The Upper Miocene Injana (Upper Fars) Formation of Iraq: insights on provenance history

Petrographic, geochemical, and scanning electron microscope analyses of the sandstone and mudstone units of the Upper Miocene Injana Formation are presented. Furthermore, microprobe analysis for amphiboles, pyroxenes, garnet, and chromian spinels as common heavy mineral species present is done to support other results for better understanding of the provenance history of the Injana Formation. The sandstones of the Injana Formation consist of terrigenous carbonate lithic fragments as common type of sedimentary rock fragments in addition to chert, argillaceous, and rare sandstone fragments. They also include metamorphic and igneous lithic fragments, quartz, feldspars, and mica and generally, the sandstones are lithic arenites and immature. Scanning electron microscopic analysis for the heavy minerals shows that they have been affected by dissolution due to chemical etching and mechanical abrasion through several surface texture generated either in arid and semihumid environment or in diagenetic environment. Clay mineralogy of the mudstone units indicates the presence of illite, chlorite, kaolinite, palygorskite, and illite–smectite mixed layers. Bulk-rock and mineral phase geochemistry in addition to petrographic data suggest the derivation of the Injana Formation from a nearby sources with contribution from igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary provenance mainly from the high lands in the northeastern parts of Iraq which comprise mainly the Zagros mountains and the older sedimentary formations.     

Provenance of the late Paleocene sandstones of the Jaisalmer Basin,Western India

Provenance of the late Paleocene sandstone of the Jaisalmer basin has been determined by petrographic and heavy minerals analysis supported by paleocurrent study. Petrography of the quartzose-arenite sandstone reveals an abundance of sub-angular to sub-rounded monocrystalline non-undulatory quartz and some amount of feldspar and rock fragments. The rock fragments are dominated by argillites (slate, phyllite) and limestone. The heavy minerals suite of these sandstones comprises of angular to sub-angular grains of magnetite, zircon, tourmaline, kyanite and staurolite. The paleocurrent analysis indicates bipolar paleocurrent pattern with the dominance of NW flow suggesting that the provenance was in the SE direction of the depositional basin. Q-F-L and Qm-F-Lt diagrams suggest for a provenance at the margin of the craton interior and transitional continental. It is envisaged that the basic igneous rocks of the Deccan basalt, low- to medium-grade metamorphic rocks of the Aravalli belt and Jurassic limestones present in the vicinity are the source rocks for the late Paleocene sandstones of the Jaisalmer basin.     

Search for provenance of Oligocene Barail sandstones in and around Jotsoma,Kohima, Nagaland

Provenance of the Oligocene Barail sandstones has been ascertained by means of petrographic and heavy mineral studies. Petrography reveals an abundance of angular to sub-rounded monocrystalline, non-undulatory quartz followed by lithic fragments. The overall composition of sandstones matches with those of sublith-arenites. The heavy mineral suite of Barail sandstones displays rounded to sub-rounded as well as euhedral / angular grains of iron oxide, zircon, tourmaline, rutile, kyanite, sillimanite and staurolite in decreasing order of abundance. Petrography coupled with heavy mineral suite suggests for a mixed provenance dominated by a sedimentary source of recycled orogenic provenance in a foreland basin setup.     

柴达木盆地西北部红三旱地区始新世-渐新世砂岩物源分析

柴达木盆地西部红三旱一号三高点上、下干柴沟组砂岩的骨架矿物成分的模式分析显示,始新统—渐新统砂岩的源区主要为再旋回造山带。根据古水流推断物源区主要为阿尔金山。结合上、下干柴沟组砂岩成分模式分析的标准偏差对比和骨架矿物成分平均含量的变化特征,认为渐新世时(上干柴沟组)阿尔金山存在一期隆升事件。     

西藏吉瓦地区渐新统日贡拉组物源分析及找矿意义

通过详实的野外调查和室内研究,在西藏吉瓦地区新发现了砂岩型铜矿床,赋矿层位为渐新统日贡拉组,矿床类型为层控矿床。为探讨日贡拉组砂岩的物源特征及其构造背景、查明其含矿物质来源,通过碎屑矿物定量分析、元素地球化学方法及重矿物组合分析等一系列物源分析方法对日贡拉组的物质来源进行了研究。结果显示,研究区主要岩性为岩屑砂岩,岩屑主要成分为酸性火山岩,砂岩结构成熟度低,分选磨圆差。碎屑组分分析表明物源集中在火山弧物源区,地球化学特征为硅质含量高、LREE富集、HREE相对亏损、显示Eu负异常,均表明物源与酸性火山岩密切相关;日贡拉组砂岩的大地构造背景主要为大陆岛弧,砂岩碎屑来自上地壳长英质源区。重矿物组合以反映物源为中酸性岩浆岩成分的赤褐铁矿+磁铁矿、锆石、电气石、石榴子石为主,沉积环境为气候干旱、水体较浅的富氧环境。锆石形态特征指示物源距母岩区较近,重矿物的相关性分析也指示了物源与火山岩密切相关。研究区的日贡拉组砂岩与早白垩酸性火山岩微量元素及重矿物的对比表明,碎屑物质源区特点从岩石学特征、地球化学特征及重矿物组合特征上均表现出了亲缘关系,物源成分与火山作用紧密相关,很可能主要来自班公湖-怒江洋壳南向俯冲与雅鲁藏布江洋壳北向俯冲双重制约条件下产生于火山弧环境中的早白垩世火山岩。日贡拉组发现了砂岩型铜矿,火山岩提供了成矿物质来源,为寻找同类型的矿床开启思路。     

川东北元坝地区须家河组石英砂岩沉积与储层特征

在川东北元坝及周边地区首次发现纯净的石英砂岩沉积,石英砂岩厚度10~15 m左右。研究表明,石英砂岩主要以夹层形式出现在须一、二段,但沉积环境相当特殊,主要为海泛或湖泛早期沉积的滩坝砂体,不属于须家河组广泛发育的三角洲沉积体系,石英砂体呈近东西向展布,明显受到米仓山-大巴山前陆前渊带的控制。石英砂岩以粉-细砂为主,分选好,磨圆度高,杂基含量低,具有较高的成熟度,与其它地区不同,研究区石英砂岩具有良好的储集性能,其主要原因是由于石英砂岩中石英颗粒内具有高密度原生微裂缝,这些原生裂缝在沉积后成岩过程中可能闭合,但在后期的构造挤压背景下石英砂岩的脆性特性及破碎颗粒容易导致大量裂缝发育,裂缝的发育同时促进原生裂缝充填物和粒间填屑物的溶蚀,形成以裂缝为主的孔隙性储层。在研究区具有裂缝的石英颗粒并不局限在石英砂岩,我们推测具有裂缝的石英与物源有关。     

鄂尔多斯盆地延长组物源与成岩耦合关系研究

随着油气勘探的逐渐深入,致密低渗油气藏所占比例越来越高,将是今后油气勘探的一个重要领域。颗粒成分不同导致的成岩差别对致密低渗储层的储集物性具有明显的控制作用。本文以鄂尔多斯盆地上三叠统延长组长8-长6段致密砂岩为例,研究砂岩骨架颗粒、孔隙类型与成岩作用之间的关系。在此基础上,分析由不同类型母岩形成的砂岩成岩作用差别。结果表明,鄂尔多斯盆地长8-长6段物源对砂岩成岩作用具有非常明显的控制作用:(1)石英、长石等刚性颗粒的含量直接影响着压实作用的强度;(2)火山岩屑可以导致绿泥石环边和浊沸石胶结物的形成,火山岩屑和浊沸石胶结物的溶蚀较强,易形成次生孔隙;(3)黑云母可以导致强压实形成致密层,但黑云母水解可以提供大量的铁和镁,利于绿泥石环边的形成;(4)碳酸盐岩岩屑的溶解可以为碳酸盐胶结物的形成提供额外的物质来源。所以,物源研究可以有效地预测深层致密碎屑储层的成岩作用及成岩强度,进而对高效储层的发育作出预测。     

Petrography,provenance, diaganesis and depositional environment of Murree Formation in Jhelum Valley,Sub Himalayas,Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan

The clastic sediments of the Murree Formation of Miocene age are exposed in Jhelum valley areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan. Field observations revealed the cyclic deposition in the Murree Formation. The sandstone, siltstone, and shale constitute a single cycle within the formation. This single unit is divided into five different lithofacies which constitute the Bouma sequence in the Murree Formation. The Murree Formation shows faulted contacts with Panjal Formation and Nagri Formation in the study area. The modal mineralogy data obtained from the petrography of sandstone indicates that sandstone is litharenite and lithic greywacke. The mineralogical and textural data suggests that sandstone is compositionally mature and poorly to moderately sorted. The dominantly angular to sub angular quartz grains show nearness of the source area. Fractured and sutured quartz grain reveals tectonodiagentic changes that occurred in Murree Formation. The sandstone experienced diagenetic changes. The pressure solution and cementation reduced the primary porosity of sandstone. However, alteration of feldspar and fractures in grains have produced secondary porosity. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the shale samples indicates that shale of the Murree Formation is argillaceous and dominated by illite clay mineral. The illite crystallinity values indicate very low grade metamorphism of Murree Formation in core of Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis. The petrographic data suggests that the provenance of sandstone is recycled orogen. Quartz is of igneous and metamorphic origin. Feldspar (albite and microcline) composition suggests its derivation from acidic igneous rocks. The rock fragments of volcanics, slate, phyllite, and schist suggest igneous and metamorphic provenance. The petrographic data suggests that at the time of deposition of Murree Formation, igneous and low grade metamorphic rocks were exposed. However, presence of some clasts of carbonates indicates that sedimentary rocks were also exposed in the source region. The quartz content and clay minerals in the shale revealed that source region was igneous and metamorphic rocks. Cyclic deposition, lithofacies, and various sedimentary structures like cross bedding, ripple marks, and calcite concretions suggest that deposition of Murree Formation occurred in fluviatile environment by meandering river system having decreasing turbidity current.     

准噶尔盆地南缘中-新生界碎屑成份特征与构造期次

准噶尔盆地南缘晚侏罗世-早白垩世早期、晚白垩世及晚新生代发育的近源粗碎屑沉积显示构造活动的存在。野外剖面及镜下碎屑成份统计表明:砾岩的砾石成份、砂岩碎屑成份的物源属性主要是再旋回造山带和晚古生代的岩浆弧,但盆地南缘东段与西段的岩屑组成及物源属性存在较大的差异。其中,沉积岩岩屑在晚侏罗世—早白垩世早期、晚白垩世和晚新生代发生了相应的增加,显示盆缘沉积岩物源的隆升—剥蚀作用和构造活动的相对活跃。砂岩碎屑特征、重矿物相对含量及重矿物组合特征证明盆地南缘东、西两段的物源属性存在较大差异,特别是不稳定重矿物的增加显示晚侏罗世-早白垩世早期、晚白垩世和晚新生代为构造相对活跃的构造环境。综合中-新生界沉积碎屑特征及差异分析,准噶尔盆地南缘中-新生代盆山格局发生了3次较大的转变过程,分别对应于上述3个时期。中-新生代3次构造活动对含油气系统形成具有重要控制作用,构造活动期次与油气藏形成、调整的期次也有良好的对应关系。     

Diagenesis of the Lower Cretaceous Kanmon Group sandstones, SW Japan

The Kanmon Group (Lower Cretaceous) is a non-marine sequence in the Inner Zone of southwest Japan and is divided into the lower Wakino (lacustrine) and the upper Shimonoseki (fluvial) subgroups. Major diagenetic changes in this group are compaction, iron-oxide cementation, calcite cementation and grain replacement, quartz overgrowth and pore-fill cementation, illite authigenesis, chlorite pore-fill cementation and grain replacement, albitization of feldspar, and grain replacement by pyrite. Two subgroups of the Kanmon Group present no significant differences in general diagenetic features, paragenetic sequence, or the degree of diagenetic changes despite differences in depositional environments (lacustrine vs. fluvial) and stratigraphic positions. However, some differences are recognized in the content and chemistry of authigenic minerals caused by different sandstone framework compositions. The content of authigenic clay minerals is higher in sandstones of the Shimonoseki Subgroup containing abundant volcanic rock fragments. In addition, the composition of chlorite, the most abundant authigenic clay mineral in Kanmon sandstones, is Mg-rich in the volcanoclastic Shimonoseki sandstones, compared to an Fe-rich variety in Wakino sandstones. The original sandstone composition played a significant role in pore-water composition and diagenetic reactions.The Wakino sandstones lost most of its porosity by compaction, whereas Shimonoseki sandstones are only compacted in the vicinity of the basin-bounding fault. The weakly compacted Shimonoseki sandstones, instead, were largely cemented by pore-filling calcite during early diagenesis; cementation prevented compaction during further burial. The Kanmon Group sediments were heated to about 300 °C based on illite crystallinity values.     

Relationship Between Petrographic Characteristics and the Engineering Properties of Jurassic Sandstones, Hamedan, Iran

To study the relationship between engineering properties and petrographic characteristics, 20 rock samples were collected from Jurassic sandstones in the Hamedan region, western Iran. The specimens were tested to determine uniaxial compressive strength, point load strength index, tangent modulus, porosity, and dry and saturated unit weights. Samples were also subjected to petrographic examination, which included the observation of 11 parameters and modal analysis. Based on the results of a statistical analysis, polynomial prediction equations were developed to estimate physical and mechanical properties from petrographic characteristics. The results show that textural characteristics are more important than mineral compositions for predicting engineering characteristics. The packing density, packing proximity and grain shape are the petrographic properties that significantly affect the engineering properties of samples. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed, employing four steps comprising various combinations of petrographic characteristics for each engineering parameter. The optimal equation, along with the relevant combination of petrographic characteristics for estimating the engineering properties of the rock samples is proposed.     

Detrital carbonate grains as provenance indicators in the Upper Cretaceous Pietraforte Formation (northern Apennines)

The Upper Cretaceous Pietraforte Formation, an allochthonous unit of the Ligurian domain in the northern Apennines, provides a case study of the importance of detrital carbonate grains for provenance determination in sandstones. The Pietraforte Formation is composed of turbidite sandstones with subordinate conglomerate, deposited in an external sector of the Ligurian ocean, close to the Adriatic margin. The sandstones have a lithic composition, characterized by abundant sedimentary and metasedimentary rock fragments (35–56% of the terrigenous framework), little feldspar (<7%) that is almost exclusively plagioclase, and a high ratio of fine- to coarse-grained polycrystalline quartzose grains to total quartzose grains (average Q_p/Q_t=0.37). Carbonate rock fragments dominate the lithic association of both sandstones and conglomerates and provide the most detailed information for provenance determination. They are composed primarily of dolostones and a wide variety of limestones containing identifiable age-diagnostic microfossils. Fossils and rock textures of carbonate clasts document the erosion of Upper Triassic to Lower Cretaceous shelf and pelagic carbonate units which can be matched with Mesozoic rock types present in the Tuscan domain of the northern Apennines. Compositional results constrain the source of the Pietraforte Formation sandstones to the western margin of the Adriatic plate, from uplifted sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks of the Tuscan domain and its low-grade metamorphic basement. Coeval intrabasinal sources provided additional supplies to the depositional basin of the Pietraforte Formation; this intrabasinal supply consists of shelf carbonate allochems, planktonic foraminifera and argillaceous rip-up clasts. The presence of carbonate grains from shallow-water environments may indicate the existence during deposition of marginal shelf areas favourable for carbonate allochem production.     

新疆库鲁克塔格南华系砂岩碎屑组成对其物源及盆地演化的指示

库鲁克塔格南华系记录了塔里木北缘同期的火山-沉积事件和蚀源区物质组成及演化的信息。该区不同剖面内南华系各组砂岩碎屑组分的统计分析显示,贝义西组砂岩在不同剖面内组成差异显著:西山口剖面以岩屑砂岩为主,且岩屑为火山岩岩屑与沉积岩岩屑,物源为再旋回地层,而依格孜塔格剖面以长石砂岩和岩屑长石砂岩为主,岩屑主要为变质岩岩屑,物源为下伏古元古代高级变质岩。砂岩碎屑组成在剖面上垂向的变化表明贝义西组沉积期与照壁山组沉积期间（725 Ma±）存在一个沉积转型事件,导致贝义西组之上的照壁山组、阿勒通沟组及特瑞艾肯组砂岩组成在不同区域趋于一致,转变为代表基底隆起-过渡大陆区物源的典型“长石砂岩”。南华系砂岩碎屑组成与大陆裂谷盆地沉积砂岩相似,且物源区存在由前裂谷地层-过渡裂谷肩部-切割裂谷肩部-克拉通内部的连续演化过程,是库满凹陷早期裂解的岩相学记录。     

物源与沉积相对鄂尔多斯盆地北部上古生界天然气优质储层的控制

利用LA-ICP-MS锆石微区原位U-Pb定年方法,建立了鄂尔多斯盆地北部上古生界下石盒子组盒8段与山西组山1段砂岩碎屑锆石的年龄谱系,结合砂岩重矿物分析、显微镜下碎屑矿物的定量统计与阴极发光鉴定,通过与源区地层同位素年代学的对比,分析了研究区上古生界天然气储层的物源区和母岩的时代、性质。在大量岩心观察与沉积相研究的基础上,通过镜下对砂岩薄片中碎屑矿物、填隙物、孔隙类型及其含量的观察与定量统计,结合砂岩图像粒度、孔隙度、渗透率、毛细管压力测试,研究了各砂岩类型及其骨架矿物与胶结物的特征、孔隙类型、储集物性及平面分布规律。讨论了源区母岩的性质、沉积相及空间展布、沉积作用与水动力条件等对形成天然气优质储层及储层储集性能演化的影响。     

Sedimentary petrology and geochemistry of siliciclastic rocks from the upper Jurassic Tordillo Formation (Neuquén Basin, western Argentina): Implications for provenance and tectonic setting

The Upper Jurassic Tordillo Formation is exposed along the western edge of the Neuquén Basin (west central Argentina) and consists of fluvial strata deposited under arid/semiarid conditions. The pebble composition of conglomerates, mineralogical composition of sandstones and pelitic rocks, and major- and trace-element geochemistry of sandstones, mudstones, and primary pyroclastic deposits are evaluated to determine the provenance and tectonic setting of the sedimentary basin. Conglomerates and sandstones derived almost exclusively from volcanic sources. The stratigraphic sections to the south show a clast population of conglomerates dominated by silicic volcanic fragments and a predominance of feldspathic litharenites. This framework composition records erosion of Triassic–Jurassic synrift volcaniclastic rocks and basement rocks from the Huincul arch, which was exhumed as a result of Late Jurassic inversion. In the northwestern part of the study area, conglomerates show a large proportion of mafic and acidic volcanic rock fragments, and sandstones are characterised by a high content of mafic volcanic rock fragments and plagioclase. These data suggest that the source of the sandstones and conglomerates was primarily the Andean magmatic arc, located west of the Neuquén Basin. The clay mineral assemblage is interpreted as the result of a complex set of factors, including source rock, climate, transport, and diagenesis. Postdepositional processes produced significant variations in the original compositions, especially the fine-grained deposits. The Tordillo sediments are characterised by moderate SiO₂ contents, variable abundances of K₂O and Na₂O, and a relatively high proportion of ferromagnesian elements. The degree of chemical weathering in the source area, expressed as the chemical index of alteration, is low to moderate. The major element geochemistry and Th/Sc, K/Rb, Co/Th, La/Sc, and Cr/Th values point to a significant input of detrital volcanic material of calcalkaline felsic and intermediate composition. However, major element geochemistry is not useful for interpreting the tectonic setting. Discrimination plots based on immobile trace elements, such as Ti, Zr, La, Sc, and Th, show that most data lie in the active continental margin field. Geochemical information is not sufficiently sensitive to differentiate the two different source areas recognized by petrographic and modal analyses of conglomerates and sandstones.     

物源与沉积相对鄂尔多斯盆地北部上古生界天然气优质储层的控制

利用LA-ICP-MS锆石微区原位U-Pb定年方法,建立了鄂尔多斯盆地北部上古生界下石盒子组盒8段与山西组山1段砂岩碎屑锆石的年龄谱系,结合砂岩重矿物分析、显微镜下碎屑矿物的定量统计与阴极发光鉴定,通过与源区地层同位素年代学的对比,分析了研究区上古生界天然气储层的物源区和母岩的时代、性质。在大量岩心观察与沉积相研究的基础上,通过镜下对砂岩薄片中碎屑矿物、填隙物、孔隙类型及其含量的观察与定量统计,结合砂岩图像粒度、孔隙度、渗透率、毛细管压力测试,研究了各砂岩类型及其骨架矿物与胶结物的特征、孔隙类型、储集物性及平面分布规律。讨论了源区母岩的性质、沉积相及空间展布、沉积作用与水动力条件等对形成天然气优质储层及储层储集性能演化的影响。     

Source and origin of glacial paleovalley-fill sediments (Upper Ordovician) of Sarah Formation in central Saudi Arabia

A study was carried out on the combination of petrographies, geochemistry (major and trace), weathering and the digenesis of 31 sandstones samples to determine their provenance and depositional tectonic setting of sedimentary basins. Based on the composition of Detrital grains (point counting), most of the Sarah sandstones were classified as quartz arenites types (99% on an average). The petrographic data indicated that the resultant mature sandstones are derived from recycled and craton interior tectonic provenance. Tectonic setting discrimination diagrams based on major elements suggest that sandstones were deposited in a passive margin and polycyclic continental tectonic setting. The relationship between K₂O/Na₂O ratio and SiO₂ showed that the Sarah sandstone samples fall into the passive margin field. The chemical index of alteration (CIA?=?63.84%) of sandstones suggested moderate weathering or reworking in the area. The concentration of trace elements indicates that the sediments were probably derived from the mixed sedimentary-meta sedimentary provenance and changes in sedimentary process due to climatic variations. The main diagenetic events were in the form of cements, which occur as grain coats and as pore fillings. An integrated approach showed that the parent area of paleovalley-fill sediment is probably a complex of granite, metasedimentary and pre-existing sedimentary rocks.     

元坝-通南巴地区须家河组绿泥石膜胶结相砂岩发育控制因素与分布规律

川东北元坝-通南巴地区须家河组砂岩普遍超致密,仅绿泥石环边胶结物含量大于1.5%的砂岩（即绿泥石膜胶结相砂岩）物性较好.综合运用岩石学和测井地质学的方法,基于薄片、扫描电镜及粒度分析等资料分析绿泥石膜胶结相砂岩的岩石组构特征和形成控制因素,运用薄片鉴定、测录井等资料,明确绿泥石膜胶结相砂岩的测井响应特征并明确其发育分布规律.结果表明,绿泥石膜的发育具有较强的相控性和岩石组构的选择性,即发育于水下分流河道原始结构较好的砂岩.该类砂岩结构成熟度和成分成熟度较高,通常具有较低的杂基和塑性岩屑含量,且含有适量的火山岩岩屑（2%~6%）.较低的杂基和塑性岩屑含量为绿泥石沉淀提供所需的孔隙空间,火山岩岩屑为绿泥石膜沉淀提供物质来源.      

A Linear Programming Approach to Determine the Normative Composition of Sedimentary Rocks

The analysis of modal and normative composition of sedimentary rocks is widely used for studying their sources and tectonic settings. The normative calculation of the mineral composition of rocks in this study is formulated as a linear programming problem and is solved by means of the simplex method. This enables both simultaneous and successive subtraction of a set of basic minerals from a rock sample represented by its chemical composition {SiO₂...LOI}. Such an approach provides a more exact calculation of the contribution of basic minerals in the rock. This mathematical approach is used to study two representative sets of sandstones and fine-grained rocks from a Meso- to Neoproterozoic marginal basin of southeastern Siberia (Uchur–Maya region, Yakutia) and a Pennsylvanian-Lower Permian uplifted continental block in Colorado, USA. The calculated normative mineral compositions of the Siberian sandstones are consistent with the observed modal compositions. These sandstones vary from K- Feldspar rich arkoses at the base of the sequence (the Uchur Group, lower Riphean) to quartz arenites or lithic sandstones and wacke in transgressive successions of the middle-upper Riphean. Arkoses and quartz arenites are dominant in Meso- to Neoproterozoic Siberia. These samples represent craton interior uplifted basement and quartzose, recycled orogen provenance of a stable craton in Rodinia. There are higher but consistent discrepancies between the calculated and observed compositions for the Pennsylvanian to Lower-Permian arkoses and quartz arenites (Sangre de Cristo, Belden, and Maroon Formations). The differences between the predicted and observed mineralogy may be due to uncertainties in the modes in the matrix and cement of the sandstones. This normative program should supplement modal calculations and provide better genetic constructions, especially in case of matrix-rich sandstones.     

Petrography and provenance of silicified early Archaean volcaniclastic sandstones, eastern Pilbara Block, Western Australia

Intense post-depositional alteration has profoundly affected sandstones in the volcanic portions of Early Archaean (3·5–3·3 Ga) greenstone belts. The mineralogy and bulk compositions of most grains have been completely destroyed by pervasive metasomatism, but grain textures are commonly well preserved. Consequently, microtextural information coupled with present alteration compositions as determined petrographically can be used to estimate original framework modes. Silicified Early Archaean volcaniclastic sandstones assigned to the Panorama Formation and Duffer Formation, Warrawoona Group, eastern Pilbara Block, Western Australia, were originally composed of volcanic (VRF) and sedimentary (SRF) rock fragments, volcanic quartz, feldspar, traces of ferromagnesian minerals and pumice. Only volcanic megaquartz remained stable during alteration. All other primary components were replaced by granular microcrystalline quartz (GMC) and sericite. In most areas, the sandstones were composed of dacitic to rhyolitic VRFs, now totally replaced by sericite-poor GMC and recognized by preserved microporphyritic textures. In a few areas, quartz-poor dacitic to andesitic(?) VRFs dominated the detrital assemblage. Minor SRFs and mafic VRFs, now replaced by GMC, are recognized on the basis of colour, internal structures, and internal textures, including skeletal, possible spinifex textures. Detrital feldspar is represented by blocky, sericite-rich grain pseudomorphs. A semi-quantitative point-count scheme, developed for the analysis of heavily altered sandstones, indicates the following primary detrital-mode ranges for Panorama arenites: quartz, 0–28%; feldspar, 0–28%, VRFs, 58–86%, and SRFs 0–25%. In about half the point-counted samples, feldspar could not be distinguished from rock fragments. In such cases, both were counted as one grain type, Lv', which makes up from 84 to 100% of the framework modes of these rocks. These sands were derived from a terrane composed largely of fresh felsic volcanic rocks and sediments, but locally including minor mafic, ultramafic, and sedimentary rocks. Much, but not all, of the felsic volcaniclastic sand represents reworked pyroclastic debris. There is no evidence for contributions from plutonic or metamorphic sources. The Panorama modal assemblage represents a provenance that is lithologically more restricted than that of Archaean greywackes and other siliciclastic units common in the sedimentary portions of these same Early Archaean greenstone belts and younger greenstone belts (3·0–2·7 Ga).