Sequence stratigraphy and architecture of a late Early–Middle Aptian carbonate platform succession from the western Maestrat Basin (Iberian Chain, Spain)

The attributes of a ‘four-systems-tract’ sequence are at times difficult to identify in outcrop-scale carbonate successions. Poor exposure conditions, variable rates of sediment production, erosion and/or superposition of surfaces that are intrinsic to the nature of carbonate systems frequently conceal or remove its physical features. The late Early–Middle Aptian platform carbonates of the western Maestrat Basin (Iberian Chain, Spain) display facies heterogeneity enabling platform, platform-margin and slope geometries to be identified, and provide a case study that shows all the characteristics of a quintessential four systems tract-based sequence. Five differentiated systems tracts belonging to two distinct depositional sequences can be recognized: the Highstand Systems Tract (HST) and Forced Regressive Wedge Systems Tract (FRWST) of Depositional Sequence A; and the Lowstand Prograding Wedge Systems Tract (LPWST), Transgressive Systems Tract (TST) and subsequent return to a highstand stage of sea-level (HST) of Depositional Sequence B. An extensive carbonate platform of rudists and corals stacked in a prograding pattern marks the first HST. The FRWST is constituted by a detached, slightly cross-bedded calcarenite situated at the toe of the slope in a basinal position. The LPWST is characterized by a small carbonate platform of rudists and corals downlapping over the FRWST and onlapping landwards. The TST exhibits platform backstepping and marly sedimentation. Resumed carbonate production in shelf and slope settings characterizes the second HST. A basal surface of forced regression, a subaerial unconformity, a correlative conformity, a transgressive surface and a maximum flooding surface bound these systems tracts, and are well documented and widely mappable across the platform-to-basin transition area analyzed. Moreover, the sedimentary succession studied is made up of four types of parasequence that constitute stratigraphic units deposited within a higher-frequency sea-level cyclicity. Ten lithofacies associations form these basic accretional units. Each facies assemblage can be ascribed to an inferred depositional environment in terms of bathymetry, hydrodynamic conditions and trophic level. The architecture of the carbonate platform systems reflects a flat-topped non-rimmed depositional profile. Furthermore, these carbonate shelves are interpreted as having been formed in low hydrodynamic conditions. The long-term relative fall in sea-level occurred during the uppermost Early Aptian, which subaerially exposed the carbonate platform established during the first HST and resulted in the deposition of the FRWST, is interpreted as one of global significance. Moreover, a possible relationship between this widespread sea-level drop and glacio-eustasy seems plausible, and could be linked to the cooling event proposed in the literature for the late Early Aptian. Because of the important implications in sequence stratigraphy of this study, the sedimentary succession analyzed herein could serve as an analogue for the application of the four-systems-tract sequence stratigraphic methodology to carbonate systems.     

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。     

Synchronous detachment folds and coeval sedimentation in the Prepyrenean External Sierras (Spain): a case study for a tectonic origin of sequences and systems tracts

This paper reports on the structural and sedimentary evolution of the middle to late Eocene of the Prepyrenean External Sierras (southern Pyrenees, Spain). The initiation, duration and kinematics of a set of growth structures that developed in a shallow marine depositional setting is documented. The detailed analysis of the syntectonic marine sediments not only confirms the already known east to west progression of deformation, but also reveals the continued growth of the early formed structures as later ones propagate towards the foreland. The sedimentary units coevally deposited with these growth structures are arranged in four depositional sequences. Their boundaries correspond to flooding surfaces which grade basinwards into correlative conformities. They are also indicated by the presence of both angular unconformities and onlap geometries. Each depositional sequence generally consists of two systems tracts. The lower one, or transgressive systems tract, is formed by up to 400 m of azoic marls deposited in outer ramp areas. The upper one, or highstand systems tract, mainly consists of shallow siliciclastic and carbonate facies, up to 200 m thick, deposited in middle to inner ramp areas. These depositional sequences are interpreted to be controlled by regional tectonic pulses. An increase of tectonic activity resulted in the flooding of the basin and in the subsequent deposition of a thick succession of nearly azoic blue marls (i.e. transgressive systems tract). The overlying highstand systems tract developed following periods of diminished tectonism, with the consequent growth and progradation of shallow carbonate platform facies.     

Early Miocene shell concentration in the mixed carbonate-siliciclastic system of Kutch and their distribution in sequence stratigraphic framework

The Early Miocene succession of Kutch represents a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic depositional system. The carbonate part of the succession, characterized by high abundance of shallow marine benthic fauna, hosts typical shell concentrations (also referred as shell beds). The thickness of shell concentrations vary in scale from 5 cm to 100 cm and are separated by poorly fossiliferous to barren silty shales/siltstones. Based on taphonomic and sedimentological observations, shell concentrations are classified as lag, event, composite/multi-event and hiatal types. The occurrence of different types of shell concentrations in the background of sequence stratigraphic framework is the main theme for the present study. Overall, the shell concentrations occupy the middle part of the sequence i.e. upper part of the transgressive systems tract and lower part of the highstand systems tract. Lag concentrations are found in the lower part of the sequence while composite concentrations, the major contributors in the sequence, occur in upper part of the transgressive systems tract and in the lower part of the highstand systems tract. The hiatal concentrations are associated with maximum flooding surface while the position of event concentrations is independent of sequence stratigraphic framework. The shell concentrations occupy marine flooding surface or marine ravinement surface, thus mark parasequence boundaries.     

黔中、黔南下、中三叠统沉积相和层序地层

本文记述了对黔中、黔南地区早、中三叠世的碳酸盐岩和陆源的屑岩沉积的分析研究结果,着重讨论了该区沉积层序及其形成机制。早二叠世该区为缓坡,中三叠世演变为陡坡,沉积层序发生了变化。沉积盆地边缘沉积与海平面波动有密切关系,对斜坡上的层序地层及海平面波动作了初步研究。     

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.     

Sequence stratigraphy of a low productivity carbonate platform succession: the Upper Permian Wegener Halvø Formation, Karstryggen Area, East Greenland

The carbonate platform of the Upper Permian Wegener Halvø Formation in the Karstryggen area of central East Greenland is an example of a carbonate system with low production rates (2–3 cm kyr^–1) and differs from most other carbonate platforms by the lack of well-developed highstand progradation. The platform consists of three depositional sequences that formed in response to Kazanian sea-level cycles. Pinning point curves for the subaerial exposure surfaces separating the depositional sequences quantify the amplitude of the relative sea-level fluctuations in the range of 70–140 m. The platform developed on the karstified surface of an older Permian carbonate platform with a topographic relief locally exceeding 70 m. The predepositional relief influenced deposition in all three sequences. Transgressive systems tracts are thin and commonly dominated by condensed siliciclastic deposits in off-platform areas and palaeo-lows. Over palaeotopographic highs they consist of aggrading cementstones. Highstand deposits are limited to palaeotopographic elevated areas and consist of cementstone build-ups along the basin margin, and shallow subtidal to intertidal carbonates and evaporites in the platform area. Elsewhere, carbonate deposition took place during falling sea-level, and thin laterally extensive units of shallow-marine grainstones rest directly on top of deeper marine shales in the two first sequences, whereas thick prograding units of oolitic grainstones form the forced regressive systems tract of the uppermost sequence.     

巫溪田坝长兴组沉积相及层序地层研究

摘要：巫溪田坝剖面长兴组发育齐全,出露连续完整。根据露头观察和室内镜下岩石薄片鉴定分析,结合岩石学、古生物等沉积相标志的研究,认为巫溪田坝长兴组属碳酸盐台地和斜坡沉积体系,可划分为开阔台地、台地边缘、斜坡相及若干亚相、微相。巫溪田坝长兴组可划分为两个三级层序,每个层序由海侵体系域和高位体系域构成,层序顶底界皆为Ⅱ型层序界面。     

From Basin Black Shales to Platform Carbonate Rocks： A Study on Sequence Stratigraphy for the Lower Cambrian of the Upper-Yangtze Region in South China

In the Upper-Yangtze region,especially in Guizhou Province and its adjacent areas,the Lower Cambrian is well developed and is marked by a succession from black shales of the basin facies to carbonate rocks of the platform facies.The drowning event of the platform occurring at the turn from Sinian to Cambrian resulted in a set of black shales,i.e.the Niutitang Formation,which makes up the bottom part of the Lower Cambrian.With the shoaling of the sedimentary environment,a set of carbonate rocks,i.e.the Qingxudong Formation,was formed in the top part of the Lower Cambrian.Thus,the Lower Cambrian in the study area makes up one second-order sequence that can be further subdivided into five third-order sequences,and forms a regularly cyclic succession of transgression-regression.There is a regularly vertical stacking pattern for the third-order sequences in the second-order sequence.From bottom to top,the succession of the"CS(condensed section) HST(high-stand system tract)"of the third-order sequences is changed into the succession of the"TST(transgressive system tract) CS HST".Correspondingly,the drowning-type sequence boundary is changed into the exposure-type one.Therefore,both the second-order and the third-order sequences have similar sedimentary-facies architectures.A concomitant with these temporal changes, the Lower Cambrian with a thickness of 1000m that contains five third-order sequences is changed into a condensed succession that cannot identify third-order sequences toward the southeast with the deepening of the sedimentary environment.According to the elementary features of the third-order sequences,i.e.the regularity o sedimentary-facies successions in space and the synchronism of sedimentary-environment changes in time,the detailed division of the third-order sequences at main logged sections in different paleogeographical background becomes the basis to establish the sequence-stratigraphic framework that can demonstrate two types of facies-changing surface and two types of diachronism in the stratigraphic records.This sequence-stratigraphic framework shows a growing process of the carbonate platform from the base of the condensed succession formed by black shales of basin facies.Resulting from the rapid transgression at the turn from Sinian to Cambrian the ecological space became open,which formed the antecedent condition of paleogeographical setting for"the Cambrian Biological Explosion".Ultimately,the genetic relationship between the depositional events and the biological-diversity events is very complex and there remain lots of problems that need further research in the future.     

塔中地区石炭系生屑灰岩段成岩层序地层学

以塔中地区石炭系生屑灰岩段为研究对象,进行了成岩层序地层学研究.依据钻井、测井等多种资料将生屑灰岩段划分为1个三级层序,识别出了海侵体系域和高位体系域,低位体系域在研究区不发育,确定了海侵体系域为开阔碳酸盐岩台地沉积,高位体系域为带障壁海岸的潮坪沉积.分别从准同生白云岩化作用、大气淡水溶蚀作用和海底胶结作用3个方面对成...     

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).     

Sedimentology and palaeoenvironment of the southeast Sicilian Tertiary platform carbonates

A thick succession of shelf and shelf-slope carbonates is developed in southeastern Sicily. Sedimentological aspects of the Oligocene to Tortonian sequence, including distribution and palaeoenvironmental factors, are considered. A new formation and four new members are proposed in the upper part of the succession.The region comprises a western half, typically exhibiting the principal deeper-water planktonic facies including marls, and an eastern area displaying typically inner-shelf carbonates and an attenuated succession. Coralline algal limestones and calcarenites are more typical of this latter region but there are also some volcanic intercalations. An attempt is made to relate the Hyblean succession to that of the Maltese Islands which lie at the southern end of this Tertiary carbonate platform.     

塔里木盆地奥陶纪碳酸盐岩台地的层序结构演化及其对盆地过程的响应

塔里木盆地奥陶纪的碳酸盐岩台地发育有长达3千余千米的台地边缘带。通过综合大量的地震、钻井及野外剖面的分析,奥陶纪碳酸盐岩系中识别出4个以不整合面为界的复合（二级）层序。它们均显示出从上超的水进沉积到进积或加积的高位域的沉积结构。其内可进一步划分出10个沉积层序或三级层序。它们的组合和分布决定着碳酸盐台地沉积层序结构的基本特征。沉积层序的水进早期或高位域晚期以颗粒灰岩、生物灰岩等沉积相组合为主;而水进期或高位域早期则以泥晶-粉晶灰岩、簿层白云质灰岩等沉积相组合为主。古地貌恢复并结合钻井资料的沉积相分析揭示出,盆地东北部早、中奥陶世的碳酸盐岩台地边缘的分布受到满加尔深水凹陷的边缘斜坡带古构造地貌的控制,形成一向西凸的弧形碳酸盐岩台地边缘带,沿台地边缘发育有礁-滩沉积复合体。中奥陶世的构造古地理变革使盆内的碳酸盐岩台地分异成塔中、塔北、塘南等多个孤立台地,并由深水、半深水的凹陷所分隔。台地边缘的发育和分布常受古隆起边缘的控制。沿台地边缘的礁、滩相带为重要的有利储集层发育带。中奥陶统中央隆起带缺失中奥陶世早期和晚奥陶世早期沉积,并形成了大范围分布的喀斯特岩溶不整合面。喀斯特岩溶体系以发育垂向的、由断裂控制的串珠状洞穴和多层状分布的岩溶洞穴为特征。
     跨盆地不同构造带的井-震结合解释剖面的追踪对比表明,盆内与二级、三级层序对应的海进-海退旋回是同时变化的,并与Haq的海平面变化曲线可对比。这反映出盆地范围的或全球海平面变化对沉积旋回结构的发育具有控制作用。盆地西缘露头剖面和盆内钻井岩心的碳、氧同位素分析也为海平面变化的旋回结构分析提供了制约。主要海平面下降期的氧同位素δ18O都发生了明显的正偏。盆内晚奥陶世的海平面总体是呈上升趋势的,晚奥陶世中期海平面的上升导致了盆内碳酸盐岩台地的总体淹没。     

Sequence stratigraphy based on microfacies analysis: Mfamosing Limestone,Calabar Flank,Nigeria

Field observations and petrographic analysis allow a sequence-stratigraphic interpretation of the intensely karstified Albian Mfamosing Limestone Formation in the Calabar Flank of the south-eastern Niger Delta. Main criteria for this interpretation are the presence of siliciclastic intercalations, of prominent hardgrounds, of characteristic microfacies including stromatolites and of phreatic and vadose diagenetic patterns. These criteria enable the recognition, from bottom to top in the type section of the Mfamosing Limestone, of a late phase in the formation of a highstand systems tract and of a flooding surface followed by a lowstand systems tract in which erosional features have been developed locally. The succession is topped by a transgressive systems tract. Some of these units and key sequence-stratigraphic boundaries have been traced into other outcrops in the area. In their identification within the heavily karstified outcrops, petrography overprints and vertical sequence patterns play a significant role. A sedimentation model explains the areal differences in development. Siliciclastic shedding influenced the carbonate system. Time-equivalent carbonate bodies occur on either side of the opening South Atlantic Ocean.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东缘保德地区上古生界层序地层与沉积相特征*

为了揭示鄂尔多斯盆地东缘层序地层与沉积相特征,以层序地层学和沉积学理论为指导,对鄂尔多斯盆地东缘保德扒楼沟剖面及周缘上古生界的层序与体系域界面类型、层序结构、沉积相类型及沉积演化进行研究。依据区域性不整合面、下切谷冲刷面、海侵方向转换面和区域性海退面等层序界面将研究区上古生界划分为7个三级层序,分别对应于本溪组、太原组2段、太原组1段、山西组、下石盒子组、上石盒子组和石千峰组。保德扒楼沟及周缘上古生界剖面发育16种岩石类型和8种岩石组合。区内上古生界发育障壁海岸相、碳酸盐岩台地相、辫状河相和曲流河相。SQ1-SQ3中低位体系域发育风化壳和潮道亚相,海侵体系域发育潮坪亚相和潟湖亚相,高位体系域发育碳酸盐岩台地相、潟湖亚相和潮坪亚相;SQ4-SQ7中低位体系域发育辫状河河床亚相,海侵体系域主要发育曲流河泛滥平原亚相,高位体系域主要发育多期曲流河河床亚相—堤岸亚相—泛滥平原亚相的演化序列。区内上古生界经历了由障壁海岸相和碳酸盐岩台地相向河流相的演化过程,沉积演化主要受物源供给、海平面变化和构造活动的控制。     

Sequence stratigraphy of a carbonate-evaporite succession (Zechstein 1, Hessian Basin, Germany)

The evaporitic Hessian Zechstein Basin is a sub‐basin of the Southern Zechstein Basin, situated at its southern margin. Twelve facies groups were identified in the Zechstein Limestone and Lower Werra Anhydrite in order to better understand the sequence‐stratigraphic evolution of this sub‐basin, which contains economically important potassium salts. Four different paleogeographic depositional areas were recognized based on the regional distribution of facies. Siliciclastic‐carbonate, carbonate, carbonate‐evaporite and evaporite shallowing‐upward successions are developed. These allow the establishment of parasequences and sequences, as well as correlation throughout the Hessian Basin and into the Southern Zechstein Basin. Two depositional sequences are distinguished, Zechstein sequence 1 and Zechstein sequence 2. The former comprises the succession from the Variscan basement up to the lowermost part of the Werra Anhydrite, including the Kupferschiefer as part of the transgressive systems tract. The highstand systems tract is defined by the Zechstein Limestone, in which two parasequences are developed. In large parts of the Hessian Basin, Zechstein sequence 1 is capped by a karstic, subaerial exposure surface, interpreted as recording a type‐1 sequence boundary that formed during a distinct brine level fall. Low‐lying central areas (Central Hessian Sub‐basin, Werra Sub‐basin), however, were not exposed and show a correlative conformity. Topography was minimal at the end of sequence 1. Widely developed perilittoral, sabkha and salina shallowing‐upward successions indicate a renewed rise of brine level (interpreted as a transgressive systems tract), because of inflow of preconcentrated brines from the Southern Zechstein Basin to the north. This marks the initiation of Zechstein sequence 2, which comprises most of the Lower Werra Anhydrite. In the Central Hessian Sub‐basin, situated proximal to the brine inflow and on the ridges within the Hessian Basin, physico‐chemical conditions were well suited for sulphate precipitation to form a thick cyclic succession. It consists of four parasequences that completely filled the increased accommodation space. In contrast, only minor sulphate accumulation occurred in the Werra Sub‐basin, situated further southwards and distal to the inflow. As a result of substantially different sulphate precipitation rates during increased accommodation, water depth in the region became more variable. The Werra Sub‐basin, characterized by very low sedimentation rates, became increasingly deeper through time, trapping dense halite brines and precipitating rock salt deposits (Werra Halite). This ‘self‐organization’ model for an evaporitic basin, in which depositional relief evolves with sedimentation and relief is filled by evaporite thereafter, contradicts earlier interpretations, that call upon the existence of a tectonic depression in the Werra area, which controlled sedimentation from the beginning of the Zechstein.     

四川盆地东北部长兴组层序地层与储层分布

四川盆地东北部的二叠系长兴组为一套碳酸盐岩地层。宣汉盘龙洞剖面详尽研究表明,长兴组可分为两个三级层序:第1层序的海侵体系域由开阔台地滩间相沉积组成,高位体系域为台地边缘礁滩相沉积;第2层序的海侵体系域为浅滩沉积,高位体系域为暴露浅滩相-蒸发潮坪相沉积。长兴组中层序界面主要有水下间断不整合面和暴露侵蚀不整合面两类,相当于PeterVail的II类层序界面。在层序地层研究的基础上,对长兴组储层的时空分布特点进行了系统研究。研究发现,储层与层序地层关系密切,储层主要发育在层序的高水位体系域中:礁滩相储层位于第1层序的高位体系域中,而暴露浅滩-蒸发潮坪储层则主要产在第2层序的高水位体系域中。长兴组层序地层格架图以及层序高水位体系域沉积相平面图的编制,成为预测储层二维空间分布的基础。结果表明,礁滩相储层分布于通江—开县碳酸盐台地的东西两侧,暴露浅滩-蒸发潮坪储层遍布于通江—开县的碳酸盐台地及其东西两侧地区之中。两个层序高位体系域中的储层岩石孔隙丰富,储集条件较好,分布面积较广,从而成为研究区域油气勘探的重要目的层。     

The start‐up of the Dolomia Principale/Hauptdolomit carbonate platform (Upper Triassic) in the eastern Southern Alps

Wide carbonate platform environments developed on the western passive margin of the Tethys during the Late Triassic, after a major climate change (Carnian Pluvial Episode) that produced a crisis of high‐relief microbial carbonate platforms. The peritidal succession of this epicontinental platform (Dolomia Principale/Hauptdolomit, Dachstein Limestone) is widespread in the Mediterranean region. However, the start‐up stage is not fully understood. The original platform to basin depositional geometries of the system have been studied in the north‐eastern Southern Alps, close to the Italian/Slovenian boundary where they are exceptionally preserved. Sedimentological features have been investigated in detail by measuring several stratigraphic sections cropping out along an ideal depositional profile. The analysis of the facies architecture allowed reconstruction of the palaeoenvironments of the Dolomia Principale platform during its start‐up and early growth stages in the late Carnian. The carbonate platform was characterized by an outer platform area, connected northward to steep slopes facing a relatively deep basin. Southward, the outer platform was connected to inner sheltered environments by a narrow, often emerged shelf crest. Behind this zone, carbonate sedimentation occurred in shallow lagoons and tidal flats, passing inward to a siliciclastic mudflat. The Dolomia Principale platform was initially aggrading and able to keep pace with a concomitant sea‐level rise, and then prograding during the late Carnian. This stratigraphic interval was correlated with the Tuvalian succession of the Dolomites, allowing depiction of the depositional system on a wide scale of hundreds of kilometres. This large‐scale depositional system presents features in common with some Palaeozoic and Mesozoic carbonate build‐ups (for example, the Permian Capitan Reef complex, Anisian Latemar platform), both in terms of architecture and prevailing carbonate producers. A microbial‐dominated carbonate factory is found in the outer platform and upper slope. The recovery of high‐relief microbial carbonate platforms marks the end of the Carnian Pluvial Episode in the Tuvalian of Tethys.     

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

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

Platform margin collapses and sequence stratigraphic organization of carbonate slopes: Cretaceous–Eocene,Gargano Promontory,southern Italy

We describe the sequence stratigraphic organization and the associated sedimentological characteristics of Cretaceous to Eocene slope and base-of-slope carbonate successions. The study area is located in the Gargano Promontory which belongs to the stable foreland of southern Italy. The succession consists of three superimposed depositional sequences separated by major unconformities. The upper two sequences are clear examples of sequence stratigraphic organization; in fact, they both start with huge megabreccia wedges (LST) followed upward by thin pelagic units (TST) and a thick package of calciturbidites and debrites that alternate with pelagic mudstone (HST). The Cretaceous highstand systems tract is clearly arranged in a number of coarsening-upward cycles while the Eocene one which also comprises a toplap shallow water unit, is not. The Gargano stratigraphic palimpsest and the entire margin of the Apulia Platform show remarkable similarities with present-day carbonate platform margins and slopes where irregular, convex-bankward embayments suggest large-scale failures. It is clear that classic sequence stratigraphic organization can result from simple platform dismantling, having no or little time relation with global sea-level fluctuations. In fact, as the margin failure (LST) interrupts the carbonate production, a period of starvation (TST) along the entire slope and base-of-slope follows necessarily. Finally, when the margin once again becomes active and productive, sediment exportation starts again and the system begins to prograde (HST).