Carbonate platform depositional sequences, Upper Cretaceous, south-central Pyrenees (Spain)

The Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Maastrichtian) of the south-central Pyrenees shows five carbonate platform sequences where the major parameters are tectonism, relative sea-level fluctuations and inherited depositional profile. Depositional geometries and basin analysis permit an understanding of the depositional history.Five depositional sequences have been recognized: (1) The Santa Fe sequence (Middle-Upper Cenomanian), a ramp to a skeletal rimmed shelf with an escarpment bypass margin. The lower boundary is an angular unconformity and the upper one records a sea-level drop. The platform location of the margin was determined by a listric normal fault. (2) An abrupt sea-level rise drowned the former platform. The Congost sequence (Turonian-Lower Coniacian), a distally steepened ramp with erosional distal deep slope. The depositional model was largely controlled by pre-existing basin morphology. Cessation of platform development was due to a relative sea-level drop. (3) The Sant Corneli sequence (Upper Coniacian-Lower Santonian), a mixed terrigenous-skeletal homoclinal ramp with upright margin, deep slope and dysaerobic basin. The slope results from the backstepping by 24 km of the previous margin and gentle basin tilting. The platform margin remained more or less at the same position, and relief between platform and slope increased indicating continuous relative sea-level rise. The upper boundary is an angular unconformity at the platform margin produced by an abrupt sea-level rise and platform drowning, and by listric normal faulting. (4) The Vallcarga sequence (Upper Santonian-Campanian), a distal-steepened skeletal homoclinal ramp, erosional escarpment and turbidite basin, which corresponds to the Mesozoic maximum marine expansion. A listric normal fault created two depositional areas: a more or less flat footwall block with a north-northwest prograding carbonate ramp.     

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.     

Exceptional stegosaur integument impressions from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of Wyoming

Dinosaur skin impressions are rare in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, but different sites on the Howe Ranch in Wyoming (USA), comprising specimens from diplodocid, camarasaurid, allosaurid and stegosaurian dinosaurs, have proven to be a treasure-trove for these soft-tissue remains. Here we describe stegosaurian skin impressions from North America for the first time, as well as the first case of preservation of an impression of the integument that covered the dorsal plates of stegosaurian dinosaurs in life. Both have been found closely associated with bones of a specimen of the stegosaurian Hesperosaurus mjosi Carpenter, Miles and Cloward 2001. The scales of the skin impression of H. mjosi are very similar in shape and arrangement to those of Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis Ouyang 1992, the only other stegosaurian dinosaur from which skin impressions have been described. Both taxa show a ground pattern of small polygonal scales, which in some places is interrupted by larger oval tubercles surrounded by the small scales, resulting in rosette-like structures. The respective phylogenetic positions of G. sichuanensis as a basal stegosaurian and H. mjosi as a derived form suggest that most stegosaurians had very similar skin structures, which also match the most common textures known in dinosaurs. The integumentary impression from the dorsal plate brings new data to the long-lasting debate concerning the function of dorsal plates in stegosaurian dinosaurs. Unlike usual dinosaur skin impressions, the integument covering the dorsal plates does not show any scale-like texture. It is smooth with long and parallel, shallow grooves, a structure that is interpreted as representing a keratinous covering of the plates. The presence of such a keratinous covering has affects on all the existing theories concerning the function of stegosaurian plates, including defense, thermoregulation, and display, but does not permit to rule out any of them.     

Oxfordian (Upper Jurassic) coral reefs in Western Europe: reef types and conceptual depositional model

Comparative sedimentology and palaeoecology of Oxfordian (Upper Jurassic) coral-dominated reefs of England, France, Italy and Switzerland has been used to: (1) identify and characterize different types of Late Jurassic coral reefs with regard to their litho- and biofacies; and (2) develop a depositional model for these reefs relating different reef types to each other within a palaeoenvironmental framework. Eight generic reef types and one associated reef facies are recognized. These are: (I) biostromal units dominated by platy microsolenids developed within clean limestone facies; (II) biostromal units dominated by platy microsolenids developed within marly facies; (III) reefal thickets dominated by tall dense phaceloid colonies developed within pure carbonate muds; (IV) microbial-coral reefs dominated by massive, branching ramose and phaceloid colonies; (V) large high diversity reefal units associated with large volumes of bioclastic material; (VI) small species-poor reefs developed within mixed carbonate/siliciclastic facies; (VII) microbial-coral reefs dominated by massive colonies; (VIII) reefal thickets dominated by branching ramose colonies with widely spaced branches developed amongst sand shoals and coral debris channels; and (IX) conglomerates rich in rounded coral fragments (the reef associated facies). The development of these different constructional and compositional reef types is interpreted as being primarily a function of light intensity, hydrodynamic energy levels and sediment balance. A conceptual depositional model based on these parameters can be used to predict the spatial and temporal distribution of different reefal carbonates and highlight sedimentological and palaeoecological trends in reef development.     

Facies and depositional processes in an Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous pelagic sedimentary sequence, Antarctica

The Nordenskjöld Formation (?Oxfordian-Berriasian age) is exposed on the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, where it consists of interbedded ash layers and biosiliceous mudstones which accumulated under anaerobic to dysaerobic bottom waters. The mudstones were deposited by pelagic settling and the ash layers by pelagic settling from suspension or as fallout from subaerial eruption columns. The lower part of the succession accumulated in a basinal setting under anaerobic bottom waters and is characterized by parallel bedding. Mudstones deposited in this setting preserve abundant zooplankton faecel pellets. Compaction of these pellets has given rise to a bedding parallel fissility. The upper part of the succession accumulated under dysaerobic bottom waters in a slope setting. The sequence is wavy bedded and contains abundant evidence of post-depositional sediment instability and resedimentation, much of which was caused by tectonic activity. Discrete slide masses are absent from the slope sequence and it appears that slope processes were dominated by creep. Examination of the mudstones shows that as levels of dissolved oxygen in bottom waters increase, pelleted mudstones give way to structureless mudstones before visible bioturbation is noted.     

The Chenka sandstone Sequence (Lower Jurassic) of the Crimean Mountains: Stratigraphy and depositional environments

The position of the Chenka Sequence in the section, original data on its clay minerals, facies and structural parageneses with consideration of volcanic and climatic events, as well as the available published information provide grounds for accepting it as Pliensbachian-Toarcian in age. It is shown that the Chenka sandstones are a facies or group of facies deposited in deltaic-plain or delta-front environments and that it cannot be ranked as an autonomous formation or other stratigraphic unit.     

Biosedimentology of the Early Jurassic post-extinction carbonate depositional system, central High Atlas rift basin, Morocco

This study documents a Liassic example of the long‐ranging effects of mass extinction on carbonate systems. Biohistoric constraints inherent in the Liassic carbonate depositional system are deciphered from normal‐marine, sub‐tidal deposits of the central High Atlas rift basin (Morocco) through ?Hettangian/Sinemurian to Early Toarcian times. The integration of results from the analysis of lithofacies, depositional geometries, microfacies, macrobenthos, carbonate build‐ups, carbon and oxygen stable isotopes, and rare earth element + yttrium distribution patterns allows the intrinsic (or biohistoric) control on the central High Atlas deposits to be separated from extrinsic factors, such as basin development and palaeoclimate. The survival interval in the aftermath of the end‐Triassic mass extinction persisted until the Early Sinemurian indicated by a severely depleted carbonate system impoverished in skeletal organisms. A tectonic pulse at the Early to Late Sinemurian boundary interval caused a basin widening with immigration of a marine fauna. However, until the latest Sinemurian (macdonelli Subzone of the raricostatum Zone) the deposits were dominated by filter‐feeding benthic heterotrophs (sponges, brachiopods, polychaetes and crinoids). During this stage, primary production within the enlarged basin must have been largely planktonic and there was a net‐flux of organic matter to the sea floor (oxygen minimum zone). A regional radiation of organic‐walled phytoplankton is inferred to explain the selective success of the filter‐feeding community and the occurrence of sponge mounds. Thus, significant effects of the end‐Triassic mass extinction are still present during the Late Sinemurian. Through almost the entire Pliensbachian a highly productive, shoal‐rimmed carbonate platform existed; it developed subsequent to tectonic reorganization and a marine recirculation event (radiolarian facies, Δδ¹³C ≈ ?1·1, strongly negative Ce‐anomaly). Photosymbiotic sediment producers (mainly large bivalves) now state the success of specialists and environmental equilibrium conditions. In the latest Pliensbachian the climax stage was reached with the development of a coralgal reef‐rimmed carbonate platform. The Liassic carbonate depositional system experienced a terminal, multicausal Early Toarcian drowning event during which most of the large bivalves became extinct.     

Seismogenically induced fluidization of Jurassic erg sands, south-central Utah

Large bodies of fluidized sandstone occur in the Jurassic Entrada, Carmel, Page and Navajo Formations at several locations in south‐central Utah. They are most abundant in the Entrada Sandstone, where they commonly occur in clusters, have a cylindrical form and have a sharp contact with their cross‐bedded host rock. These clastic pipes are as wide as 75 m and have exposed heights of as much as 100 m. Some of the Entrada pipes extend well into the underlying Carmel redbeds. Other clastic pipes in the Entrada Sandstone are less deformed and display various degrees of brittle‐to‐hydroplastic deformation and liquefaction. Clastic pipes in the Page and Navajo Sandstones are less common, but are similar in size and form to those in the Entrada and Carmel, and probably have a similar origin. Some massive sandstone bodies are irregular in form and have tongue‐like projections into the host rock, implying forcible injection of fluidized sand. Several pipe–host contacts in the Entrada Sandstone display small‐scale ring faults. Where relative displacement can be clearly demonstrated, pipe sandstones are invariably down‐faulted, locally as much as 5 m. At two sites, Carmel host rock is upwarped around the Entrada pipes. Stratified and cross‐bedded breccia blocks occur in many Entrada pipes, and preliminary petrographic analysis indicates that at least some of these breccia blocks are derived from the host rock. Homogeneous pipe sandstones are also petrographically similar to their Entrada host rock, suggesting that some pipes originate through fluidization of the fine‐grained Entrada. Fluidization of the Entrada must have occurred in a water‐saturated environment during early diagenesis but before complete lithification, most probably under considerable porewater pressure. Although there are no known modern analogues to these huge masses of structureless sandstone, they may have a small‐scale modern counterpart in earthquake‐induced sandblows. These features were most probably caused by large‐magnitude seismic events during the Middle Jurassic, although other possibilities cannot be ruled out at this point.     

滇中地区上侏罗统叶肢介化石及其地层学意义

在回顾似东方叶肢介科(新科)Eosestlherlopseidae Niu(fam．nov．)内各属的特征、产出层位和分布的基础上，探讨了该科与真叶肢介科的亲缘关系，该科的起源，地层间的沉积间断和该科的迁移，以及Chuanjieestheria(gen．nov．)，Eosestheriopsis，Yunnanograpta(gen．nov．)等属在滇中上侏罗统中的层位演化关系，首次提出麻地山组至安宁组和蛇店组至妥甸组的时代可能为晚侏罗世早期的意见．大体可与中国北方土城子组对比。Eosestheriopsis群和Pseudograpta群分别为中国南方特提斯区和北方太平洋区2个不同生物地理区的产物。这些成果对中国陆相侏罗纪地层划分与对比、生物地理区及其变迁、古构造研究等，都具有理论意义和实际价值。文中还描述了叶肢介的一些新属种。     

Palaeokarst-influenced depositional and diagenetic patterns in Upper Permian carbonates and evaporites, Karstryggen area, central East Greenland

The Karstryggen area of eastern Greenland represents the western edge of sedimentation in the Jameson Land Basin, an arm of the northern Zechstein seaway. Upper Permian strata of this area were deposited as two major sequences. The first marine incursion transgressed largely peneplaned Lower Permian strata and deposited thin, paralic conglomerates, sandstones and shales (the Huledal Formation) followed by a thick package of carbonates and evaporites (the Karstryggen Formation). Although the Karstryggen Formation represents the transgressive maximum of this sequence, it contains only marginal or restricted marine strata, including micritic, stromatolitic and peloidal carbonates and thick, but localized, bedded gypsum deposits. These lithofacies indicate that relatively arid climates prevailed in this basin, as in most of the Zechstein region. A major regression, associated with a change to a more humid climate, terminated Karstryggen sedimentation. Pre-existing evaporites and carbonates underwent diagenetic alteration, including widespread calcitization and dissolution of gypsum. More importantly, topographic relief in excess of 120 m was generated by fluvial drainage systems and karstic sinkholes. A second marine incursion, accompanied by a return to a semi-arid climate, drowned this high relief topography, producing a complex sequence of strata (the Wegener Halvø Formation) in which sedimentation was greatly influenced by the rugged underlying terrain. Marine cemented algal-molluscan grainstones draped pre-existing palaeotopography during the initial stages of flooding. Continued drowning led to differential sedimentation on ‘highs’ and in ‘lows’. Oolitic and bryozoan-brachiopod grainstones formed as shoals on the crests of most prominences, whereas shales, conglomeratic debris flows, evaporites, or oolitic turbidites were deposited in the lows. More restricted sedimentation took place in the westernmost areas which lay closest to the mainland shoreline and were situated to the west of a palaeotopographic ridge. There, oolitic, stromatolitic and evaporitic strata were deposited under hypersaline conditions indicative of a return to more arid climatic conditions. Three subcycles mark smaller scale relative changes of sea level that occurred during deposition of the Wegener Halvø Formation; they are delimited by regional surfaces with moderate relief (5–20 m) developed during subaerial exposure. Widespread diagenetic changes, including leaching of aragonitic grains, dissolution/collapse brecciation of evaporites and meteoric calcite cementation, occurred in association with these smaller scale sequence boundaries, again reflecting climatic oscillations. Relative sea level fluctuations, coupled with regional climate changes, played a dominant role in determining both depositional and diagenetic relations in these strata. These features undoubtedly extend into subsurface parts of this basin as well as into yet unexplored areas of the northern Zechstein Basin and Barents Shelf, and may have economic significance for the localization of hydrocarbons.     

Biofacies of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sediments of central West Siberia

Paleontological study of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sediments recovered by boreholes in the Agan-Vakh and Nadym-Vengapur interfluves clarified environments of their deposition. As is shown, influx of siliciclastic material to central areas of the West Siberian sea basin varied through time. Taxonomic composition and ecological structure of nektonic and benthic fossil assemblages are analyzed and considered in terms of environmental factors such as hydrodynamics, aeration, temperature, and salinity of seawater.     

Controls on synorogenic alluvial-fan architecture, Beartooth Conglomerate (Palaeocene), Wyoming and Montana

Late Palaeocene uplift of the Beartooth Range in northwestern Wyoming and southwestern Montana generated the Beartooth Conglomerate along the eastern and northeastern flanks of the range. Systematic unroofing sequences and intraformational unconformities, folds, and faults in the conglomerate attest to deposition during uplift. Along the eastern flank, at least three ancient alluvial-fan systems and a braidplain system can be distinguished on the bases of petrofacies and lithofacies. The two southern fans consist of 700+ m of sedimentary-clast conglomerate and subordinate sandstone, dominated by hyperconcentrated-flow and stream-flow facies. The next fan to the north is dominated by plutonic and metamorphic clasts and contains abundant mud-matrix-supported debris-flow facies, as well as stream-flow facies. The northernmost depositional system consists of arkosic, channellized fluvial conglomerate and sandstone, overbank mudstone, and crevasse-splay sandstone units. Palaeocurrent data indicate eastward dispersal, away from the Beartooth Range. Outstanding exposure of the Beartooth Conglomerate allows facies to be mapped on lateral photographic mosaics. A seven-fold hierarchy of bounding surfaces and enclosed lithosomes exists in the Beartooth Conglomerate. First- through fourth-order surfaces are analogous to first- through fourth-order surfaces that recently have been documented in sandy fluvial facies, with one exception: sediment gravity flows are bounded by first-order surfaces. Fifth-order surfaces are either erosional (e.g. lateral migration of fanhead trench) or accretionary (e.g. aggradation of fan surface during backfilling of trench, and construction of lobes on lower fan during entrenchment on upper fan). Some fifth-order surfaces coincide with intraformational angular unconformities and are thus the result of long-term fanhead entrenchment following uplift of the upper part of the fan. Sixth-order surfaces bound individual fan packages that are several hundred metres thick and ～ 10 km² in area. The enclosed sixth-order lithosomes are distinguishable in terms of petrofacies and lithofacies. A single seventh-order surface bounds the entire Beartooth Conglomerate. Lower-order lithosomes are produced by intrinsic processes of fan construction. Fifth-order lithosomes can be attributed to both extrinsic and intrinsic controls. Sixth- and seventh-order lithosomes are generated by extrinsic controls.     

Quantitative taxonomy and biostratigraphy of Middle Cambrian trilobites from Montana and Wyoming

This study was made to revise the taxonomy and biostratigraphy of Middle Cambrian trilobites from Montana and Wyoming. Both numerical and conventional analyses were made of the taxonomic and biostratigraphic data. Numerical taxonomy was performed on a sample of 210 OTU's (Operational Taxonomic Units) using 66 characters which were determined on cranidia of Middle Cambrian ptychopariid trilobites. These characters consisted of linear measurements which were transformed to indices proportional to glabellar length, quantitative-qualitative shape or angle measurements, and multistate attributes. The similarity coefficients calculated were average taxonomic distances and Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient. The matrices of similarity coefficients were clustered by single-linkage and unweighted pair-group algorithms. The coordinates of OTU's in a three-dimensional A-space defined by the first three principal axes also were calculated. A phenogram of the distance matrix clustered by UPGMA (which yielded the highest cophenetic correlation coefficient) and a three-dimensional pin-and-ball model were used to interpret the trilobite taxonomy. Insufficiently clear clustering in both representations of taxonomic structure necessitated also a conventional taxonomic study guided by the numerical phenetics. Numerical biostratigraphy was performed with 79 collections as OTU's and 43 trilobite genera as characters. Jaccard coefficients were used as similarity coefficients, and the results were clustered by UPGMA. The resultant phenogram was readily interpretable, and seven faunal assemblage zones (Albertella, Glossopleura, Ehmaniella, Bolaspis-Glyphaspis, Ehmania, Parehmania, and Bolaspidella)are defined for the Middle Cambrian in the study area. Two of the zones (Ehmaniellaand Parehmania)are new and replace part of the previously defined “Bathyuriscus-Elrathina”zone. Bolaspis-Glyphaspis, Ehmania,and Parehmaniazones may have only regional validity.     

Sedimentology and evolution of the Martinsburg Formation (Upper Ordovician) fine-grained turbidite depositional system, central Appalachians

The Upper Ordovician Martinsburg Formation of eastern Pennsylvania consists of mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone turbidites that accumulated in a tectonically active foreland basin. The mudstone-rich Bushkill Member, the stratigraphically lowest unit of the Martinsburg in this area, grades upward into approximately equal proportions of mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone of the Ramseyburg Member. Many of the turbidites of these units are arranged in small-scale (1–9 m) fining-upward sequences that are interpreted as reflecting the influence of external or allocyclic controls such as variations in the local rate of sea-level rise and/or variations in the intensity of tectonic activity in shelf/nearshore or hinterland areas rather than more commonly cited autocyclic mechanisms. The thick (approximately 2000 m) Bushkill-Ramseyburg coarsening-upward sequence records progradation of a muddy turbidite depositional system along the axis of the foreland basin. Although this sequence accumulated during a Caradocian eustatic rise in sea-level, sedimentation rates landward of the shoreline were apparently great enough to allow for long-term seaward progradation of the shelf source. The paucity of depositional lobe-like facies (coarsening-upward sequences) in the Bushkill Member allows for tentative comparison of the progradational Bushkill-Ramseyburg system with the active fan lobe of the Mississippi Fan. Progradation of the Bushkill-Ramseyburg system ceased abruptly when mudstone turbidites and laminated black shale of the upper unit of the Martinsburg, the Pen Argyl Member, accumulated. The great thickness of some mudstone turbidite beds of the Pen Argyl Member is interpreted to record topographic confinement of the central Appalachian foreland basin, which may have helped to preclude continued progradation of the Bushkill-Ramseyburg turbidite system.     

The Hawkesbury sandstone and the Brahmaputra: A depositional model for continental sheet sandstones

Bedding characteristics of the fluvial Hawkesbury Sandstone (Triassic) of the Sydney Basin are most readily explained in terms of a model of flood‐ and falling‐stage vertical accretion derived from Coleman's study of the Brahmaputra. This model suggests inadequacies in present concepts of ‘braided stream’ deposits based on observations made at low stage. A Brahmaputra model may be widely applicable to continental sheet sandstones.     

Inorganic geochemical evidence for the depositional facies associations of the Upper Jurassic Chia Gara Formation in NE Iraq

Four wells (K-109, Hr-1, Tk-3, and Bj-1) in NE Iraq (including parts of the Kurdistan Region) were selected to study the Tithonian–Berriasian Chia Gara Formation from the inorganic geochemical point of view. The intervals studied in each well occurred at present-day burial depths of Hr-1 3,075–3,310 m; K-109 2,780–3,090; Tk-1 2,770–2,890; and Bj-1 2,150–2,310 m. A total of 16 samples from the four studied wells were investigated geochemically using X-ray fluorescence in order to measure their major element oxides and their trace element contents. Among the major oxides, CaO has the highest weight percentages in all samples as expected in this limestone-dominated formation. SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ show higher concentrations only in well Bj-1 than the other sections, due to its shallower depth of deposition and its marginal location within the depositional basin. The general trace element distribution along all studied well successions showed good similarity. However, the ratios of V/Ni and V/Cr were of higher values in the lower part of the formation, which is considered as a good indicator to the deposition of this part of the formation within anoxic depositional environment. An exception was in well Bj-1, where the V/Ni ratio was lower in the this lower part of the formation than the upper part that may be due to the different lithology in this succession which is lacking distinct shale or calcareous shale beds. However, the V/Cr ratio can still indicate the prevailing of reducing condition because V/Cr ratios in all samples are >2. Also, Th/U ratio in the lower part of the studied successions was lower than the upper part, which is also coinciding with the domination of the reducing geochemical conditions in the depositional environment. It may be concluded from this study that the R-mode cluster analysis of the main oxides indicated to the main mineral constituent of the rock which is calcite. It is also confirmed that the SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents in the Chia Gara limestones are especially high in well Bj-1, particularly in the lower and upper parts of the succession. On the other hand, R-mode cluster analysis of the trace elements showed lower amounts of Zr and V in relation to silica and confirmed the random distribution of Sr and Ba in the studied samples. Q-mode cluster analysis indicated that the upper part of the studied formation is pure limestone in well H-1 and such purity of limestone beds also occurs in the lower part of the studied formation in well Tk-3. The elemental distribution within the sections as inferred from the studied samples indicates that the anoxic depositional conditions were prevailed during the Chia Gara Formation, especially during the accumulation of the lower part.     

甘肃敦煌盆地侏罗纪原型盆地性质与沉积环境演化

为研究敦煌盆地侏罗纪原型盆地性质及沉积环境演化,本文利用地震资料、航磁资料、野外地质考察资料、同位素定量测年数据,基于前人在阿尔金断裂系构造理论成果,对敦煌盆地基底岩性组成、深部动力学背景、盆地发育时限和盆地性质做了系统研究,认为敦煌盆地与塔里木盆地、柴达木盆地、酒泉盆地的前侏罗纪基底组成不相同,是一个相对独立的盆地....     

甘肃敦煌盆地侏罗纪原型盆地性质与沉积环境演化

为研究敦煌盆地侏罗纪原型盆地性质及沉积环境演化,本文利用地震资料、航磁资料、野外地质考察资料、同位素定量测年数据,基于前人在阿尔金断裂系构造理论成果,对敦煌盆地基底岩性组成、深部动力学背景、盆地发育时限和盆地性质做了系统研究,认为敦煌盆地与塔里木盆地、柴达木盆地、酒泉盆地的前侏罗纪基底组成不相同,是一个相对独立的盆地。敦煌地块的南部边界为红柳沟—拉配泉断裂,西部边界为民丰—且末断裂带,阿尔金主断裂为敦煌盆地的东部边界。三危山断裂是分割敦煌盆地南北凹陷的控凹断裂,民丰—且末断裂、红柳沟—拉配泉断裂、阿尔金主断裂是控盆断裂。青藏高原南缘的北向超深俯冲、北缘陆内南向的浅俯冲、深部地幔羽结构等多元驱动机制导致敦煌地块显生宙以来大部分时间处于隆升剥蚀状态,很少接受沉积,至侏罗纪塌陷形成敦煌湖盆。敦煌盆地在三叠纪和晚侏罗世—早白垩世青藏高原两次重大的碰撞造山之间的松弛拉张期形成了侏罗纪沉积盆地。敦煌盆地发育经历3个阶段：早侏罗世填平补齐阶段,中侏罗世断陷阶段和晚侏罗世坳陷阶段,其中中侏罗世断陷阶段为主成盆期。     

An overview of the diagenesis of the Upper Jurassic carbonates of Jubaila and Hanifa formations, central Saudi Arabia

The Jubaila Formation (Upper Jurassic) in central Saudi Arabia has been divided into lower, middle, and upper parts purely on lithologic grounds. Each part consists of a major lower unit of lime mudstone and a minor upper unit of grainstone. This persistent change in the limestone facies is interpreted as a reflection of repeated shoaling up in the depositional shelf environment. It is a normal marine carbonate sequence that varies in thickness from 85 to 126 m. In the Hanifa Formation, the lowermost brown ledges in the section comprise a series of coarsening upward sequences which generally terminate in a fossiliferous/peloidal packstone and grainstone and subordinately lime mudstone facies. The middle slope member is yellow, blocky weathered shale and marl. Above this slope member are several thick beds of brown-coated fossiliferous wackestone, packstone, and grainstone with the association of lime mudstone in certain levels. These are fairly resistant ledges due to the occurrence of stromatoporoids. Dedolomitization occurs in the Jubaila Formation in various textural forms which include composite calcite rhombohedra, zonal dedolomitization, regeneration of predolomitization fabric of the limestone, and coarsely crystalline calcite mosaics with or without ferric oxide rhombic zones. Rhombohedral pores commonly occur in intimate association with dolomite, possibly resulting from the leaching of calcitized dolomite rhombohedra. The regional dedolomitization was most likely brought about by calcium sulfate solutions reacting with dolomites. The source of sulfate solutions is the dissolved anhydrite deposits of the Arab–Hith Formations, sometime before their erosion, and it takes place at or near an exposed surface. The Hanifa Formation shows various diagenetic features. These include dolomitization, dedolomitization, micritization, cementation, and recrystallization. Most of the examined samples of the Hanifa carbonates are dolomitized and subsequently dedolomitized as evidenced by the presence of iron-coated dolomite rhombs partially or completely calcitized. Dolomite also occurs in the lime mudstone, wackestone, packstone, and grainstone facies, while leaching of wackestone and packstone and dedolomitization of dolomite and dolomitic limestone followed by recrystallization are common processes.