Sedimentary patterns and geometries of the Bahamian outer carbonate ramp (Miocene–Lower Pliocene, Great Bahama Bank)

Core, logging and high-resolution seismic data from ODP Leg 166 were used to analyse deposits of the Neogene (Miocene–Lower Pliocene) Bahamian outer carbonate ramp. Ramp sediments are cyclic alternations of light- and dark-grey wackestones/packstones with interbedded calciturbidite packages and minor slumps. Cyclicity was driven by high-frequency sea-level changes. Light-grey layers containing shallow-water bioclasts were formed when the ramp exported material, whereas the dark-grey layers are dominantly pelagic. Calciturbidites are arranged into mounded lobes with feeder channels. Internal bedding of the lobes shows a north-directed shingling as a result of the asymmetrical growth of these bodies. Calciturbidite packages occur below and above sequence boundaries, indicating that turbidite shedding occurred during third-order sea-level highstands and lowstands. Highstand turbidites contain shallow-water components, such as green algal debris and epiphytic foraminifera, whereas lowstand turbidites are dominated by abraded bioclastic detritus. Gravity flow depocentres shifted from an outer ramp position during the early Miocene to a basin floor setting during the late Miocene to early Pliocene. This change was triggered by an intensification of the strength of bottom currents during the Tortonian, which was also responsible for shaping the convex morphology of the outer ramp. The Miocene and Lower Pliocene of the leeward flank of Great Bahama Bank provides an example of the poorly known depositional setting of the outer part of distally steepened carbonate ramps. The contrast between its sedimentary patterns and the well-known Upper Pliocene–Quaternary slope facies associations of the flat-topped Great Bahama Bank shows the strong control that the morphology of a carbonate platform exerts on the depositional architecture of the adjacent slope and base-of-slope successions.     

Facies analysis and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Late Oligocene Attard Member (Lower Coralline Limestone Formation), Malta

The Oligocene represents a key interval during which coralline algae became dominant on carbonate ramps and luxuriant coral reefs emerged on a global scale. So far, few studies have considered the impact that these early reefs had on ramp development. Consequently, this study aimed at presenting a high‐resolution analysis of the Attard Member of the Lower Coralline Limestone Formation (Late Oligocene, Malta) in order to decipher the internal and external factors controlling the architecture of a typical Late Oligocene platform. Excellent exposures of the Lower Coralline Limestone Formation occurring along continuous outcrops adjacent to the Victoria Lines Fault reveal in detail the three‐dimensional distribution of the reef‐associated facies. A total of four sedimentary facies have been recognized and are grouped into two depositional environments that correspond to the inner and middle carbonate ramp. The inner ramp was characterized by a very high‐energy, shallow‐water setting, influenced by tide and wave processes. This setting passed downslope into an inner‐ramp depositional environment which was colonized by seagrass and interfingered with adjacent areas containing scattered corals. The middle ramp lithofacies were deposited in the oligophotic zone, the sediments being generated from combined in situ production and sediments swept from the shallower inner ramp by currents. Compositional characteristics and facies distributions of the Attard ramp are more similar to the Miocene ramps than to those of the Eocene. An important factor controlling this similarity may be the expansion of the seagrass colonization within the euphotic zone. This expansion may have commenced in the Late Oligocene and was associated with a concomitant reduction in the aerial extent of the larger benthonic foraminifera facies. Stacking‐pattern analysis shows that the depositional units (parasequences) at the study section are arranged into transgressive–regressive facies cycles. This cyclicity is superimposed on the overall regressive phase recorded by the Attard succession. Furthermore, a minor highstand (correlated with the Ru4/Ch1 sequence) and subsequent minor lowstand (Ch2 sequence) have been recognized. The biota assemblages of the Attard Member suggest that carbonate sedimentation took place in subtropical waters and oligotrophic to slightly mesotrophic conditions. The apparent low capacity of corals to form wave‐resistant reef structures is considered to have been a significant factor affecting substrate stability at this time. The resulting lack of resistant mid‐ramp reef frameworks left this zone exposed to wave and storm activity, thereby encouraging the widespread development of coralline algal associations dominated by rhodoliths.     

塔里木盆地东北缘库鲁克塔格地区寒武纪-奥陶纪沉积特征及演化

库鲁克塔格地区保存了相对完整的寒武纪-奥陶纪沉积地层,其沉积特征及演化规律的研究,对塔东地区寒武系-奥陶系油气勘探具有重要意义。通过库鲁克塔格地区详细的野外地质调查,结合前人相关研究成果,对该区寒武系-奥陶系沉积体系、沉积模式及演化规律的研究表明,寒武纪时期,库鲁克塔格地区经历了一次大的海侵-海退旋回,南、北两区沉积具有相似性。寒武纪早期的快速海侵导致南、北两区均发育陆棚相-深水盆地相沉积;寒武纪晚期,在逐渐海退的背景下,南、北两区开始出现沉积分异。奥陶纪,经历了新一轮大的海侵-海退旋回,南北两区沉积差异显著。北区从早奥陶世到晚奥陶世,发育台地边缘斜坡相-广海陆棚相-缓斜坡相-台地边缘礁滩相-开阔台地相相序,构成整体向上变浅的碳酸盐岩沉积层序;而南区发育深水盆地相-陆棚斜坡相-浊流盆地相-碎屑陆棚相相序,形成一套巨厚的深水复理石建造。库鲁克塔格地区寒武纪时期发育缓坡型碳酸盐岩台地,因台地不断向南构筑以及断裂活动,导致奥陶纪晚期台地边缘快速变陡,并在经历斜坡相快速堆积填平补齐之后,重新演变为缓坡型碳酸盐岩台地。晚奥陶世,由于周缘构造活动影响,却尔却克山-雅尔当山一带下沉,逐渐向远端变陡缓坡型碳酸盐岩台地演化。     

碳酸盐台地边缘或斜坡的类型及沉积模式

横切碳酸盐台地可以出现不同的沉积环境和相,其中台地边缘、斜坡或盆地边缘的沉积环境复杂,相的类型多,变化大,而且它们是重要的油气储集岩层和层控矿床的重要控矿相位。另外,盆地边缘或斜坡的沉积相序类型及演化,是沉积盆地分析的重要方面。碳酸盐台地边缘、斜坡或盆地边缘早已引起沉积学者及构造学者的注视,并有不少的论述(Wilson,1975;Mountjoy和James,1982;Read,1982,1985;Cook,1984;曾允孚等,1984)。现将碳酸盐台地边缘或斜坡的类型及沉积模式作一简要论述。     

Sedimentary facies and sequence stratigraphy of the Asmari Formation at Chaman-Bolbol, Zagros Basin, Iran

The Oligocene–Miocene Asmari Formation of the Zagros Basin is a thick sequence of shallow water carbonate. In the study area, it is subdivided into 14 microfacies that are distinguished on the basis of their depositional textures, petrographic analysis and fauna. Based on the paleoecology and lithology, four distinct depositional settings can be recognized: tidal flat, lagoon, barrier, and open marine. The Asmari Formation represents sedimentation on a carbonate ramp. In the inner ramp, the most abundant lithofacies are medium grained wackestone–packstone with imperforated foraminifera. The middle ramp is represented by packstone–grainstone to floatstone with a diverse assemblage of larger foraminifera with perforate wall, red algae, bryozoa, and echinoids. The outer ramp is dominated by argillaceous wackestone characterized by planktonic foraminifera and large and flat nummulitidae and lepidocyclinidae. Three third-order depositional sequences are recognized from deepening and shallowing trends in the depositional facies, changes in cycle stacking patterns, and sequence boundary features.     

Facies and depositional settings of the Middle Eocene-Oligocene carbonates in Kutch

Middle Eocene Fulra Limestone and Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation represent platform carbonate deposits of Kutch at the north-western margin of India. These carbonates contain larger benthic foraminifera, including Alveolina, Assilina, Discocyclina, Lepidocyclina, Miogypsina, Nummulites and Spiroclypeus. This study presents paleodepositional and paleobathymetric interpretations for both formations using benthic foraminifera in combination with lithological association, sedimentary structures and early diagenetic features. The six carbonate facies comprising the Fulra Limestone indicate a depositional spectrum ranging from bar-lagoon to mid-ramp depositional conditions. It records several shallowing upward cycles, leading to emergence and formation of paleokarst. The four carbonate facies of the Maniyara Fort Formation represents deposition within the inner ramp setting in bar-lagoon and patch-reef environment, while intervening fine siliciclastics correspond to episodes of relative sea level fall. Nummulitic accumulations form low-relief bars within the fair weather wave base in both the formations. The depositional setting of the Paleogene carbonate in Kutch broadly resembles Eocene platformal deposits in the circum-Tethys belt.     

The Cretaceous sedimentary history of the Pindos Basin (Greece)

The Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Pindos Zone in western Greece document the evolution of a Tethyan deep-water basin. New sedimentological and micropalaeontological studies reveal a complex basin history. Siliceous sediments with abundant radiolaria and organic-rich facies prevailed up to the early Late Cretaceous. Within the sediment-starved pre-Middle Cenomanian, marked black shale levels appear that are probably linked to oceanic anoxic events. At the change from the late Early to the early Middle Cenomanian, the sedimentary regime altered abruptly. The early Late Cretaceous is characterized by major calcareous redepositional events (orbitoline horizons) and often associated siliciclastic turbidite deposition (submarine-fan environments). In the late Late Cretaceous, carbonate supply increased rapidly, resulting in the evolution of a carbonate slope and basin-plain setting. Pelagic and allodapic limestones recorded basinwide blooms in planktonic foraminifera (elevata event) and a polyphase redepositional history that is interpreted to reflect the sensitivity of the basin to the tectonic evolution of Apulia.     

Sub-wavebase cross-bedded grainstones on a distally steepened carbonate ramp, Upper Miocene, Menorca, Spain

Cross‐bedded grainstones on carbonate ramps and shelves are commonly related to the locus of major wave energy absorption such as shorelines, shoals or shelf breaks. In contrast, on the Early Tortonian carbonate platform of Menorca (Balearic Islands), coarse‐grained, cross‐bedded grainstones are found at a distance from the palaeoshoreline where they were deposited below the wavebase. Excellent exposures along continuous outcrops on the sea cliffs of Menorca reveal the depositional profile and three‐dimensional distribution of the different facies belts of the Tortonian ramp depositional system. Basinward from the palaeoshoreline, fan deltas and beach deposits pass into 5‐km‐wide gently dipping bioturbated dolopackstone (inner and middle ramp), then into 12–20°‐dipping dolograinstone/rudstone clinobeds (ramp slope) and, finally, into subhorizontal fine‐grained basinal dolowackestone to dolopackstone (outer ramp). In this Miocene example, coarse‐grained grainstones exist in five different settings other than beach deposits: (1) on the middle ramp, where cross‐bedded grainstones were deposited by currents roughly parallel to the shoreline at 40–70 m estimated water depth and are interbedded with gently dipping bioturbated dolomitized packstones; (2) on the upper slope, where clinobeds are composed mostly of in situ rhodoliths and red‐algae fragments; (3) on the lower slope, as small‐scale bedforms (small three‐dimensional subaqueous dunes) migrating parallel to the slope; (4) at the transition between the lower slope and the outer ramp, where mollusc‐rich and rhodolithic rudstones and grainstones, interbedded in dolomitized laminated wackestones containing abundant planktonic foraminifera, infill slide/slump scars as upslope‐backstepping bodies (backsets); (5) at the toe of the slope, where coarse skeletal grainstones indicate bedform migration parallel to the platform margin, induced by currents at more than 150 m estimated water depth. This Late Miocene example also illustrates how changes in intrabasinal environmental conditions (nutrients and/or temperature) may produce changes in stratal patterns and facies architecture if they affect the biological system. Two depositional sequences compose the Miocene platform on Menorca, where a reef‐rimmed platform prograded onto an earlier distally steepened ramp. The transition from the ramp to the reef‐rimmed platform was effected by an increase in accommodation space caused by ecological changes, promoting a shift from a grain‐ to a framework‐producing biota.     

杭州湾北岸更新世以来沉积环境记录及古气候变迁

文章通过对杭州湾北岸孔深为237.80 m的BZK04钻孔进行沉积物岩性、微体古生物、孢粉组合、粒度含量、古地磁和OSL测年的综合分析,讨论研究区更新世以来沉积环境演变及古气候变迁特征,建立第四纪多重地层划分对比框架。结果显示, BZK04孔岩心自下而上可分为基岩长河组碳质泥岩（Ech）和早更新世以来的嘉兴组（N-Qp1 j）、前港组（Qp2q）、东浦组（Qp3d）、宁波组（Qp3n）、镇海组（Qhzh）地层;有孔虫鉴定为11属17种,其中包括16种底栖有孔虫,1种浮游有孔虫;介形类鉴定为8属8种;孢粉分析显示含37种类型,其中木本植物花粉18种,草本植物花粉11种,蕨类孢子8种,孢粉组合中木本植物含量最高,约为85.1%,蕨类孢子次之,约为8.7%,草本植物花粉含量仅为6.3%。根据岩性分层特征、沉积相、孢粉、有孔虫及介形虫以及粒度分布频率曲线对钻孔的沉积环境进行综合分析,可将沉积环境记录划分18个孢粉组合带和七个古气候旋回变迁,其中早更新世为河流相和河湖相沉积,揭示第三暖期—第4冷期的两个古气候旋回;中更新世以河流相、湖泊相和河湖相为主,揭示第五暖期—第6冷期的两个古气候旋回;晚更新世以潮坪相、河口湾相、浅海相沉积为主,对应第七暖期—第8冷期的两个古气候旋回;全新世时期为潮坪相和河湖相沉积,对应大西洋期和亚北方期。研究结果为进一步掌握长江三角洲南翼更新世以来的第四纪沉积环境变化、地层划分和古气候演变等提供基础资料。     

土库曼斯坦阿姆河盆地卡洛夫—牛津阶沉积相特征

以岩心描述、薄片和古生物鉴定为依据,结合测井相和地震相特征和区域构造-沉积背景,对土库曼斯坦阿姆河盆地卡洛夫—牛津阶沉积相特征进行研究,确定该地层单元属于碳酸盐台地沉积体系,识别出蒸发台地、局限台地、开阔台地、台地边缘礁滩、前缘缓斜坡、盆地等6种沉积相类型。以连井沉积相剖面对比、沉积相平面分布特征和纵向演化分析为基础,进一步揭示出该盆地卡洛夫—牛津阶经历了台地前缘缓斜坡、台地边缘礁滩、开阔台地、局限台地、蒸发台地等交替发育构成多期次海进—海退旋回演化和"开放性宽缓型镶边缓斜坡台地"沉积模式。     

东西特提斯晚白垩世深水底栖有孔虫生物相和岩相

白垩纪深水古海洋学研究仍处于早期发展阶段,一方面是由于来自钙质底栖有孔虫的稳定同位素和地球化学数据的缺乏,其原因在于白垩纪高碳酸盐补偿深度;另一方面在于深水有机质胶结有孔虫示踪古海洋还没有充分发展起来。深海环境深水胶结有孔虫的分布主要取决于碳酸盐可利用状况、原始生产的输入通量、深水交换、环境波动(深海洋流、浊流和快速沉积事件)和底层沉积类型,因此对于重建深海环境具有非常巨大的潜力。东、西特提斯Campanian Maastrichtian深水底栖有孔虫组合的统计分析揭示出6个生物相,代表着明显不同的沉积环境。包括:深海红色泥岩与矮小深海生物组合(生物相1);红色深海泥灰岩(“Couches Rouges”相),含钙质胶结有孔虫组合(生物相3);深水远洋灰岩(“Scaglia Rossa”相),含易碎的Rhizammina组合(生物相2);绿色灰色半远洋泥灰岩,含适应高输出通量生物组合(生物相4);半远洋泥岩和粉砂岩,含Aschemocella Nothia 组合(生物相5);陆源浊积层序,含“复理石型”Rhabdammina组合(生物相6)。Campanian Maastrichtian红色氧化深水环境动物组合与现今深海类似,而白垩纪贫氧深海环境胶结组合在现今无法找到相类似物。随着古生态信息的增加和数据库的扩展,深水胶结有孔虫有望成为揭示古海洋条件的重要工具,尤?     

西藏措勤盆地下白垩统多巴组沉积环境分析

西藏措勤前陆盆地下白垩统多巴组是一套分布面积广大,比较特征的碳酸盐、陆源碎屑混合沉积的地层,本文通过对几条较完整的主干剖面的详细沉积相分析,揭示了多巴组的主要沉积环境包括潮坪、低能潮下带、近岸碳酸盐台地缓坡、台缘介壳滩及碳酸盐台地等几种主要类型,建立了多巴组的沉积相模式,并指出多巴组的沉积演化主要受控于盆地构造运动和全球海平面变化,这将有助于该地区的构造沉积演化研究。     

鄂北南化地区寒武纪缓坡沉积及层序

出露于鄂北南化地区的寒武纪地层，总厚约１４００ｍ，主体为一套碳酸盐岩。对沉积岩相及相组合的分析表明，本区寒武系主要是形成于碳酸盐缓坡之上，并可以划分出四种主要的沉积相带:浅水陆棚、深水缓坡、浅水缓坡建隆和近岸浅水缓坡。本文还初步研究了区内寒武系露头的层序地层学特征，划分出两个亚层序，并探讨了亚层序内部岩相的不同叠置类型及其在时间上的演化与相应的海平面升降变化。通过与已有的旋回性海平面变化模式相对比，得出了本区寒武纪层序内部的次级旋回可能指示第三级海平面变化旋回的认识。     

Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Tarbur Formation (Maastrichtian) from Iranian Zagros Foreland Basin, Southwest of Iran

Shallow carbonate deposits(Tarbur Formation)were formed in the Zagros foreland basin with dynamic tectonics during the Maastrichtian age.From the viewpoint of reconstruction of depositional conditions in these deposits,studies of biostratigraphy,microfacies,microtaphofacies,and sequence stratigraphy were performed in a single area at Tang-e Shabi Khoon,northwest of Zagros.Based on the identification of two assemblage zones consisting of benthic foraminifera in these strata,the formation was deposited during the middle to late Maastrichtian.The number of cycles in test size and type of coiling in Loftusia decreased from the study area toward the northwest of the Neotethys basin.The input of clastic sediments affected the distribution of Loftusia and rudists in the study area.Nine microfacies,six microtaphofacies,and one terrigenous facies(shale)were identified based on the sedimentary features.These deposits of the middle-late Maastrichtian were deposited on a homoclinal carbonate ramp.The platform can be divided into restricted and semi-restricted lagoon,shoal,and open marine environments.In the study area,the deposits of the Tarbur Formation were deposited during four third-order depositional sequences.Local fault activities affected the formation of depositional sequences in the study area.     

鄂西—湘西北地区二叠纪栖霞期岩相古地理

对鄂西—湘西北地区多个沉积剖面的地层及沉积相进行了详细分析,结果表明,该区二叠纪栖霞期至茅口初期主要为内克拉通碳酸盐岩缓坡环境,发育内缓坡相、中缓坡相、外缓坡相和盆地相.内缓坡相以厚层至块状生物碎屑石灰岩为主,生物颗粒以绿藻和底栖有孔虫为主,缺乏高能沉积的生物颗粒.中缓坡相以中厚层含生物碎屑颗粒石灰岩以及厚层灰泥石灰岩...     

Sedimentation during carbonate ramp-to-slope evolution in a tectonically active area: Bowland Basin (Dinantian), northern England

The Bowland Basin (northern England) contains a series of carbonates and terrigenous mudstones deposited during the Ivorian to early Brigantian. Two regional depositional environments are indicated by facies and facies associations. Wackestone/packstone and calcarenite facies indicate deposition in a carbonate ramp environment, while lime mudstone/wackestone, calcarenite and limestone breccia/conglomerate facies, often extensively slumped, represent a carbonate slope environment. Stratigraphic relations suggest that the depositional environment evolved from a ramp into a slope through the Dinantian. Two main sediment sources are indicated by the sequence; an extra-basinal terrigenous mud source and a supply of carbonate from the margins of the basin. Deposition from suspension and from sediment gravity flows, in situ production and remobilization of sediment during sedimentary sliding were important processes operating within the basin. Periods of enhanced tectonic activity in the late Chadian to early Arundian and late Asbian to early Brigantian are indicated by basin-wide horizons of sedimentary slide and mass flow deposits. Both intervals were marked by a decline in carbonate production resulting from inundation and uplift/emergence. The first of these intervals separates deposition on a seafloor with gentle topography (carbonate ramp) from a situation where major lateral thickness and facies variations were present and deposition took place in a carbonate slope environment. The second interval marks the end of major carbonate deposition within the Bowland Basin and the onset of regional terrigenous sedimentation.     

Biostratigraphy,sequence stratigraphy,and paleoecology of the Lower–Middle Miocene of Northern Bandar Abbas,Southeast Zagros basin in south of Iran

The Guri Member is a limestone interval at the base of the calcareous marls of the Mishan Formation. It is the youngest hydrocarbon reservoir of the southeast part of the Zagros sedimentary basin. This Member overlaid siliciclastic rocks of Razak Formation and is overlain by green and gray marls of the Mishan Formation. In order to consider the paleoecology and paleoenvironments of the Lower–Middle Miocene (Guri Member), we have studied biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy of the Guri Member based on foraminifer and microfacies in two stratigraphic sections including Dorahi–Homag and Chahestan. A total of 33 genera and 56 species of benthic and planktonic foraminifera were identified in two studied stratigraphic sections. Benthic and planktonic foraminifera demonstrate Aquitanian to Langhian age (Early–Middle Miocene) for this Member at the study area. Studied interval has deposited in four facies association including supratidal, lagoon, coral reef, and open sea on a carbonate ramp. Carbonate rocks of the Guri Member have precipitated in two and three depositional sequences at Chahestan and Dorahi–Homag sections, respectively. Sedimentation of marine carbonates of the Guri Member on siliciclastic deposits reflects a major transgression of sea level at Lower to Middle Miocene that led to creating a new sea in the Zagros basin at that age. Increasing siliciclastic influx along with a sea level fall finally caused burying of the carbonate ramp. Except for the beginning of sedimentation of carbonate at the base of both stratigraphic sections (depositional sequence 1), most of the system tracts are not matched to global sea level curve that reflect local effects of the basin. Distribution of foraminifera suggests precipitation in tropical to subtropical in mesotrophic to oligotrophic and eutrophic to oligotrophic conditions. Based on large benthic foraminifera (porcelaneous large benthic foraminifera and hyaline larger benthic foraminifera), water temperature average was determined between 25 and 30 °C that was confirmed by analyzing oxygen and carbon stable isotopes. Finally, we have utilized achieved data to reconstruction and modeling of paleoecology, paleoenvironments, and sea level changes in the southeast part of the Zagros basin.     

Internal anatomy of a mixed siliciclastic–carbonate platform: the Late Cenomanian–Mid Turonian at the southern margin of the Spanish Central System

The Late Cenomanian–Mid Turonian succession in central Spain is composed of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks deposited in a variety of coastal and marine shelf environments (alluvial plain–estuarine, lagoon, shoreface, offshore‐hemipelagic and carbonate ramp). Three depositional sequences (third order) are recognized: the Atienza, Patones and El Molar sequences. The Patones sequence contains five fourth‐order parasequence sets, while a single parasequence set is recognized in the Atienza and El Molar sequences. Systems tracts can be recognized both in the sequences and parasequence sets. The lowstand systems tracts (only recognized for Atienza and Patones sequences) are related to erosion and sequence boundary formation. Transgressive systems tracts are related to marine transgression and shoreface retreat. The highstand systems tracts are related to shoreface extension and progradation, and to carbonate production and ramp progradation. Sequences are bounded by erosion or emergence surfaces, whose locations are supported by mineralogical analyses and suggest source area reactivation probably due to a fall in relative sea‐level. Transgressive surfaces are subordinate erosion and/or omission surfaces with a landward facies shift, interpreted as parasequence set boundaries. The co‐existence of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments and environments occurred as facies mixing or as distinct facies belts along the basin. Mixed facies of coastal areas are composed of detrital quartz and clays derived from the hinterland, and dolomite probably derived from bioclastic material. Siliciclastic flux to coastal areas is highly variable, the maximum flux postdates relative sea‐level falls. Carbonate production in these areas may be constant, but the final content is a function of changing inputs in terrigenous sediments and carbonate content diminishes through a dilution effect. Carbonate ramps were detached from the coastal system and separated by a fringe of offshore, fine‐grained muds and silts as distinct facies belts. The growth of carbonate ramp deposits was related to the highstand systems tracts of the fourth‐order parasequence sets. During the growth of these ramps, some sediment starvation occurred basinwards. Progradation and retrogradation of the different belts occur simultaneously, suggesting a sea‐level control on sedimentation. In the study area, the co‐existence of carbonate and siliciclastic facies belts depended on the superimposition of different orders of relative sea‐level cycles, and occurred mainly when the second‐order, third‐order and fourth‐order cycles showed highstand conditions.     

Sequence stratigraphy in the upper cretaceous of the Basco-Cantabrian Basin (northern Spain)

The sedimentary cycles of the Cenomanian to Maastrichtian were investigated in the Basco-Cantabrian Basin (BCB) in northern Spain (Provinces of Alava, Vizcaya and Burgos). The depositional area was a distally steepened carbonate ramp which extended from Catalonia northwestwards to the Basque country. The investigated sediments range from calciturbidites and pelagic marls to marl-limestone alternations deposited on a distal carbonate ramp. Shallow marine limestones, marls and intertidal clastics and carbonates were deposited on the proximal part of the carbonate ramp. The establishment of a regional sequence analysis is based on the investigation of seismic profiles, well logs and outcrop sections. Examples of outcrop sections are interpreted in terms of sequence stratigraphy (unconformities of third- and second-order cycles, depositional geometries, systems tracts). The sequence stratigraphic interpretation of outcrop sections is based on facies analysis, interpretation of observed depositional geometries and correlation of unconformities and marine flooding surfaces through the basin. A biostratigraphic framework is established based on ammonites, inoceramids, planktonic and benthic foraminifera. As a result, a regional sequence stratigraphic cycle chart is presented and compared with published global cycle charts. The correlation of the regional cycle chart with published cycle charts is good. In the Cenomanian and Turonian, several sequence boundaries in the BCB are shifted by up to one biozone compared with the global chart. Some type 1 boundaries of the standard chart are only type 2 in the BCB. Important type 1 boundaries in the BCB are: top Geslinianum Zone with a 100 m lowstand wedge at the basis of the sequence (sequence boundary 92.2) ; base Petrocoriense Zone with a 250 m shallowing-upwards lowstand wedge at the basis (sequence boundary 89.2); and within the Syrtale Zone (sequence boundary 85.0).The Campanian-Maastrichtian sequence record is strongly disturbed by local compressive tectonics. Several sequences are recognizable and can be correlated with the global cycle chart. Correlation is hampered by the low biostratigraphic resolution in the western basin part. Subsidence analysis of several sections of the Upper Cretaceous of the BCB and its interpretation in the regional tectonic context leads to a discussion of the causes of the observed cyclicity. A regional eustatic curve is presented for the Upper Cretaceous of the BCB. Stage and substage names were used according Code-Committee (1977). Correspondence to: K.-U. Gräfe     

Carbonate ramp depositional systems from a late Jurassic epeiric platform (Iberian Basin, Spain): a combined computer modelling and outcrop analysis

No counterparts to epeiric-sea carbonate ramps are known in present-day environments. This hinders the interpretation of the factors controlling the growth and evolution of these depositional settings. In this study we analyse the facies and geometries of two Jurassic examples both from outcrop study and through computer modelling. This analysis is constrained by two important features of these Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian ramps: firstly, they are very well exposed, allowing accurate reconstruction of a 200-km section from proximal to distal ramp environments, and, secondly, a time framework for correlation, section reconstruction and modelling is provided by a well-defined ammonite biostratigraphy. The modelling results in a synthetic stratigraphy which closely matches the reconstructed cross-sections and, when integrated with the field study, constrains and provides additional quantitative data on the following aspects of carbonate ramp systems. Resedimentation by storms is an important process in maintaining the ramp profile through time. Down-ramp transport distances of between 25 and 40 km are indicated from the distribution of storm beds and shallow-water allochems and from model-matching known stratigraphic thicknesses and geometries. Modelling sediment production within the time constraints from the ammonite biozones indicates that shallow-water carbonate production was 1–2 orders of magnitude less than that predicted for present-day open-marine carbonate platforms. Deeper-water production rates were reduced by lesser amounts. These proportionally higher, outer-ramp production rates also help to maintain ramp geometries through time. The enigmatic slope crest of ramps is shown to result from a combination of higher, shallow-water production and erosion rates, together with loss of accommodation during highstands and high-stillstands in the modelled sea-level curves. The most parsimonious modelling of the two ramp sequences comes from a relative sea-level curve composed of a linear subsidence component superposed by 20- and 100-kyr cycles on a third-order cycle. The third-order cycles and their timing do not correspond to those of the Exxon curve.