Environmental changes and growth history of a cold-water carbonate mound (Propeller Mound,Porcupine Seabight)

On- and off-mound sediment cores from Propeller Mound (Hovland Mound province, Porcupine Seabight) were analysed to understand better the evolution of a carbonate mound. The evaluation of benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the off-mound position helps to determine the changes of the environmental controls on Propeller Mound in glacial and interglacial times. Two different assemblages describe the Holocene and Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 and late MIS 3 (∼31 kyr BP). The different assemblages are related to changes in oceanographic conditions, surface productivity and the waxing and waning of the British Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) during the last glacial stages. The interglacial assemblage is related to a higher supply of organic material and stronger current intensities in water depth of recent coral growth. During the last glaciation the benthic faunas showed high abundances of cassidulinid species, implying cold bottom waters and a reduced availability of organic matter. High sedimentation rates and the domination of Elphidium excavatum point to shelf erosion related to sea-level lowering (∼50 m) and the progradation of the BIIS onto the shelf. A different assemblage described for the on-mound core is dominated by Discanomalina coronata, Gavelinopsis translucens, Planulina ariminensis, Cibicides lobatulus and to a lower degree by Hyrrokkin sarcophaga. These species are only found or show significantly higher relative abundances in on-mound samples and their maximum contribution in the lower part of the record indicates a higher coral growth density on Propeller Mound in an earlier period. They are less abundant during the Holocene, however. This dataset portrays the boundary conditions of the habitable range for the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa, which dominates the deep-water reefal ecosystem on the upper flanks of Propeller Mound. The growth of this ecosystem occurs during interglacial and interstadial periods, whereas a retreat of corals is documented in the absence of glacial sediments on-mound. Glacial conditions with cold intermediate waters, a weak current regime and high sedimentation rates provide an unfavourable environmental setting for Lophelia corals to grow. A Late Pleistocene decrease is observed in the mound growth for Propeller Mound, which might face its complete burial in the future, as it already happened to the buried mounds of the Magellan Mound province further north.     

Benthic dynamics at the carbonate mound regions of the Porcupine Sea Bight continental margin

A brief review is given of some dynamical processes that influence the benthic dynamics within the carbonate mound provinces located at the Porcupine Bank/Sea Bight margin, NE Atlantic. The depth range of the mounds in this region (600–1,000 m) marks the upper boundary of the Mediterranean outflow water above which Eastern North Atlantic Water dominates. Both water masses are carried northwards by the eastern boundary slope current. In the benthic boundary layer both the action of internal waves, and other tidal period baroclinic waves, may enhance the bottom currents and add to both the residual and maximum flow strength. Both residual and maximum bottom currents vary at different mound locations, with stronger currents found at Belgica (SE Porcupine Sea Bight) mound and Pelagia (NW Porcupine Bank) mound regions, whilst weakest currents are found at the Hovland and Magellan Mounds at the northern Sea Bight margin. The differences may be attributed to the presence of internal waves (Pelagia) or bottom intensified diurnal waves (Belgica). These different dynamical regimes are likely to have implications for the distribution patterns of live coral at the different locations.     

X-ray imagery and physical core logging as a proxy of the content of sediment cores in cold-water coral mound provinces: a case study from Porcupine Seabight,SW of Ireland

Three provinces, characterized by the presence of carbonate mounds interpreted as cold-water coral banks have been reported in Porcupine Seabight, SW of Ireland and were recently subjected to many detailed studies. This contribution discusses the use of X-ray imagery and physical properties in deciphering palaeoceanographic, sedimentological and biological processes. Physical property core logging and X-ray imagery are used to identify and describe sedimentation regimes and so their respective palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatological settings in two mound provinces, respectively the Belgica mound province and the Magellan mound province. Both provinces show at present time clear differences in the hydrodynamic environment. This study confirms that also during the past the oceanographic and sedimentological environment of both provinces differ clearly. Impacts of glacial–interglacial variations and locally derived ice rafting events (IRE), comparable with the North Atlantic Heinrich events (HE) have been recognized in both provinces. Moreover, the combination of X-ray imagery, magnetic susceptibility, gamma density and P-wave velocity makes it possible to estimate the coral content and coral distribution in unopened cores localized on top of carbonate mounds. A comparison between on-mound and off-mound cores in both provinces allowed revealing some mechanisms of mound evolution and coral growth versus time.     

Thérèse Mound: a case study of coral bank development in the Belgica Mound Province,Porcupine Seabight

High-resolution seismic profiles, swath bathymetry, side-scan sonar data and video imageries are analysed in this detailed study of five carbonate mounds from the Belgica mound province with special emphasis on the well-surveyed Thérèse Mound. The selected mounds are located in the deepest part of the Belgica mound province at water depths of 950 m. Seismic data illustrate that the underlying geology is characterised by drift sedimentation in a general northerly flowing current regime. Sigmoidal sediment bodies create local slope breaks on the most recent local erosional surface, which act as the mound base. No preferential mound substratum is observed, neither is there any indication for deep geological controls on coral bank development. Seismic evidence suggests that the start-up of the coral bank development was shortly after a major erosional event of Late Pliocene–Quaternary age. The coral bank geometry has been clearly affected by the local topography of this erosional base and the prevailing current regime. The summits of the coral banks are relatively flat and the flanks are steepest on their upper slopes. Deposition of the encased drift sequence has been influenced by the coral bank topography. Sediment waves are formed besides the coral banks and are the most pronounced bedforms. These seabed structures are probably induced by bottom current up to 1 m/s. Large sediment waves are colonised by living corals and might represent the initial phase of coral bank development. The biological facies distribution of the coral banks illustrate a living coral cap on the summit and upper slope and a decline of living coral populations toward the lower flanks. The data suggest that the development of the coral banks in this area is clearly an interaction between biological growth processes and drift deposition both influenced by the local topography and current regime.     

Seafloor classification of the mound and channel provinces of the Porcupine Seabight: an application of the multibeam angular backscatter data

In this study multibeam angular backscatter data acquired in the eastern slope of the Porcupine Seabight are analysed. Processing of the angular backscatter data using the ‘NRGCOR’ software was made for 29 locations comprising different geological provinces like: carbonate mounds, buried mounds, seafloor channels, and inter-channel areas. A detailed methodology is developed to produce a map of angle-invariant (normalized) backscatter data by correcting the local angular backscatter values. The present paper involves detailed processing steps and related technical aspects of the normalization approach. The presented angle-invariant backscatter map possesses 12 dB dynamic range in terms of grey scale. A clear distinction is seen between the mound dominated northern area (Belgica province) and the Gollum channel seafloor at the southern end of the site. Qualitative analyses of the calculated mean backscatter values i.e., grey scale levels, utilizing angle-invariant backscatter data generally indicate backscatter values are highest (lighter grey scale) in the mound areas followed by buried mounds. The backscatter values are lowest in the inter-channel areas (lowest grey scale level). Moderate backscatter values (medium grey level) are observed from the Gollum and Kings channel data, and significant variability within the channel seafloor provinces. The segmentation of the channel seafloor provinces are made based on the computed grey scale levels for further analyses based on the angular backscatter strength. Three major parameters are utilized to classify four different seafloor provinces of the Porcupine Seabight by employing a semi-empirical method to analyse multibeam angular backscatter data. The predicted backscatter response which has been computed at 20° is the highest for the mound areas. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the mean backscatter response is also the highest for the mound areas. Interestingly, the slope value of the buried mound areas are found to be the highest. However, the channel seafloor of moderate backscatter response presents the lowest slope and CV values. A critical examination of the inter-channel areas indicates less variability within the estimated three parameters. Financial support of this study was granted by the European Commission Fifth Framework Project GEOMOUND (contract no. EVK3-CT-1999-00016).     

Quaternary sediment dynamics in the Belgica mound province,Porcupine Seabight: ice-rafting events and contour current processes

The Belgica cold-water coral banks on the eastern slope of the Porcupine Seabight are closely associated with bottom currents. In order to better understand the local temporal and spatial characteristics, as well as the palaeoclimatologic influences, a 26 m long core, taken on a small contourite drift, was studied. This sediment record of approximately 100 ka BP reveals new insights into the regional glacial and sedimentary processes, which are intrinsically linked to several geological, climatological, biological and hydrodynamic variables. The glacial sequences in the core contain six ice-rafting events (IRE). They are comparable with the North Atlantic Heinrich Events, although their characteristics show dominant influences from the proximal British–Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS). These IRE have a low magnetic susceptibility and are deposited during two or three ice-rafting pulses. The record of ice-rafting suggests a millennial-scaled BIIS destabilisation and confirms the start of a final retreat about 25 ka ago. Additionally, the glacial sequence corresponds to a muddy contourite, influenced by bottom-current strength variations during interstadials, possibly triggered by sporadic reintroductions of Mediterranean Outflow Water in a glacial North Atlantic Ocean. The interglacial sequence features an 11-m thick deep-water massive sand unit, probably deposited under a high-energy bottom-current regime.     

Inverse groundwater modelling in the Willunga Basin,South Australia

A new inverse technique for modelling groundwater flow, based on a functional minimization technique, has been used to calibrate a groundwater flow model of a subregion of the Port Willunga aquifer within the Willunga Basin in South Australia. The Willunga Basin is the location of extensive viticulture, irrigated primarily by groundwater, the levels and quality of which have declined significantly over the last 40 years. The new method is able to generate estimates of transmissivity, storativity and groundwater recharge over the whole subregion as a time-varying continuous surface; previous methods estimate local discrete parameter values at specific times. The new method has also been shown to produce accurate head values for the subregion and very good estimates of groundwater recharge. Its ultimate goal will be to provide a new and invaluable tool for significantly improved groundwater resource management. Supported in part by US National Science Foundation grants, DMS-0107492 and DMS-0079478.     

塔里木盆地震旦纪地层-构造特征

通过塔里木盆地盆缘露头区震旦系和盆内钻井岩心震旦系的对比,辅以全盆地42条地震大剖面以及多块三维地震资料和盆内各构造区块的二维地震资料解释成果,探讨了盆内震旦系岩性特征、分布范围以及构造样式,同时结合大地构造背景恢复震旦纪早期原型盆地及构造格局。塔里木盆地震旦系主要分布在盆地北部,向中央隆起带尖灭;盆地西南缘构造活动强烈,震旦系可能遭受抬升剥蚀;发育伸展-挤压构造旋回,具有南北分区的构造特征;发育地堑型、伸展断陷型、多米诺型和反转型4种构造样式。盆地北部由大陆裂谷转变为克拉通内坳陷,形成板内坳陷,为震旦系主要的沉积中心。     

On the mechanics of basin formation in the Pannonian basin: Inferences from analogue and numerical modelling

We present the results of a thrust fault reactivation study that has been carried out using analogue (sandbox) and numerical modelling techniques. The basement of the Pannonian basin is built up of Cretaceous nappe piles. Reactivation of these compressional structures and connected weakness zones is one of the prime agents governing Miocene formation and Quaternary deformation of the basin system. However, reactivation on thrust fault planes (average dip of ca. 30°) in normal or transtensional stress regimes is a problematic process in terms of rock mechanics. The aim of the investigation was to analyse how the different stress regimes (extension or strike-slip), and the geometrical as well as the mechanical parameters (dip and strike of the faults, frictional coefficients) effect the reactivation potential of pre-existing faults.

Results of analogue modelling predict that thrust fault reactivation under pure extension is possible for fault dip angle larger than 45° with normal friction value (sand on sand) of the fault plane. By making the fault plane weaker, reactivation is possible down to 35° dip angle. These values are confirmed by the results of numerical modelling. Reactivation in transtensional manner can occur in a broad range of fault dip angle (from 35° to 20°) and strike angle (from 30° to 5° with respect to the direction of compression) when keeping the maximum horizontal stress magnitude approximately three times bigger than the vertical or the minimum horizontal stress values.

Our research focussed on two selected study areas in the Pannonian basin system: the Danube basin and the Derecske trough in its western and eastern part, respectively. Their Miocene tectonic evolution and their fault reactivation pattern show considerable differences. The dominance of pure extension in the Danube basin vs. strike-slip faulting (transtension) in the Derecske trough is interpreted as a consequence of their different geodynamic position in the evolving Pannonian basin system. In addition, orientation of the pre-existing thrust fault systems with respect to the Early to Middle Miocene paleostress fields had a major influence on reactivation kinematics.

As part of the collapsing east Alpine orogen, the area of the Danube basin was characterised by elevated topography and increased crustal thickness during the onset of rifting in the Pannonian basin. Consequently, an excess of gravitational potential energy resulted in extension (σ_v > σ_H) during Early Miocene basin formation. By the time topography and related crustal thickness variation relaxed (Middle Miocene), the stress field had rotated and the minimum horizontal stress axes (σ_h) became perpendicular to the main strike of the thrusts. The high topography and the rotation of σ_h could induce nearly pure extension (dip-slip faulting) along the pre-existing low-angle thrusts. On the contrary, the Derecske trough was situated near the Carpathian subduction belt, with lower crustal thickness and no pronounced topography. This resulted in much lower σ_v value than in the Danube basin. Moreover, the proximity of the retreating subduction slab provided low values of σ_h and the oblique orientation of the paleostress fields with respect to the master faults of the trough. This led to the dominance of strike-slip faulting in combination with extension and basin subsidence (transtension).     

Structural controls on a geothermal system in the Tarutung Basin,north central Sumatra

The Sumatra Fault System provides a unique geologic setting to evaluate the influence of structural controls on geothermal activity. Whereas most of the geothermal systems in Indonesia are controlled by volcanic activity, geothermal systems at the Sumatra Fault System might be controlled by faults and fractures. Exploration strategies for these geothermal systems need to be verified because the typical pattern of heat source and alteration clays are missing so that conventional exploration with magnetotelluric surveys might not provide sufficient data to delineate favorable settings for drilling. We present field geological, structural and geomorphological evidence combined with mapping of geothermal manifestations to allow constraints between fault dynamics and geothermal activity in the Tarutung Basin in north central Sumatra. Our results indicate that the fault pattern in the Tarutung Basin is generated by a compressional stress direction acting at a high angle to the right-lateral Sumatra Fault System. NW–SE striking normal faults possibly related to negative flower structures and NNW-SSE to NNE-SSW oriented dilative Riedel shears are preferential fluid pathways whereas ENE–WSW striking faults act as barriers in this system. The dominant of geothermal manifestations at the eastern part of the basin indicates local extension due to clockwise block rotation in the Sumatra Fault System. Our results support the effort to integrate detailed field geological surveys to refined exploration strategies even in tropical areas where outcrops are limited.     

柴达木盆地北缘中、新生代盆地性质及构造演化

运用沉降史和平衡剖面技术分别对柴北缘中、新生代盆地垂向上的升降史和水平方向上的伸缩史进行定量研究,并结合区域地质背景对研究结果进行分析。结果表明:自中生代以来,柴北缘的构造演化可分为中生代（J-K）演化阶段和新生代（E₁₊₂以来）演化阶段。中生代演化阶段（J₁-J₂）,沉降史曲线具有伸展盆地特征,平衡剖面恢复结果也以伸展为主,最大伸展率和伸展速率分别达1.9%和19.48 m/(Ma·km)。这是受柴北缘周缘地块和柴达木地块运移差异引起的拉张应力场控制,因而具有伸展盆地性质。此外,由于柴达木地块的自身旋转,3个坳陷的沉降速率、伸缩率和伸缩速率也存在差异。新生代演化阶段（E₁₊₂以来）,沉降史曲线具有前陆盆地特征,平衡剖面恢复结果也以压缩型为主,最大压缩率和压缩速率分别为4.96%和14.09 m/(Ma·km),这是受印度板块和亚欧板块相互碰撞所引起的挤压应力场控制,因而具有前陆盆地性质。此外,受喜山运动各期的影响,各坳陷沉降速率和伸缩率均具有“幕式”渐进特点。     

塔里木盆地巴楚隆起断裂差异活动特征及成因演化

巴楚隆起是塔里木盆地重要的含油气构造单元,因其断裂构造特征与演化异常复杂,严重制约了对该地区构造特征及演化的认识和油气勘探工作。本文通过对地震资料精细构造解释,并结合塔里木盆地构造演化背景及最新的钻井、露头等资料,阐明了巴楚隆起断裂活动具有明显的分期差异性和分区、分带、分段及分层差异性。巴楚隆起断裂构造主要经历了4期差异活动,即加里东早期发育张扭性断裂、海西晚期断裂挤压反转、喜马拉雅山中期断裂强烈压扭逆冲与分区差异变形、喜马拉雅山晚期西南缘断裂带分段分层差异改造与叠加。断裂演化主要受控于加里东早期、海西晚期和喜马拉雅山中-晚期构造运动及对应时期塔里木古陆周缘洋盆开合与造山作用,喜马拉雅山中期是巴楚隆起断裂活动关键期,因受西昆仑和西南天山强烈挤压,隆起西段发生“屈服型”冲断隆升与走滑旋转,东段相应发生“受限型”弧形逆冲与向南掀斜,喜马拉雅山晚期断裂主要活动表现在隆起西北缘和西南缘,特别在西南缘断裂带发生了强烈的分段、分层差异叠加改造,其成因与西昆仑强烈隆升和向北挤压密切相关。     

四川盆地及邻区二叠纪梁山-栖霞组沉积盆地原型及其演化

中二叠世的上扬子地区开始经历大规模的海侵作用,形成了较为稳定的碳酸盐岩沉积建造。探究该时期四川盆地及邻区沉积充填规律与构造演化特征,是揭示原型盆地成因机制的关键,又是认识四川盆地多旋回叠加过程的重要一环。在前人研究成果的基础之上,综合利用钻井、野外剖面等地质资料,重建了梁山组、栖霞组沉积时期原型盆地构造-古地理格局,并分析其构造-沉积演化过程。主要受继承自晚石炭世以来的中部隆升,东西两侧下沉的的古地貌和初期大规模海侵作用的影响,中二叠世梁山组沉积时期,本地区以滨岸-潮坪沉积体系为特征;栖霞组沉积早期,逐渐过渡到碳酸盐岩台地沉积环境,受区域性伸展作用的影响,海平面相对上升,以开阔台地沉积环境为特征;栖霞组沉积晚期,海平面相对下降,以局限台地和台缘滩沉积环境为特征。因此,反映出四川盆地及邻区在该时期主要受伸展裂解作用的影响,可被认为是一个典型的克拉通内坳陷和边缘裂陷盆地。海平面升降的旋回性变化和盆地的差异性沉降对该时期原型盆地的沉积充填样式和古地理格局的演变产生了重要影响。     

澳大利亚波拿巴盆地侏罗系烃源岩热史及成熟史模拟

澳大利亚波拿巴盆地侏罗系海陆过渡相烃源岩热史及成熟史研究对波拿巴盆地浅水油气勘探具有指导意义.在恢复波拿巴盆地北部地史和热史的基础上,利用EASY％Ro模型计算了波拿巴盆地下—中侏罗统(Plover组泥岩)和中—上侏罗统(Elang组泥岩和Frigate组页岩)两套烃源岩的成熟史,并分别对比了下—中侏罗统和中—上侏罗统...     

柴达木盆地及邻区侏罗纪原型盆地恢复及油气勘探前景

侏罗系是柴达木盆地最重要的源储层系之一。通过野外地质、剖面实测、地震解释、显微构造分析等大量系列资料的综合应用与分析,认为研究区自中生代以来,经历了印支期右行逆冲-走滑构造运动、早—中侏罗世伸展运动、早白垩世北西-南东向挤压及新生代南北向挤压运动,它们与早侏罗世至中侏罗世早期(小煤沟组至大煤沟组)在NE向伸展应力场作用下形成的断陷盆地、中侏罗世晚期至晚侏罗世(彩石岭组—洪水沟组)热力沉降坳陷盆地、早白垩世南北向挤压坳陷盆地密切相关。侏罗纪原型盆地发育三类沉积边界,即盆缘不整合边界(缓坡型和陡坡型边界)、盆内正断层边界、后期逆断层改造边界。不同的现存盆地边界类型对原型盆地恢复的作用不同。侏罗纪盆地以东昆仑构造带为界具有"北陆南洋"的古地理格局,柴达木地区的侏罗纪盆地主要发育在沿岸造山带和岛弧带的山前坳陷以及薄弱的柴北缘加里东俯冲碰撞带之上,形成相对分隔的独立盆地群。柴达木早、中、晚侏罗世原型盆地的分布因受到古特提斯洋向北偏东方向的俯冲作用和阿尔金断裂左旋走滑作用的影响,其沉积中心和沉积范围呈现出从早到晚向东北方向逐渐迁移的规律。早侏罗世盆地的沉积沉降中心主要位于柴北缘西部的冷湖—马海一带,中侏罗世盆地的沉积沉降中心主要位于柴北缘中段的大柴旦—怀头他拉一带,而晚侏罗世盆地的沉积沉降中心主要位于德令哈—乌兰一带。     

滨里海盆地东部盐下成藏主控因素及勘探思路

滨里海盆地普遍发育一套下二叠统空谷阶盐岩层 ,是良好的区域性盖层 ,它把盆地分为盐上和盐下两大复合成藏组合。海西运动晚期 ,盆地东部地区断续、强烈的构造运动决定了地层空间展布、组合特点 ,控制了三个成藏带的形成 ,共发育三套成藏组合。盆地东部地区盐下油气藏规模、储量较大 ,大中型油气藏主要与石炭系两套海相碳酸盐岩层 (KT Ⅰ和KT Ⅱ )有关。在盆地东部发现的 10个盐下油气藏中 ,KT Ⅰ、KT Ⅱ产层的盖层均为其顶部泥岩层。下石炭统生物碎屑灰岩和下二叠统页岩是有效生油岩 ,分散有机质属混合类型。储层类型以孔隙型为主 ,溶洞型、孔洞型储层较发育 ,裂缝型储层偶尔发育 ;储层的次生改造作用非常重要。石炭系碳酸盐岩储层普遍分布 ,油气成藏主要受圈闭位置及其特点所控制。 90 %以上的失利探井是因为构造不落实 ,精确落实构造圈闭的具体位置 ,成为勘探的重中之重。     

盆地研究中不整合成因分析

沉积盆地的不整合使地层记录呈非连续性,不整合时的时空型式可以反映出不整合所成因,不整合成因分析不仅是对不整合形成的主要方式－侵蚀（包括陆上暴露侵蚀和水下侵蚀）和非侵蚀作用的研究,而且对其控制因素如大陆抬升,海平面变化以及盆地构造活动等进行分析,本文在对不整合研究进行历史回顾的基础上介绍了近来有关对不整合成因分析的认识和一些分析方法。     

楚雄盆地晚三叠世古地理变迁

楚雄盆地晚三叠世为一建立在扬子板块西缘前寒武纪基底之上的海相-海陆过渡相-陆相沉积盆地。中三叠世拉丁期-晚三叠世卡尼期沉积了一套深水的灰色薄层状粉砂质泥岩和泥质粉砂岩;诺利期早期以华坪隆起为界有两个沉降中心,华坪隆起以西的推覆体之上为广海陆架相的细碎屑岩沉积、远源浊积岩,以东为局限环境下的细碎屑岩沉积夹浊积岩;诺利期晚期为大规模的三角洲前缘砂体组成下超的复合体,古地理格局继续保持东西向分带,呈对称分布,盆地西部为陆相、海陆过渡相,盆地中部为海相沉积。瑞替期在原形盆地中形成舍资组的河流-滨岸沉积,在推覆体上形成白土田组的冲洪积物。总之,表现古地理变迁为一个由西东逐渐超覆、由下向上粒度逐渐变粗、由海相变为陆相的过程。     

四川盆地西南部第三纪盆地原型及其演化

第三纪是四川盆地大范围陆相沉积历史的最后阶段, 同时又是四川盆地重要的构造定形期.探究该时期原型盆地沉积充填规律与构造演化特征, 是揭示四川盆地形成演化过程, 还原其古地理、古气候演变的关键.在综合利用古地磁、地震、野外露头等资料的基础之上, 从盆-山结合的角度出发, 以地质历史时间为主要线索, 对第三纪原型盆地分阶段、分区域地进行了动态化分析研究.重建了各沉积时期原型盆地构造-古地理格局, 分析了盆地沉积充填规律并复原了不同阶段沉积相带的空间展布特征.主要受周缘山系逆冲推覆作用产生的构造负载和盆地基底构造的影响, 第三纪时期四川盆地沉积范围局限于西南部、南部地区, 以河、湖沉积环境为主, 处于持续地挤压、充填过程而具有萎缩消亡的趋势.现今残余第三系地层由老到新, 主要由名山组、芦山组、大邑砾岩组等地层组成(先后经历了: 受造山带挤压推覆作用和温暖干旱气候等因素影响, 发育湖盆边缘冲积扇和沙漠沉积环境, 处于快速沉降阶段的名山组沉积时期; 以及构造活动相对稳定, 湖盆面积不断减小, 以沙泥质沉积互层为特征的芦山组沉积时期; 和沿山前带由南向北迁移, 以发育大型冲积扇为特征的大邑砾岩组沉积时期).纵观整个第三纪构造演化历史, 反映出四川盆地西南部地区在第三纪时期表现为典型的陆内坳陷沉积盆地性质.同期的大地构造活动和气候变化等因素对原型盆地的形成与演化起到了重要的控制作用, 同时也对该时期盆地古地理格局和沉积充填规律产生了重要影响.