Sequence stratigraphy of coal‐bearing,high‐energy clastic units: The Maitland‐Cessnock‐Greta Coalfield and Cranky Corner Basin

Upper Carboniferous to Lower Permian sedimentary rocks extend along the periphery of the northern Sydney Basin, a sub‐basin of the Sydney‐Gunnedah‐Bowen Basin complex. The basin contains basal basalts and volcanic sediments deposited in a nascent rift zone. This rift zone was created through crustal thinning during trench rollback on the eastern edge of the New England Orogen. Thermal subsidence created accommodation for predominantly marine Dalwood Group sediments. Clastic sedimentation then occurred in the Maitland‐Cessnock‐Greta Coalfield and Cranky Corner Basin during the Early Permian. This occurred on a broad shelf undergoing renewed thermal subsidence on the margin of a rift flank of the Tamworth Belt of the southern New England Orogen. Braidplain fans prograded or aggraded in two depositional sequences. The first sequence commences near the top of the Farley Formation and includes part of the Greta Coal Measures, while the second sequence includes the majority of the Greta Coal Measures and basal Branxton Formation. Thin, areally restricted mires formed during interludes in a high sedimentation regime in the lowstand systems tracts. As base‐level rose, areally extensive mires developed on the transgressive surface of both sequences. A paludal to estuarine facies changed to a shallow‐marine facies as the braidplain was transgressed. The transgressive systems tracts continued to develop with rising relative sea‐level. Renewed uplift in the hinterland resulted in the erosion of part of the transgressive systems tract and all of the highstand systems tract of the lower sequence. In the upper sequence a reduction in relative sea‐level rise saw the development of a deltaic to nearshore shelf highstand systems tract. Extensional dynamics caused a fall in relative base‐level and the development of a sequence boundary in the Branxton Formation. Finally, renewed thermal subsidence created accommodation for the overlying, predominantly marine Maitland Group.     

柴北缘鱼卡地区侏罗纪含煤地层层序地层学研究

运用钻井岩心、测井及层序地层学有关理论、方法,对青海柴北缘鱼卡地区侏罗纪含煤地层进行了层序地层学研究。共识别出4个层序界面,将侏罗系含煤地层划分为3个三级层序,分别对应于中侏罗统大煤沟组、石门沟组下段和石门沟组上段;研究区层序界面主要包括区域不整合面(古风化壳)、三角洲平原分流河道下切谷、河道间古土壤和盆地内基准面下降—暴露—上升旋回的转折点;与海相含煤盆地不同,厚煤层在层序格架内的发育具有多样性。在古隆起和盆地内部,厚煤层常靠近初始湖泛面发育(煤7);在盆地边缘河流—三角洲平原,厚煤层常靠近最大湖泛面发育(煤5)。总体来看,陆相含煤盆地三级层序中,湖侵体系域聚煤最好。      

冀中坳陷饶阳凹陷留西地区古近系沙河街组沙三上亚段沉积相与隐蔽油藏

通过岩心观察和单井相分析,结合沉积背景资料,认为留西地区古近系沙河街组沙三上亚段发育辫状河三角洲相和湖泊相,以辫状河三角洲前缘亚相和滨浅湖亚相为主,主要发育辫状分流河道、越岸沉积、水下分流河道、河口坝、席状砂等微相。根据层序地层学基本原理,结合前人研究成果,认为本区沙三上亚段为一完整的三级层序,可划分为低位、湖侵和高位3个体系域,分别对应于沙三上亚段沉积时期的早期、中期和晚期,绘制了每个沉积阶段的沉积相图,在此基础上研究了沉积体系的平面展布特征。沙三上亚段沉积时期形成的北高南低的构造背景与辫状河三角洲近东西向展布的砂体形态相互配置,加之良好的油源供给,为后期成藏创造了条件。沙三上亚段沉积早期发育的辫状河三角洲前缘水下分流河道与河口坝砂体是主要的储集体,与沉积中期发育的烃源岩形成了十分有利的生储盖组合,具有优越的隐蔽油藏发育条件。总结了该区隐蔽油藏成藏的4种模式,确定留西地区中南部沙三上亚段沉积早期发育的辫状河三角洲前缘砂体是下一步隐蔽油藏勘探的有利目标。     

Stratigraphic and depositional framework of the Walloon Subgroup,eastern Surat Basin,Queensland

The Middle Jurassic Walloon Subgroup is a prolific coal seam gas (CSG) resource in the Surat Basin, Queensland. Sedimentary framework models constrain stochastic reservoir models of the geological heterogeneity, but there is limited basin analysis information in the public domain. Here we present a regionally consistent stratigraphic framework model for the Walloon CSG play in the eastern Surat Basin. Lithostratigraphic correlation of open-file industry and government wireline logs supports the interpretation of six subunits in the eastern Surat Basin (oldest–youngest: Durabilla Formation; Taroom Coal Measures; Tangalooma Sandstone; and Juandah Coal Measures, informally divided into three members named the lower Juandah Coal Measures, Juandah sandstone and upper Juandah Coal Measures). Important findings are that subunits within the Walloon Subgroup do not correlate along the entire CSG play area; in many places, the overlying Springbok Sandstone (Upper Jurassic) has incised to the lower Juandah Coal Measures level, removing the upper coal seam groups. The Walloon Subgroup thins to the south through a combination of depositional thinning and truncation. Lithofacies analysis and isopach maps support deposition in a southerly prograding fluvial system or clastic wedge. This stratigraphic and depositional interpretation informs models for hydrogeological studies of the Walloon Subgroup and underpins a regional assessment of controls on microbial methane distribution.     

Stratigraphic evolution of the nearshore to fluvial plain of the Upper Cuyo Group,Neuquén,Argentina

The upper portion of the Cuyo Group in the Zapala region, south‐eastern Neuquén Basin (Western Argentina), encompasses marine and transitional deposits (Lajas Formation) overlain by alluvial rocks (Challacó Formation). The Challacó Formation is covered by the Mendoza Group above a second‐order sequence boundary. The present study presents the stratigraphic framework and palaeophysiographic evolution of this Bajocian to Eo‐Calovian interval. The studied succession comprises the following genetic facies associations: (i) offshore and lower shoreface–offshore transition; (ii) lower shoreface; (iii) upper shoreface; iv) intertidal–subtidal; (v) supratidal–intertidal; (vi) braided fluvial to delta plain; (vii) meandering river; and (viii) braided river. The stratigraphic framework embraces four third‐order depositional sequences (C1 to C4) whose boundaries are characterized by the abrupt superposition of proximal over distal facies associations. Sequences C1 to C3 comprise mostly littoral deposits and display well‐defined, small‐scale transgressive–regressive cycles associated with fourth‐order depositional sequences. Such high‐frequency cycles are usually bounded by ravinement surfaces associated with transgressive lags. At last, the depositional sequence C4 delineates an important tectonic reorganization probably associated with an uplift of the Huincul Ridge. This is suggested by an inversion of the transport trend, north‐westward during the deposition of C1 to C3 depositional sequences (Lajas Formation) to a south‐west trend during the deposition of the braided fluvial strata related to the C4 depositional sequence (Challacó Formation).     

鄂尔多斯盆地东缘保德地区上古生界层序地层与沉积相特征*

为了揭示鄂尔多斯盆地东缘层序地层与沉积相特征,以层序地层学和沉积学理论为指导,对鄂尔多斯盆地东缘保德扒楼沟剖面及周缘上古生界的层序与体系域界面类型、层序结构、沉积相类型及沉积演化进行研究。依据区域性不整合面、下切谷冲刷面、海侵方向转换面和区域性海退面等层序界面将研究区上古生界划分为7个三级层序,分别对应于本溪组、太原组2段、太原组1段、山西组、下石盒子组、上石盒子组和石千峰组。保德扒楼沟及周缘上古生界剖面发育16种岩石类型和8种岩石组合。区内上古生界发育障壁海岸相、碳酸盐岩台地相、辫状河相和曲流河相。SQ1-SQ3中低位体系域发育风化壳和潮道亚相,海侵体系域发育潮坪亚相和潟湖亚相,高位体系域发育碳酸盐岩台地相、潟湖亚相和潮坪亚相;SQ4-SQ7中低位体系域发育辫状河河床亚相,海侵体系域主要发育曲流河泛滥平原亚相,高位体系域主要发育多期曲流河河床亚相—堤岸亚相—泛滥平原亚相的演化序列。区内上古生界经历了由障壁海岸相和碳酸盐岩台地相向河流相的演化过程,沉积演化主要受物源供给、海平面变化和构造活动的控制。     

辽西八道壕煤盆地层序地层与成煤环境分析

辽西黑山—彰武地区分布有一系列早白垩世断陷成因的陆相盆地,其中以八道壕煤盆地含煤性最好。本次工作在八道壕煤矿深部勘探区,采用二维地震、钻探、测井等对八道壕组进行了层序地层和成煤环境分析。八道壕组可分为三个三级层序,下部第1层序（Sq1）为冲积扇注入湖盆形成的水下扇—扇三角洲沉积体系,湖侵域和高位域各含一个煤组,湖侵域退积的水下扇边缘和高位域扇三角洲前缘都有厚煤层发育。早期冲积扇自盆地西南注入湖盆,煤层发育在断陷较深的中北部,自西侧盆缘断裂附近向东超覆。Sq1湖侵域的煤层比高位域的煤层分布面积要大。盆地南部冲积扇主体部位粗碎屑岩增多,上、下煤组的煤层均向南变薄尖灭。由于物源区构造抬升冲积扇向湖盆的进积作用加剧,八道壕组中上部第2、3层序粗碎屑沉积物增多,湖盆水域面积缩小,煤层不再发育。     

川南煤田古叙矿区含煤地层格架及聚煤作用

四川省古叙矿区晚二叠世龙潭组为一套海陆交替相含煤地层,根据勘查地质资料通过层序地层学和聚煤作用研究,根据区域性不整合面、河流下切谷充填砂岩底部冲刷面、石灰岩的旋回性及最大延伸范围等划分为2个三级层序及相应的低位、海侵及高位体系域。成煤的沉积体系主要为潮坪．三角洲体系,层序地层格架对煤层的发育、分布及含煤性具有明显的控制作用,厚度较大、展布范围较广的煤层主要分布在海侵体系域的中下部、高位体系域中下部及低位体系域的上部。层序I的含煤性最好,层序Ⅱ次之。     

Facies analysis and depositional model of late Permian Raniganj formation: Study from Raniganj coal bed methane block

The Raniganj Formation (late Permian) forms the uppermost economic coal-bearing unit of the Gondwana succession. The dominant facies interpreted from analysis of cores from the Raniganj formation are classified as Sandstone dominated facies, Sandstone - shale heterolith facies, Shale facies and Coal facies. The natural Gamma response of Raniganj Formation shows predominance of repetitive fining upwards cycles. Integration of core analysis and geophysical log data of the Raniganj formation indicates meandering fluvial environment. The lower part of Raniganj Formation is channel dominated which corresponds to thick amalgamated sand bodies while the upper part represent overbank shows predominance of channel avulsion indicating a gradual change in accommodation space. Five major fining upward depositional sequences, bounded by sub-aerial unconformities (sequence boundaries) have been dentified in Raniganj formation, based on changes in depositional style that are correlated regionally. Each sequence comprises of Low accommodation system tract (LAST) at base and high accommodation system tract (HAST) at top. LAST is characterized by vertically stacked, multistory amalgamated channel sandstone dominated facies, while floodplain dominated facies characterize HAST. The coal seams deposited in LAST are thicker and relatively more continuous than the frequent thin seams of HAST. Such facies distribution study would be helpful for the development strategy for CBM blocks based on production priority.     

东澳大利亚南悉尼盆地二叠纪的地层、沉积环境与盆地演化

晚石炭世末期-三叠纪东澳大利亚的鲍恩-冈尼达-悉尼（Bowen- Gunnedah-Sydney）盆地系是位于拉克伦（Lachlan）褶皱带和新英格兰（New England）褶皱带之间的一个长条形的构造盆地。从北部的冈尼达（Gunnedah）到南部的巴特曼斯（Batemans）湾，悉尼盆地是鲍恩-冈尼达-悉尼盆地系南端的一个次级盆地。悉尼盆地的二叠系包括河流、三角洲、滨浅海沉积岩和火山岩地层。南悉尼盆地的西南部二叠系不整合覆盖于变形变质的拉克伦（Lachlan）褶皱带之上。二叠系由下部的塔拉特郎（Tallaterang）群、中部的肖尔黑文群（Shoalhaven Group）和上部的伊勒瓦拉煤系（Illawarra Coal Measures）组成。从晚石炭世末到中三叠世悉尼盆地经历了弧后扩张到典型的前陆盆地的不同阶段：弧后扩张阶段、被动热沉降阶段和挤压挠曲负载阶段。     

Syn‐rift sequence development in a fault‐controlled embayment (Early Permian Irwin River Coal Measures,Northern Perth Basin,Western Australia)

Stratigraphic patterns and sequence development in tectonically active extensional basins remain poorly documented in comparison with passive‐margin settings. Rift basin fills are generally characterized by coarsening‐upward trends in response to the rapid creation of accommodation by extensional faulting, and the progressive filling of graben during more quiescent periods. The Early Permian Irwin River Coal Measures in the Northern Perth Basin (Western Australia) record a complex stratigraphic arrangement of conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone and coal, and have been attributed to delta plain depositional environments that developed in a cool–temperate climatic setting during syn‐rift activity. Sedimentary analysis of outcrop and core data from the fault‐bounded Irwin Terrace is used to distinguish nine facies associations reflecting deposition in braided rivers, fixed‐anastomosed channel belts, tide‐influenced coastal environments and storm‐affected distal bays. The broader depositional system is interpreted as a morphologically asymmetrical tide‐dominated embayment with a fluvial and wave influence. The stratigraphic architecture of the Irwin River Coal Measures was strongly influenced by the evolving rift basin margin. Fault reactivation of the major basin‐bounding Darling Fault in the early syn‐rift phase caused footwall uplift and the inception of transverse palaeo‐valleys occupied by braided fluvial systems. Fault block subsidence during the subsequent balanced, backstepping and drowning phases resulted in a dominantly retrogradational stacking pattern indicating progressive flooding of marginal‐marine areas and culminating in deposition of distal marine elements. In the active rift basin, it is proposed that preservation of a shallow‐marine syn‐rift sequence was promoted by the geomorphological confinement of the embayed system increasing tidal current acceleration and hampering transgressive ravinement. The proposed sequence model demonstrates that transgressive successions can develop in the early syn‐rift phase in response to footwall uplift and tectonic subsidence. The syn‐rift sequence recording the filling of an embayment on a rift basin margin may be applied in similar tectonic and/or depositional contexts worldwide.     

二龙山含煤盆地中新世富锦组沉积相及层序地层特征

黑龙江东部二龙山盆地是一新生代陆相聚煤盆地,中新世富锦组是其含煤地层。通过对富锦组沉积相、层序地层和聚煤作用特征的研究,可以看出:富锦组主要由凝灰质粉砂岩及中细砂岩、凝灰质砾岩及褐煤组成,发育滨浅湖相、深-半深湖相、冲积扇扇根相、扇中相及沼泽相,分别属于湖泊沉积体系和冲积扇沉积体系;富锦组是一个以区域不整合面为上下界的三级层序,其低位体系域对应底部砾岩段,湖侵体系域对应下部砂岩段和中部含煤段,高位体系域对应上部砂岩段;研究区煤层形成于湖侵体系域末期,且以盆地中部煤层厚度最大,向西北和西南方向煤层均变薄;聚煤作用明显受基底沉降作用影响,在湖侵体系域末期基底稳定沉降阶段,可容空间增加速率与泥炭堆积速率相平衡,从而形成了区内巨厚煤层。      

二连盆地吉尔嘎朗图凹陷下白垩统赛汉塔拉组层序地层及聚煤特征

二连盆地吉尔嘎朗图凹陷是一个陆相断陷聚煤盆地,下白垩统赛汉塔拉组是其主要含煤地层,作者利用岩心、钻孔资料对其岩相类型、沉积相、层序地层及聚煤作用特征进行研究。(1)赛汉塔拉组主要由砂砾岩、砂岩、粉砂岩、泥岩、碳质泥岩及厚层褐煤组成,发育扇三角洲平原相、扇三角洲前缘相、辫状河三角洲平原相、辫状河三角洲前缘相、滨浅湖相,分别属于扇三角洲沉积体系、辫状河三角洲沉积体系和湖泊沉积体系。(2)识别出2种层序界面:不整合面和下切谷冲刷面,将赛汉塔拉组划分为2个三级层序。从层序Ⅰ到层序Ⅱ,煤层厚度逐渐增大,聚煤作用逐渐增强。(3)在滨浅湖环境下厚煤层主要形成于湖侵体系域早期,在扇/辫状河三角洲环境下厚煤层主要形成于湖侵体系域晚期,煤层厚度在凹陷中部最大,向西北和东南方向均变小。聚煤作用明显受基底沉降作用影响,可容空间增加速率与泥炭堆积速率相平衡,从而形成了区内巨厚煤层。     

Coal quality controls of the Danville Coal in Indiana (Illinois Basin, central USA)

The Danville Coal Member (Dugger Formation, upper Desmoinesian, Pennsylvanian) is a significant economic coal resource in the Illinois Basin, central USA. Deposition of the Danville Coal (peat) was in coastal environments, varying distances from the coastline and, in turn, variable influences from saline waters. The purpose of this study is to examine the coal quality and petrography of the Danville Coal; and to discuss their relationship with depositional environment as it relates to the final coal product. A medium sulfur (1.0–1.5 wt.%) Danville Coal reserve area (northern Indiana coalfield) was compared to a low sulfur (<1.0 wt.%) Danville Coal (central Indiana coalfield) reserve area, the two being approximately 70 km apart. The medium sulfur coal resulted from the peat being deposited in a near-marine environment less protected from the influence of saline waters, whereas the low sulfur coal resulted from fine-grained, clay-dominated sediment protecting the peat from the direct influence of saline waters. Within both areas, the coal quality, coal composition, and trace element concentrations vary as a function of the proximity of the coal to the overlying Busseron Sandstone Member (Pennsylvanian). Where the Busseron Sandstone rests near or directly on the coal, the sulfur content is significantly higher in the top third of the seam. Conversely, where there is a thick section (>3 m) of finer-grained clastic sediments atop the Danville, the sulfur and trace elements contents are significantly lower.     

Upper Cretaceous marine‐continental transition (Leonese Area,NW Spain) defined from integrated outcrop and seismic stratigraphy

The Upper Cretaceous succession of the Leonese Area (NW Spain) comprises mixed clastic and carbonate sediments. This succession is divided into two lithostratigraphic units, the Voznuevo Member and the Boñar Formation, which represent fluvial, shoreface, intertidal, subtidal and open‐shelf sedimentary environments. Regional seismic interpretation and sequence stratigraphic analysis have allowed the study of lateral and vertical changes in the sedimentary record and the definition of third‐order levels of stratigraphic cyclicity. On the basis of these data, the succession can be divided into two second‐order depositional sequences (DS‐1 and DS‐2), incorporating three system tracts in a lowstand to transgressive to highstand system tract succession (LST–TST–HST). These sequences are composed of fluvial systems at the base with palaeocurrents that flowed westward and south‐westward. The upper part of DS‐1 (Late Albian–Middle Turonian) shows evidence of intertidal to subtidal and offshore deposits. DS‐2 (Late Turonian–Campanian) comprises intertidal to subtidal, tidal flat, shallow marine and lacustrine deposits and interbedded fluvial deposits. Two regressive–transgressive cycles occurred in the area related to eustatic controls. The evolution of the basin can be explained by base‐level changes and associated shifts in depositional trends of successive retrogradational episodes. By using isobath and isopach maps, the main palaeogeographic features of DS‐1 and DS‐2 were constrained, namely coastline positions, the existence and orientation of corridors through which fluvial networks were channelled and the location of the main depocentres of the basin. Sedimentation on the Upper Cretaceous marine platform was mainly controlled by (i) oscillations of sea level and (ii) the orientation of Mesozoic faults, which induced sedimentation along depocentres. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

贵州省乐平世层序–古地理及聚煤规律

利用露头剖面及钻孔资料对贵州省乐平统（上二叠统）含煤岩系层序-古地理及聚煤规律进行研究。根据海相标志层向陆地方向延伸范围所反映的海平面规律,将贵州省乐平统划分为3个三级复合层序（CSⅠ、CSⅡ、CSⅢ）和相应的低位、海侵及高位层序组,层序CSⅠ相当于龙潭组下段中下部,层序CSⅡ相当于龙潭组下段上部及龙潭组上段下部,层序CSⅢ相当于龙潭组上段上部及长兴组。通过分析地层厚度、石灰岩含量、砂泥比、煤层厚度等参数变化规律,恢复3个层序的岩相古地理。贵州省乐平世海侵方向均来自研究区东部,物源来自西部的康滇高地,贵州省地区乐平统自西向东发育有陆相冲积平原、过渡相三角洲及潮坪-潟湖、海相碳酸盐台地以及深水盆地等古地理单元,总体上贵州省乐平世经历了CSⅠ的海侵、CSⅡ的海退及CSⅢ的持续海侵过程,在贵州西部地区,各古地理单元总体上有CSⅠ向陆、CSⅡ向海、CSⅢ又持续向陆的迁移规律。聚煤作用以CSⅢ最强,CSⅡ次之,CSⅠ较差。聚煤中心分布在过渡相三角洲平原及潮坪古地理单元,且有随区域性的海侵海退而迁移。CSⅠ的聚煤中心主要分布在发耳和纳雍地区,CSⅡ的聚煤中心主要分布在黔西南普安—六盘水及织金一带,CSⅢ的聚煤中心主要分布在六盘水、盘县及织金地区。这些聚煤规律分析结果可为煤炭及煤层气资源的勘探开发提供理论支持。      

重庆地区晚二叠世煤系层序地层与聚煤作用

重庆地区上二叠统包括龙潭组/吴家坪组和长兴组,主要发育海陆过渡相(海湾-泻湖-潮坪)及浅海碳酸盐沉积,其中龙潭组和吴家坪组为同期异相沉积。通过对区内钻井剖面及露头剖面的分析,在本区上二叠统中识别出区域性构造不整合面和沉积相转换面等地层界面,并将上二叠统划分为2个三级层序。基于近海煤盆地的背景,研究区厚煤层常靠近初始海泛面发育。总体来看,近海含煤盆地三级层序以海侵体系域聚煤最好。      

辽宁铁法盆地含煤岩系层序地层分析

利用盆地钻孔及矿井资料,分析了铁法盆地含煤岩系层序地层。根据古构造运动面、大面积超覆界面、煤层和河床滞留沉积将含煤岩系划分为1个超层序和3个层序。将层序划分为低水位体系域、水进体系域、高水位体系域和水退体系域。总结了层序地层聚煤规律,指出了有利的找煤远景层位。     

Sedimentology and depositional environments of the Ordovician Umm Sahm Sandstone Formation in southern Jordan

The Ordovician Umm Sahm Sandstone Formation of Jordan comprises approximately 200-m-thick succession of fluvial quartzarenites with subordinate claystone and siltstone lithologies of shallow marine conditions. The Umm Sahm Formation is characterized by its dark brown color, frequent jointing, and steep scarps. The Umm Sahm Formation is bounded by the marine claystones of Hiswah Formation at the top and the fluvial sandstones of the Disi Formation at the bottom. The Umm Sahm Formation is composed of two main facies: fluvial facies and tidal facies. The fluvial facies constitutes about 93% of the total thickness. The lower few meters of the succession passes upward from the Disi Sandstone Formation into similar massive white sandstone facies exhibiting similar white color, fine- to coarse-grained sandstone, with round-shaped pebbles. Trough and planar cross-bedding show a northwest unidirectional palaeocurrent trend. Light brown colored quartzarenites similar to those of the Cambrian Umm Ishrin Sandstone Formation are most common in the upper part of the succession. The tidal facies occupies three intervals in the middle part of the succession. It is composed of laminated and thin-bedded sandstones, siltstones, and claystones. They are rippled and varicolored with abundant trace fossils (Cruziana, Harlania, ruzophycus). The presence of hummocky cross stratification indicates the earliest short-lived tempestite conditions during the Paleozoic erathem of Jordan. The first appearance of Graptolites in the Ordovician rocks of Jordan was recorded during this study in the tidal facies of the Umm Sahm Formation. The vertical arrangement of both fluvial and tidal facies indicates three successive short-lived transgressions and regressions. These marine incursions indicate the successive shoreline advances of the Tethys Ocean, which was located northward, and inundated the southern braid plain. The three short-lived transgressive events took place, and the Tethys marine margin was displaced southward, giving rise to deposition of tidal facies in an open coast tidal flat. Following the transgressive events, renewed progradation and strandline retreat took place, fed by large amounts of siliciclastics derived from the continent and transported by braided streams across the intertidal zone.     

Lithofacies,palynofacies, and sequence stratigraphy of Palaeogene strata in Southeastern Nigeria

Integrated sedimentologic, macrofossil, trace fossil, and palynofacies data from Paleocene-Middle Eocene outcrops document a comprehensive sequence stratigraphy in the Anambra Basin/Afikpo Syncline complex of southeastern Nigeria. Four lithofacies associations occur: (1) lithofacies association I is characterized by fluvial channel and/or tidally influenced fluvial channel sediments; (2) lithofacies association II (Glossifungites and Skolithos ichnofacies) is estuarine and/or proximal lagoonal in origin; (3) lithofacies association III (Skolithos and Cruziana ichnofacies) is from the distal lagoon to shallow shelf; and (4) shoreface and foreshore sediments (Skolithos ichnofacies) comprise lithofacies association IV. Five depositional sequences, one in the Upper Nsukka Formation (Paleocene), two in the Imo Formation (Paleocene), and one each in the Ameki Group and Ogwashi-Asaba Formation (Eocene), are identified. Each sequence is bounded by a type-1 sequence boundary, and contains a basal fluvio-marine portion representing the transgressive systems tract, which is succeeded by shoreface and foreshore deposits of the highstand systems tract. In the study area, the outcropping Ogwashi-Asaba Formation is composed of non-marine/coastal aggradational deposits representing the early transgressive systems tract. The occurrence of the estuarine cycles in the Palaeogene succession is interpreted as evidence of significant relative sea level fluctuations, and the presence of type-1 sequence boundaries may well be the stratigraphic signature of major drops in relative sea level during the Paleocene and Eocene. Sequence architecture appears to have been tectono-eustatically controlled.