Tectono-stratigraphic evolution and hydrocarbon exploration in the Eocene Southern Lufeng Depression,Pearl River Mouth Basin,South China Sea

The structural evolution and stratigraphic architecture of the Southern Lufeng Depression in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea show two second-order sequences (SSQ1 and SSQ2) and nine third-order sequences (WSQ1-5 and ESQ1-4) within the Eocene rift-related successions. Based on integrated interpretations of seismic reflections, well logs and core data, five distinct tectono-stratigraphic patterns are identified: (1) the initial synrift-I sequence (WSQ1) of low tectonic subsidence, overfilled by alluvial fan or fan-delta deposits and volcanic deposits, with no clear systems tracts; (2) the climax synrift-I sequences (WSQ2–4) developed in response to rapid tectonic subsidence, generally consisting of a low-stand systems tract (LST), transgressive systems tract (TST) and high-stand systems tract (HST); (3) the late synrift-I sequence (WSQ5) characterised by a decreased tectonic subsidence rate, dominated by braided delta, deep and shallow lacustrine sediments, mainly constructed by TST and HST; (4) the early synrift-II sequences (ESQ1–2) rapidly filled by braided deltaic sandstone and mainly composed of TST and HST with less common LST units; and (5) the late synrift-II sequences (ESQ3–4), which are totally filled by braided deltaic system in a shallow-water lake setting, presenting typical imbricate clinoforms or sub-parallel seismic configurations, consisting of only TST and HST components. During the climax stage of synrift-I development, the depositional setting changed from a prominent shallow lake (WSQ2) to a deep-lucustrine with turbiditic deposits (WSQ3) and finally dominated by mostly braided deltaic-shallow lacustrine deposits (WSQ4); the HST occupies an increasing proportion from early to late. Furthermore, the stratigraphic patterns, especially LST units of the climax synrift-I stage, are significantly influenced by topographic variations and slope-break belt types in the hanging dip-slope. This study reveals that the spatial and temporal evolution of lacustrine depositional and stratigraphic patterns were significantly controlled by the interplay of tectonic subsidence and sediment supply, and provides a fundamental basis for predicting the favourable reservoirs and geometry of source rocks related to the general variability of Eocene rift-related tectonic subsidence in the Southern Lufeng Depression of the Pearl River Mouth Basin. Furthermore, the topographic responses of differential active fault-stepped patterns associated with magma intrusions, highlight the variability of relevant sequence architectures in the hanging dip-slope in lacustrine rift basins.     

多幕裂陷盆地构造-沉积响应及陆丰凹陷实例分析

裂陷盆地常常经历了多层次、多周期的幕式沉降过程.若盆地的演化包括了两幕或以上的裂陷旋回,则称之为多暮裂陷盆地.多幕裂陷盆地构造演化特别是复杂的断裂发育特征及其活动方式引起国际地质学家广泛的关注.多幕次裂陷作用下断裂活动方式的转型,必然会导致物源水系、沉积物入口位置及砂体分散方式的系统性差异.前人研究表明,在第一暮裂陷或...     

珠江口盆地开平凹陷构造—地层层序与盆地演化

开平凹陷位于珠江口盆地珠Ⅱ坳陷的西部,处于洋陆过渡带的特殊位置,大部分区域位于陆坡深水区。研究开平凹陷的构造—地层层序和盆地演化,对认识盆地结构和油气勘探具有重要意义,对南海北部洋陆过渡带的结构特征和成因机制的研究也有一定的帮助。本文基于井震结合的思路,利用最新的钻井和高精度地震资料,并结合区域地质背景,建立了开平凹陷的地层系统;依据区域性不整合面的发育特征,对开平凹陷构造—地层层序进行了划分;利用平衡剖面技术,重点分析了开平凹陷始新世以来的构造演化。研究发现开平凹陷发育始新统文昌组底部、渐新统珠海组底部和上中新统粤海组底部3个区域性不整合面,由此将开平凹陷在纵向上划分为4个构造层：基底构造层、断陷期构造层、拗陷期构造层和加速沉降期构造层。开平凹陷的形成演化经历了基底形成、始新世断陷、渐新世—中中新世拗陷及晚中新世—第四纪加速沉降4个阶段。凹陷内的断陷活动主要受拆离断层差异性活动的控制。     

东尼日尔Termit盆地叠置裂谷的演化:来自构造和沉积充填的制约

东尼日尔Termit盆地是中西非裂谷系中典型的中—新生代裂谷盆地。在充分应用钻井和地震解释资料的基础上,根据构造、沉积充填及主要区域性不整合面的特征,分析了该盆地的演化过程。盆地内主要发育两类断层,第一类断层形成于早白垩世,于古近纪发生继承性活动,第二类断层为形成于古近纪的新生断层。全盆地普遍存在4个主要区域性不整合面,分别位于下白垩统、上白垩统、古近系、新近系—第四系底部。下白垩统和古近系沉积特征受断层活动控制明显,上白垩统和新近系沉积中心位于盆地中部,在其沉积时构造活动较弱。构造和沉积充填特征表明,Termit盆地经历了白垩纪和古近纪—第四纪两期裂谷旋回叠置的演化过程。下白垩统和古近系沉积于同裂谷期,沉积充填受断层活动控制;上白垩统和新近系—第四系沉积于后裂谷期,以热沉降拗陷作用为主。     

Tectonic Model of Boundary Fault Migration and its Genetic Mechanism in the Nanpu Sag,Bohai Bay BasinEI北大核心CSCD

Due to the important control on basin formation and hydrocarbon accumulation, boundary faults have always been the focus of attention in the study of rift basins. However, researches on boundary fault migration in the rift basins have not been reported yet. On the basis of structural analysis of 3D seismic data in the Nanpu Sag, faulting model of pre-existing weaknesses regional tectonic stress field results, and the latest exploration achievements in the Jidong Oilfield, the northern boundary faults in the Nanpu Sag were systematically analyzed. A new model of boundary fault (Boundary faults migration model) is proposed. The results show that: (1) in the rifting stage, with the evolution of tectonic stress field, the northern boundary faults are continuously migrating; (2) the No.5 fault is the northern boundary fault in E2s3 era in the west side of the sag, and the Gaoliu fault is the northern boundary fault in E3d1-2 era in the middle of the sag; (3) the change of stress field (the extension direction) in the rifting stage is the primary cause for the boundary fault migration in the rift basin. Considering that the change of extension direction during 40-38 Ma involves almost all the Cenozoic rift basins in the eastern and southern China, the model of boundary fault migration is expected to have useful implication for fine structural interpretation and oil and gas exploration of the rifted basins in the east and south of China. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.     

南海北部珠江口盆地珠一坳陷西江凹陷与陆丰凹陷差异裂陷过程定量分析

西江凹陷和陆丰凹陷均位于南海北部珠江口盆地珠一坳陷,前者盆地结构为两条NE向铲式边界断层控制的近对称地堑,后者表现为6条弯曲主干断层控制的“两洼夹一隆”构造格局。文章运用三维地震资料,在盆地结构、断裂系统描述的基础上,选取了两个凹陷共8条地震—地质剖面进行平衡剖面恢复,计算两幕裂陷阶段盆地伸展量、拆离深度等定量参数,并据此分析二者差异裂陷演化过程及与区域构造演化之间的联系。两个凹陷在新生代均经历裂陷一幕、二幕以及裂后拗陷阶段,其中每幕裂陷又可细分为早、晚两个亚幕。西江和陆丰凹陷的裂陷演化具有时空差异性。从裂陷一幕到二幕,二者伸展量都具有随时间减小的一般特征,其中西江凹陷的伸展量随时间持续减小,在裂陷二幕晚期仍具有较大伸展量,而陆丰凹陷在裂陷二幕早期伸展量略有升高,但在晚期伸展量急剧减小,其减弱程度远大于西江凹陷。两个凹陷的拆离深度都具有随时间逐渐加深的特征。在裂陷一幕早、晚亚幕,陆丰凹陷的拆离深度略大于西江凹陷。在裂陷二幕早、晚亚幕,西江凹陷的平均拆离深度由约8 km增长至9 km左右,而陆丰凹陷的平均拆离深度由约8 km跳跃式增长至约35 km。盆地的几何结构、断裂系统以及伸展量和拆离深度变化特征均反映陆丰凹陷在裂陷二幕晚期受热沉降作用或提前结束裂陷阶段,而西江凹陷在裂陷二幕之后结束裂陷作用。研究区的裂陷阶段自东向西逐渐结束可能受控于东北次海盆的扩张及南海的自东向西渐进式扩张。区域板块构造演化提供了珠江口盆地沿其轴向向SW方向伸展作用增强的差异伸展环境。该研究所揭示的盆地裂陷演化差异性对认识珠江口盆地的裂陷时限的时空分布和差异裂陷演化都具有重要的意义,也对认识南海北部大陆边缘裂陷过程提供重要的定量数据约束。     

Sedimentation of the Lower Cretaceous Xiagou Formation and its response to regional tectonics in the Qingxi Sag,Jiuquan Basin,NW China

Under the constraint of an isochronous sequence stratigraphic framework, sediment infill of the Xiagou Formation reflects the overall control of dynamic tectonic movements and episodic sedimentations in the Qingxi Sag. Structure reactivity during post-depositional processes could cause stratigraphic variations in longitudinal time and lateral space. This study documents sediment infill features and their response to the tectonic evolutions of the Qingxi Sag. The data sets include comparison of cores, well drilling, 3D seismic, inter-well correlation, wave impedance inversion profiles, original strata recovery data, sedimentary facies spatial evolution and their superimposition with paleogeomorphology.The Jiuquan Basin is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic superposition basin comprising an early rifting graben phase and a later compression phase. Since the Early Cretaceous, the basin has undergone four major tectonic episodes: 1) extension during the Early Cretaceous, 2) tectonic inversion caused by northwest-southeast contraction from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleocene, 3) weak extension from the Eocene to the Miocene and 4) contraction from the Miocene to the present. Therefore, the Jiuquan Basin is the product of taphrogenic, collisional and shearing movements.Seismic interpretations of sequence and maximum flooding surface divide the Xiagou Formation into three third order sequences: SQK1g₀, SQK1g₁ and SQK1g₂₊₃. Five sedimentary facies associations are identified: the shoreland plain, fan delta dominated sedimentary systems, turbidite deposits, shallow lakes and half-deep lake systems. From K1g₀ to K1g₂₊₃, decreased sandstone percentages in three fan delta areas indicate a continuously transgressive process, which shows the transition from proximal to distal sites in most statistic wells and an obvious decrease of fan delta scales. The northeast-southwest faults control the lakeward distributions of delta fronts and turbidite fans.The correspondence of sedimentary infill and its response to tectonic movements have been demonstrated in the Qingxi Sag. The more active eastern part of the northeastern boundary fault has an important influence on the northeastward migration of depocenters in the Xiagou Formation. The topography developed continuously from K1g₀ to K1g₂₊₃, but the diminished subsidence indicates the dominant geological process varying from intense fault rifting in an early period to relatively gentle and overall subsidence in a later period during the Early Cretaceous.     

裂谷作用对层序地层充填样式的控制——以西非裂谷系Termit盆地下白垩统为例

Termit盆地位于尼日尔东南部,属于西非裂谷系的北延部分,是发育于前寒武系—侏罗系基底之上的中、新生代裂谷盆地。该盆地早白垩世—古近纪经历了"裂谷—坳陷—裂谷"的构造演化过程及"陆相—海相—陆相"的沉积演化过程,表现为晚白垩世大规模海侵、早白垩世和古近纪两期裂谷叠置的特点。基于构造作用影响裂谷盆地层序发育的观点,分析了Termit盆地下白垩统裂谷阶段内的层序地层充填样式。根据裂谷作用的强弱,将早白垩世裂谷阶段划分为裂谷初始期、裂谷深陷期及裂谷萎缩期3个阶段。裂谷初始期层序断裂活动弱,构造沉降小,长轴物源体系较为发育,陡坡带为加积至退积型河流或三角洲沉积,缓坡带发育加积型河流或三角洲体系。裂谷深陷期层序断裂活动强烈,构造沉降大,陡坡带形成退积型水下扇或滑塌扇沉积,缓坡带发育退积型三角洲体系,盆地中心为泥岩充填。裂谷萎缩期层序断裂活动减弱并趋于停止,陡坡带为进积型扇三角洲沉积,缓坡带发育进积型三角洲体系。研究表明:裂谷作用对层序地层充填样式具有明显的控制作用,以构造作用为主线的裂谷盆地层序地层分析方法,能有效预测沉积体系和储层分布。     

Strata Architectural Variability and Facies Distribution in a Structural Transfer Zone:A Case Study of Fushan Sag,Northern South China Sea

Structural transfer zones in a half-graben rift basin play a significant role in controlling sandy sediments and providing a target for hydrocarbon exploration. Previous studies have classified the transfer zone in lacustrine environments into two different patterns: synthetic approaching transfer zones and synthetic overlapping transfer zones. However, the evolution of the depositional pattern and the controlling factors of the above transfer zones are still unclear. In the Fushan Sag, the northern South China Sea, an overlapping transfer zone developed in the early Eocene Epoch, while a synthetic approaching transfer zone developed in the late Eocene, due to tectonic uplift. This evolutionary process provided an opportunity to study the stacking pattern of strata architectural variability and facies distribution in the structural transfer zone of the Eocene lacustrine basin. In this study, following the indications of the oriented sedimentary structures in core samples and heavy mineral assemblages of 18 wells, the evolution of the paleo-hydrodynamic distribution during the early and late Eocene has been reconstructed. The sequence-stratigraphy was then divided and the sand body parameters calculated, according to the seismic data and well log interpretations. During the early Eocene, the lake level was at a low stand, the faults broken displacement in the East block being over 50?m. The prograding delta and turbidites are oriented perpendicular to the structural transfer zone. According to the quantitative analysis of the flow rate and the depositional parameters, we speculate that gravity transportation of the sediment and the sediment-supply are the dominating factors during this period. Up to the late Eocene, the rising lake level and the decreased fault displacement leads the flow to divert to a NE-direction, resulting in it being parallel to the axis of the transfer zone. Thus, we speculate that the accommodation space is predominant in this period. In comparison with the above two periods, a braided river delta with an isolated sand body and turbidites developing in the deep area is prominent in the overlapping transfer zone, while a meandering river delta is characteristic of the synthetic approaching transfer zone.     

珠江口盆地惠州凹陷北部边界断裂复合联接和转换

边界断裂控制断陷盆地的形成和构造格局,不同边界断裂联接模式对不同类型盆地演化具有差异性.基于井控高精度3D地震资料,通过对边界断裂几何学特征描述和“四级小层”刻画,结合裂陷Ⅰ幕边界断裂不同区段的活动差异性以及与沉积中心迁移的空间匹配关系,剖析珠江口盆地惠州凹陷北部边界断裂的形成和演化.惠州凹陷北部边界断裂始新世早期分段孤立发育,逐渐以纵向和横向双向联接的模式发展.纵向联接为断层软联接和硬联接复合联接和转换,形成转换斜坡和横向背斜,控制凹(洼)陷的结构与演化,制约沉积中心及层序的迁移.横向联接表现为转换斜坡内横向断层的多阶段联接,联接过程可划分为孤立正断层、同向叠置及硬联接3个阶段,控制转换斜坡带内沉积体系的发育和展布.研究给出了一个裂陷盆地边界断裂时空演化、复合联接和转换模式的独特案例,对丰富裂陷盆地边界断裂及其与沉积层序、凹陷演化和区域动力学机制的响应关系的研究具有积极的意义和价值.      

东海瓯江凹陷早第三纪裂谷期盆地充填机制探讨

早第三纪东海瓯江凹陷曾是一个弧后拉张形成的裂谷盆地,拉张断裂在构造上控制了盆地地堑、半地堑地貌,从裂谷早期、中期到晚期,地层垂向演化表现出砂－泥－砂三重序列的充填型式,根据位于不同构造单元的SM－1、WZ6－1－1井为例证,从相对海平面、可容空间、物源供给诸方面探讨了地层成因机制。     

塔南凹陷早白垩世构造演化及其对沉积充填和砂体分布的控制

塔南凹陷早白垩世经历了断陷初期冲积一滨浅湖盆层序、强烈断陷期半深湖一深湖湖盆层序及断坳期三角洲．湖泊盆型层序的沉积演化序列。受盆地整体格架的控制,凹陷内可划分出5个次级构造单元,各次级构造单元古构造格架决定了沉积相带展布、砂体的发育和分布。     

渤海海域郯庐断裂带新生代活动方式与演化规律——以青东凹陷为例

青东凹陷东边界为郯庐断裂带在渤海海域内西支断裂所在,平面上由4条北北东向断裂呈左阶雁列式排列,剖面上以上盘下降为主,局部具有张扭性和压扭性花状构造现象。青东凹陷东界上的郯庐断裂新生代经历了古近纪右行平移正断层活动、古近纪末盆地挤压反转中的逆右行平移、新近纪的弱拉张活动和第四纪以来的逆右行平移4个演化阶段。古近纪断陷期,先存的郯庐断裂带由于具有较低的强度,在南北向伸展应力场作用下复活并表现为具有右行平移分量的斜向拉张活动,在浅部新生4条左阶雁列式断层,并与盆地内北西向基底断裂系统和东西向新生正断层共同控制了古近系的沉积格局。古近纪末发生了盆地反转,结束了断陷盆地发育阶段,在北东东-南西西向区域挤压应力作用下郯庐断裂表现为逆右行平移活动。新近纪坳陷阶段,盆地内构造活动较弱,主要受控于岩石圈热沉降作用,但郯庐断裂仍具有较弱的伸展活动。第四纪以来,郯庐断裂再次转变为逆右行平移活动。     

PALEOCENE—MIDDLE EOCENE DEXTRAL STRIKE-SLIP DEFORMATION AND ITS TECTONIC IMPLICATION IN THE WESTERN YUNNAN, CHINA

PALEOCENE—MIDDLE EOCENE DEXTRAL STRIKE-SLIP DEFORMATION AND ITS TECTONIC IMPLICATION IN THE WESTERN YUNNAN, CHINA     

Sequence Thickness and its Response to Episodic Tectonic Evolution in Paleogene Qikou Sag,Bohaiwan Basin

The sequence stratigraphy framework of Paleogene of Qikou Sag has been built in this paper. The evolution law of episodic subsidence in Qikou Sag has been expounded, with the analysis of the characteristic of sequence thickness, as well as the study of consedimental tectonic activity, subsidence history, paleogeomorphology and the coupling relationship among them. The faults controlling action was the dominant mechanism during rifting stage I , as the depression was the dominant mechanism during rifting stage III, which embodies a process from intense disparity fault depression to integral subsidence. Meanwhile, under the control of regional faulting and later stage depression, subsidence rate centers and paleogeomorphic concave centers are always corresponding to the sequence thickness centers, and the changes of subsidence centers and paleogeomorphology concave centers are consistent with the migration of thickness centers, which presents the restriction, coupling and response among them and clarifies the law that tectonic activity controls the basin fill by means of controlling the subsidence rate and paleogeomorphology from contributing factor angle. On this basis, the dynamic evolution of the composite pattern of structure-subsidence-deposition in the fault controlling actic region during the three rifting stages and their petroleum geological significance has been discussed.     

乌石凹陷古近系层序地层特征及充填演化

依据层序地层学、沉积学理论方法,综合地震剖面、钻测井、岩心、古生物、地球化学等资料研究认为;乌石凹陷古近系可识别3种级别不整合面,划分为7个三级地震(测井)层序,是一个进积(加积)—退积—加积序列。构造沉降是控制层序几何形态,充填叠置方式、演化及沉积体系分布的最重要因素:凹陷由多个半地堑在不同层序发育时期以不同方式叠置联结而成;受断层控制,层序外部形态有箱状-楔形、楔形-席状披覆型,边界终止方式有双断终止型、单断终止超覆型;不同构造演化阶段层序内部充填的沉积体系各具特征,初始断陷阶段的SQ1沉积冲积层序,强烈断陷阶段的SQ2—SQ4充填湖相层序,晚期断陷阶段SQ5—SQ7内部充填浅湖和河流三角洲沉积;同沉积断层陡坡带沉降迅速、可容纳空间快速增长,是凹陷的沉积和沉降中心,断陷期主控断裂活动时间和空间的变化导致了凹陷沉积和沉降中心的迁移。     

Structural evolution of the Early Cretaceous depocentres,Otway Basin,Victoria

The dominant control on the (transition between) depositional settings of the Crayfish Group of the Otway Basin in Victoria, Australia has been determined. The study first involved seismic mapping of six stratigraphic units within the Early Cretaceous, continental Crayfish Group. The resulting 3D structural model was used to identify major Early Cretaceous depocentres, and to determine which Crayfish Group sediments are restricted to individual rift depocentres and which are more widespread as a result of inter-connectivity of the basin. Five structural cross-sections were then constructed across each major depocentre of the basin; these were balanced and restored, and missing section estimated, in order to test the validity of the structural interpretations. This also enabled analysis of differing extensional rates within each depocentre and the calculation of the cumulative displacement of each major bounding fault. Results show that displacement rate, growth and linkage of the faults, as well as the amount of subsidence within the depocentres, had a significant effect on the distribution and development of the major facies within the Crayfish Group. The Casterton Formation and Sawpit Shale equivalent/McEachern Sandstone were restricted to rapidly subsiding, structurally controlled depocentres in the west, while the succeeding Sawpit Sandstone equivalent was deposited within the same depocentres, across the intervening structural highs and in the eastern part of the basin where depocentres had just begun to form. The Pretty Hill Formation shows a similar distribution pattern, while the overlying fine-grained Laira Formation also drapes structural highs but is replaced in the east by coarser-grained sediments of the upper Pretty Hill Formation. Extension was locally up to 21% in the central Otway Basin but was much less in the eastern Otway Basin.     

渤海湾盆地黄骅坳陷新生代伸展量的时空分布特征*

以渤海湾盆地黄骅坳陷22条区域地震剖面的构造解释为基础,利用平衡剖面技术计算了不同位置剖面的伸展量、伸展率和伸展系数,并分析了伸展量的时空分布规律。研究表明,黄骅坳陷新生代具有幕式伸展的特点,而且伸展量的时空分布极不均匀。空间上,伸展量主要是由盆地主边界断层伸展位移造成的,主边界断层位移较大处的伸展量也相应较大;时间上,水平伸展运动可以分为始新世、渐新世和新近纪3个时期,其中,始新世伸展主要发生在盆地南部,渐新世发生在中北部,新近纪伸展量较小,主要发生在中部。伸展量时空分布是受盆地构造变形、构造演化控制的。始新世,NNE向沧东断层的伸展位移是控制盆地伸展变形的主要因素,且沧东断层在盆地南区的伸展位移量较大。渐新世,NNE向沧东断层在盆地中北区的伸展位移量相对较大,同时盆地内部NNE向基底断层的右旋走滑诱导的NE向基底正断层对盆地伸展变形做出贡献。新近纪,盆地在后裂陷的热沉降过程中NNE向基底断层仍然有右旋走滑位移,致使盆地中部发育NE向盖层正断层。     

半地堑盆地演化机制的粘弹塑数值模拟

利用新近完成的粘弹塑构造模拟软件包对盆地的动力学演化进行了一系列模拟。文中主要概述不同厚度的上地壳中由高角度平面正断层界定的半地堑盆地的演化模拟。模拟时上地壳被考虑成具有Byerlee型强度包络 ,并且位于无粘性基底之上 ,盆地中由密度比地壳密度小的沉积物充填。计算了以一定增量逐渐拉伸上地壳层时各个阶段的非静岩应力 (Nonlitho staticstress)、塑性破裂 (Plasticfailure)分布及挠曲剖面 (Flexureprofile)。塑性变形使得有效弹性厚度减小。到切穿破裂出现以前 ,断层断距一直增加 ,之后 ,断距基本停止增加。所以 ,地壳强度使沉降量和隆升量均有极限。上地壳层厚度和沉积物密度是控制盆地宽度和极限深度的两个重要因素 ,上地壳层厚度增加或者沉积物密度加大都使盆地宽度和深度增大。模拟结果可以解释一些大陆裂谷盆地的宽度和沉积深度。     

Interaction of an antecedent fluvial system with early normal fault growth: Implications for syn‐rift stratigraphy,western Corinth rift (Greece)

Continental ‘overfilled’ conditions during rift initiation are conventionally explained as due to low creation of accommodation compared with sediment supply. Alternatively, sediment supply can be relatively high from the onset of rifting due to an antecedent drainage system. The alluvial Lower Group of the western Plio–Pleistocene Corinth rift is used to investigate the interaction of fluvial sedimentation with early rifting. This rift was obliquely superimposed on the Hellenide mountain belt from which it inherited a significant palaeorelief. Detailed sedimentary logging and mapping of the well‐exposed syn‐rift succession document the facies distributions, palaeocurrents and stratigraphic architecture. Magnetostratigraphy and biostratigraphy are used to date and correlate the alluvial succession across and between fault blocks. From 3·2 to 1·8 Ma, a transverse low sinuosity braided river system flowed north/north‐east to east across east–west‐striking active fault blocks (4 to 7 km in width). Deposits evolved downstream from coarse alluvial conglomerates to fine‐grained lacustrine deposits over 15 to 30 km. The length scale of facies belts is much greater than, and thus not directly controlled by, the width of the fault blocks. At its termination, the distributive river system built small, stacked deltas into a shallow lake margin. The presence of a major antecedent drainage system is supported by: (i) a single major sediment entry point; (ii) persistence of a main channel belt axis; (iii) downstream fining at the scale of the rift basin. The zones of maximum subsidence on individual faults are aligned with the persistent fluvial axis, suggesting that sediment supply influenced normal fault growth. Instead of low accommodation rate during the early rift phase, this study proposes that facies progradation can be controlled by continuous and high sediment supply from antecedent rivers.