The depositional architecture and facies variability of shelf deltas in the Eocene Battfjellet Formation,Nathorst Land,Spitsbergen

Deltas are commonly classified according to their plan‐view morphology as either river‐dominated, tide‐dominated or wave‐dominated. However, most deltas form under the mixed influence of these processes, commonly with laterally varying process regimes. It has also become clear that there is a mismatch between the plan‐view morphology and internal facies composition in some deltas. Combined outcrop and subsurface data from the Eocene Battfjellet Formation, Spitsbergen, provide an example of ancient shelf deltas that formed under mixed influence. Internally, these shelf deltas are characterized by wave‐dominated facies that are normally associated with strike‐extensive, nearly linear shoreline sandstones. However, the formation comprises partially overlapping sandstone bodies of limited lateral extent (<20 km in any direction). This stacking pattern is attributed to frequent autogenic lobe switching that caused localized and rapid transgressions. Such processes typify fluvial‐dominated deltas and occur less commonly in wave‐dominated ones. Thus, there is an apparent mismatch between inferred plan‐view morphology and internal facies composition. It is argued that the Battfjellet deltas were flood‐dominated and prograded mainly during periods of high fluvial discharge. However, reworking of the fluvial‐flood facies by fair‐weather and storm waves, as well as longshore currents, resulted in a wave‐dominated facies character. Delta lobes undergoing auto‐retreat were particularly prone to reworking by basinal processes, including tidal currents. It is suggested that repeated delta progradation from inner shelf settings towards the outer shelf and shelf edge was aided by high sediment supply rather than relative falls in sea‐level as previously suggested. This interpretation is supported by: (i) the lack of major facies dislocations and extensive sub‐aerial unconformities; and (ii) an overall relative rise in sea‐level as evidenced by an overall low‐angle (0·8 to 1·2°) ascending shoreline trajectory. The latter results from the combined effect of basin subsidence, eustatic highstand and sediment compaction.     

北部湾盆地乌石凹陷东区始新统流三段水进型扇三角洲沉积特征

北部湾盆地乌石凹陷东区流沙港组三段岩性相对复杂,沉积差异大,横向变化快,连通性差,深入研究流沙港组三段沉积物源和沉积特征对油气勘探开发具有一定的指导意义。在系统的岩心观察与精细描述基础上,结合测井、地震和分析化验资料,针对研究区流沙港组三段沉积物源、沉积相类型及展布特征展开研究。综合分析认为,流沙港组三段物源来自于北部高地势地区,发育相对近物源的水进型扇三角洲沉积,砂体厚度较大,相带窄,相变快,其中三角洲前缘可进一步划分为水下分流河道、河口坝、席状砂、分流间湾等4种沉积微相;在物源分析、井震约束的基础上,依据井震结合含砂率等值线,同时结合测井平面相、地震反射结构、地震构型信息等,综合绘制研究区沉积微相平面展布图,确定了研究区流沙港组三段"大前缘小平原"的沉积特征,并最终建立了该区扇三角洲沉积模式,为乌石凹陷东区流沙港组三段油气勘探开发和储量计算提供了借鉴。     

Shelf‐margin clinothem progradation,degradation and readjustment: Tanqua depocentre,Karoo Basin (South Africa)

Degradation of basin‐margin clinothems around the shelf‐edge rollover zone may lead to the generation of conduits through which gravity flows transport sediment downslope. Many studies from seismic‐reflection data sets show these features, but they lack small‐scale (centimetre to metre) sedimentary and stratigraphic observations on process interactions. Exhumed basin‐margin clinothems in the Tanqua depocentre (Karoo Basin) provide seismic‐reflection‐scale geometries and internal details of architecture with depositional dip and strike control. At the Geelhoek locality, clinothem parasequences comprise siltstone‐rich offshore deposits overlain by heterolithic prodelta facies and sandstone‐dominated deformed mouth bars. Three of these parasequences are truncated by a steep (6 to 22°), 100 m deep and 1·5 km wide asymmetrical composite erosion surface that delineates a shelf‐incised canyon. The fill, from base to top comprises: (i) thick‐bedded sandstone with intrabasinal clasts and multiple erosion surfaces; (ii) scour‐based interbedded sandstone and siltstone with tractional structures; and (iii) inverse‐graded to normal‐graded siltstone beds. An overlying 55 m thick coarsening‐upward parasequence fills the upper section of the canyon and extends across its interfluves. Younger parasequences display progressively shallower gradients during progradation and healing of the local accommodation. The incision surface resulted from initial oversteepening and high sediment supply triggering deformation and collapse at the shelf edge, enhanced by a relative sea‐level fall that did not result in subaerial exposure of the shelf edge. Previous work identified an underlying highly incised, sandstone‐rich shelf‐edge rollover zone across‐margin strike, suggesting that there was migration in the zone of shelf edge to upper‐slope incision over time. This study provides an unusual example of clinothem degradation and readjustment with three‐dimensional control in an exhumed basin‐margin succession. The work demonstrates that large‐scale erosion surfaces can develop and migrate due to a combination of factors at the shelf‐edge rollover zone and proposes additional criteria to predict clinothem incision and differential sediment bypass in consistently progradational systems.     

Evaluating along‐strike variation using thin‐bedded facies analysis,Upper Cretaceous Ferron Notom Delta,Utah

Thin‐bedded delta‐front and prodelta facies of the Upper Cretaceous Ferron Notom Delta Complex near Hanksville in southern Utah, USA, show significant along‐strike facies variability. Primary initiation processes that form these thin beds include surge‐type turbidity currents, hyperpycnal flows and storm surges. The relative proportion of sedimentary structures generated by each of these depositional processes/events has been calculated from a series of measured sedimentological sections within a single parasequence (PS6–1) which is exposed continuously along depositional strike. For each measured section, sedimentological data including grain size, lithology, bedding thickness, sedimentary structures and ichnological suites have been documented. Parasequence 6–1 shows a strong along‐strike variation with a wave‐dominated environment in the north, passing abruptly into a fluvial‐dominated area, then to an environment with varying degrees of fluvial and wave influence southward, and back to a wave‐dominated environment further to the south‐east. The lateral facies variations integrated with palaeocurrent data indicate that parasequence 6–1 is deposited as a storm‐dominated symmetrical delta with a large river‐dominated bayhead system linked to an updip fluvial feeder valley. This article indicates that it is practical to quantify the relative importance of depositional processes and determine the along‐strike variation within an ancient delta system using thin‐bedded facies analysis. The wide range of vertical stratification and grading sequences present in these event beds also allows construction of conceptual models of deposition from turbidity currents (i.e. surge‐type turbidity currents and hyperpycnal flows) and storm surges, and shows that there are significant interactions and linkages of these often paired processes.     

巴基斯坦N区块浪控三角洲沉积相划分及模式

浪控三角洲砂体是海陆交互带沉积有利的油气储层和勘探目标,目前业界对其微相划分、沉积机理和沉积模式研究较少.以巴基斯坦N区块为例,依据岩心、测井、地震及分析测试资料,开展受波浪改造作用的海相三角洲沉积相带划分、展布及沉积模式研究.结果表明:综合大量沉积相标志分析,研究区白垩系处于砂质高能海岸带,三角洲入海口受到强烈的波浪...     

柴达木盆地西部斜坡区下干柴沟组下段高精度层序地层及砂体构型分析

精细刻画砂岩储层内部结构,可为柴达木盆地西部(柴西)斜坡区古近系下干柴沟组下段岩性油气藏勘探开发指明方向。以高精度层序地层学、砂体构型分析理论和方法为指导,以3D地震、钻/测井、岩心资料为基础,井震联合标定,综合分析了柴西斜坡区下干柴沟组下段层序地层发育规律与层序格架内砂体结构特点。结果表明,柴西斜坡区下干柴沟组下段整体为一个区域性湖侵序列,内部可划分为2个三级层序,4个四级层序(EMSQ1～4)。下干柴沟组下段沉积期,由早至晚,A/S(可容纳空间与沉积物供给比值)持续增大,四级层序结构由向上变深的半旋回型逐渐转变为向上变浅为主、向上变深为次的非对称型。沉积相则由辫状河三角洲平原演变为前缘、滨浅湖亚相。研究区主要发育分流河道、水下分流河道、滩坝3类储层砂体,砂体叠加样式和分布规律与四级层序结构相关。三角洲平原分流河道砂体主要发育于EMSQ1中,砂体相互切割和叠置程度高,连通性好;三角洲前缘分流河道砂体主要发育于EMSQ2～3中,多呈叠加-孤立型,连通性差;滨浅湖滩坝砂体主要发育EMSQ4中,砂体呈孤立状,层内连通性佳,层间连通性差。指出现阶段岩性油气藏勘探应重点围绕EMSQ4层序内发育的滨浅湖滩坝砂体展开。     

A wave‐dominated,tide‐modulated model for the Lower Ordovician of the Anti‐Atlas,Morocco

Hybrid depositional systems are created by the interaction of two or more hydrodynamic processes that control facies distribution and their characteristics in terms of sedimentary structures and depositional geometry. The interaction of wave and tide both in the geological sedimentary record and modern environments has been rarely described in the literature. Mixed coastal environments are identified by the evidence of wave and tidal structures and are well identified in nearshore environments, while their recognition in lower shoreface–offshore environments lacks direct information from modern settings. Detailed field analyses of 10 stratigraphic sections of the Lower Ordovician succession (Fezouata and Zini formations; Anti‐Atlas, Morocco) have allowed the definition of 14 facies, all grouped in four facies zones belonging to a storm‐dominated, wave‐dominated sedimentary siliciclastic system characterized by symmetrical ripples of various scales. Peculiar sedimentary organization and sedimentary structures are observed: (i) cyclical changes in size of sedimentary structures under fair‐weather or storm‐weather conditions; (ii) decimetre‐deep erosional surfaces in swaley cross‐stratifications; (iii) deep internal erosion within storm deposits; (iv) discontinuous sandstone layers in most depositional environments, and common deposition of sandstones with a limited lateral extension, interpreted to indicate that deposition at all scales (metric to kilometric) is discontinuous; (v) combined flow–oscillation ripples showing aggrading–prograding internal structures alternating with purely aggrading wave ripples; and (vi) foreshore environments characterized by alternating phases of deposition of parallel stratifications, small‐scale and large‐scale ripples and tens of metres‐wide reactivation surfaces. These characteristics of deposition suggest that wave intensity during storm‐weather or fair‐weather conditions was continuously modulated by another controlling factor of the sedimentation: the tide. However, tidal structures are not recognized, because they were probably not preserved due to dominant action of storms and waves. A model of deposition is provided for this wave‐dominated, tide‐modulated sedimentary system recording proximal offshore to intertidal–foreshore environments, but lacking diagnostic tidal structures.     

Progradational and backstepping shoreface deposits in the Ladinian to Early Norian Snadd Formation of the Barents Sea

Shoreface sandstone deposits within the Early Carnian part of the Snadd Formation of the Norwegian Barents Sea can be traced for hundreds of kilometres in the depositional strike direction and for tens of kilometres in the depositional‐dip direction. This study uses three‐dimensional seismic attribute mapping and two‐dimensional regional seismic profiles to visualize the seismic facies of these shoreface deposits and to map their internal stratigraphic architecture at a regional scale. The shoreface deposits are generally elongate but show variable width from north‐east to south‐west, which corresponds to a sediment source in the northern part of the basin and a southward decrease in longshore sediment transport. The Snadd Formation presents an example of how large‐scale progradational shoreface deposits develop. The linear nature of its shoreface deposits contrasts with more irregular, cuspate wave‐dominated deltaic shorelines that contain river outlets, and instead implies longshore drift as the main sediment source. In map view, discrete sets of linear features bounded by truncation surfaces scale directly to beach ridge sets in modern counterparts. The shoreface deposits studied here are characteristic in terms of scale and basin‐wide continuity, and offer insight into the contrast between shallow marine deposition under stable Triassic Greenhouse and fluctuating Holocene Icehouse climates. Findings presented herein are also important for hydrocarbon exploration in the Barents Sea, because they describe a hitherto poorly understood reservoir play in the Triassic interval, wherein the most prominent reservoir plays have so far been considered to be found in channelized deposits in net‐progradational delta‐plain strata that form the topsets to shelf‐edge clinoforms. The documented presence of widespread wave‐dominated shoreface deposits also has implications for how the relative importance of different sedimentary processes is considered within the basin during this period.     

加拿大阿萨巴斯卡Kinosis区域下白垩统McMurray组内河口湾复合点坝砂体构型解剖*

河口湾可分为宽阔的外河口湾和较窄的内河口湾。内河口湾水动力条件表现为潮汐影响、河流主控的特征,主要发育点坝或者线状砂坝。加拿大阿萨巴斯卡Kinosis地区发育大量潮汐作用影响的复合点坝沉积,复合点坝内部构型研究直接影响油田的开发效果。基于该区测井及高品质三维地震(频带8~220 Hz,主频90 Hz)等资料,提出1套以解决油田开发问题为核心,基于以“轴变定界、样式定型、井点定面”为原则的内河口湾复合点坝砂体构型解剖方法,研究对象为达到地震可分辨尺度的“复合砂体”。通过岩心和地震相特征分析,刻画了不同级次构型单元内部沉积特征。利用倾角测井等资料,分析了侧积体和侧积层的规模及产状,实现了点坝内部构型解剖。结果表明,内河口湾点坝沉积发育倾斜非均质层(IHS)、生物扰动、泥砾等指示潮汐作用的沉积现象;侧积体倾斜角度为8°~12°,单一侧积体宽度为55~200m。通过复合砂体构型解剖,明确了构型单元内部隔夹层和层内水层的分布与构型单元的组合有直接关系,提出了针对单一河道单元部署井网的策略。     

苏里格气田西区盒8下亚段辫状河沉积论证与分析

鄂尔多斯盆地苏里格气田西区盒₈^下亚段主力含气层段相的研究观点较多,不同认识导致各个沉积相域内砂体对比和预测存在着较大的差异,从而给勘探井位部署增加了难度。笔者在前人研究成果基础上,充分利用钻井、测井、岩心、地震、分析化验和野外露头等多种资料和手段,采用岩石学特征分析、岩心沉积构特征观察、古生物化石证据、研究区柳林成家庄野外露头沉积序列揭示、测井相特征和河流相地震特殊反射结构观察等多种研究手段和方法,对该区盒₈^下亚段的沉积相进行了详细论证、分析和描述。研究结果表明,辫状河沉积是苏里格西区盒₈^下亚段主要的相类型;干旱与潮湿气候的频繁交替变化,是导致砂体研究区目的层垂向砂体厚度大、非均质性强和砂体横向变化快的主控因素。     

南堡凹陷南部沙一段控砂模式

南堡凹陷盆地内部构造特征复杂,砂体时空分布差异较大。为了明确砂体分布规律,首先对南部缓坡带构造-沉积背景进行研究和岩心相观察,识别了沙一段辫状河三角洲前缘砂体;进而通过对南部缓坡带层序地层格架的建立、沉积学研究和地震地质解释,发现沙一段砂体同时受到顺源和逆源两种同沉积断裂坡折带类型控制。其中,顺源坡折带控制了断槽物源通道的走向,逆源坡折带改变了水流的流向,阻止了砂体的运移。据此,建立了南堡凹陷南部缓坡带沙一段同沉积断裂的控砂模式,得出沙一段砂体具有"沙垒田凸起供砂,断槽物源通道输砂,逆源坡折带阻砂和同沉积洼槽带聚砂"的发育特点。     

Stratal composition and stratigraphic organization of stratal elements in an ancient deep‐marine basin‐floor succession,Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup,British Columbia,Canada

Despite a globally growing seismic and outcrop analogue data set, the detailed (centimetre to decametre) internal stratal make up of deep‐marine basin‐floor ‘channelized‐lobe’ strata remain poorly known. An ancient analogue for modern, mixed‐sediment, passive margin, deep‐marine basin‐floor fans is the well‐preserved Neoproterozoic Upper and Middle Kaza groups in the southern Canadian Cordillera. This succession is a few kilometres thick and comprises six sedimentary facies representing deposition from different kinds of sediment‐gravity flows. Representative lateral and vertical assemblages of one or more of these facies comprise six stratal elements, including: isolated scours, avulsion splays, feeder channels, distributary channels, terminal splays, and distal and off‐axis fine‐grained turbidite units. The internal characteristics of the various stratal elements do not differ from more distal to more proximal settings, but the relative abundance of the various stratal elements does. The difference in relative abundance of stratal elements in the kilometre‐scale stratigraphy of the Kaza Group results in a systematic upward change in architecture. The systematic arrangement of the stratal elements within the interpreted larger bodies, or lobes, and then lobes within the basin‐floor fan, suggests a hierarchical organization. In this article a hierarchy is proposed that is based on avulsion but, also importantly, the location of avulsion. The proposed avulsion‐based hierarchical scheme will be a useful tool to bridge the scalar gap between outcrop and seismic studies by providing a single stratigraphic framework and terminology for basin‐floor stratal elements.     

二连盆地白音查干凹陷下白垩统层序地层研究

在总结钻井、测井、地震等各种资料的基础上,对白音查干凹陷层序地层进行了划分对比,将下白垩统地层划分为3个超层序,6个三级层序。对主要层序内部的岩性特征、沉积相构成、体系域发育状况、地层叠加样式等进行了分析。通过这些特征的研究,对层序的形成背景、沉积演化过程,以及生储盖层的发育条件和组合关系等有了清楚的认识,认为白音查干凹陷演化具有早期形成,继承性发育,晚期鼎盛的特点,凹陷经历三次湖泛,形成三套烃源岩,发育四种成因类型的砂体,存在三套储盖组合。     

准噶尔盆地莫索湾地区白垩系清水河组沉积演化与有利砂体展布

以三维地震、钻测井、岩心、测试化验等资料为基础,对准噶尔盆地莫索湾地区白垩系清水河组特别是“底砂岩段”重点油气储集层进行层序地层划分、沉积特征和砂体展布研究。认为:(1)清水河组发育高位体系域、湖侵体系域和低位体系域;其中,低位体系域主要发育浅水辫状河三角洲相,湖侵体系域发育滨浅湖-半深湖相,而高位体系域则发育浅水曲流河三角洲相。(2)“底砂岩段”中发育水下分流河道、河口坝、席状砂和分流间湾4种沉积微相类型;“底砂岩段”位于受北部物源控制的浅水辫状河三角洲前缘,可分为内前缘和外前缘;(3)结合区域沉积背景建立了清水河组浅水三角洲沉积微相模式,整体上,清水河组沉积演化过程为一套完整的湖平面升降演化沉积旋回。     

塔中地区中晚奥陶世内波、内潮汐沉积

现代海底普遍发育由内波、内潮汐引起的深水牵引流,内波、内潮汐不仅可形成各种厘米级的深水牵引流沉积构造,还可建造千米级的大型沉积物波。这种大型沉积物波既可沿斜坡向下迁移,也可沿斜坡向上迁移。在古代地层记录中已发现各种厘米级的内波、内潮汐沉积单元,但尚未发现内波成因的大型沉积物波。塔中地区中上奥陶统碎屑岩段内发育内波及内潮汐形成的各种牵引流沉积构造单元。通过详细的岩心观察,识别出 4种内波、内潮汐沉积微相类型及 5种基本垂向沉积层序。此外,通过地震剖面分析,在研究区中上奥陶统陆坡相中识别出顺坡向上迁移的大型沉积物波,该沉积物波的特征与现代海底发育的沉积物波的特征类似,运用内波理论可对其成因进行合理的解释。     

川西坳陷上侏罗统浅水漫湖沉积特征与砂体叠置模式

川西坳陷在上侏罗统蓬莱镇组沉积期,地形平缓、气候干旱,湖平面频繁变化,发育了一套以浅水三角洲-漫湖为主的沉积体系。基于高分辨率层序地层学理论,通过对野外露头、岩心、分析化验和钻井资料的综合利用,阐明了发育在湖平面频繁变化背景下的浅水漫湖沉积特征,总结了砂体垂向叠置关系和平面分布规律,建立了浅水漫湖沉积体系砂体叠置模式。(1)分流河道和滩坝是研究区内浅水漫湖沉积体系的主要微相类型;(2)分流河道垂直于湖岸线分布,滩坝平行于湖岸线分布,在高频层序发育过程中,由于湖浪淘洗、河流进积等因素的改造,浅水漫湖沉积砂体经历了沉积-破坏-再沉积的过程,在平面上表现为分流河道切割多期平行于湖岸线的滩坝砂;(3)多种成因砂体叠置模式可以分为4种,分别为同期同相自旋回叠置模式、同期异相自旋回叠置模式、不同期同相异旋回叠置模式和不同期不同相异旋回叠置模式。     

准噶尔盆地乌-夏地区侏罗系层序地层学研究

以Vail经典层序地层学理论为基础,综合运用乌—夏地区地震、钻井和测井资料,在各层序井—震联合标定的基础上,建立准噶尔盆地西北缘乌—夏地区侏罗系层序格架,将侏罗系划分为2个超层序7个层序,并分析研究了侏罗纪不同层序的展布特征、体系域构成及沉积体系展布。乌—夏地区侏罗纪层序特征在厚度总体上呈现由斜坡区至冲断带(由南至北)厚度减薄的趋势,沉积环境早期(JSQ1—JSQ4)以较干旱的冲积扇、辫状河沉积至中期(JSQ4—JSQ5)的扇三角洲、三角洲和湖泊相类型为特征,晚期(JSQ6—JSQ7)又转变为较浅水的冲积扇、辫状河的沉积环境。     

鄂尔多斯盆地延长组长9砂体的垂向结构及主控因素分析

近年来随着对鄂尔多斯盆地油气地质条件的重新认识,在上三叠统延长组下部的长9油层组中获得了新发现、新突破,该油层组成为油气勘探重要的战略接替层系。通过露头剖面、钻井、岩芯、测井及分析化验等资料的综合研究,结合沉积古地理背景分析,以沉积特征和指相标志的识别为依据,认为盆地内长9砂体的成因类型主要包括三角洲环境与牵引流作用有关的陆上与水下的分流河道、天然堤、决口扇、三角洲前缘的河口坝、远砂坝、席状砂等砂体,滨浅湖环境与湖浪和湖流改造作用有关的砂质滩坝、席状砂等砂体。根据岩芯剖面精细描述及沉积微相分析,结合测井曲线解释,指出长9单砂体主要发育B、C、I、F、D五种基本垂向结构类型,多层砂体的垂向叠加样式复杂多变,常见的有BB、CC、CB、II、CI、BC、BI、FF等类型。砂体垂向结构的主控因素分析表明,沉积环境、沉积相以及基准面升降旋回是控制单砂体垂向结构、多层砂体垂向叠加样式及分布的主要地质因素。     

渤海海域S油田新近系明化镇组河流相复合砂体叠置样式分析

河流相砂体是我国陆相盆地最主要的油气储集层之一,随着90年代渤海海域浅层河流相油气勘探获得重大突破,使得河流相储层成为当前海上油田研究的热点。本文利用野外露头、现代沉积和岩芯以及钻测井等资料,以高分辨率层序地层学原理为指导,在精细的层序地层格架基础上,分析S油田新近系明化镇组明下段河流相层序格架和砂体结构的沉积特征,总结砂体的发育规模特征。建立河流相砂体的沉积模式,将明下段划分为38个五级层序、13个四级层序和4个三级层序;在层序格架内把河流相砂体叠置样式划分为3种类型共7类样式,分别为堆叠型、侧叠型和孤立型,和紧密接触侧叠型、疏散接触侧叠型、离散接触侧叠型、下切侵蚀河道孤立型、决口扇孤立型、孤立河道和堆叠构型7类样式。河流相砂体叠置样式的建立推动了陆相高分辨率层序学的发展。     

Three‐fold nature of coastal progradation during the Holocene eustatic highstand,Po Plain,Italy – close correspondence of stratal character with distribution patterns

Although general trends in transgressive to highstand sedimentary evolution of river‐mouth coastlines are well‐known, the details of the turnaround from retrogradational (typically estuarine) to aggradational–progradational (typically coastal/deltaic) stacking patterns are not fully resolved. This paper examines the middle to late Holocene eustatic highstand succession of the Po Delta: its stratigraphic architecture records a complex pattern of delta outbuilding and coastal progradation that followed eustatic stabilization, since around 7·7 cal kyr bp . Sedimentological, palaeoecological (benthic foraminifera, ostracods and molluscs) and compositional criteria were used to characterize depositional conditions and sediment‐dispersal pathways within a radiocarbon‐dated chronological framework. A three‐stage progradation history was reconstructed. First, as soon as eustasy stabilized (7·7 to 7·0 cal kyr bp ), rapid bay‐head delta progradation (ca 5 m year^?1), fed mostly by the Po River, took place in a mixed, freshwater and brackish estuarine environment. Second, a dominantly aggradational parasequence set of beach‐barrier deposits in the lower highstand systems tract (7·0 to 2·0 cal kyr bp ) records the development of a shallow, wave‐dominated coastal system fed alongshore, with elongated, modestly crescent beaches (ca 2·5 m year^?1). Third, in the last 2000 years, the development of faster accreting and more rapidly prograding (up to ca 15 m year^?1) Po delta lobes occurred into 30 m deep waters (upper highstand systems tract). This study documents the close correspondence of sediment character with stratal distribution patterns within the highstand systems tract. Remarkable changes in sediment characteristics, palaeoenvironments and direction of sediment transport occur across a surface named the ‘A–P surface’. This surface demarcates a major shift from dominantly aggradational (lower highstand systems tract) to fully progradational (upper highstand systems tract) parasequence stacking. In the Po system, this surface also reflects evolution from a wave‐dominated to river‐dominated deltaic system. Identifying the A–P surface through detailed palaeoecological and compositional data can help guide interpretation of highstand systems tracts in the rock record, especially where facies assemblages and their characteristic geometries are difficult to discern from physical sedimentary structures alone.