A review of the stratigraphy of Marwar Supergroup of west-central Rajasthan

The lithostratigraphy, depositional environment and age of the Marwar Supergroup have been reviewed in the light of report of δ¹³C depletion recorded in the carbonates of the Bilara Group (middle part of Marwar Supergroup) and discovery of trilobite-like trace fossils from the ·Red bedsŽ of Nagaur Group (upper part of Marwar Supergroup). The δ¹³C depletion observed in Bilara carbonates is not a result of glaciation rather due to rapid burial and poor water circulation in the low energy water of the protected basin. Secondly, the trace fossils are, in fact, traces of notostracan crustaceans found in shallow fluvial and shallow lacustrine environment. The present paper also records a spiral, burrowing trace-fossil, possibly Gyrolithes, from a cross-bedded sandstone of the Jodhpur Group.     

The Wealden (non-marine Lower Cretaceous) of the Weald Sub-basin,southern England

The Wealden strata (non-marine Lower Cretaceous) of the Weald Sub-basin outcrop in the Weald district of south-east England; the Wealden type-area. The succession is made up of the mixed alluvial–lacustrine–lagoonal Hastings Beds Group below and the predominantly lacustrine–lagoonal Weald Clay Group above. Deposition was strongly influenced by tectonism amongst surrounding massifs, and the warm to hot, periodically wet Wealden climate. Geological Conservation Review sites within the Weald district are dominated by inland sites, but also include extensive coastal cliff and foreshore exposures near Hastings, East Sussex. The Wealden strata have been documented and interpreted since the earliest days of geological enquiry in Great Britain. Collectively, the selected sites demonstrate the key elements of a depositional model for the Wealden of the Weald, developed and published by Professor Percival Allen FRS (1917–2008) in these Proceedings (Allen, 1975). The sites are documented and interpreted, with special reference to research history, chronostratigraphy, structural context, palaeoenvironments, palaeobiology and palaeoclimatology. New directions for research are proposed, as applicable.     

Trace fossils and palaeoenvironments of the Middle Devonian Caherbla Group,Dingle Peninsula,southwest Ireland

Trace fossils from the Middle Devonian Caherbla Group of the Dingle Peninsula, southwest Ireland, record a diverse arthropod fauna inhabiting a hot‐arid intracontinental rift setting. Aeolian dunefield and coeval fluvial interdune deposits interfinger spatially and temporally with alluvial fan sedimentary rocks. Three distinct trace fossil assemblages are recognized. The Taenidium‐Scoyenia ichnocoenosis occurs in alluvial fan and fluvial channel deposits, and includes the large backfilled burrow Taenidium, interpreted as eoarthropleurid aestivation chambers. The Rusophycus‐Protichnites ichnocoenosis, composed of arthropod trackways and surface pits, occurs in an interdune ponded area that was susceptible to ephemeral fluvial flow, with Rusophycus showing preferred orientation into the oncoming palaeocurrent. Both the Taenidium‐Scoyenia and Rusophycus‐Protichnites ichnocoenoses are assignable to the globally recurring continental Scoyenia ichnofacies. They are clearly substrate‐controlled and moisture‐related due to the ephemeral nature of the fluvial system. The Palmichnium‐Entradichnus ichnocoenosis occurs in aeolian dune deposits, and includes Palmichnium, attributed to large stylonurid eurypterids, and Diplichnites, attributed to eoarthropleurids. These trackways represent the activities of dune pioneers that left their fluvial habitat to forage for detritus. Interface burrows (Entradichnus, Palaeophycus) were also constructed by arthropods moving just under the sand surface and vertical burrows (Cylindricum, Pustulichnus) were made by arthropods digging downward. Trace preservation in the aeolian environment was probably enhanced by heavy nocturnal dew‐fall or light rain. The Palmichnium‐Entradichnus ichnocoenosis is assigned to the globally recurring aeolian Octopodichnus‐Entradichnus ichnofacies. This aeolian facies, and associated ichnofauna described herein, represents the oldest development of a unique erg system in the Old Red Sandstone (Devonian) of the southern British Isles, and one of the oldest and most diverse aeolian ichnofaunas to be reported worldwide. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

河南西峡盆地上白垩统河流及湖泊沉积中的遗迹组构

河南西峡盆地上白垩统马家村组沉积厚度巨大,达1 960 m,由辫状河沉积、曲流河沉积和湖泊沉积组成。在河流与湖泊沉积中,发育丰富的遗迹化石,共6种类型,分别为Skolithos linearis、Cylindricumichnosp、Palaeophycus tubularis“J”形潜穴、垂直分枝潜穴和垂直螺旋潜穴。从形态分析,大多数为居住迹,按照遗迹化石产出岩层的岩性、扰动特征和残留遗迹等总体特征,将所发现的遗迹化石层划分为两类遗迹组构,即软底组构和僵底组构。前者主要发育在纹层状极细砂岩和粉砂岩中,潜穴密度大,属种单一,包括Skolithos组构和Palaeophycus组构;后者主要发育在厚层泥岩中,潜穴密度较大,类型稍多,包括由Cylindricum ichnosp、垂直分枝潜穴J形潜穴和垂直螺旋潜穴所组成的遗迹组构。与报道过的其他地区陆相遗迹化石的对比表明,随着时间的推移,河流沉积中的组构特征在白垩纪有明显变化,而浅湖沉积中的遗迹组构表明造迹生物的扰动能力显著加强。     

The rise of the diptera‐microbial mat interactions during the Cenozoic: consequences for the sedimentary record of saline lakes

Shoreline gypsiferous sediments of an inland lake in central Spain furnishes valuable insight into reconstructions of early sedimentary changes related to shore fly–microbial mat interactions in fossil gypsum precipitating saline lake systems. The association of adult and larval forms of Ephydra (Diptera) with microbial matgrounds overlying the lake margin results in the formation of gypsiferous meniscate back‐filled burrows that provide an analogue for recurring, extensively developed trace fossils that occur in Cenozoic, but not older, lacustrine gypsum rocks. In this setting, sediment burrowing by ephydridae hinders significant preservation of microbialites. The overwhelming rise of Diptera at the onset of the Cenozoic resulted in extensive feeding and dwelling activity and contributed to reshape the saline aquatic habitat where microbial mats thrived, thus leading to the formation of specific trace fossils that are illustrative of the existence of microbes in the paleoenvironment.     

Ichnofossils from the Miocene Middle Bhuban Formation, Mizoram,Northeast India and their Paleoenvironmental Significance

An ichnofossil assemblage is preserved in sediments of the Middle Bhuban Formation,Surma Group,of Miocene age from the Durtlang and Chanmari sections,Aizawl district,Mizoram,northeastern India.The studied sections comprise a thick,bioturbated and thinly bedded sandstone–silty shale facies.The preserved ichnofossils show high density and low diversity with the assemblage represented by feeding and resting traces,i.e.,Psilonichnus upsilon Frey et al.,1984,Ophiomorpha isp.,Teichichnus spiralis Mikulá.1990,Skolithos isp.,Palaeophycus isp.,and other horizontal burrows.Sedimentary structures associated with these traces are mainly cross bedding,flaser bedding and slump structures.Considering the distribution of the Psilonichnus ichnogenus across an integrated ichnological–sedimentological framework,the stratigraphic interval of the Middle Bhuban Formation,in which they occur,are interpreted to have been deposited under a shallow,marginal-marine channel complex dominated by tidal channels developed in quiet,brackish-water portions of a delta plain.     

Sedimentology of the Madumabisa Mudstone Formation (Late Permian), Lower Karoo Group,mid-Zambezi Valley Basin,southern Zambia

Sediments of the Upper Carboniferous to Lower Jurassic Karoo Supergroup (∼ 4.5 km thick) were deposited in the mid-Zambezi Valley Basin, southern Zambia. The Upper Palæozoic Lower Karoo Group in this area ends with a Late Permian sedimentary unit called the Madumabisa Mudstone Formation. The formation is 700 m thick and comprises four lithofacies grouped into two facies assemblages, collectively interpreted as lacustrine deposits. Sediments of a massive mudrock facies assemblage were deposited from suspension, probably from sediment-laden rivers entering a lake. Concretionary calcilutite beds probably mark the positions of palæosediment-water interfaces where calcite was precipitated. A laminated mudrock facies assemblage is attributed to lacustrine deposition from inflowing rivers at the lake margins and shallow parts of the lake. Repeated thickening-upward cycles are evidence of upward shallowing, interrupted by events of more abrupt deepening. Sandstone interbeds are interpreted as fluvial deposits laid down during low lake stands, with cross-lamination and asymmetrical ripples indicating current rather than wave deposition. A fossil assemblage of ostracods, bivalves, gastropods, fish scales, the alga Botryococcus sp. and fossil burrows is consistent with a lacustrine origin for the formation.     

Early Cretaceous fish trails from La Rioja, Spain

We report a new find of the fish trail Undichna unisulca in fluvial sediments of the Lower Cretaceous Oliván Group of the Cameros Basin (Aptian-Albian; Valtrujal, La Rioja, northern Spain). It is the second Mesozoic record of Undichna unisulca after the first discovery in the Lower Cretaceous of central Spain (Las Hoyas, Cuenca, central Spain). The trails are characterized by single sinusoidal waves which in this case are often surrounded by well-preserved lateral levees that rule out an undertrail hypothesis.The continental depositional setting, a floodplain fluvial system, reflects the known broad palaeoenvironmental distribution of Undichna and confirms its occurrences in freshwater settings.     

A general aspect in the genesis of nodular limestones documented by the Upper Cretaceous limestones of Jordan

Upper Cretaceous nodular limestones in Jordan were originated by burrowing organisms of the types Thalassinoides, Callianassa or Ophiomorpha. Although burrows are difficult to recognize in the pure lutitic limestones of northern Jordan, in the south they are filled by early diagenetic stochiometric dolomite or chert. One may conclude that some nodular limestones hitherto described, are products of burrowing organisms and not of purely chemical processes.     

Recognition and significance of sharp‐based mouth‐bar deposits in the Eocene Green River Formation,Uinta Basin,Utah

Sandstone bodies in the Sunnyside Delta Interval of the Eocene Green River Formation, Uinta Basin, previously considered as point bars formed in meandering rivers and other types of fluvial bars, are herein interpreted as delta mouth‐bar deposits. The sandstone bodies have been examined in a 2300 m long cliff section along the Argyle and Nine Mile Canyons at the southern margin of the Uinta lake basin. The sandstone bodies occur in three stratigraphic intervals, separated by lacustrine mudstone and limestone. Together these stratigraphic intervals form a regressive‐transgressive sequence. Individual sandstone bodies are texturally sharp‐based towards mudstone substratum. In proximal parts, the mouth‐bar deposits only contain sandstone, whereas in frontal and lateral positions mudstone drapes separate mouth‐bar clinothems. The clinothems pass gradually into greenish‐grey lacustrine mudstone at their toes. Horizontally bedded or laminated lacustrine mudstone onlaps the convex‐upward sandstone bars. The mouth‐bar deposits are connected to terminal distributary channel deposits. Together, these mouth‐bar/channel sandstone bodies accumulated from unidirectional jet flow during three stages of delta advance, separated by lacustrine flooding intervals. Key criteria to distinguish the mouth‐bar deposits from fluvial point bar deposits are: (i) geometry; (ii) bounding contacts; (iii) internal structure; (iv) palaeocurrent orientations; and (v) the genetic association of the deposits with lacustrine mudstone and limestone.     

Ichnofabrics and geometric configurations of Ophiomorpha within a sequence stratigraphic framework: an example from the Upper Cretaceous US western interior

Ichnofabric in the Upper Cretaceous Sego Sandstone and Anchor Mine Tongue of east-central Utah can be differentiated into two components: (1) discrete Ophiomorpha and (2) mottling and other trace fossils. The ichnofabric index method was employed to evaluate spatial variability of the ichnofabrics within depositional sequences and component systems tracts. Indices were logged for amount of bioturbation caused solely by Ophiomorpha (Oii) and that represented by all other biogenic features (Bii). Values of Oii> 1 are more pervasive in lowstand systems tracts compared to transgressive systems tracts. This is consistent with the predominance of marginal and nearshore marine, sand-dominated settings that are characteristic of lowstands, which are favourable habitats for colonization by Ophiomorpha producers. Ichnofabric index values vary both vertically and laterally within any given systems tract, reflecting differences in physical and biological parameters operating in the palaeoenvironment. These parameters include the total number and behaviours of organisms occupying the substrate, as well as substrate texture and grain size, and rates of sedimentation. The architectural style of Ophiomorpha was examined within five depositional facies: shelf, storm deposit, lower shoreface, shoreface, and estuarine. Inclinations of individual burrow elements were approximated relative to bedding planes, categorized as either vertical, inclined or horizontal, and then plotted on ternary diagrams. Based on the types of facies present, these results suggest that variations in the geometric configurations of Ophiomorpha are controlled primarily by physical energy levels, and the rate and nature of sedimentation. Results of this study have broad implications for understanding the physical factors affecting facies variability within sequences and systems tracts. When coupled with sedimentologic data, recognition of variations in the distribution of ichnofabrics and architectural style of Ophiomorpha can provide additional information useful for characterizing depositional environments, and therefore could be integrated with other basin analysis techniques to test and refine sequence stratigraphic interpretations.     

Fossil caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Early Cretaceous of southern England

The first fossil caddis cases from the Early Cretaceous (Wealden) of SE England are described and named Conchindusia rasnitsyni ichnosp. nov., Piscindusia sukachevae ichnogen. et isp. nov., ?Ostracindusia vyalovi ichnosp. nov. and Pelindusia percealleni ichnosp. nov. In addition, the necrotauliid caddisfly Paratrichopteridium purbeckianum (Handlirsch) comb. nov. from the earliest Cretaceous (Purbeck Group) of Dorset is redescribed.     

Integrated sedimentology and ichnology of Late Jurassic fluvial point‐bars – facies architecture and colonization styles (Lourinhã Formation,Lusitanian Basin,western Portugal)

Integrated sedimentological and ichnological case studies of ancient meandering river systems have, for the most part, focused on the deposits of the fluvial–tidal transition zone; much less emphasis has been placed on the purely fluvial realm above the landward limit of tidal effects. This problem needs to be addressed so that in future the defining sedimentological and ichnological criteria assigned to ancient fluvial reaches are sufficiently well‐established to enable their separation from the down‐dip fluvial–tidal transition zone. Accordingly, a case study has been carried out on a well‐exposed meander belt deposit from the Late Jurassic Lourinhã Formation of the Lusitanian Basin, western Portugal (Praia Do Valmitão, Ribamar). Analysis indicates that the meander belt here comprised mixed‐load fluvial channels traversing a vegetated floodplain subject to a seasonal winter wet/summer dry palaeoclimate. This setting facilitated the development of both calcic palaeosols and shallow lakes on the adjacent floodplain. Critically, there is no evidence of the effects of tidal modulation on bedding structures, thereby establishing purely fluvial conditions. Heterolithic point‐bar deposits generated in this setting are bioturbated extensively by a trace fossil assemblage dominated by the meniscate trace Taenidium barretti , with Skolithos linearis , Planolites beverleyensis and Cylindricum isp. also recognized. A number of factors suggest that the Taenidium barretti producer in this case was a subaquatic organism living in an active fluvial channel setting (i.e. not colonizing subaerially exposed channel‐margin/floodplain deposits). Accordingly, there are some implications for current ichnofabric/ichnofacies models in the continental realm. Firstly, Taenidium ‐dominated ichnofabrics need not necessarily be confined to colonization beneath subaerially exposed surfaces; they might also be produced within submerged substrates. Secondly, there is scope to extend the range of the Scoyenia ichnofacies to include active fluvial channels and not simply those channels that were inactive or abandoned.     

Changing lake dynamics and sequence stratigraphy of synrift lacustrine strata in a half-graben: an example from the Triassic Ischigualasto–Villa Unión Basin, Argentina

Well‐exposed Triassic rift strata from the Ischigualasto–Villa Unión Basin (NW Argentina) include a 80 to ca 515 m thick lacustrine‐dominated package that can be correlated across a half‐graben using key stratigraphic surfaces (sequence boundaries, lacustrine flooding surfaces and forced regressive surfaces). The characteristics of the synrift lacustrine fill in different parts of the half‐graben have been examined and the mechanisms controlling sedimentation inferred. A variety of sedimentary environments are recognized including; volcaniclastic floodplain, mildly saline lake and playa lake, offshore lacustrine, delta front to fluvial‐dominated and wave‐dominated deltas, distributary and fluvial channel, and interdistributary bay. The succession can be divided into four stratigraphic sequences (SS1 to SS4), the oldest of which (SS1) contains volcaniclastic, fluvial and saline lake deposits; it is thickest close to the western border fault zone, reflecting more rapid subsidence here. Accommodation exceeded sediment and water input during SS1. The second and third sequences (SS2 and SS3) mark the onset of widespread lacustrine sedimentation, reflecting a balance between accommodation creation and water and sediment fluxes. Sequences SS2 and SS3 are represented by offshore meromictic lacustrine and deltaic deposits, the latter mostly sourced from the flexural and southern axial margins of the half‐graben. The presence of stacked parasequences bound by lacustrine flooding surfaces is related to climatically induced lake‐level fluctuations superimposed on variable rates of subsidence on the controlling rift border fault zone. The youngest sequence (SS4) is represented by the deposits of littoral lacustrine and shallow shelf deltas distinguished by a change in lithofacies, palaeocurrents and sandstone composition, suggesting a switch in sediment supply to the footwall margin to the NW. The change in the sediment source is related to reduced footwall uplift, the possible presence of a relay ramp and/or supply from a captured antecedent drainage network. During SS4, the rate of creation of accommodation was exceeded by the sediment and water discharge. The stratigraphic evolution of lacustrine strata in the half‐graben was mainly controlled by tectonic processes, including subsidence rate and the growth and evolution of the border fault zone, but changing climate (inducing changes in water balance and lake level) and autocyclic processes (delta lobe switching) were also important.     

陆相伸展盆地的层序类型、结构和序列与充填模式--以冀中坳陷下第三系为例

陆相层序受自然地理景观、影响地层发育的地质营力及地层类型等因素影响,因此层序类型多种多样。在冀中坳陷同伸展期发育洪积层序、湖泊层序和冲积层序等三种层序类型。洪积层序是盆地伸展初期地貌反差较大物源供给充分气候干旱条件下发育的一种陆相层序类型,以冲积扇沉积为主,山高盆窄,汇水湖泊面积较小;湖泊层序发育在盆地强烈伸展基底快速沉降气候湿润湖泊水域宽深时期,湖泊水域宽,连通好,湖水深,是烃源岩发育的黄金时期。湖泊层序以湖泊沉积为主,其次为河流和少许冲积扇沉积。冲积层序是在盆地伸展末期地貌反差强度减弱物源距离逐渐加大时的沉积产物,主要为干旱气候条件下的河流、三角洲沉积,湖泊沉积局限。研究表明,影响陆相层序形成的构造、物源、气候等因素与湖泊水体或水平面变化构成一种多元“函数”关系,湖平面变化是上述因素的综合体现。陆相断陷盆地的层序结构大多与湖泊水体之间存在密切联系,因此层序的结构以三分为主。受地壳构造运动控制,断陷盆地发育的层序具有序列性,即下部洪积层序、中部湖泊层序和上部冲积层序。这种序列性是盆地充填对地壳幕式伸展的沉积响应。在盆地充填过程中,不同类型的陆相层序其体系域发育程度具有较大差异。一般地,洪积层序的低位域沉积?     

陕北地区延长组层序地层划分与含油气性

陕北地区上三叠统延长组是以河流－湖泊沉积体系为主的陆源碎屑岩系。依据野外剖面和井下资料，本文对陕北地区上三叠统延长组进行了层序地层划分，共划分出了四个三级层序，其中一个属于湖相层序，另外三个为冲积层序。每个层序包括三个体系域，它们分别是低位体系域、水进体系域和高位体系域，每个体系域由不同的相组合构成，呈现不同的堆砌样式。湖相层序和冲积层序的层序界面和层序内部单元的构成特征均不相同。由于河流冲刷在陆相地层中普遍发育，以冲刷面为层序界面时要综合考虑多种因素进行综合判断，如砂体厚度的展布和相的构成等，而且纵向的比较也很重要，纵向的相变是划分陆相层序的一个重要标志。最大洪泛面和水进面在冲积地层中较难确定，往往以一套地层的出现为标志，而不是某个单层为代表。在陕北地区延长组陆相层序地层中，控制层序形成的主要因素是构造运动和气候变化。陕北地区陆相层序对盆地含油气性的控制主要表现在三个方面：1、层序控制了生储盖的组合；2、层序控制着储层的展布；3、层序影响着储层的储集性能。     

塔里木盆地早白垩世沉积相特征与古地理

根据大量的钻井和露头资料,对塔里木盆地早白垩世沉积相特征和古地理进行了研究。塔里木盆地下白垩统主要发育冲积扇-扇三角洲、辫状河三角洲、氧化宽浅湖泊等3种沉积体系,包括陆相冲（洪）积扇、扇三角洲、辫状河三角洲、滨浅湖等沉积相,分布于下白垩统不同层位。塔里木盆地早白垩世主要包括塔东北和塔西南两大沉积区,总体为干旱氧化的内陆拗陷分割盆地。在塔东北沉积大区,早白垩世早期卡普沙良群沉积物受周缘4大物源区控制,为多物源的氧化宽浅湖盆环境,古地势呈“南高北低、东高西低”,盆地边缘以冲（洪）积扇、扇三角洲、辫状河三角洲相为主,盆地内部为滨浅湖亚相。早白垩世晚期巴什基奇克组沉积时期,塔里木盆地周缘进入一个新的构造活动期,古气候更加炎热干旱,氧化宽浅湖盆消失。在塔东北沉积大区,盆地受周缘4个主要物源区影响,以广泛分布的冲积扇-辫状河三角洲沉积体系占主体,盆地内部普遍为辫状河三角洲前缘-滨浅湖亚相沉积。在塔西南沉积大区,早白垩世克孜勒苏群沉积时期古地势呈“东高西低”,受北部喀什北山前和西南部古昆仑山2个物源区的控制,沉积物沿古昆仑山前呈狭长的条带状分布,沉积厚度自西向东减薄,主要是一套冲积扇-扇三角洲相和滨浅湖亚相沉积。     

Rifts,rivers and climate recovery: A new model for the Triassic of England

Triassic basins of England developed under a regime of largely W–E extension and progressed from non-marine fluvial and aeolian sedimentation (Sherwood Sandstone Group), through marine-influenced playa lacustrine deposits (Mercia Mudstone Group) to marine environments (Penarth Group). A new tectono-stratigraphic model for the Sherwood Sandstone Group is proposed in which two major long-distance river systems developed under conditions of relative fault inactivity in the Early Triassic (Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds and equivalent) and Middle Triassic (Otter Sandstone and equivalent). These are separated by a late Early Triassic syn-rift succession of fluvio–aeolian sandstones (Wildmoor Sandstone and Wilmslow Sandstone formations) and playa lacustrine muds (Nettlecombe Formation) which show major thickness variation and localisation with hanging wall basins. The partitioning of syn-rift deposits into mudstones within upstream basins (close to the source of water and sediment) and clean aeolian or fluvio–aeolian sandstones in downstream basins is similar to the pattern observed in the underlying late Permian. Under conditions of rapid tectonic subsidence chains of extensional basins may become disconnected with upstream basins (Wessex Basin) acting as traps for fines and water permitting more aeolian activity in temporarily unlinked downstream basins (Worcester and Cheshire basins). In addition to tectonic controls, fluctuating climate, relief related to limestone resilience in arid settings, the smoothing effect of fill and spill sedimentation and Tethyan sea-level change all contributed toward the observed Triassic stratigraphy in England.     

The“Sand-Mud” Sedimentary Record and Its Diagenetic System in Shore-shallow Lacustrine—A Case Study of Eocene Kongdian Formation in Jiyang Depression

The sand-mud sedimentary record develops widely in the shore-shallow lacustrine, which can be a good oil and gas reservoir cap combination. It has important significance in petroleum geology. This paper takes the Kongdian Fm. of Eocene in Jiyang Depression as an example to study the formation mechanism and diagenetic system of the sand-mud sedimentary record in the shore-shallow lacustrine. The study indicated that sandstone-mudstone sedimentary strata at macroscopic level includes sand-mud duality, mudstone vein and sandstone lens in the Kongdian Fm. of Jiyang Depression, and there are some transitional clastic rocks at the microscopic level (Clastic particles, clay and carbonate cements are included in the transitional clastic rocks). The sandstone-mudstone sedimentary strata mainly formed in the material transformation of the shallow-water deltas and conjugate shock in the shore-shallow lacustrine. The thickness is mainly restricted by material source and water dynamic condition, and the sand-mud transitional clastic rocks are restricted by the dynamic mechanism and sedimentary differentiation of the lake water. The sandstone-mudstone sedimentary strata is composed of a closed diagenetic system. Early compaction-drainage and differential compaction, middle and late clay mineral transformation, structural water and organic acid emissions during the diagenetic process of mudstone influence the diagenesis of sandstone. The closed diagenetic system of sand-mud transitional clastic rocks is mainly related to the structural maturity of clastic rocks.     

Sedimentary dynamics and extensional structuring related to early Cretaceous rifting of Neocomian and Barremian deposits of the interior basin of Gabon

Recent field and subsurface data about the early Neocomian N’dombo series and the Neocomian to mid-Barremian Schistes series of the interior basin of Gabon further our understanding of the initial stages of early Cretaceous N40–60°E extensional rifting. The syn-rift series comprise fluvial–lacustrine claystones–sandstones, rare conglomerates, and carbonates. The syn-rift fill begins with braided-stream feldspathic sandstones. These are overlain first by fluvial–lacustrine deposits and then by predominantly lacustrine–palustrine claystones, which are potential petroleum source rocks. The claystones are eroded in part and are capped by the pre-Aptian angular unconformity marking the end of Cretaceous rifting in the interior basin. This change in syn-rift facies and depositional environments reflects a rise in base level in response to accelerated subsidence after the initial stage of rifting. The syn-rift deposits form two fining-upward sequences several 100–1000 m thick.