conditions. Interdune deposits are probably the best indicators of overall erg conditions and commonly show complex vertical sequences reflecting changes in specific depositional conditions.     

Sedimentary structures of cold-climate coastal dunes, Eastern Hudson Bay, Canada

A study of sedimentary structures of cold-climate coastal dunes along Eastern Hudson Bay, Canada, showed that in areas of very sparsely vegetated surfaces, tractional sedimentary processes are dominant while in partly and well vegetated areas, grainfall deposition is the dominant sedimentary process. Alternating fine and coarse sand strata are characteristic of the vegetated foredune ridge. Coarse strata are interpreted to be mainly related to niveo-aeolian deposition. In poorly vegetated areas deformed strata associated with the melting of snow were preserved. A vaguely stratified strata interpreted as a dimpled surface as well as coarse lenses with irregular basal contact were found. Such distinctive sedimentary structures may represent good indicators of cold-climate conditions and could serve as criteria to identify aeolianites that may have been deposited in similar cold-climate environments in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.     

Ancient Martian aeolian processes and palaeomorphology reconstructed from the Stimson formation on the lower slope of Aeolis Mons,Gale crater,Mars

Reconstruction of the palaeoenvironmental context of Martian sedimentary rocks is central to studies of ancient Martian habitability and regional palaeoclimate history. This paper reports the analysis of a distinct aeolian deposit preserved in Gale crater, Mars, and evaluates its palaeomorphology, the processes responsible for its deposition, and its implications for Gale crater geological history and regional palaeoclimate. Whilst exploring the sedimentary succession cropping out on the northern flank of Aeolis Mons, Gale crater, the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity encountered a decametre‐thick sandstone succession, named the Stimson formation, unconformably overlying lacustrine deposits of the Murray formation. The sandstone contains sand grains characterized by high roundness and sphericity, and cross‐bedding on the order of 1 m in thickness, separated by sub‐horizontal bounding surfaces traceable for tens of metres across outcrops. The cross‐beds are composed of uniform thickness cross‐laminations interpreted as wind‐ripple strata. Cross‐sets are separated by sub‐horizontal bounding surfaces traceable for tens of metres across outcrops that are interpreted as dune migration surfaces. Grain characteristics and presence of wind‐ripple strata indicate deposition of the Stimson formation by aeolian processes. The absence of features characteristic of damp or wet aeolian sediment accumulation indicate deposition in a dry aeolian system. Reconstruction of the palaeogeomorphology suggests that the Stimson dune field was composed largely of simple sinuous crescentic dunes with a height of ca 10 m, and wavelengths of ca 150 m, with local development of complex dunes. Analysis of cross‐strata dip azimuths indicates that the general dune migration direction and hence net sediment transport was towards the north‐east. The juxtaposition of a dry aeolian system unconformably above the lacustrine Murray formation represents starkly contrasting palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions. Stratigraphic relationships indicate that this transition records a significant break in time, with the Stimson formation being deposited after the Murray formation and stratigraphically higher Mount Sharp group rocks had been buried, lithified and subsequently eroded.     

山东黄河北煤田石炭—二叠系太原组地层沉积特征

为了研究黄河北煤田的沉积特征,查清研究区内太原组地层的岩性类型、沉积构造、粒度分布特征,并进一步明确其沉积体系及沉积相的特征和沉积演化,本文根据野外露头的观察和室内岩心的描述、薄片分析,结合钻井、测井资料,运用沉积学、古生物地层学、层序地层学、岩石粒度分析等方法,对研究区的太原组地层沉积特征进行了详细的研究.结果表明:研究区石炭-二叠系的含煤地层太原组沉积物中砂岩、粉砂岩、泥岩、石灰岩及煤岩均较发育,常见的含铁矿物主要是褐铁矿、黄铁矿、菱铁矿等;主要层理构造有水平层理、平行层理、交错层理、波状层理、韵律层理等,生物扰动构造非常发育;主要的生物化石发育于台地相灰岩中,包括蜓类、牙形石等个体较大化石;主要发育植物化石有轮叶、科达木、宽带羊齿等;太原组沉积环境比较动荡,为河流相或者浅海相环境,其陆表海盆地层序及内部单元的典型界面有最大海泛面、区域性海退界面和最大海退面,并依据其不同界面,进行了沉积相划分和层序地层分析;研究区内晚石炭世的太原组地层为陆表海沉积序列,其沉积环境演化主要是由海陆交互相沉积向陆相沉积的转换.     

Late Proterozoic periglacial aeolian deposits on the West African Platform, Taoudeni Basin, western Mali

The Late Proterozoic Bakoye 3 Formation is a predominantly aeolian unit deposited in the glacially influenced cratonic Taoudeni Basin of western Africa. The Bakoye 3 can be divided into five distal units, two proximal units, and a local upper massive sandstone. The basal Unit 1 shows a complex interfingering of aeolian and subaqueous structures, and is interpreted as the precursor of the overlying erg sequences. Unit 2 consists of compound, trough cosets of aeolian cross-strata dominated by grain-flow strata. The unit is interpreted to represent draas with superimposed, small, crescentic dunes. A super bounding surface marks the termination and planation of the erg. Unit 3 is distinguished from the underlying Unit 2 by its larger, overall simple sets of trough cross-strata, interpreted to represent simple, large, crescentic dunes. Unit 4 occurs only locally in laterally discontinuous, large troughs. In one case the trough is filled by small sets of tabular cross-strata dominated by grain-flow deposits. At another section, wedges of coarse-grained wind-ripple strata fill the trough. Unit 4 may represent remnants of ergs or, more likely, local deposition in depressions. The depressions, in the latter scenario, formed with the development of a second super surface that truncates Unit 3. Unit 5 consists of very large sets of wind-ripple cross-strata with less common sets of grain-flow deposits. These deposits are believed to represent enormous dunes with large plinths and subordinate slip face development. A third super surface separates Unit 5 from overlying marine deposits. Together, Units 1–5 represent the core of the ergs in a distal position relative to adjacent upland source areas. Proximally, aeolian deposits are simple, smaller, trough sets interpreted as moderate sized crescentic dunes. Coarse-grained braided stream deposits are prominent. Locally, the top of the Bakoye 3 is marked by channelized mass-flow deposits containing aeolian blocks, and is believed to have resulted from iceberg grounding. An overall environment for the Bakoye 3 is one of uplands marked by ice sheets, with outwash plains extending distally to aeolian ergs. Super surfaces, all marked by polygonal fractures and coarsegrained sediment, represent periods of erg termination that may be linked to glacial-fluvial-aeolian cycles.     

藏南洛扎地区侏罗、白垩纪岩相古地理特征

藏南洛扎地区侏罗、白垩纪处于印度板块被动边缘一侧,共划分9个沉积相带、9个沉积亚相。日当组由南而北,海水由浅变深,可划分3个相带;陆热组总体处于陆棚环境;遮拉组处于陆棚—深海盆地环境,沿绒布断裂以北,发育拉张环境下的中—基性火山岩,总体沿断裂一带呈中心式喷发,其沉积背景为深水盆地相,发育放射虫硅质岩等;维美组为深水背景,在硅质岩、泥质沉积的陆棚—盆地区,有浅水物质的夹层,发育深切河谷的水道沉积物与浊流沉积物共存现象,并对下伏地层产生强烈的下切;桑秀组区内再次表现为强烈的伸展拉张,绒布断裂可能初现,沿断层发育中心式的中—基性火山喷发,出现火山爆发角砾、枕状熔岩、柱状节理发育的安山岩,并在断裂北侧形成滑塌角砾岩,而南部相对平静,沉积一套陆棚相的泥质沉积物;甲不拉组显现“一隆两坳”的地貌单元,北侧绒布断裂以北为开阔海陆棚环境,洛扎以南为闭塞湖环境。     

塔里木盆地塔中——顺托果勒地区奥陶系良里塔格组碳酸盐岩颗粒滩沉积特征

塔中—顺托果勒地区奥陶系颗粒滩具有良好的油气资源前景。本文介绍了碳酸盐岩颗粒滩的定义和研究概况。通过镜下薄片分析将该地区良里塔格组碳酸盐岩颗粒滩主要划分为3类,并明确了3类颗粒滩的微观沉积特征。颗粒滩主要类型为:内碎屑滩、生物碎屑滩和鲕粒滩,所含的主要颗粒类型分别是内碎屑(砂屑为主,含砾屑)、生物碎屑和鲕粒,多为亮晶胶结,反映了高能水动力环境,由于迁移作用颗粒时常会相互伴生。另外,也发现了在低能环境中发育的复鲕和中—高能水动力环境下的藻粒;藻粒常常会与内碎屑颗粒、生物碎屑颗粒伴生,规模不大,多形成于中—高能水动力环境下的碳酸盐岩潮坪环境或台缘缓坡带。通过连井对比分析可以得出,良里塔格组可以划分为3个三级层序,海侵体系域主要以薄层退积为主,高位体系域以厚层加积为主。最后,本文结合颗粒滩的展布特征建立了该地区良里塔格组颗粒滩沉积模式。     

粒滩相与藻坪相沉积——鲁西地区中寒武统张夏组剖析

鲁西地区中寒武统张夏组岩石的各种沉积特征表明：①华北地区普遍发育的鲕粒沉积在许多地点和层位是受海平面和水流条件变化影响的异地沉积物,而并非原始的“滩”。不同地点的鲕粒沉积具穿时性,一般由东和南向西和北层位逐步抬高,而并非同一时间的产物,即它们属同性相,而非同时相;②在鲕层中不同结构的鲕粒在一起,是由于沉积过程中不同地方的鲕粒相混合造成的,可称“沉积混合”,有的是在沉积稳定后受差异成岩作用的影响而造成的,可称“成岩混合”;③鲕粒沉积之后普遍为一套藻沉积,基本组分是Ｅｉｐｈｙｔｏｎ,,它处于潮坪环境,即藻坪。其中潮渠和干裂较发育。藻沉积的类型有藻斑块,藻丘、叠层石,个别地点发育藻礁;④由于海平面和潮流条件的频繁变化,使藻坪外或藻坪间的鲕粒沉积与藻坪沉积相互交替;⑤张夏组上、下段中鲕粒的形成环境不同,前者主要是较弱扰动条件下的产物,后者主要是较强和中等扰动条件下的产物;⑥综合沉积环境分析归纳出主要沉积相带的基本展布状况,由近陆向外海依次是：潮坪相—受局限水域（或泻湖）相—潮汐坝相—开阔浅海相。     

Architecture and morphodynamics of a 1·6 Ga fluvial sandstone: Ellice Formation of Elu Basin,Arctic Canada

Precambrian fluvial deposits have been traditionally described as architecturally simple, forming shallow and wide braidplains with sheet‐like geometry. The varied architecture and morphodynamics of the 1·6 Ga Ellice Formation of Elu Basin, Nunavut, Canada, are examined from detailed studies of section and planform exposures along coastal platforms and stepped cliffs. The Ellice Formation overlies older Proterozoic sandstones and Archean crystalline rocks, recording sedimentation in fluvial, aeolian, coastal and nearshore‐marine environments. The fluvial deposits display palaeoflow towards the west/north‐west, while overlying shallow‐marine deposits record transgression towards the east/south‐east. The Ellice Formation displays dispersed palaeoflow at its base, and also at higher stratigraphic levels, where fluvial and aeolian deposits are associated. Elsewhere, mainly unimodal palaeoflow points to extensive low‐sinuosity fluvial deposition. Within the terrestrial deposits, fluvial, fluvial–aeolian and coastal architectural elements are recognized. Fluvial elements comprise cross‐bedded sandstone and minor conglomerate, exhibiting an overall fining‐upward trend with associated decrease in preservation, dimension and amalgamation of channel bodies. These motifs are interpreted to portray a shift in depositional environment from proximal trunk rivers to distal alluvial plains. Low‐sinuosity fluvial elements are the most common, and include major channel bodies, elongate side bars and mid‐channel bars with well‐developed scroll topography. High‐sinuosity channel‐bar complexes exhibit upbar‐flow rotation and yield evidence of bar expansion coupled with rotation and translation. Fluvial–aeolian elements are composed of aeolian dunes juxtaposed with isolated channel bodies and bank‐attached bars. Minor mixed fluvial–aeolian sheets record local deposition in unconfined settings (possibly floodbasins) or inter‐distributary highlands. Finally, coastal elements comprise small deltaic complexes composed of sand‐rich distributary‐channel bodies feeding heterolithic mouth bars. Overall, the sedimentary record of the Ellice Formation demonstrates an example from the Precambrian where alluvium was locally characterized by a higher geomorphic variability than previously recognized.     

关中盆地上新世地层形成时代、层序划分及沉积相特征研究

关中盆地位于华北板块西南缘,为一新生代断陷盆地,具典型地堑形态,沉积巨厚的新生代地层。针对盆地新近纪上新世地层形成时代有争议、地层层序划分不明确、沉积相界定较笼统等问题,利用钻测井资料及野外调研,结合前人研究成果,对盆地新生代地层进行了重新划分,明确了上新世各地层形成时代及其地层层序划分和沉积相类型。研究结果表明,上新统可划分为蓝田组(11Ma—7 Ma)、灞河组(7.3 Ma—2.6 Ma)、张家坡组(3.4 Ma—2.6 Ma);新生代层序地层可划分为古近系构造层序、中新统构造层序、上新统构造层序和第四系构造层序等4个一级层序,存在6个构造层序界面。蓝田组以"三趾马红黏土"的风成沉积为特征。灞河组沉积时期,关中盆地的西安凹陷为一套冲(洪)积相、河流、三角洲相沉积,固市凹陷为一套冲(洪)积、河流、三角洲及滨浅湖相沉积;盆地边部开始出现小范围的风成黏土沉积。张家坡组以河湖相沉积为主,沉积中心向南移;盆地南北两侧或边部为冲(洪)积扇相、河流相及三角洲相沉积,边部也有小范围的风成黏土沉积。     

Erg margin of the Permian White Rim Sandstone, SE Utah

The Permian White Rim Sandstone of the Canyonlands National Park, Utah, contains a wide variety of sedimentary structures and features that largely result from stages in erg migration and marine influence on an erg margin. Three spatially distinct lithological and depositional facies are recognized and can be distinguished as informal units within the formation. The aeolian dune facies is composed predominantly of fine-grained cross-stratified sandstone of the White Rim erg. This facies is the most widespread and comprises the bulk of the formation. Within the aeolian dune facies are small subfacies that represent interdune deposits. A sheet sand facies, composed of parallel-bedded sandstone, makes up a significant part of the lowest part of the White Rim Formation. This facies appears to have been the precursor or leading (progradational) edge to the main erg system. The final facies is a reworked or veneer facies of rippled to disturbed sandstone that is localized in its extent. It is restricted to the upper few metres of the formation and is transitional in some places to the Triassic Moenkopi Formation. This veneer facies contains many structures which indicate marine reworking as well as periods of desiccation or subaerial exposure. Some previous interpretations of the White Rim Sandstone have tended to classify the whole formation as one depositional setting. It is clear that at the margin of a sand sea, as shown in the White Rim Sandstone, there are transitional facies due to the interactions with other environments. Additionally, variation in the stratigraphic relationships of facies can be related to stages of erg migration. Erg margin deposits preceded central erg development. Erg initiation occurred during a probable relative sea level low. Sea level influence is recorded at the top of the formation because erg termination accompanied a relative sea level high with cut-off of sand supply. Transgression of the Permian Kaibab Sea over the White Rim erg was probably the main process in preservation of original dune topographic relief. Sea level fluctuations also may have affected distribution of facies and the complexities of structures at the erg margin. Subsequent fluvial reworking of the veneer facies may have obliterated Late Permian features during lowest Triassic Moenkopi deposition.     

鄂尔多斯盆地及周缘地区上二叠统沉积特征*

基于野外地质露头观察、岩心描述、薄片鉴定和地球化学等分析测试资料的综合分析,对鄂尔多斯盆地及周缘地区上二叠统石千峰组沉积岩石类型、沉积构造、沉积相类型及沉积体系空间展布等方面开展研究。结果表明,石千峰组主要发育冲积平原、三角洲平原、三角洲前缘、浅湖和南部海陆过渡的潟湖、沙坝等沉积环境,石千峰期,古气候干燥炎热,沉积古地形相对平缓,物源供给充足,形成了一套紫红色、棕红色泥岩和浅灰色中粗粒长石岩屑砂岩、岩屑长石砂岩、长石砂岩为主的地层。盆地北部三角洲规模大,以辫状河道发育沉积特征为主,砂体厚度大、横向分布稳定,而盆地南部三角洲规模相对较小。石千峰期,海水可能多次入侵盆地南部麟游—韩城—乡宁一带,发育海相夹层和沙坝沉积,一定程度上影响了南部的沉积环境和砂体展布。