Depositional ages and provenance of the Neoproterozoic Damara Supergroup (northwest Namibia): Implications for the Angola-Congo and Kalahari cratons connection

The Damara Orogen is composed of the Damara, Kaoko and Gariep belts developed during the Neoproterozoic Pan-African Orogeny. The Damara Belt contains Neoproterozoic siliciclastic and carbonate successions of the Damara Supergroup that record rift to proto-ocean depositional phases during the Rodinia supercontinent break up. There are two conflicting interpretations of the geotectonic framework of the Damara Supergroup basin: i) as one major basin, composed of the Outjo and Khomas basins, related to rifting in the Angola-Congo-Kalahari paleocontinent or, ii) as two independent passive margin basins, one related to the Angola-Congo and the other to the Kalahari proto-cratons. Detrital zircon provenance studies linked to field geology were used to solve this controversy. U-Pb zircon age data were analyzed in order to characterize depositional ages and provenance of the sediments and evolution of the succession in the northern part of the Outjo Basin. The basal Nabis Formation (Nosib Group) and the base of the Chuos Formation were deposited between ca. 870 Ma and 760 Ma. The upper Chuos, Berg Aukas, Gauss, Auros and lower Brak River formations formed between ca. 760 Ma and 635 Ma. It also includes the time span recorded by the unconformity between the Auros and lower Brak River formations. The Ghaub, upper Brak River, Karibib and Kuiseb formations were deposited between 663 Ma and 590 Ma. The geochronological data indicate that the main source areas are related to: i) the Angola-Congo Craton, ii) rift-related intrabasinal igneous rocks of the Naauwpoort Formation, iii) an intrabasinal basement structural high (Abbabis High), and iv) the Coastal Terrane of the Kaoko Belt. The Kalahari Craton units apparently did not constitute a main source area for the studied succession. This is possibly due to the position of the succession in the northern part of the Outjo Basin, at the southern margin of the Congo Craton. Comparison of the obtained geochronological data with those from the literature shows that the Abbabis High forms part of the Kalahari proto-craton and that Angola-Congo and Kalahari cratons were part of the same paleocontinent in Rodinia times.     

Carbonate platform growth and cyclicity at a terminal Proterozoic passive margin, Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group, Lesser Himalaya, India

Abstract The Infra Krol Formation and overlying Krol Group constitute a thick (< 2 km), carbonate-rich succession of terminal Proterozoic age that crops out in a series of doubly plunging synclines in the Lesser Himalaya of northern India. The rocks include 18 carbonate and siliciclastic facies, which are grouped into eight facies associations: (1) deep subtidal; (2) shallow subtidal; (3) sand shoal; (4) peritidal carbonate complex; (5) lagoonal; (6) peritidal siliciclastic–carbonate; (7) incised valley fill; and (8) karstic fill. The stromatolite-rich, peritidal complex appears to have occupied a location seaward of a broad lagoon, an arrangement reminiscent of many Phanerozoic and Proterozoic platforms. Growth of this complex was accretionary to progradational, in response to changes in siliciclastic influx from the south-eastern side of the lagoon. Metre-scale cycles tend to be laterally discontinuous, and are interpreted as mainly autogenic. Variations in the number of both sets of cycles and component metre-scale cycles across the platform may result from differential subsidence of the interpreted passive margin. Apparently non-cyclic intervals with shallow-water features may indicate facies migration that was limited compared with the dimensions of facies belts. Correlation of these facies associations in a sequence stratigraphic framework suggests that the Infra Krol Formation and Krol Group represent a north- to north-west-facing platform with a morphology that evolved from a siliciclastic ramp, to carbonate ramp, to peritidal rimmed shelf and, finally, to open shelf. This interpretation differs significantly from the published scheme of a basin centred on the Lesser Himalaya, with virtually the entire Infra Krol–Krol succession representing sedimentation in a persistent tidal-flat environment. This study provides a detailed Neoproterozoic depositional history of northern India from rift basin to passive margin, and predicts that genetically related Neoproterozoic deposits, if they are present in the High Himalaya, are composed mainly of slope/basinal facies characterized by fine-grained siliciclastic and detrital carbonate rocks, lithologically different from those of the Lesser Himalaya.     

Tectonically controlled sedimentation: impact on sediment supply and basin evolution of the Kashafrud Formation (Middle Jurassic,Kopeh-Dagh Basin,northeast Iran)

The Kashafrud Formation was deposited in the extensional Kopeh-Dagh Basin during the Late Bajocian to Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) and is potentially the most important siliciclastic unit from NE Iran for petroleum geology. This extensional setting allowed the accumulation of about 1,700 m of siliciclastic sediments during a limited period of time (Upper Bajocian–Bathonian). Here, we present a detailed facies analysis combined with magnetic susceptibility (MS) results focusing on the exceptional record of the Pol-e-Gazi section in the southeastern part of the basin. MS is classically interpreted as related to the amount of detrital input. The amount of these detrital inputs and then the MS being classically influenced by sea-level changes, climate changes and tectonic activity. Facies analysis reveals that the studied rocks were deposited in shallow marine, slope to pro-delta settings. A major transgressive–regressive cycle is recorded in this formation, including fluvial-dominated delta to turbiditic pro-delta settings (transgressive phase), followed by siliciclastic to mixed siliciclastic and carbonate shoreface rocks (regressive phase). During the transgressive phase, hyperpycnal currents were feeding the basin. These hyperpycnal currents are interpreted as related to important tectonic variations, in relation to significant uplift of the hinterland during opening of the basin. This tectonic activity was responsible for stronger erosion, providing a higher amount of siliciclastic input into the basin, leading to a high MS signal. During the regressive phase, the tectonic activity strongly decreased. Furthermore, the depositional setting changed to a wave- to tide-dominated, mixed carbonate–siliciclastic setting. Because of the absence of strong tectonic variations, bulk MS was controlled by other factors such as sea-level and climatic changes. Fluctuations in carbonate production, possibly related to sea-level variations, influenced the MS of the siliciclastic/carbonate cycles. Carbonate intervals are characterized by a strong decrease of MS values indicates a gradual reduction of detrital influx. Therefore, the intensity of tectonic movement is thought to be the dominant factor in controlling sediment supply, changes in accommodation space and modes of deposition throughout the Middle Jurassic sedimentary succession in the Pol-e-Gazi section and possibly in the Kopeh-Dagh Basin in general.     

Nature and origin of the protolith succession to the Paleoproterozoic Serra do Navio manganese deposit,Amapa Province,Brazil

Until its closure in 1997, the Serra do Navio deposit, located in Amapá Province, Brazil, was one of the most important sources of high-grade manganese ore to the North American market. The high-grade manganese oxide ores were derived by lateritic weathering from metasedimentary manganese protoliths of the Serra do Navio Formation. The local geological context and nature of this protolith succession are not well understood, due to poor surface outcrop conditions, and intense deformation. However, based on similar age, regional tectonic setting and lithology the Paleoproterozoic volcanosedimentary succession that includes the Serra do Navio Formation is widely believed to be similar in origin and laterally equivalent to the Birimian Supergroup in West Africa. For the present investigation several diamond drill cores intersecting the protolith succession were studied. Detailed petrographic and whole rock geochemical studies permit distinction of two fundamental lithological groups comprising of a total of five lithotypes. Biotite schist and graphitic schist lithotypes are interpreted as former metapelites. A greywacke or pyroclastic protolith cannot be excluded for the biotite schist, whereas the graphitic schist certainly originated as a sulfide-rich carbonaceous mudstone. Rhodochrosite marble, Mn-calcite marble and Mn-silicate rock are grouped together as manganiferous carbonate rocks. Manganese lutite constitutes the most probable protolith for rhodochrosite marble, whereas Mn-calcite marble was derived from Mn-rich marl and Mn-silicate rock from variable mixtures of Mn-rich marl and chert.The sedimentary succession at the Serra do Navio deposit is similar to that encountered at many other black shale and chert-hosted Mn carbonate deposits. A metallogenetic model is proposed, predicting deposition of manganese and closely associated chert in intra-arc basins, in environments that were bypassed by distal siliciclastic (carbonaceous mud) and proximal pyroclastic/siliciclastic detritus. Positive Ce anomalies and δ¹³C_VPDB values of − 4.3 to − 9.4 per mill suggest that manganiferous carbonates derived during suboxic diagenesis from sedimentary Mn⁴⁺ oxyhydroxide precipitates. Metamorphic alteration of manganese carbonate–chert assemblages resulted in the formation of Mn-silicates, most importantly rhodonite and tephroite; porphyroblastic spessartine formed where Mn-carbonate reacted with aluminous clay minerals. Microthermometric studies of fluid inclusions in spessartine porphyroblasts suggests that peak metamorphic conditions reached the upper greenschist facies (1–2 kbars and 400–500 °C). Retrograde metamorphism is marked by partial re-carbonation, expressed by the formation of small volumes of rhodochrosite, and Mn-calcite that are closely associated with quartz, chlorite and minor amounts of sulfides related to post-metamorphic veinlets. It is this metamorphosed succession that sourced the high-grade manganese oxide ores during prolonged lateritic weathering.     

Lithofacies and sequence development on an Upper Devonian mixed carbonate-siliciclastic fore-reef slope, Canning Basin, Western Australia

Detailed sedimentological and stratigraphical analysis coupled with conodont biostratigraphy of a fore-reef slope succession in the Napier Range (Napier Formation) is used to develop a depositional model and relative sea-level history for late Frasnian to late Famennian reef evolution in the Canning Basin of north-western Australia. Changes in sedimentary style on the slope, reflecting differing rates of carbonate production on the platform, are linked to third- and higher order relative sea-level fluctuations. Overlapping slope aprons accumulated along the base of a steep-walled platform margin. Coarse carbonate debris was deposited adjacent to the margin as talus breccias (via rockfall) and debris-flow breccias. Depositional slopes up to 45°, and locally steeper, are demonstrated using rotated geopetal cavity fills. The predominance of channel-filling lithofacies throughout the slope succession indicates the highly channelized nature of the aprons. The middle slope is dominated by sandy oolitic-peloidal turbiditic grainstones interpreted as sediment exported from an active platform. The turbidites and associated debris-flow breccias contrast with condensed carbonate intervals and deep-water, non-fenestral stromatolites that record times of very low platform production. Lower slope turbidites and associated intraclastic breccias indicate widespread redeposition of sediment eroded from lithified and semi-lithified limestones higher up the slope. Several third-order sequences are recognized in the fore-reef succession and these are composed primarily of transgressive and highstand deposits. Carbonate production was severely restricted in the early Famennian coinciding with development of onlapping siliciclastic aprons during a relative sea-level lowstand. Evidence for a subaerial exposure event is also preserved within the siliciclastic strata. Controls on sequence development are difficult to constrain. Although two sequence boundaries can be correlated with falls on the global sea-level curve, the reef complexes evolved in an active extensional regime and it is highly likely that tectonism, in conjunction with eustasy, controlled accommodation on the platform and therefore carbonate productivity.     

珠江口盆地白云凹陷中新统韩江组中上部层序结构及深水重力流沉积*

基于地震、测井资料的综合分析开展珠江口盆地白云凹陷中中新世韩江组中上部发育的硅质深水沉积的层序地层、沉积构成和古地理环境研究。韩江组中上部发育1个区域性的二级旋回(CSh),通过不整合面及相应的整合面进一步将该复合层序划分为6个三级层序。一系列陆坡峡谷以及侵蚀作用形成的水道是主要层序界面的重要识别标志,斜坡进积楔、扇朵体的底界面,测井曲线突变以及钙质超微化石的相对低值也可以帮助识别层序界面。盆地的不同位置上层序结构有差异,重力流沉积单元也不同。本次研究在斜坡识别出5种深水沉积单元: 浊流水道复合体、斜坡扇、陆坡峡谷、进积楔和半远洋—远洋沉积,在深海盆地识别出扇朵叶体。将浊流水道复合体划分为5种沉积单元: 滞留沉积、水道天然堤、滑塌及碎屑流沉积、侧向增生体和末期充填沉积。在陆坡、陆隆以及深水盆地分别识别出侵蚀水道、侵蚀加积水道和加积水道。     

Overview on the middle to upper Jurassic sedimentary succession of Gangta Bet in the Kachchh basin,western India,with special emphasis on its lithostratigraphy,biostratigraphy, and palaeoenvironment

The Jurassic succession of Gangta Bet in the Kachchh basin of western India comprises around 130 m of mostly siliciclastic rocks. The strata belong to the Gangta Member of the Gadhada Formation and are herein sub-divided into four units: the Gangta sandstone beds, the lower silty sandstone beds, the upper silty sandstone beds, and the Gangta ammonite beds. These units can be separated by three marker horizons: the Brachiopod bed, the Gangta Conglomerate Bed, and the Gervillella Bed. Ammonites indicate an Oxfordian age for the upper half of the succession, but the scarcity of identifiable fossils in its basal part so far prevented precise biostratigraphic assignments. The shallow-water sediments can be interpreted as parasequences as a result of minor sea-level changes. Deposition took place close to the palaeo-coastline at water depths around the fair-weather wave-base.     

Ascription of the island of Ibiza to the Prebetic of Alicante (Betic Range,Spain) after correlation of Lower Cretaceous sedimentary successions

The lithostratigraphic succession of the Tithonian – Albian interval of the island of Ibiza shows a great similarity with that of the Internal Prebetic Zone in the Alicante area (Betic Range), with only slight differences in age and stratigraphic distribution. This similarities are based on the correlation of the following units: i) the Punta Jondal Formation of Ibiza with the Sierra del Pozo Formation of Alicante (Tithonian – early Valanginian); ii) the Port Sant Miquel Formation (Aptian) with the Arroyo de los Anchos Formation; iii) the Torre des Molar (early Aptian), Penyal de s’Águila (late Aptian) and Cala d'en Sardina (late Aptian) members of the Port Sant Miquel Formation with the Llopis, Almadich and Seguilí formations in Alicante; and iv) the Es Cubells Formation (Tithonian – earliest Cenomanian) with several marly units of the Prebetic of Alicante.The Ibiza Tithonian – Albian sedimentary succession was deposited within a NNW–SSE trending basin related to the Tethyan domain of SE Iberia. It is organized in three sedimentary successions (named Aubarca, San José and Ibiza successions, from NNW to SSE), which were tectonically stacked towards the NNW during the Alpine inversion of the basin. These sedimentary successions were deposited within the distal regions of a carbonate platform opened towards the southeast. In the SE sector of the island, the Ibiza succession is characterized by a thick and rhythmic alternation of basinal marls and marly limestones. Northwestwards, the San José succession is characterized by the presence of inner platform carbonate deposits at the base of the succession (Tithonian – early Valanginian). Finally, the presence of shallow-water rudist-bearing limestones (Aptian) in the northwestern sector, defines the Aubarca succession. The NNW–SSE evolution of the stratigraphic architecture from the Aubarca – San José – Ibiza successions is clearly similar to the tectonostratigraphic and palaeogeographic N–S zoning previously recognized from the Sierra de Mariola – Cabezón de Oro – Fontcalent successions in the Prebetic of Alicante, respectively.Stratigraphical sequence analysis of the sedimentary successions of the island of Ibiza allows recognizing a depositional stacking pattern defined by four long-term depositional megasequences, which can also be correlated with equivalent megasequences in the Prebetic of Alicante. The three lower megasequences (Tithonian – Albian) show a transgressive–regressive evolution, revealed by the deposition of transgressive hemipelagic facies in the lower part and the development of prograding shallow-water carbonate platforms during regressions. The fourth megasequence (Albian) is not as well developed as the previous megasequences, showing siliciclastic levels instead of the shallow-water carbonate platform facies, thus suggesting a development during major sea-level fall. Nevertheless, in the Ibizan successions, high resolution sequence stratigraphy and accurate biostratigraphic scales have not yet been established; consequently, the chronostratigraphy of megasequence boundaries and the maximum flooding surfaces are less accurate than in their Prebetic counterparts.     

Facies Associations and Discontinuous Surfaces in the Syringothyris Limestone Formation of Tethyan Margin of Gondwana,Kashmir

The early Carboniferous sedimentation of the Tethyan Margin of Gondwana in the Kashmir Himalaya represents alternating siliciclastic - carbonate succession consisting of distinct stratigraphic sequences which are bounded by discontinuities. The discontinuities in the sedimentation are related to environmental changes in the form of subaerial exposure, subaqueous erosion, subaqueous omission or changes in texture and facies. These distinct surface zones or time significant boundaries can be correlated across the depositional platform. Low stand, high stand and transgressive sedimentation units in the lower and middle parts of early Carboniferous Syringothyris Limestone Formation in Banihal area have been recognised. This is explained by superposition of high frequency and low amplitude sea level fluctuations on a large-scale trend under greenhouse conditions during the early Carboniferous period. The facies associations present in the early Carboniferous succession of the Himalaya broadly represent intertidal (peritidal), shallow subtidal, deeper subtidal, off-shore-slope and deeper environments. Discontinuities that are interpreted as progradational, retrogradational and aggradational phases of sedimentation bound these facies associations. This formation represents continental margin depositional setting which is authenticated by deposition of siliciclastic sediments. This marginal depositional setting is greatly affected by numerous dynamic processes including tectonic and other active sea as well as continental processes. The records of all those processes in this formation reflect the eustatic changes in sea level. These periodic eustatic changes have generated the various discontinuities, stratigraphic sequences or systems tracts. Overall it appears that interplay of many processes such as sediment supply, thermal and tectonic activity, eustatic and climatic changes in the Kashmir Tethyan depositional basin generated these distinct depositional sequences during the early Carboniferous period.     

珠江口盆地惠州凹陷南部珠江组混合沉积作用

珠江口盆地惠州凹陷南部珠江组下部广泛发育陆源碎屑岩与碳酸盐岩的混合沉积。通过测井、地震和岩心等资料综合研究了工区混合沉积的岩石学特征、沉积模式和分布规律。研究认为工区混合沉积可分为相缘混合和原地混合,相缘混合主要是在浅海三角洲相和碳酸盐岩台地相边界的结合部位、在低能水动力环境下的细粒陆源碎屑与泥晶碳酸盐的混合沉积,原地混合主要是在三角洲前缘高能水动力条件下的砂级硅质碎屑颗粒与碳酸盐生物碎屑的混合沉积。原地混合沉积对储层的储集性能和渗流特征有显著影响。描述了原地混合沉积的泥岩—碳酸盐岩—砂岩—碳酸盐岩—泥岩相层序,并讨论了陆源碎屑注入、古地形、海平面升降及三角洲迁移等影响透光带范围的因素是如何控制研究区的混合沉积分布的。     

Sequence stratigraphy of a low productivity carbonate platform succession: the Upper Permian Wegener Halvø Formation, Karstryggen Area, East Greenland

The carbonate platform of the Upper Permian Wegener Halvø Formation in the Karstryggen area of central East Greenland is an example of a carbonate system with low production rates (2–3 cm kyr^–1) and differs from most other carbonate platforms by the lack of well-developed highstand progradation. The platform consists of three depositional sequences that formed in response to Kazanian sea-level cycles. Pinning point curves for the subaerial exposure surfaces separating the depositional sequences quantify the amplitude of the relative sea-level fluctuations in the range of 70–140 m. The platform developed on the karstified surface of an older Permian carbonate platform with a topographic relief locally exceeding 70 m. The predepositional relief influenced deposition in all three sequences. Transgressive systems tracts are thin and commonly dominated by condensed siliciclastic deposits in off-platform areas and palaeo-lows. Over palaeotopographic highs they consist of aggrading cementstones. Highstand deposits are limited to palaeotopographic elevated areas and consist of cementstone build-ups along the basin margin, and shallow subtidal to intertidal carbonates and evaporites in the platform area. Elsewhere, carbonate deposition took place during falling sea-level, and thin laterally extensive units of shallow-marine grainstones rest directly on top of deeper marine shales in the two first sequences, whereas thick prograding units of oolitic grainstones form the forced regressive systems tract of the uppermost sequence.     

Storm-influenced siliciclastic and carbonate ramp deposits, the Lower Ordovician Dumugol Formation, South Korea

The Dumugol Formation (Lower Ordovician) in the southern part of the Baegunsan syncline, South Korea, contains mixed siliciclastic and carbonate ramp deposits. The ramp sediments were frequently influenced by storm events resulting in tempestites of sandstone-mudstone couplets, bioclastic grainstones to packstones, flat-pebble conglomerates, a skeletal lag layer and laminated calcisiltites. All tempestites are characterized by an erosive to sharp base, poor grading and a transitional upper boundary. The difference in lithology of tempestites appears to have been controlled by the nature of substrates and by proximality. For example, laminated calcisiltites have developed on the shallow carbonate ramp, flat-pebble conglomerates are closely associated with nodular limestones on shallow and deep ramps, and thin skeletal lag layers from fossiliferous argillaceous sediments formed in a basinal setting. The stratigraphic succession of the Dumugol Formation represents an initial transgression followed by a regression. The vertical facies change records the transition from a shallow siliciclastic ramp to a deep carbonate ramp, to a basin, shallowing to a deep carbonate ramp, and to a shallow carbonate ramp. Storm effects are mostly well preserved in shallow to deep ramp deposits.     

Stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental framework of the Early Permian sequence in the Salt Range, Pakistan

The Early Permian Gondwana regime succession of the Nilawahan Group is exposed only in the Salt Range of Pakistan. After a prolonged episode of non-deposition that spanned much of the Palaeozoic, the 350?m thick predominantly clastic sequence of the Nilawahan Group records a late glacial and post-glacial episode in which a range of glacio-fluvial, marine and fluvial environments evolved and accumulated. The Early Permian succession of the Salt Range has been classified into four formations, which together indicates a changing climatic regime during the Early Permian in the Salt Range region. The lower-most, Tobra Formation unconformably overlies a Cambrian sequence and is composed of tillite, diamictite and fresh water facies, which contain a floral assemblage (Gangamopteris and Glossopteris) that confirms an Asselian age. The Tobra Formation is overlain by marginal marine deposits of the Dandot Formation (Sakmarian), which contain an abundant brachiopods assemblage (Eurydesma and Conularia). Accumulation of the Dandot Formation was terminated by a regional sea-level fall and a change to the deposition of the fluvial deposits of the Warchha Sandstone (Artinskian). The Warchha Sandstone was deposited by high sinuosity meandering, avulsion prone river with well developed floodplains. This episode of fluvial sedimentation was terminated by a widespread marine transgression, as represented by the abrupt upward transition to the overlying shallow marine Sardhai Formation (Kungurian). The Early Permian Gondwana sequence represented by the Nilawahan Group is capped by predominantly shallow shelf carbonate deposits of the Tethyan realm. The sedimentologic and stratigraphic relationship of these four lithostratigraphic units in the Salt Range reveals a complex stratigraphic history for the Early Permian, which is mainly controlled by eustatic sea-level change due to climatic variation associated with climatic amelioration at the end of the major Gondwana glacial episode, and the gradual regional northward drift to a lower latitude of the Indian plate.     

Anatomy and origin of toplap in a mixed carbonate-clastic system, Seven Rivers Formation (Permian, Guadalupian), Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico, USA

The Seven Rivers Formation exposed in Slaughter Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico, reveals complex relations between long- and short-term relative changes in sea-level, shelf configuration and sedimentation, which interacted to create a distinct toplap geometry. At least five sandstones diverge basinward from a prominent boundary unit marking the surface of toplap at the top of the Seven Rivers Formation and create a series of prograding, shingled clinoforms. The boundary unit is a horizontal, well-sorted, quartz arenite underlain across the shelf by peritidal carbonate or by other merging sandstones. Preserved palaeotopography is indicated by facies changes downdip and the presence of horizontal geopetal indicators in inclined beds. Near the boundary unit (updip), merging sandstones contain rare sedimentary structures including evaporite moulds and irregular fenestrae and are bounded above and below by peritidal carbonate with microbial laminae, fenestral fabrics and mudcracks. Laterally (downdip), the sandstone-bounding peritidal carbonate facies pass into subtidal carbonate facies (ooid-peloid-fusulinid-dasyclad-mollusc pack- and grainstone) and interbedded sandstones contain sedimentary structures such as ripple marks and trough to planar cross-stratification, as well as ooids, fusulinids and other carbonate grains. Toplap is interpreted to have developed by sediment bypass across a subaerially exposed shelf while sedimentation continued in still-submerged areas downdip from the shelf crest, and hence represents depositional toplap. Physical tracing of subaerial exposure surfaces suggests that the shoreline migrated up and down palaeoslope several times. The vertical component of five short-term shoreline migrations decreased during formation of the toplap geometry. Sea-level rose to approximately the same position following each fall to create the toplap geometry. This depositional toplap is the stratigraphic result of high-‘frequency’ relative changes of sea-level that combined to produce the larger-scale geometry. We suggest that changing amplitudes of relative sea-level may play a significant role in the stratigraphic evolution of platforms and that separating ‘short-term’and ‘long-term’relative sea-level may be ambiguous in such instances.     

The uppermost deposits of the stratigraphic succession of the Farafra Depression (Western Desert,Egypt): Evolution to a Post-Eocene continental event

This paper gives insight into continental sedimentary deposits that occur at the uppermost part of the stratigraphic succession present in the north-eastern sector of the Farafra Depression (Western Desert, Egypt). Using space imagery to complete the field work, the geology of the area has been mapped and the presence of a N–S oriented fault system is documented. The analysis of the morphotectonic features related to this fault system allows reconstructing the structural and sedimentological evolution of the area. The study indicates that the continental deposits were accumulated in alluvial systems that unconformably overlie shale and evaporitic rocks attributable to the Paleocene–Eocene Esna Formation. The deposits of the Esna Formation show soft-sediment deformation features, which include slump associated to dish and pillar sedimentary structures and provide evidence of syndepositional tectonic activity during the sedimentation of this unit. The outcrops are preserved in two areas on separated fault-bounded blocks. Proximal alluvial fan facies crop out in a dowthrown block close to the depression boundary. The proximal facies are made up mostly by polymictic conglomerates which occasionally contain boulders. The conglomerate clasts are mainly quartz, carbonate, anhydrite satin spar vein, mudrock, ironstone and nummulite fossils. The mid-fan facies consist of trough cross-bedded, rippled and cross-laminated quartzarenites with reworked glauconite grains and carbonate rock fragments, interpreted as deposited by distributary streams. The distal alluvial fan deposits consist of sandy marls that evolve toward the top of the sections into root-bioturbated lacustrine limestone beds that are locally silicified. The limestones are biomicrites containing characea, ostracods and gastropods with fenestral porosity.A number of features, including clast provenance (mainly from marine Paleocene and Eocene rocks), the observed fractural pattern (N–S direction related to the opening of the Red Sea), and the sedimentary relationships, suggests that the continental deposits were accumulated during the Oligocene–Miocene interval.     

Depositional environments and sequence stratigraphy of the Bahram Formation(middleelate Devonian) in north of Kerman,south-central Iran

This study is focused on sedimentary environments, facies distribution, and sequence stratigraphy. The facies and sequence stratigraphic analyses of the Bahram Formation(middleelate Devonian) in southcentral Iran are based on two measured stratigraphic sections in the southern Tabas block. The Bahram Formation overlies red sandstones Padeha Formation in sections Hutk and Sardar and is overlain by Carboniferous carbonate deposits of Hutk Formation paraconformably, with a thickness of 354 and386 m respectively. Mixed siliciclastic and carbonate sediments are present in this succession. The field observations and laboratory studies were used to identify 14 micro/petrofacies, which can be grouped into 5 depositional environments: shore, tidal flat, lagoon, shoal and shallow open marine. A mixed carbonate-detrital shallow shelf is suggested for the depositional environment of the Bahram Formation which deepens to the east(Sardar section) and thins in southern locations(Hutk section). Three 3rdorder cyclic siliciclastic and carbonate sequences in the Bahram Formation and one sequence shared with the overlying joint with Hutk Formation are identified, on the basis of shallowing upward patterns in the micro/pertofacies.     

内蒙古固阳渣尔泰山群增隆昌组台前斜坡碳酸盐角砾岩的成因

内蒙古固阳渣尔泰山群增隆昌组晚期沉积环境演化为碳酸盐岩台地。重点研究了台前斜坡碳酸盐角砾岩的岩性、岩相和相序特征 ,识别出重力滑动、浊流和风暴重力流成因的角砾岩 ,探讨了不同成因的角砾岩与海平面变化的响应关系。研究表明 ,角砾岩主要形成于海平面的上升速率减慢或最大静止期 ,此时台地碳酸盐岩产率过剩 ,大量的碳酸盐岩由地震、重力、风暴流带入斜坡和坡底 ,形成异地角砾岩。     

内蒙古阿尔山地区泥盆系塔尔巴格特组沉积相研究

内蒙古阿尔山地区泥盆系塔尔巴格特组主体为一套滨岩相陆源碎屑砂岩夹火山碎屑岩沉积,其沉积环境从早到晚经历了海相→海陆过渡相→陆相的过渡,晚期为陆相火山碎屑沉积。整体上,该地区塔尔巴格特组为一套无障壁滨岸-浅海陆棚环境沉积。     

Expanding the spectrum of shallow‐marine,mixed carbonate–siliciclastic systems: Processes,facies distribution and depositional controls of a siliciclastic‐dominated example

Most of the present knowledge of shallow‐marine, mixed carbonate–siliciclastic systems relies on examples from the carbonate‐dominated end of the carbonate–siliciclastic spectrum. This contribution provides a detailed reconstruction of a siliciclastic‐dominated mixed system (Pilmatué Member of the Agrio Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina) that explores the variability of depositional models and resulting stratigraphic units within these systems. The Pilmatué Member regressive system comprises a storm‐dominated, shoreface to basinal setting with three subparallel zones: a distal mixed zone, a middle siliciclastic zone and a proximal mixed zone. In the latter, a significant proportion of ooids and bioclasts were mixed with terrigenous sediment, supplied mostly via along‐shore currents. Storm‐generated flows were the primary processes exporting fine sand and mud to the middle zone, but were ineffective to remove coarser sediment. The distal zone received low volumes of siliciclastic mud, which mixed with planktonic‐derived carbonate material. Successive events of shoreline progradation and retrogradation of the Pilmatué system generated up to 17 parasequences, which are bounded by shell beds associated with transgressive surfaces. The facies distribution and resulting genetic units of this siliciclastic‐dominated mixed system are markedly different to the ones observed in present and ancient carbonate‐dominated mixed systems, but they show strong similarities with the products of storm‐dominated, pure siliciclastic shoreface–shelf systems. Basin‐scale depositional controls, such as arid climatic conditions and shallow epeiric seas might aid in the development of mixed systems across the full spectrum (i.e. from carbonate‐dominated to siliciclastic‐dominated end members), but the interplay of processes supplying sand to the system, as well as processes transporting sediment across the marine environment, are key controls in shaping the tridimensional facies distribution and the genetic units of siliciclastic‐dominated mixed systems. Thus, the identification of different combinations of basin‐scale factors and depositional processes is key for a better prediction of conventional and unconventional reservoirs within mixed, carbonate–siliciclastic successions worldwide.