Allogenic and autogenic controls on facies and stratigraphic architecture of the Lower Jurassic Mashabba Formation,Gebel Al-Maghara,North Sinai,Egypt

The Lower Jurassic Mashabba Formation crops out in the core of the doubly plunging Al-Maghara anticline, North Sinai, Egypt. It represents a marine to terrestrial succession deposited within a rift basin associated with the opening of the Neotethys. Despite being one of the best and the only exposed Lower Jurassic strata in Egypt, its sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic framework has not been addressed yet. The formation is subdivided informally into a lower and upper member with different depositional settings and sequence stratigraphic framework. The sedimentary facies of the lower member include shallow-marine, fluvial, tidal flat and incised valley fill deposits. In contrast, the upper member consists of strata with limited lateral extension including fossiliferous lagoonal limestones alternating with burrowed deltaic sandstones. The lower member contains three incomplete sequences (SQ1-SQ3). The depositional framework shows transgressive middle shoreface to offshore transition deposits sharply overlain by forced regressive upper shoreface sandstones (SQ1), lowstand fluvial to transgressive tidal flat and shallow subtidal sandy limestones (SQ2), and lowstand to transgressive incised valley fills and shallow subtidal sandy limestones (SQ3). In contrast, the upper member consists of eight coarsening-up depositional cycles bounded by marine flooding surfaces. The cycles are classified as carbonate-dominated, siliciclastic-dominated, and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate. The strata record rapid changes in accommodation space. The unpredictable facies stacking pattern, the remarkable rapid facies changes, and chaotic stratigraphic architecture suggest an interplay between allogenic and autogenic processes. Particularly syndepositional tectonic pulses and occasional eustatic sea-level changes controlled the rate and trends of accommodation space, the shoreline morphology, the amount and direction of siliciclastic sediment input and rapid switching and abandonment of delta systems.     

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.     

华南上泥盆统和下石炭统层序地层学

本文把华南法门阶上部和杜内阶分为４个层序，自下而上依次命名为ＳＱ０、ＳＱ１、ＳＱ２和ＳＱ３。其中ＳＱ０属斯图年阶（Ｓｔｒｕｎｉａｎ）（泥盆系最顶部），其余３个层序归杜内阶。这４个层序可以与欧美等地同期的层序进行对比，表明当时的海平面升降变化及其由此而产生的沉积层序具有全球的一致性。层序地层学、生物地层学和事件地层学综合研究表明，华南浅海相区与Ｓｉｐｈｏｎｏｄｅｌａｐｒａｅｓｕｌｃａｔａ－Ｓ．ｓｕｌｃａｔａ界线一致的泥盆－石炭系界线不仅高于Ｃｙｓｔｏｐｈｒｅｎｔｉｓ带顶界，而且还应高于引起Ｃｙｓｔｏｐｈｒｅｎｔｉｓ绝灭的海退事件层的顶界。因此建议以Ｃｙｓｔｏｐｈｒｅｎｔｉｓ－Ｐｓｅｕｄｏｕｒａｌｉｎａ间隔带中最明显的一个海进面，即ＳＱ１的海进体系域的底界作为华南浅海相区泥盆－石炭系界线。这条界线与泥盆－石炭纪之交海退事件层的顶界正好一致，大致相当于Ｐｓｅｕｄｏｕｒａｌｉｎａ组合带底部。     

Oceanographic and eustatic control of carbonate platform evolution and sequence stratigraphy on the Cretaceous (Valanginian–Campanian) passive margin,northern Gulf of Mexico

An integrated sequence stratigraphic study based on outcrop, core and wireline log data documents the combined impact of Cretaceous eustacy and oceanic anoxic events on carbonate shelf morphology and facies distributions in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The diverse facies and abundant data of the Comanche platform serve as a nearly complete global reference section and provide a sensitive record of external processes affecting Cretaceous platform development. Regional cross‐sections across the shoreline to shelf‐margin profile provide a detailed record of mixed carbonate–siliciclastic strata for the Hauterivian to lower Campanian stages (ca 136 to 80 Ma). The study window on the slowly subsiding passive margin allows the stratigraphic response to external forcing mechanisms to be isolated from regional structural processes. Three second‐order supersequences comprised of eight composite sequences are recognized in the Valanginian–Barremian, the Aptian–Albian and the Cenomanian–Campanian. The Valanginian–Barremian supersequence transitioned from a siliciclastic ramp to carbonate rimmed shelf and is a product of glacial ice accumulation and melting, as well as variable rates of mid‐ocean ridge volcanism. The Aptian–Albian supersequence chronicles the drowning and recovery of the platform surrounding oceanic anoxic events 1a and 1b. The Cenomanian–Campanian supersequence similarly documents shelf drowning following oceanic anoxic event 1d, after which the platform evolved to a deep‐subtidal system consisting of anoxic/dysoxic shale and chalk in the time surrounding oceanic anoxic event 2. Each period of oceanic anoxia is associated with composite sequence maximum flooding, termination of carbonate shelf sedimentation and deposition of condensed shale units in distally steepened ramp profiles. Composite sequences unaffected by oceanic anoxic events consist of aggradational to progradational shelves with an abundance of grain‐dominated facies and shallow‐subtidal to intertidal environments. Because they are products of eustacy and global oceanographic processes, the three supersequences and most composite sequences defined in the south Texas passive margin are recognizable in other carbonate platforms and published eustatic sea‐level curves.     

塔里木盆地东南部石炭系,二叠系沉积与层序特征

塔里木盆地东南部中古炭统一下二叠统是一个顶底为Ⅰ类不整合所限定的二级沉积层序。该层序沉积期，塔里木盆地东南部存在三个古陆，两个浅海海峡，一个半深海斜坡。随着海面上升－静止－下降于不同部位形成了不同沉积体系及组合。海进体系域由中上石炭统的滨岸破坏性三     

Depositional processes of the Zhushadong and Mantou formations (Early to Middle Cambrian), Shandong Province,China: roles of archipelago and mixed carbonate–siliciclastic sedimentation on cycle genesis during initial flooding of the North China Platform

To understand the depositional processes and environmental changes during the initial flooding of the North China Platform, this study focuses on the Lower to Middle Cambrian Zhushadong and Mantou formations in Shandong Province, China. The succession in the Jinan and Laiwu areas comprises mixed carbonate and siliciclastic deposits composed of limestone, dolostone, stromatolite, thrombolite, purple and grey mudstone, and sandstone. A detailed sedimentary facies analysis of seven well‐exposed sections suggests that five facies associations are the result of an intercalation of carbonate and siliciclastic depositional environments, including local alluvial fans, shallowing‐upward carbonate–siliciclastic peritidal cycles, oolite dominant shoals, shoreface and lagoonal environments. These facies associations successively show a transition from an initially inundated tide‐dominated carbonate platform to a wave‐dominated shallow marine environment. In particular, the peritidal sediments were deposited during a large number of depositional cycles. These sediments consist of lime mudstone, dolomite, stromatolite and purple and grey mudstones. These shallowing‐upward cycles generally resulted from carbonate production in response to an increase of accommodation during rising sea‐level. The carbonate production was, however, interrupted by frequent siliciclastic input from the adjacent emergent archipelago. The depositional cycles thus formed under the influence of both autogenetic changes, including sediment supply from the archipelago, and allogenic control of relative sea‐level rise in the carbonate factory. A low‐relief archipelago with an active tidal regime allowed the development of tide‐dominated siliciclastic and carbonate environments on the vast platform. Siliciclastic input to these tidal environments terminated when most of the archipelago became submerged due to a rapid rise in sea‐level. This study provides insights on how a vast Cambrian carbonate platform maintained synchronous sedimentation under a tidal regime, forming distinct cycles of mixed carbonates and siliciclastics as the system kept up with rising relative sea‐level during the early stage of basin development in the North China Platform.     

High-frequency cycles in the upper Aptian carbonates of the Organyà basin,NE spain

High-frequency cycles in Upper Aptian carbonates have been studied on the carbonate ramp of Organyà (southeastern Pyrenees). The depositional area comprises a shallow marine to deeper marine transect. A detailed facies model is developed subdividing the transect into an inner ramp area (above fairweather wave base), a mid-ramp area (between fairweather wave base and storm wave base) and an outer ramp area (below storm wave base). Based on microfacies analysis a cyclostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic interpretation is established. Variations of the sedimentary patterns within different sections of the homoclinal ramp are due mainly to sea level changes. Sea level changes of third and fourth order are reflected by the shifting of the shallow subtidal facies belts up and down the ramp. The study of fifth-order sea level changes is based on statistical methods (quantitative facies analysis and principal component analysis). The ratio of the fourth- and fifth-order cycles is very similar to the well-known ratio of the eccentricity (100 ka) and the precession (18.6/22.5 ka). The absolute age values derived from the cyclostratigraphy fit into the biostratigraphic framework. Thus, a global eustatic control is assumed to be responsible for the cycles of higher frequency. The lower frequency third-order sequences, however, were considerably influenced by local tectonic processes.     

Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Qal’eh Dokhtar Formation (Middle–Upper Jurassic) in the West of Boshrouyeh, East Central Iran

The study area is located in the east Tabas Block in Central Iran. Facies analysis of the Qal’eh Dokhtar Formation (middle Callovian to late Oxfordian) was carried out on two stratigraphic sections and applied to depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy interpretation. This formation conformably overlies and underlies the marly-silty Baghamshah and the calcareous Esfandiar formations, respectively. Lateral and vertical facies changes documents low- to high energy environments, including tidal-flat, beach to intertidal, lagoon, barrier, and open-marine. According to these facies associations and absence of resedimentation deposits a depositional model of a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic ramp was proposed for the Qal’eh Dokhtar Formation. Seven third-order depositional sequences were identified in each two measured stratigraphic sections. Transgressive systems tracts (TSTs) show deepening upward trends, i.e. shallow water beach to intertidal and lagoonal facies, while highstand systems tracts (HST) show shallowing upward trends in which deep water facies are overlain by shallow water facies. All sequence boundaries (except at the base of the stratigraphic column) are of the no erosional (SB2) types. We conclude eustatic rather than tectonic factors played a dominant role in controlling carbonate depositional environments in the study area.     

On the Carboniferous Sequence Stratigraphy in the Tazhong Area, Xinjiang——A Model of the Sequence Stratigraphy Framework of Intracratonic Depressional Basins

The Carboniferous prototype sedimentary basin in the Tazhong (Central Tarimbasin) area is recognized as a compressive intracratonic depressional one. Three type Ⅰ sequenceboundaries and three type Ⅱ sequence boundaries can be identified in the CarboniferousSystem, which can accordingly be divided into five sedimentary sequences. These sequencespossess stratigraphic characters of the standard sequence and correspond to the depositionalstratigraphic unit of a third-order eustatic cycle. They can be regionally or globally correlatedwith each other. The framework of sequence stratigraphy of the intracratonict basin in thestudy area distinctly differs from that of the passive continental-margin basin in the lack ofdepositional systems of early-middle lowstand, poor development of the deeply incised valleyand condensed section of the maximum sea-flood, good development of type Ⅱ sequenceboundaries and coastal plain depositional systems coexisting with shelf-type fan deltas underwet climatic conditions, Which consequently led to the formation of a paralic lithofacies frame-work.     

Impact of dynamic sedimentation on facies heterogeneities in Lower Cretaceous peritidal deposits of central east Oman

This study, based in the Haushi‐Huqf area of central east Oman, aims to characterize the controls on facies distribution and geometries of some of the best preserved examples of Lower Cretaceous tidal flat facies within the Tethyan epeiric platform. Field, petrographic and geochemical data were acquired from the Barremian–Aptian Jurf and Qishn formations that crop out in a 500 × 1000 m² butte, thus allowing for pseudo three‐dimensional quantitative data acquisition of the dimensions and spatial distributions of discontinuity surfaces and sedimentary bodies. The interpretation presented here suggests that the main processes impacting sedimentation in the Lower Cretaceous peritidal environment of the Haushi‐Huqf were transport and erosion processes related to storm waves and currents. The vertical evolution of the carbonate system is organized into six types of metre‐scale depositional sequences, from subtidal dominated sequences to supratidal‐capped sequences, which are bounded by regional discontinuity surfaces. At subaerial exposure and submarine erosion surfaces associated with a base level shift, sedimentary horizons along the entire depositional profile are cut by scours possibly created by storm events. Chemostratigraphy allows correlation between the Haushi‐Huqf and the age‐equivalent sections logged in the interior of the platform in Oman. The correlation suggests that the change from subtidal to intertidal depositional sequences during the late highstand is coeval with the development of rudist dominated shoals on the shelf. This study is the first to discuss the controls on Lower Cretaceous peritidal carbonate cyclicity of the Arabian epeiric platform. The results presented here also offer a unique quantitative dataset of the distribution and dimensions of peritidal carbonate shoals and storm scours in a regional sequence stratigraphic context.     

High‐resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Maastrichtian‐Ypresian succession along the eastern scarp face of Kharga Oasis,southern Western Desert,Egypt

A thick Maastrichtian‐Ypresian succession, dominated by marine siliciclastic and carbonate deposits of the regionally recognized Nile Valley and Garra El‐Arbain facies associations, is exposed along the eastern escarpment face of Kharga Oasis, located in the Western Desert of Egypt. The main objectives of the present study are: (i) to establish a detailed biostratigraphic framework; (ii) to interpret the depositional environments; and (iii) to propose a sequence stratigraphic framework in order to constrain the palaeogeographic evolution of the Kharga sub‐basin during the Maastrichtian‐Ypresian time interval. The biostratigraphic analysis suggests the occurrence of 10 planktonic zones; two in the Early Maastrichtian (CF8b and CF7), four in the Palaeocene (P2, P3, P4c and P5) and four in the Early Eocene (E1, E2, E3 and E4). Recorded zonal boundaries and biostratigraphic zones generally match with those proposed elsewhere in the region. The stratigraphic succession comprises seven third‐order depositional sequences which are bounded by unconformities and their correlative conformities which can be correlated within and outside Egypt. These depositional sequences are interpreted as the result of eustatic sea‐level changes coupled with local tectonic activities. Each sequence contains a lower retrogradational parasequence set bounded above by a marine‐flooding surface and an upper progradational parasequence set bounded above by a sequence boundary. Parasequences within parasequence sets are stacked in landward‐stepping and seaward‐stepping patterns indicative of transgressive and highstand systems tracts, respectively. Lowstand systems tracts were not developed in the studied sections, presumably due to the low‐relief ramp setting. The irregular palaeotopography of the Dakhla Basin, which was caused by north‐east to south‐west trending submerged palaeo‐highs and lows, together with the eustatic sea‐level fluctuations, controlled the development and location of the two facies associations in the Kharga Oasis, the Nile Valley (open marine) and Garra El‐Arbain (marginal marine).     

西藏珠穆朗玛峰北坡地区显生宙沉积演化

位于印度板块北缘和雅鲁藏布江结合带之间的珠穆朗玛峰北坡地区，属于喜马拉雅造山带，是特提斯洋的重要组成部分。自奥陶纪至古近纪约5亿年期间发育一套基本连续的海相沉积，厚度达14 km，是研究特提斯洋形成演化的最佳地区。作者在对该区显生宙地层主干剖面和辅助剖面详细观察研究以及区域地质调查填图的基础上，将珠穆朗玛峰北坡地区显生宙沉积地层划分为海相、海陆过渡相和陆相3个沉积相组、15个沉积相和若干个沉积亚相。作者通过对该区沉积盆地的地层系统、沉积相、沉积特征的系统研究，将珠穆朗玛峰北坡地区显生宙沉积演化划分为6个阶段:1)奥陶纪-泥盆纪为稳定陆表海演化阶段；2)石炭纪-二叠纪为大陆裂谷盆地演化阶段；3)三叠纪-侏罗纪为被动大陆边缘盆地演化阶段；4)早中白垩世为前陆早期复理石盆地演化阶段；5)晚白垩世-古新世为前陆晚期磨拉石盆地演化阶段；6)古近纪-第四纪为造山隆升断陷盆地形成演化阶段。研究结果表明，珠穆朗玛峰北坡地区显生宙沉积盆地经历了由陆表海盆地-大陆裂谷盆地-被动大陆边缘盆地-前陆盆地-断陷盆地的演化过程。     

Evolution of a Callovian-Oxfordian carbonate margin in the Neuquén Basin of west-central Argentina: facies, architecture, depositional sequences and global sea-level changes

This paper reviews a detailed stratigraphic and sedimentologic study of a carbonate complex developed on the foreland side of the Neuquén Embayment, a protected shallow-water epicratonic site behind the active edge of the South American plate. Superb outcrops at the core of basement-involved Andean structures expose the shelf-to-basin transition and reveal with clarity the external and the internal architecture of the depositional sequences and component system tracts. Platform carbonates are largely represented by ooid and mainly rhodoid grainstones, with associated patches of coral framestone. The deeper platform and slope facies are composed of oncoidal and skeletal micritic limestones with scattered coral-sponge-algal build-ups. The overall composition and facies pattern bears resemblance to other Late Jurassic carbonate complexes form Europe and with the Smackover Formation from the Gulf Coast Basin of North America.

Analysis based on mapping of the stratal patterns and facies associations in outcrops allowed the recognition of four depositional sequences. Timing provided by ammonite biochronology suggests that eustatic fluctuations were a major factor influencing the carbonate-margin architecture, and regulated episodes of condensed sedimentation, shifts of the depositional belts, and development of stratigraphic discontinuities. The onset and the end of carbonate sedimentation were associated with episodes of marine retreat and accumulation of evaporites and eolian-fluvial deposits at basin-centre locations. However, most of the marine fluctuations recorded within the carbonate complex were insufficient to expose the shelf break (Type 2), and accordingly lowstand system tracts are poorly represented. On the shelf the transgressive system tracts are represented by thin grain-supported carbonate blankets. These taper out downslope into omission surfaces or are replaced by patches of small sponge buildups. Highstand system-tract organization changes through time, reflecting changes in productivity and accomodation, presumably tied to second-order sea-level changes. Callovian highstand accumulation featured a catch-up carbonate system and produced a thin-aggradational ramp configuration, whereas conditions during middle-late Oxfordian allowed a keep-up system and produced outbuilding depositional geometries with steeper slopes.     

Sequence Stratigraphy and Rudist Facies Development of the Upper Barremian‐Lower Cenomanian Platform,Northern Sinai,Egypt

The Lower Cretaceous sections in northern Sinai are composed of the Risan Aneiza (upper Barremian-middle Albian) and the Halal (middle Albian-lower Cenomanian) formations. The facies reflect subtle paleobathymetry from inner to outer ramp facies. The inner ramp facies are peritidal, protected to open marine lagoons, shoals and rudist biostrome facies. The inner ramp facies grade northward into outer ramp deposits. The upper Barremian-lower Cenomanian succession is subdivided into nine depositional sequences correlated with those recognized in the neighbouring Tethyan areas. These sequences are subdivided into 19 medium-scale sequences based on the facies evolution, the recorded hardgrounds and flooding surfaces, interpreted as the result of eustatic sea level changes and local tectonic activities of the early Syrian Arc rifting stage. Each sequence contains a lower retrogradational parasequence set that constituted the transgressive systems tracts and an upper progradational parasequence set that formed the highstand systems tracts. Nine rudist levels are recorded in the upper Barremian through lower Cenomanian succession at Gabal Raghawi. At Gabal Yelleg two rudist levels are found in the Albian. The rudist levels are associated with the highstand systems tract deposits because of the suitability of the trophic conditions in the rudist-dominated ramp.     

Early Triassic intertidal/subtidal patterns of sedimentation along the southern margins of the Tethyan seaway,Jordan

The early Triassic Dardur Formation, exposed along the northeastern margin of the Dead Sea area, comprises some 63 m of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks, arranged in two coarsening-upward sequences. Each sequence begins with a heterolithic facies (silty shale dolomite and marlstone) and terminates with a sandstone facies.The occurrence of mixed carbonate-dominated clastic coarsening-upward facies sequences, containing pelecypode and ostracode fossils and trace fossils is attributed to deposition in a tidally-dominated environment. Bedload traction transport was responsible for deposition of the sandstone facies in a permanently submerged, shallow subtidal zone, whereas the presence of small scale interference oscillation ripple marks, tidal rhythmites and mudcracks in the heterolithic facies indicate deposition under more fluctuating intertidal conditions.The organization of heterolithic and sandstone into vertically-stacked, coarsening-upward marine facies sequences is attributed to a deepening-upward trend from intertidal to subtidal conditions, in response to a series of minor local transgressions and regressions along the southern margins of the Tethyan seaway during early Triassic times.     

Correlation of Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous Depositional Sequences in Different Facies Belts on Southern Margin of Upper Yangtze Platform

Ｓｅｑｕｅｎｃｅｓｔｒａｔｉｇｒａｐｈｙｄｅａｌｓｗｉｔｈｔｈｅｃｙｃｌｉｃｉｔｙｉｎｓｅｄｉ－ｍｅｎｔａｒｙｒｏｃｋｓａｎｄｒｅｇａｒｄｓａｔｌｅａｓｔｓｏｍｅｏｆｔｈｅｃｙｃｌｉｃｉｔｙａｓｇｌｏｂａｌｉｎｅｘｔｅｎｔ．Ｉｎｆａｃｔ,ｓｅｄｉｍｅ...     

云南兰坪盆地三叠纪沉积作用与古地理演化

根据岩石沉积类型、物源供给、成因机制和沉积序列 ,结合区域地质特征 ,将兰坪盆地三叠系划分为陆相火山泥石流、河流相、三角洲相、潮坪相、浅海陆棚相、碳酸盐台地相和深水盆地相7种主要沉积类型。通过对沉积相的详细分析 ,恢复其古地理格架和面貌 ,探讨岩相古地理的变迁历史 ,从而表明三叠纪早期到晚期 ,其古地理经历了陆相环境→碎屑海盆→碳酸盐海盆到碎屑海盆的转换 ,即两次海侵 海退旋回。早期的海域分布范围较小 ,晚期的海域分布范围较宽 ,并成为统一的海盆。     

Application of sequence stratigraphic concepts to the Upper Cretaceous Tununk Shale Member of the Mancos Shale Formation,south-central Utah: Parasequence styles in shelfal mudstone strata

Although sequence stratigraphic concepts have been applied extensively to coarse-grained siliciclastic deposits in nearshore environments, high-resolution sequence stratigraphic analysis has not been widely applied to mudstone-dominated sedimentary successions deposited in more distal hemipelagic to pelagic settings. To examine how sequence stratigraphic frameworks can be derived from the facies variability of mudstone-dominated successions, the Tununk Shale Member of the Mancos Shale Formation in south-central Utah (USA) was examined in detail through a combination of sedimentological, stratigraphic and petrographic methods. The Tununk Shale accumulated on a storm-dominated shelf during the second-order Greenhorn sea-level cycle. During this eustatic event, the depositional environment of the Tununk Shale shifted laterally from distal middle shelf to outer shelf, then from an outer shelf to an inner shelf environment. At least 49 parasequences can be identified within the Tununk Shale. Each parasequence shows a coarsening-upward trend via upward increases in silt and sand content, thickness and lateral continuity of laminae/beds, and abundance of storm-generated sedimentary structures. Variations in bioturbation styles within parasequences are complex, although abrupt changes in bioturbation intensity or diversity commonly occur across parasequence boundaries (i.e. flooding surfaces). Due to changes in depositional environments, dominant sediment supply and bioturbation characteristics, parasequence styles in the Tununk Shale show considerable variability. Based on parasequence stacking patterns, eleven system tracts, four depositional sequences and key sequence stratigraphic surfaces can be identified. The high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework of the Tununk Shale reveals a hierarchy of stratal cyclicity. Application of sequence stratigraphic concepts to this thick mudstone-dominated succession provides important insights into the underlying causes of heterogeneity in these rocks over multiple thickness scales (millimetre-scale to metre-scale). The detailed sedimentological characterization of parasequences, system tracts and depositional sequences in the Tununk Shale provides conceptual approaches that can aid the development of high-resolution sequence stratigraphic frameworks in other ancient shelf mudstone successions.     

Long-distance correlation between tectonic-controlled, isolated carbonate platforms by cyclostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy in the Devonian of South China

During the early Middle Devonian in South China, an extensive carbonate platform was broken up through extension to create a complex pattern of platforms, and interplatform basins. In Givetian and Frasnian carbonate successions, five depositional facies, including peritidal, restricted shallow subtidal, semi‐restricted subtidal, intermediate subtidal and deep subtidal facies, and 18 lithofacies units are recognized from measured sections on three isolated platforms. These deposits are arranged into metre‐scale, upward‐shallowing peritidal and subtidal cycles. Nine third‐order sequences are identified from changes in cycle stacking patterns, vertical facies changes and the stratigraphic distribution of subaerial exposure indicators. These sequences mostly consist of a lower transgressive part and an upper regressive part. Transgressive packages are dominated by thicker‐than‐average subtidal cycles, and regressive packages by thinner‐than‐average peritidal cycles. Sequence boundaries are transitional zones composed of stacked, high‐frequency, thinner‐than‐average cycles with upward‐increasing intensity of subaerial exposure, rather than individual, laterally traceable surfaces. These sequences can be further grouped into catch‐up and keep‐up sequence sets from the long‐term (second‐order) changes in accommodation and vertical facies changes. Catch‐up sequences are characterized by relatively thick cycle packages with a high percentage of intermediate to shallow subtidal facies, and even deep subtidal facies locally within some individual sequences, recording long‐term accommodation gain. Keep‐up sequences are characterized by relatively thin cycle packages with a high percentage of peritidal facies within sequences, recording long‐term accommodation loss. Correlation of long‐term accommodation changes expressed by Fischer plots reveals that during the late Givetian to early Frasnian increased accommodation loss on platforms coincided with increased accommodation gain in interplatform basins. This suggests that movement on faults resulted in the relative uplift of platforms and subsidence of interplatform basins. In the early Frasnian, extensive siliceous deposits in most interplatform basins and megabreccias at basin margins correspond to exposure disconformities on platforms.