Application of sequence stratigraphic concepts to the Upper Cretaceous Tununk Shale Member of the Mancos Shale Formation,south-central Utah: Parasequence styles in shelfal mudstone strata

Although sequence stratigraphic concepts have been applied extensively to coarse-grained siliciclastic deposits in nearshore environments, high-resolution sequence stratigraphic analysis has not been widely applied to mudstone-dominated sedimentary successions deposited in more distal hemipelagic to pelagic settings. To examine how sequence stratigraphic frameworks can be derived from the facies variability of mudstone-dominated successions, the Tununk Shale Member of the Mancos Shale Formation in south-central Utah (USA) was examined in detail through a combination of sedimentological, stratigraphic and petrographic methods. The Tununk Shale accumulated on a storm-dominated shelf during the second-order Greenhorn sea-level cycle. During this eustatic event, the depositional environment of the Tununk Shale shifted laterally from distal middle shelf to outer shelf, then from an outer shelf to an inner shelf environment. At least 49 parasequences can be identified within the Tununk Shale. Each parasequence shows a coarsening-upward trend via upward increases in silt and sand content, thickness and lateral continuity of laminae/beds, and abundance of storm-generated sedimentary structures. Variations in bioturbation styles within parasequences are complex, although abrupt changes in bioturbation intensity or diversity commonly occur across parasequence boundaries (i.e. flooding surfaces). Due to changes in depositional environments, dominant sediment supply and bioturbation characteristics, parasequence styles in the Tununk Shale show considerable variability. Based on parasequence stacking patterns, eleven system tracts, four depositional sequences and key sequence stratigraphic surfaces can be identified. The high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework of the Tununk Shale reveals a hierarchy of stratal cyclicity. Application of sequence stratigraphic concepts to this thick mudstone-dominated succession provides important insights into the underlying causes of heterogeneity in these rocks over multiple thickness scales (millimetre-scale to metre-scale). The detailed sedimentological characterization of parasequences, system tracts and depositional sequences in the Tununk Shale provides conceptual approaches that can aid the development of high-resolution sequence stratigraphic frameworks in other ancient shelf mudstone successions.     

Stratigraphic completeness and resolution in an ancient mudrock succession

Mudrocks are the most common rock type at the Earth's surface, and they play a major role in informing current understanding of the palaeoenvironmental history of the planet. Their suitability for this purpose is at least partly underpinned by the assumed stratigraphic completeness of mudrock successions, and the ostensible fidelity with which they record temporal changes in palaeoenvironment. Mud does not necessarily accumulate, however, as a steady, near‐continuous ‘rain’ under low energy conditions. Advective modes of mud transport and episodic, ephemeral accumulation have been shown to dominate in many ancient successions. This has implications for the completeness of these records and their suitability for high‐resolution sampling and analysis. In this study, a numerical model of mud accumulation, parameterized with data from the Lower Jurassic of Yorkshire (UK) is presented to explore completeness and resolution constraints on ancient epicontinental mudrock successions. Using this model, stratigraphic completeness of the analysed Yorkshire succession is estimated to be ca 13% and ca 98% at centennial and millennial timescales, respectively. The findings indicate that sub‐millennial scale processes and events are unlikely to be accurately resolved, despite the largely unbioturbated and well‐laminated nature of the succession. Epicontinental mudrock successions are a crucial archive of ancient environmental changes, and the findings of this study help to define a plausible upper limit on the resolution achievable in these successions. Even with high‐resolution sampling, sub‐millennial scale records of palaeoenvironmental change may not be attainable in ancient epicontinental mudrocks.     

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

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

Quantitative tests for stratigraphic cyclicity

Periodic Milankovitch (M-) orbital forcing provides an explanation for subjectively recognized short-term repetition of lithofacies-‘cycles’-in the stratigraphic record. Tests of this explanation often find no order in the lithofacies and/or no regularity in the recurrence of lithofacies. This does not disprove the influence of M-forcing, but a sedimentary response in terms of irregular M-forced ‘cycles’ is indistinguishable from one in which repetition of facies is not M-forced. Use of such cycles in time calibration is correspondingly suspect. Stricter, dimensional cyclicity invokes Sander's Rule, which suggests periodicity in sedimentation, for which M-forcing provides an obvious explanation. Time calibration on the basis of strict cyclicity thus appears more dependable. Objective tests for regular M-forced stratigraphic cyclicity commonly depend upon spectral analyses. Such tests are not unambiguous. Bilogarithmic thickness/frequency plots derived from objective layer thickness inventories (LTI) provide an alternative. Commonly, such plots show power-law relationships that preclude dimensional M-cyclicities. By contrast, a model data series that perfectly encodes the M-cyclic fluctuations in terrestrial insolation generates a strongly inflected, non-power-law LTI plot. Power-law plots result where the model data series is decimated by random hiatuses, with numbers and durations tuned to M-cycle frequencies. It seems improbable that natural data series record such tuning. The general absence of strict cyclicity in the M-frequency range is more likely to reflect the nonlinear response of sedimentary systems to cyclic M-forcing of insolation. Interestingly, when applied to the classically cyclic lacustrine Triassic sediments of the Newark Basin, USA, the LTI test suggests a decimated record, preserving some evidence of M-cyclicity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cyclostratigraphic reasoning and orbital time calibration

Cyclostratigraphy postulates that the stratigraphic record cyclically encodes the periodic orbital forcing of terrestrial insolation, thus providing a time calibration. Regular cycles are sought using spectral analysis of lithological data series, but there are inherent ambiguities in this method. It may detect more cyclicities than conventional orbital forcing allows, but only those with the closest correspondence to estimated orbital frequencies are used for time calibration. Irregular cycles are subjectively defined in terms of non-rhythmic repetitions of facies. The calibrations assume that they record the spatially distorted sedimentary effects of orbitally forced periodicity in insolation. The null hypothesis that such non-rhythmic repetitions are autogenic, rather than orbitally forced, cannot, however, be rejected. Both types of cyclicity conform to an 'expected universe' where orbital forcing is reliably and recognisably encoded in the stratigraphic record. Neither form of cyclicity rules out the presence of hiatuses; thus, even if orbital in origin, neither can provide dependably refined, orbitally scaled, time calibration.     

Genetic Types of Meter-Scale Cyclic Sequences and Fabric Natures of Facies Succession

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High-Frequency Sequence Stratigraphy Using Syntactic Methods and Clustering Applied to the Upper Limestone Coal Group (Pendleian, E1) of the Kincardine Basin, United Kingdom

We define a distance between sedimentary successions to compare their dissimilarity formally. Distance definition is based on attributed syntactic representation. One-dimensional successions can be represented by a string of lithofacies symbols sequentially or vertically. Each symbol can also have a vector of attributes that can provide other information on lithofacies such as thickness. The distance of any two successions is then defined consisting of its syntactic and attribute subdistances. Syntactic distance measures difference of vertical lithofacies change between two successions and attribute distance measures difference of thickness of corresponding lithofacies. Clustering is used to test validity of distance definition and its potential application to analysis of cycle-dominated sedimentary successions. Example is from the Namurian-A succession in Kincardine basin, central Scotland. There are 56 cycles in intervals of about 300 m each in two boreholes. Recognition of intermediate cycles depends on correctly determining of types of these short cycles and their vertical stacking pattern. Intermediate cycles have better potential in high-resolution stratal correlation regionally. Syntactic clustering results show that 56 short cycles can be classified into four groups with distinctive geological interpretation, which further helps reveal hierarchical cyclic architecture of the whole succession.     

Sequence stratigraphy of the Precambrian

The method of sequence stratigraphy requires the application of the same workflow and principles irrespective of the age of strata under analysis. In that respect, its application to Precambrian successions is similar to the approach used for Phanerozoic case studies. Differences, however, are recorded in terms of the preservation potential and the amount of data available for analysis; the rates and intensities of the allogenic controls on sedimentation; the environmental conditions and related physical processes; and the evolution of competing groups of organisms and associated biogenic processes. The combined effect of these contrasting aspects accounts for differences in the architecture of depositional sequences, particularly with respect to the relative contributions of various systems tracts to the makeup of a sequence.The application of sequence stratigraphy to Precambrian basins has considerably enlarged the perspective on the fundamental principles governing the processes of sedimentary basin formation and the mechanisms controlling stratigraphic cyclicity in the rock record. These first-order principles are perhaps the most important contribution of Precambrian research to sequence stratigraphy. At the broader scale of Earth's geological history, the tectonic regimes governing the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins are shown to have been much more erratic in terms of nature and rates than originally inferred solely from the study of the Phanerozoic record. This provides important clues with respect to the criteria that should be involved in the hierarchy system of classification of stratigraphic sequences and bounding surfaces.     

Sequence stratigraphy of the Precambrian

The method of sequence stratigraphy requires the application of the same workflow and principles irrespective of the age of strata under analysis. In that respect, its application to Precambrian successions is similar to the approach used for Phanerozoic case studies. Differences, however, are recorded in terms of the preservation potential and the amount of data available for analysis; the rates and intensities of the allogenic controls on sedimentation; the environmental conditions and related physical processes; and the evolution of competing groups of organisms and associated biogenic processes. The combined effect of these contrasting aspects accounts for differences in the architecture of depositional sequences, particularly with respect to the relative contributions of various systems tracts to the makeup of a sequence.

The application of sequence stratigraphy to Precambrian basins has considerably enlarged the perspective on the fundamental principles governing the processes of sedimentary basin formation and the mechanisms controlling stratigraphic cyclicity in the rock record. These first-order principles are perhaps the most important contribution of Precambrian research to sequence stratigraphy. At the broader scale of Earth's geological history, the tectonic regimes governing the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins are shown to have been much more erratic in terms of nature and rates than originally inferred solely from the study of the Phanerozoic record. This provides important clues with respect to the criteria that should be involved in the hierarchy system of classification of stratigraphic sequences and bounding surfaces.     

Orbital calibration of the Early Kimmeridgian (southeastern France): implications for geochronology and sequence stratigraphy

Classic stratigraphic methods rarely provide high‐resolution correlations between intrabasinal sedimentary sequences, which are important to understand the origin of sedimentation process and its environmental change. In this study, we investigate high‐resolution cyclostratigraphic correlation from magnetic susceptibility in two Early Kimmeridgian pelagic marl‐limestone successions, at La Méouge and Châteauneuf‐d'Oze, southeastern France. Spectral analysis reveals the complete suite of orbital frequencies (precession, obliquity, and eccentricity) with the marl‐limestone couplets being primarily precession‐driven. Frequencies detected by the spectral analysis are similar between the sections, but their relative amplitudes are somewhat different, linked to the palaeoenvironmental position and the completeness of the sections. High‐resolution correlation reveals two significant hiatuses at Châteauneuf‐d’Oze. Early Kimmeridgian Platynota, Hypselocyclum, and Divisum ammonite zones were orbitally calibrated for an ultra‐high resolution assessment of geological time. Finally, strong 405‐kyr eccentricity cycles are recorded as third‐order depositional sequences.     

Review: Stratigraphy, meta-stratigraphy and chaos

An alternative approach to stratigraphic analysis is proposed. It takes as its starting point the simple general characteristics of the stratigraphic record and the complex, chaotic behaviours of the systems that combine to generate this record. In this context, Smith’s Stratigraphy Machine (SM) concept is developed. The SM is a chaotic global system, combining the operations of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and asthenosphere, which everywhere tends to self-organize towards a critical state in which continuous loading of the system with rock waste, over time, is balanced by the unloading that creates the record. The outputs of the SM are simple and nonscale dependent in character, with residence times in the record ranging from a second, or less, to 1 billion years. However, only those long-lived in the human time-frame are judged to be of stratigraphic significance; and the range of residence times entails that the stratigraphic record embraces a similar range of hiatuses, or gaps. The value of the SM, as developed here, is that it can be regarded as a meta-stratigraphic concept that transcends the usual frameworks of stratigraphic classification and interpretation and thus allows a reappraisal of significant features of the record such as its perceived cycles and sequences. There are three outcomes of this meta-stratigraphic analysis. First, the geometric units employed in sequence stratigraphy are components of a self-similar series of essentially lenticular bodies, with no fundamental characteristics to distinguish them from larger and smaller bodies in the generally self-similar series. Secondly, the interactions and feedbacks within the SM are so complex, and its outputs so repetitive in general character, that it is dangerous to assume that any perceived cyclicity provides an unambiguous chronicle of process cyclicity, whether eustatic, climatic or tectonic. The classic coarsening upward cyclicity of shallow marine facies can, for example, be viewed solely as the outcome of the lack of phasing between the chaotic behaviours tending to unload the SM and those creating accommodation space. Finally, the meta-stratigraphic approach reinforces the view that, in the absence of demonstrable stratal continuity, chronostratigraphic correlation must continue to rely on sample-based, mainly biostratigraphical, methods, rather than sequence stratigraphy.     

Sedimentation regime and accommodation space in the Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous on the eastern Russian Plate

This study presents new data on transgressive-regressive and accommodation-sedimentation regimes in the eastern Russian Plate during the Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous. The proposed generalized scheme illustrating the combined effects of three major factors (eustasy, tectonic “noise”, and depositional gradient) controlling the deposition of sequences with different stratal architecture allowed us to quantify the parameters of sedimentation (5S) and accommodation (5A) for second- and third-order cycles. A distinctive feature of the evolution of the Middle Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous sedimentary basin is the excess of accommodation space over sediment supply, which was not conducive to creation of clinoforms. The difference between stacking patterns in individual time intervals and the estimated values of 5A/5S may be indicative of the presence of unidentified stratigraphic breaks in the Bathonian and Late Tithonian-Berriasian, which were accompanied by erosion and reworking of sand strata. The stepwise regressive-transgressive deepening during the Oxfordian-Early Tithonian and transgressive-regressive shallowing during the Late Tithonian-Berriasian were probably caused by short-term manifestations of local tectonic “noise”, and depositional hiatuses accompanied by the erosion of missing elements in the structure of third-order cycles. The Lower Cretaceous succession exhibits no mismatch between transgressive-regressive and retrogradational-progradational cycling, which provides another supporting evidence for a quiet tectonoeustatic and sedimentation regime during the Early Cretaceous compared to that of Middle-Late Jurassic time.     

Stratigraphic features of the Maltese Archipelago: a synthesis

The present study gathers a large amount of both existing and unpublished biostratigraphic data, which allows a detailed and complete definition of the stratigraphic features of the late Oligocene–late Miocene Maltese Archipelago sedimentary succession, recording in turn the tectonic and eustatic history of the Central Mediterranean region. We selected five sections in the Malta Island and three in Gozo, representative of the entire sedimentary succession, affected by well-known erosional surfaces, correlated to low-stands of the sea level, often associated with phoshatic layers, linked to the subsequent high-stands. The sedimentary interval, and thus the associated hiatuses, was constrained both by the bio-chronostratigraphic attribution and by the comparison with the third-order succession of the New Jersey passive margin, which shows strict analogy with the geodynamic context in which the Maltese succession deposited. The diachroneity at the base of the formations in the different sections, and the presence of intraformational unconformity/hiatuses, highlighted the role of the tectonic, which depicted a complex sedimentary basin, characterized by more distal versus more marginal sectors. Furthermore, the possibility to compare the sedimentary succession with the oxygen isotope curve connects the sedimentation interruptions, recorded within the Maltese Archipelago deposits, to global cooling events.

     

Stratigraphic features of the Maltese Archipelago: a synthesis

The present study gathers a large amount of both existing and unpublished biostratigraphic data, which allows a detailed and complete definition of the stratigraphic features of the late Oligocene–late Miocene Maltese Archipelago sedimentary succession, recording in turn the tectonic and eustatic history of the Central Mediterranean region. We selected five sections in the Malta Island and three in Gozo, representative of the entire sedimentary succession, affected by well-known erosional surfaces, correlated to low-stands of the sea level, often associated with phoshatic layers, linked to the subsequent high-stands. The sedimentary interval, and thus the associated hiatuses, was constrained both by the bio-chronostratigraphic attribution and by the comparison with the third-order succession of the New Jersey passive margin, which shows strict analogy with the geodynamic context in which the Maltese succession deposited. The diachroneity at the base of the formations in the different sections, and the presence of intraformational unconformity/hiatuses, highlighted the role of the tectonic, which depicted a complex sedimentary basin, characterized by more distal versus more marginal sectors. Furthermore, the possibility to compare the sedimentary succession with the oxygen isotope curve connects the sedimentation interruptions, recorded within the Maltese Archipelago deposits, to global cooling events.     

A grain size model for role of tectonics and climate on sedimentation in Siwaliks in Mohand area

The physical characteristics of sedimentary record are governed largely by grain size distribution in Mohand area where Middle and Upper Siwalik successions are investigated to characterize the sediments deposited in response to the prevailing tectonic activities and climatic conditions. Here we show with the help of cluster analysis that precipitation and tectonic perturbations generate characteristic patterns of grain sizes and stratigraphic succession. Previous studies suggested an increase in precipitation represented by the abrupt accumulation of sediments to foreland Siwalik basin around 11 to 10 Ma. First appearance of diagnostic minerals of the Great Himalayan complex in Siwalik sediments at 9.2 Ma implies the accelerated erosion of Himalaya during Middle to Late Miocene. The response of sedimentation to tectonic activity is resulted by the presence of coarse grained gravel units in Siwalik succession of Mohand area. Apatite fission-track dates and muscovite cooling ages confirm the strong activity on boundary thrusts during 8-6 Ma. Although the responses are non-linear and transient, we clusterize these non-linear responses to tectonics and climate and quantify them to find out the role of tectonics and climate in architecture of sedimentary succession.     

Coeval deposition of transgressive and normal regressive stratal packages in a structurally controlled area of the Viking Formation,central Alberta,Canada

Variability in accommodation and sedimentation rates within a basin generates significant deviations in the along-strike stratal stacking patterns of systems tracts. This variability can lead to coeval depositional units that record the juxtaposition of transgressive (retrogradational) and regressive (progradational) stratal stacking patterns. In scenarios where transgressive and regressive units are deposited concurrently, challenges arise when attempting to correlate and place systems tracts into a sequence stratigraphic framework. In these scenarios, the maximum flooding surface records a high level of diachroneity, with the position of the surface variable throughout the stratigraphic column. In this study, Viking Formation (late Albian) deposits in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, central Alberta, Canada, preserve significant along-strike variability of palaeoshorelines that developed in response to autogenic processes as well as allogenic controls that were active during deposition. Specifically, structural reactivation of Precambrian basement structures during Viking deposition led to significant variability in depositional environments along the palaeoshoreline. The incremental basement reactivation of the Precambrian Snowbird Tectonic Zone influenced sedimentation patterns and the creation of anomalous zones of accommodation in localized areas of the basin. Across fault boundaries and within the anomalously thick strata, both progradational and retrogradational stacking patterns occur within broadly contemporaneous deposits, complicating the correlation of stratigraphic units. While the concomitant deposition of transgressive and regressive units has been documented in a number of modern marine analogues, the concept is rarely applied to ancient successions. By identifying along-strike variabilities in shoreline geometries and incorporating the autogenic and allogenic controls that were active during deposition, a more accurate sequence stratigraphic framework can be proposed.     

Major controls on sedimentation during the evolution of a continental basin: Pliocene–Pleistocene of the Guadix Basin (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain)

Sequence stratigraphy, based on climatic, tectonic, and base level parameters, can be used to understand carbonate sedimentation in continental basins. The uppermost continental fill of the Guadix Basin (Betic Cordillera), containing both siliciclastics and carbonates, is investigated here. In its central sector a thick succession of fluvio-lacustrine sediments appear, hosting several important Pliocene and Pleistocene macrovertebrate sites (Fonelas Project). The need to characterize the stratigraphic and sedimentologic context of these important paleontologic sites has lead to litho-, magneto- and biostratigraphic studies. These data, together with the sedimentologic analysis of the Pliocene and Pleistocene siliciclastic and carbonate successions, establish a sedimentary model for the fluvio-lacustrine sedimentation of the two last stages of sedimentation in the Guadix Basin (Units V and VI). Unit V comprises mostly fluvial siliciclastic sediments with less abundant carbonate beds interpreted as floodplain lakes or ponds. The latter, Unit VI, is dominated by vertically-stacked, carbonate palustrine successions. Using two pre-existent continental stratigraphic models, the influence of climate, tectonism, and stratigraphic base level during the last 3.5 Ma on the sedimentary evolution of the fluvio-lacustrine system in the Guadix Basin, especially the carbonate sedimentation patterns, is outlined.     

Stratigraphic evolution from shoreface to shelf-indenting channel depositional systems during transgression: Insights from the lower Pliocene Súa Member of the basal Upper Onzole Formation,Borbón Basin,northwest Ecuador

Shelf-indenting canyons and their tributary systems are fairly common constituents of Quaternary shelves of active continental margins, but they have been rarely reported from older successions. Recognition of these prominent geomorphologic features in the ancient record has important implications not only for a proper understanding of shoreface-to-shelf depositional systems, but also from a petroleum exploration standpoint as they represent efficient conduits for moving coarse-grained river- and nearshore-borne sediments to the adjacent slope even during periods of relative rise in sea level.Coastal exposures of the lower Pliocene Súa Member in the surroundings of Súa (northwest Ecuador), preserve the unusual juxtaposition of incising submarine channels onto nearshore deposits. This succession accumulated along a narrow, active continental margin during tectonically induced transgression and affords a rare opportunity to evaluate the stratigraphic evolution of such systems from an outcrop perspective. A comprehensive facies characterization combined with application of sequence stratigraphic concepts has led to definition of the following physical surfaces and stratal units in ascending order. (i) A polygenetic, regionally extensive erosional surface resulting from the superposition of the wave ravinement surface onto the previous subaerial sequence boundary (SB/wRS). (ii) A nearshore, sand-prone lithofacies succession comprising a condensed basal shellbed deepening upwards through lower-shoreface bioturbated silty sandstones, into inner shelf sandy mudstones. (iii) Two steep, U-shaped erosional features (turbidite shelf-entrenchment surfaces), interpreted as shelf channels, deeply incised into the subjacent nearshore sediments and marking an abrupt deepening of facies. (iv) A thick, fining-upward sedimentary succession laid down within the confines of the channels by high- and low-density turbidity currents and including both bed-load (traction) and suspended-load deposits; the overall fining- and thinning-upward character exhibited by the infill of these channels is thought to reflect decreasing flow energies and is consistent with the gradual cut-off of clastic influx to their upper reaches in response to progressive detachment from an adjacent coastal source during relative rise in sea level.Based on detailed analysis of facies and a sequence stratigraphic interpretation of outcrop data, this study contributes to extend the existing sequence stratigraphic schemes, further attesting that shelf-sediment bypass and deep-water sedimentation can take place at sea levels other than lowstand.     

The interpretation of cyclic successions of the Middle and Upper Triassic of the Northern and Southern Alps

Theories regarding the formation of sedimentary cycles in the 3rd, 4th and 5th order bands are reviewed with reference to the Middle and Upper Triassic of the Northern Calcareous Alps (NCA) and Southern Alps. Milankovitch, autocyclic and tectonic theories are discussed, together with an evaluation of concepts of chaotic sedimentation and a case example from the NCA. Concerning eustasy, 3rd, 4th and 5th order sea-level fluctuations were probably a low-amplitude, low-rate phenomenon caused by fluctuations in the volume of mountain glaciers and ocean water during the Triassic. The Mid and Late Triassic was a non-glacial interval in which polar regions may have been ice-free, so glacio-eustasy can not be expected. Eustatic sea-level variations in the 3rd, 4th and 5th order bands seem to have left no useful imprint on cyclic successions in the region; whatever record there may be is inextricably mixed with two other signals (tectonic activity and autocycles). The review shows how sedimentation in the Triassic of the area was strongly influenced by tectonic activity. This is as true for the Middle and Late Triassic of the NCA as it is for the Southern Alps. Tectonic activity may be responsible for large-scale cyclicity (4th to 3rd order scale). Although seismogenic structures have yet to be identified and described in carbonate successions of the Alps, candidates do exist. Slumped and microfaulted layers in laminated sediments of the Seefeld Basin (Upper Triassic, NCA) have been described as the products of fault movements. The sedimentary record from the NCA and Southern Alps also leaves little doubt that autocyclic processes were important in all environments except perhaps the deep, sediment-starved basins. Most small-scale platform cycles (5th order scale) in the region can be related to autocyclic processes and, in shallow basinal successions, to events such as storms. Previous workers have not been consistent in their interpretation of cyclic successions in the area, applying diverse theories to similar successions. So far, the Steinplatte-Hochkönig platform, with attached Kössen Basin, is the only example interpreted with reference to tectonics and autocyclicity; eustasy was probably not the most important factor in cycle generation in the Triassic of the NCA and Southern Alps. Such an approach could prove useful in future studies.     

New data on the stratigraphy of the landward slope of the Japanese Trench

Results of the ecostratigraphic analysis using statistical data handling of radiolarian fauna from the sections of holes 434, 434A, 434B firstly allow us: 1) to identify the stratigraphic succession and some hiatuses in the hemipelagic sedimentation, 2) to determine the age of basal layers of the sedimentary cover as an Oligocene-Early Miocene boundary. These results present a new data on the age and environmental conditions of the formation of the sedimentary cover on the landward slope of the Japanese Trench. The “layers with radiolarians” correspond to previously established areas. The boundaries of “layers with radiolarians” marked by radiometric dates obtained on sections of the Japan Sea on transect: holes 436, 439 and 584. These results revealed the periodicity of the sedimentation process.