Study on Basin-Filling and Reservoir Sedimentology of Zhu Ⅲ Depression of Pearl River Mouth Basin,South China Sea

Zhu depression constitutes the western partof the PearlRiver Mouth(PRM) basin,which lies in the northern SouthChina Sea.It covers an area of about110 0 0 km2 and containsover 10 km thick sediments.The depression consists of sevensub- tectonic units:half- graben Wenchang A(HGW- A) ,half-graben Wenchang B (HGW- B) ,half- graben Wenchang C(HGW- C ) ,half- graben Qionghai (HGQ ) ,horst Qionghai(HQH ) ,half- graben Yangjiang (HGYJ) and horst Yangjiang(HYJ) (Fig.1) .In early 1980 …     

The Late Ordovician Wufengian Sediments and the Ordovician-Silurian Boundary in Western Zhejiang Province

The Late Ordovician Wufengian sediments in western Zhejiang include three facies: 1) graptolite shale facies, composed of two parts--the upper part the Yankou Formation, with the Diplograplus bohemicus(graptolite) zone and Dalmanitina sp.(trilobite), and the lower part the yuqian Formation with four graptolite zones:(4) the Paraorthograptus yuqianensis zone,(3) the Climacograptus venustus zone,(2) the Dicellograptus szechuanensis zone and(1) the Pseudoclimacograptus anhuiensis zone; 2) mixed facies, consisting of the Wenchang Formation in its upper part and the Changwu Formation in its lower; and 3) shelly limestone facies, whose upper and lower parts are separately the Wenchang Formation and Sanjushan Formation, containing Taeniolites, Proheliolites, etc. In this region the Dalmanitina-Hirnantia bed is well exposed,and Da. and H. are associated with Diplograptus bohemicus, belonging to the late Late Ordovician.The Ordovician-Silurian boundary is drawn as follows:(1) for the graptolite facies, it lies between the Diplograptus bohemicus zone and Glyptograptus persculptus zone;(2) for the graptolite-sheny limestone facies(brachiopod fauna), it is placed between the top of the Diplograptus bohemicus zone and the base of the horizon with the Eospirifer fauna; and 3) for the shelly facies(brachiopod fauna), it is drawn between the top of the horizon with the Dalmanitina-Hirnantia fauna and thebase of the horizon with the Eospirifer fauna.     

Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Gurpi Formation at Deh Dasht Area,Zagros Basin,SW Iran

Abstract: A rich assemblage of planktonic foraminifera has been studied from an outcrop of the Gurpi Formation, the hydrocarbon source rock in the southwest Iran, Deh Dasht area (Kuh-e Siah anticline). Based on the distribution of the planktonic foraminifera, eight biozones have been recognized that included: Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone (Earliest Santonian), Dicarinella asymetrica Total Range Zone (Santonian to Earliest Campanian), Globotruncanita elevata Partial Range Zone (Early Campanian), Globotruncana ventricosa Interval Zone (Middle to Late Campanian), Radotruncana calcarata Total Range Zone (Late Campanian), Globotruncanella havanensis Partial Range Zone (Late Campanian), Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone (Late to latest Campanian), Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone (Latest Campanian to Early Maastrichtian). These biozones indicates that the Gurpi Formation deposited during the Early Santonian- Early Maastrichtian. These biozones are compared to the most standard biozones defined in Tethysian domain. Based on distribution of morphotype groups of planktonic foraminifera, planktonic to benthic ratio (P/B) and content of carbonate, nine third-order sequences are recognized.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000594

A new model is suggested for the history of the Baikal Rift,in deviation from the classic two-stage evolution scenario,based on a synthesis of the available data from the Baikal Basin and revised correlation between tectonic-lithological-stratigraphic complexes(TLSC) in sedimentary sections around Lake Baikal and seismic stratigraphic sequences(SSS) in the lake sediments.Unlike the previous models,the revised model places the onset of rifting during Late Cretaceous and comprises three major stages which are subdivided into several substages.The stages and the substages are separated by events of tectonic activity and stress reversal when additional compression produced folds and shear structures.The events that mark the stage boundaries show up as gaps,unconformities,and deformation features in the deposition patterns. The earliest Late Cretaceous-Oligocene stage began long before the India-Eurasia collision in a setting of diffuse extension that acted over a large territory of Asia.The NW-SE far-field pure extension produced an NE-striking half-graben oriented along an old zone of weakness at the edge of the Siberian craton.That was already the onset of rift evolution recorded in weathered lacustrine deposits on the Baikal shore and in a wedge-shaped acoustically transparent seismic unit in the lake sediments.The second stage spanning Late Oligocene-Early Pliocene time began with a stress change when the effect from the Eocene India-Eurasia collision had reached the region and became a major control of its geodynamics.The EW and NE transpression and shear from the collisional front transformed the Late Cretaceous half-graben into a U-shaped one which accumulated a deformed layered sequence of sediments.Rifting at the latest stage was driven by extension from a local source associated with hot mantle material rising to the base of the rifted crust.The asthenospheric upwarp first induced the growth of the Baikal dome and the related change from finer to coarser molasse deposition.With time,the upwarp became a more powerful stress source than the collision,and the stress vector returned to the previous NW-SE extension that changed the rift geometry back to a half-graben. The layered Late Pliocene-Quaternary subaerial tectonic-lithological-stratigraphic and the Quaternary submarine seismic stratigraphic units filling the latest half-graben remained almost undeformed.The rifting mechanisms were thus passive during two earlier stages and active during the third stage. The three-stage model of the rift history does not rule out the previous division into two major stages but rather extends its limits back into time as far as the Maastrichtian.Our model is consistent with geological, stratigraphic,structural,and geophysical data and provides further insights into the understanding of rifting in the Baikal region in particular and continental rifting in general.     

A Climatic Sequence Stratigraphic Model in the Terrestrial Lacustrine Basin: A Case Study of Green River Formation,Uinta Basin,USA

In recent years, with the development of terrestrial sequence stratigraphy, more attention has been focused on the study of the terrestrial lacustrine sequence stratigraphic model globally. Different viewpoints are preferred by researchers. Under the guidance of the theory of sequence stratigraphy, the findings of this paper indicate that climate is a major factor controlling the formation of the fourth-order sequence, based upon the study of the sequence stratigraphy in the Green River Formation of the Uinta basin in the USA. It also divides the fourth-order sequence in the terrestrial lacustrine basin into two system tracts: the wet (rising) half-cycle and the dry (falling) half-cycle, establishing a new-style fourth-order sequence stratigraphic model for the terrestrial lacustrine basin, that is, the climate-genetic sequence stratigraphic model. As a result, the theory of sequence stratigraphy is greatly enriched.     

Distribution Prediction of Middle-deep Lacustrine Source Rocks in Eocene Wenchang Formation in the Kaiping Sag,Pearl Mouth Basin

Oil and gas shows are rich in drilling wells in Kaiping sag,however,large oilfield was still not found in this area.For a long time,it is thought that source rocks were developed in the middle-deep lacustrine facies in the Eocene Wenchang Formation,while there is no source rocks that in middle-deep lacustrine facies have been found in well.Thickness of Wenchang Formation is big and reservoirs with good properties could be found in this formation.Distribution and scale of source rock are significant for further direction of petroleum exploration.Distribution characterization of middle-deep lacustrine facies is the base for source rock research.Based on the sedimentary background,fault activity rate,seismic response features,and seismic attributes were analyzed.No limited classification method and multi-attributes neural network deep learning method were used for predicting of source rock distribution in Wenchang Formation.It is found that during the deposition of lower Wenchang Formation,activity rate of main fault controlling the sub sag sedimentation was bigger than 100 m/Ma,which formed development background for middle-deep lacustrine facies.Compared with the seismic response of middle-deep lacustrine source rocks developed in Zhu I depression,those in Kaiping sag are characterized in low frequency and good continuity.Through RGB frequency decomposition,areas with low frequency are main distribution parts for middle-deep lacustrine facies.Dominant frequency,instantaneous frequency,and coherency attributes of seismic could be used in no limited classification method for further identification of middle-deep lacustrine facies.Based on the limitation of geology knowledge,multi-attributes of seismic were analyzed through neural network deep learning method.Distribution of middle-deep lacustrine facies in the fourth member of Wenchang Formation is oriented from west to east and is the largest.Square of the middle-deep lacustrine facies in that member is 154 km²and the volume is 50 km³.Achievements could be bases for hydrocarbon accumulation study and for exploration target optimization in Kaiping sag.     

Geochronology, Eruption Sequence and Geochemistry of Mid–Late Jurassic Volcanics South of Manzhouli: Petrogenesis and Implications for Mesozoic Tectonic Regime Transformation

To the south of Manzhouli, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, experienced a tectonic regime transformation from compression to extension in the mid-Mesozoic. Based on systematic research of the volcanics, petrology, volcanic facies, chronology and geochemistry of rocks in the Buridun area, two stages of volcanics are identified. The first stage named the trachyte series was formed in the late Middle Jurassic (167–163 Ma), its eruption rhythm is pyroxene trachyandesite–trachyandesite–trachyte, and its origin rock is basic volcanics from thickened lower crust, with a tectonic setting in the collision orogeny after the closure of the Mongolia Okhotsk Ocean (MOO). The second stage is a bimodal volcanic rock, formed in the early Late Jurassic (163–160 Ma). The eruption rhythm of basic volcanics in this stage is basaltic andesite–basalt–olivine basalt, which comes from the metasomatized lithospheric mantle, the acidic volcanics of which being characterized by the eruption rhythm of sedimentary-explosive-overflow facies, which came from the partial melting of newly formed lower crust, and this shows the characteristics of A-type granite; the tectonic setting is extension of the lithosphere after collision and closure of the MOO. The changes in the formation age and tectonic setting of the two stages of volcanics demonstrate that the transition time from the compressive system to the extensional system south of Manzhouli is about 163 Ma.     

The Cretaceous Songliao Basin: Volcanogenic Succession, Sedimentary Sequence and Tectonic Evolution, NE China

The Songliao basin (SB) is a superposed basin with two different kinds of basin fills. The lower one is characterized by a fault-bounded volcanogenic succession comprising of intercalated volcanic, pyroclastic and epiclastic rocks. The volcanic rocks, dating from 110 Ma to 130 Ma, are of geochemically active continental margin type. Fast northward migration of the SB block occurred during the major episodes of the volcanism inferred from their paleomagnetic information. The upper one of the basin fill is dominated by non-marine sag-style sedimentary sequence of siliciclastics and minor carbonates. The basin center shifted westwards from the early to late Cretaceous revealed by the GGT seismic velocity structure suggesting dynamic change in the basin evolution. Thus, a superposed basin model is proposed. Evolution of the SB involves three periods including (1) Alptian and pre-Aptian: a retroarc basin and range system of Andes type related to Mongolia-Okhotsk collisional belt (MOCB); (2) Albian to Companian: a sag-like strike-slip basin under transtension related to oblique subduction of the Pacific plate along the eastern margin of the Eurasian plate; (3) since Maastrichtian: a tectonic inverse basin under compression related to normal subduction of the Pacific plate under the Eurasian plate, characterized by overthrust, westward migration of the depocenter and eastward uplifting of the basin margin.     

Late Cenozoic Deformation Sequence of a Thrust System along the Eastern Margin of Pamir, Northwest China

A thrust belt formed in the basin along the eastern margin of Pamir. The thrust belt is about 50 km wide, extends about 200 km, and includes three compressive structures from south to north: the blind Qipan structural wedge and Qimugen structural wedge, and the exposed Yengisar anticline. The thrust belt displays a right-stepping en echelon pattern. The Qipan structural wedge dies out northward to the west of the Qimugen structural wedge, and the Qimugen structural wedge dies out northward to the west of the Yengisar anticline. Detailed analysis of seismic reflection profiles of the western Tarim Basin reveal that fan-shaped growth strata were deposited in the shallow part of the thrust belt, recording the deformation sequence of the thrust belt. The depth of the Cenozoic growth strata decreases from south to north. The growth strata of the Qipan structural wedge is located in the middle-lower section of the Pliocene Artux Formation (N2a), the growth strata of the Qimugen structural wedge is close to the bottom of the Pleistocene Xiyu Formation (Q1x), and the growth strata of the Yengisar anticline is located in the middle section of the Xiyu Formation (Q1x). Combined with magnetostratigraphic studies in the western Tarim basin, it can be preliminarily inferred that the deformation sequence of the thrust belt along the eastern margin of Pamir is progressively younger northward. The geometry and kinematic evolution of the thrust belt in the eastern margin of Pamir can be compared with previous analogue modeling experiments of transpressional deformation, suggesting that the thrust belt was formed in a transpressional tectonic setting.     

Transgressive Surface as Sequence Boundary

Analysis of the four cases of the sequence boundary (SB)-transgressive surface (TS) relation in nature shows that applying transgressive surfaces as sequence boundaries has the following merits: it improves the methodology of stratigraphic subdivision; the position of transgressive surface in a sea level curve is relatively fixed; the transgressive surface is a transforming surface of the stratal structure; in platforms or ramps, the transgressive surface is the only choice for determining the sequence boundary; the transgressive surface is a readily recognized physical surface reflected by seismic records in seismostratigraphy. The paper reaches a conclusion that to delineate a SB in terms of the TS is theoretically and practically better than to delineate it between highstand and lowstand sediments as has been done traditionally.     

Diagenesis and Diagenetic Evolution of Deltaic and Neritic Gas-Bearing Sandstones in the Lower Mingyuefeng Formation of Paleogene, Lishui Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin: Implications for Depositional Environments and Sequence Stratigraphy Controls

Gas-bearing deposits in the Lower Mingyuefeng Formation of Paleogene, Lishui Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin consist of shoreface sandstones of the highstand systems tract (HST) and transgressive systems tract (TST), and deltaic sandstones of the lowstand systems tract (LST) and falling stage systems tract (FSST). Detailed petrographic observations suggest that the diagenetic features and related evolution of these deposits cannot be simply characterized and demonstrated in the depth domain. However, the occurrence of diagenetic minerals systematically depends on the studied interval within the HST, TST, LST, and FSST; therefore, diagenesis in this region can be better constrained when studied in the context of the depositional environments and sequence stratigraphic framework. The eogenetic processes in such settings include: (1) microcrystalline siderite precipitated as concretions in almost all environments and systems tracts, which inhibited further mechanical compaction; (2) grain dissolution and kaolinitization occurred in shoreface HST sandstones and deltaic LST and FSST sandstones; (3) glaucony was locally observed, which did not clearly reflect the controls of facies or sequence stratigraphy; and (4) cementation by pyrite aggregates occurred in the shoreface HST sandstones and deltaic LST sandstones. The mesogenetic diagenesis includes: (1) partial conversion of kaolinite into dickite in deltaic LST sandstones, and minor chlorite cementation in deltaic FSST sandstones; (2) transformation of kaolinite into illite and quartz cementation in deltaic LST and FSST sandstones; (3) frequent precipitation of ankerite and ferroan calcite in shoreface TST sandstones and early HST sandstones, forming baffles and barriers for fluid flow, with common calcite in shoreface HST sandstones as a late diagenetic cement; and (4) formation of dawsonite in the deltaic LST and FSST sandstones, which is interpreted to be a product of the invasion of a CO2-rich fluid, and acts as a good indicator of CO2-bearing reservoirs. This study has thus constructed a reliable conceptual model to describe the spatial and temporal distribution of diagenetic alterations. The results may provide an entirely new conceptual framework and methodology for successful gas exploration in the continental margins of offshore China, thus allowing us to predict and unravel the distribution and quality evolution of clastic reservoirs at a more detailed and reliable scale.     

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous Uraniferous Measures and Mineralization of the Sandstone-hosted Tamusu Large Uranium Deposit, North China

The Bayingobi basin is the Mesozoic-Cenozoic basin in North China in which the Tamusu uranium deposit is located.The ore-target layer of the deposit is the Lower Cretaceous Bayingobi Formation,which developed as a fan deltashallow lacustrine deposit.The distributary channel sand body of the fan delta plain and the underwater distributary channel sand body of the fan delta front formed a favorable uranium reservoir,so the study of sequence stratigraphy is extremely important to understanding the genesis of uranium deposits.On the basis of field investigation and a large number of borehole logs,the high resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous is divided and the system tracts of different periods are established.The relationship between deposition,interlayer oxidation and uranium enrichment is discussed.The Lower Cretaceous Bayingobi Formation can be divided into two fourth-order sequences(Sq1 and Sq2).The lower member of the Bayingobi Formation is referred to as Sq1,which is composed of a falling-stage system tract(FSST)on top.On the other hand,the upper member of the Bayingobi Formation is referred to as Sq2,which is composed of a lowstand system tract(LST),transgressive system tract(TST)and highstand system tract(HST).The lowstand system tract forms a favorable stratigraphic structure(mud-sand-mud formation)with the lacustrine mudstone of the overlying transgressive system tract,that is conducive for the migration of uranium-bearing oxygen water.The organic matter and pyrite in the fan delta sand body,as well as the dark mudstone in the distributary bay,provided a reducing medium for uranium mineralization.The ore body mainly occurs in the distributary channel,underwater distributary channel or the mouth bar of the fan delta.As a result of the moderate thickness,high permeability,favorable barrier and rich reducing medium,the rich ore body mainly occurs in the underwater distributary channel and mouth bar sand body of the delta front.Based on study of the sequence stratigraphy,the model of the sequence,sedimentation and mineralization of the uranium deposit is established,which enriches uranium metallogenic theory and provides a reference for exploration of the same type of uranium deposits.     

A Periglacial Palaeoenvionment in the Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian Tobra Formation of the Salt Range, Pakistan

The Upper Carboniferous—Lower Permian(Upper Pennsylvanian-Asselian) Tobra Formation is exposed in the Salt and Trans Indus ranges of Pakistan.The formation exhibits an alluvial plain(alluvial fan-piedmont alluvial plain) facies association in the Salt Range and Khisor Range.In addition,a stream flow facies association is restricted to the eastern Salt Range.The alluvial plain facies association is comprised of clast-supported massive conglomerate(Gmc),diamictite(Dm)facies,and massive sandstone(Sm) Hthofacies whereas the stream flow-dominated alluvial plain facies association includes fine-grained sandstone and siltstone(Fss),fining upwards pebbly sandstone(Sf),and massive mudstone(Fm) Hthofacies.The lack of glacial signatures(particularly glacial grooves and striatums) in the deposits in the Tobra Formation,which are,in contrast,present in their timeequivalent and palaeogeographically nearby strata of the Arabian peninsula,e.g.the AI Khlata Formation of Oman and Unayzah B member of the Saudi Arabia,suggests a pro-to periglacial,i.e.glaciofluvial depositional setting for the Tobra Formation.The sedimentology of the Tobra Formation attests that the Salt Range,Pakistan,occupied a palaeogeographic position just beyond the maximum glacial extent during Upper Pennsylvanian-Asselian time.     

Petrology,genesis and geodynamic implication of the Mesoproterozoic–Late Cretaceous Timmasamudram kimberlite cluster,Wajrakarur field,Eastern Dharwar Craton,southern India

New mineralogical and bulk-rock geochemical data for the recently recognised Mesoproterozoic(ca.1100 Ma) and late Cretaceous(ca.90 Ma) kimberlites in the Timmasamudram cluster(TKC) of the Wajrakarur kimberlite field(WKF),Eastern Dharwar Craton,southern India,are presented.On the basis of groundmass mineral chemistry(phlogopite,spinel,perovskite and clinopyroxene),bulk-rock chemistry(SiO_2.K_2O,low TiO_2.Ba/Nb and La/Sm),and perovskite Nd isotopic compositions,the TK-1(macrocrystic variety) and TK-4(Macrocrystic variety) kimberlites in this cluster are here classified as orangeites(i.e.Group Ⅱ kimberlites),with geochemical characteristics that are very similar to orangeites previously described from the Bastar Craton in central India,as well as the Kaapvaal Craton in South Africa.The remaining kimberlites(e.g.,TK-2,TK-3 and the TK-1 microcrystic variant),are more similar to other 1100 Ma,Group Ⅰ-type kimberlites of the Eastern Dharwar Craton,as well as the typical Group Ⅰkimberlites of the Kaapvaal Craton.Through the application of geochemical modelling,based on published carbonated peridotite/melt trace element partition coefficients,we show that the generation of the TKC kimberlites and the orangeites results from low degrees of partial melting of a metasomatised,carbonated peridotite.Depleted mantle(T_(DM)) Nd perovskite model ages of the 1100 Ma Timmasamudram kimberlites show that the metasornatic enrichment of their source regions are broadly similar to that of the Mesoproterozoic kimberlites of the EDC.The younger,late Cretaceous(ca.90 Ma) TK-1(macrocrystic variant)and TK-4 kimberlites,as well as the orangeites from the Bastar Craton,share similar Nd model ages of1100 Ma,consistent with a similarity in the timing of source enrichment during the amalgamation of Rodinia supercontinent.The presence of late Cretaceous diamoncliferous orangeite activity,presumably related to the location of the Marion hotspot in southern India at the time,suggests that thick Iithosphere was preserved,at least locally,up to the late Cretaceous,and was not entirely destroyed during the breakup of Gondwana,as inferred by some recent geophysical models.     

Lithofacies Characters and Significance of the Submarine Fan of the Liufengguan Group in Qinling

Field investigation and laboratory research on flysch of the Liufengguan Group in Qinling indicate the following: (1) Sandstone of the Liufengguan Group is categorized as feldspathic lithic graywacke with a minor amount of lithic graywacke in the QFR triangular diagram. Grain size≤0.3 mm. Bedding plane structures such as groove casts and suspected flute casts can be found at the bottom of the sandstone. It is inferred that currents may have come from the southeast during deposition. Bedding structures such as ripple marks, graded bedding, parallel bedding, small-scale cross bedding, climbing bedding, suspected convolute bedding, microlamination and sliding structures have also been observed, which are of indicative significance. It is thought that the Liufengguan Group has the sedimentary characteristics of bedding, bedding plane structures and lithological assemblages of deep-sea low-density turbidity current deposits. The vertical succession of the Bouma sequence in the inner fan subfacies zone is generally incomplete: the assemblage of Ta and Tabc is commonly seen; the succession of the middle fan subfacies zone is relatively complete; and divisions Te and Tb are common in the outer fan subfacies zone. (2) The flysh of the Liufengguan Group is a sequence of deep-sea argillaceous-arenaceous submarine fan deposits, in which the authors recognize the inner, middle and outer fan subfacies and also nine types of lithofacies: normal graded sandstone (A1), medium- to thick-bedded, fine-grained sandstone (A2), medium- to thick-bedded and massive siltstone (A3), thin-bedded, fine-grained sandstone and mudstone (B1), irregular interbeds of thin-bedded, fine-grained sandstone and siltstone (B2), thin-bedded, fine-grained sandstone (C1), very thin-bedded, fine-grained sandstone (D1), olistostromes (E1) and deep-sea mudstone (F). The inner fan consists of four microfacies: natural levee (A1), water channel (A2, A3) and olistostrome (E1); in the middle fan there also occur four microfacies, i.e., branch channel (B1), branch channel (B2), interdistributary bay (D1) and olistostrome. The outer fan is made up of the branch channel (C1) and sheet sand (D1) microfacies, which alternate vertically with sediments of deep-sea plain subfacies (F). There occur fining- and thinning-upward channel deposits in the outer-fan subfacies zone of the submarine fan of the Liufengguan Group observed in this study. The quartz content of the graywacke of the deposits is all higher than 40% and may reach as high as 60%. Therefore, on the basis of the aforementioned features, this flysh should be formed in a passive continental-margin tectonic environment.     

Velocity and Structural Modeling of Mesozoic Chiltan Limestone and Goru Formation for Hydrocarbon Evaluation in the Bitrisim Area, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

The present study focuses on building a workflow for structural interpretation and velocity modeling and implementing to Jurassic-Cretaceous succession (Chiltan Limestone and Massive sand of the Lower Goru Formation). 2D-Migrated seismic sections of the area are used as data set and in order to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in the study area, P and S-wave seismic velocities are estimated from single-component seismic data. Some specific issues in the use of seismic data for modeling and hydrocarbon evaluation need to deal with including distinguishing the reservoir and cap rocks, and the effects of faults, folds and presence of hydrocarbons on these rocks. This study has carried out the structural interpretation and modeling of the seismic data for the identification of traps. The results demonstrate existence of appropriate structural traps in the form of horst and grabens in the area. 2D and 3D velocity modeling of the horizons indicates the presence of high velocity zones in the eastern half of the study while relatively low velocity zones are encountered in the western half of the area. Two wells were drilled in the study area (i.e. Fateh-01 and Ichhri-01) and both are dry. Immature hydrocarbons migration is considered as a failure reason for Fateh-01 and Ichhri-01 well.     

Geochemical Characteristics and Sedimentary Control of Pinghu Formation (Eocene) Coal‐bearing Source Rocks in Xihu Depression,East China Sea Basin

Coal-bearing source rocks of the Pinghu Formation in the Xihu Depression comprise an important material basis of oil and gas resources in the East China Sea Basin.Based on drilling core observation results combined with the analysis and test results of macerals,trace/rare earth elements,and rock pyrolysis,the geochemical characteristics and sedimentary control of coal-bearing source rocks formation are discussed in a high-frequency sequence framework.The results indicate that the macerals composition of the coal-bearing source rocks of the Eocene Pinghu Formation in the Xihu Depression is dominated by vitrinite,with low-medium abundance of exinite and almost no inertinite.The coals and carbonaceous mudstones display higher amounts of total organic carbon(TOC)(14.90%-65.10%),S1+S2(39.24-136.52 mg/g),and IH(191-310 HC/g TOC)respectively,as compared to the mudstones.Organic matter is plotted in typeⅢkerogens and partially in typeⅡ;it is mainly in the low maturity stage.The trace elements results imply that the samples were deposited in a weakly reducing to weakly oxidizing environment and were occasionally affected by seawater.The coal-bearing source rocks were deposited in a relatively oxygen-containing environment.The coal-bearing source rocks development is jointly controlled by the coal accumulation environment,the water conditions affected by ocean currents in offshore basins in China,oxidation-reduction cycles of aqueous media and paleoclimate evolution in a high-frequency sequence framework.     

Mesozoic “Red Beds” and its Evolution in the Hefei Basin

The Hefei Basin is the largest basin in the North China landmass with complete and well-preserved Mesozoic and Cenozoic strata. In the basin there developed a suite of extremely thick “red beds” in the Mesozoic. Owing to complex evolution processes and a lack of paleontological traces, there have been controversies regarding the division and correlation of this suite of red beds. Based on results obtained in recent years in drilling, seismic and surface geological investigations and in consideration of relationships between seismic sequences and regional tectonic events, as well as evidence in paleontology, petrology and isotopic dating, this paper preliminarily puts forward the following ideas about the sequence stratigraphic framework of the continental “red beds” in the Hefei Basin. (1) The Zhougongshan Formation and the Yuantongshan Formation have similar lithologic, geophysical and paleontological characteristics, so we incorporate them into a single formation, called the Yuantongshan Formation, and the original Zhougongshan and Yuantongshan Formations are regarded as the upper and the lower parts of the newly defined Yuantongshan Formation. Its age is the Middle Jurassic; (2) the Zhuxiang Formation belongs to the Upper Jurassic Series and (3) the age of the Xiangdaopu Formation is the Lower Cretaceous. Furthermore, signatures of depositional evolution are analyzed in the paper based on features of seismic reflection, outcrops and drilling data. The Early and Middle Jurassic is characterized by a foreland basin, which is influenced mainly by uplift and longitudinal compression of the Dabieshan Mountains; the Lower Jurassic System has a relatively small depositional area; the Middle Jurassic strata are distributed extensively over the whole basin, marking the summit of basin development; a flexure basin is characteristic of the Late Jurassic, manifesting a joint effect of the Dabieshan and Zhangbaling Mountains with the former being more significant. In the Early Cretaceous, the Xiangdaopu Formation was distributed in the Daqiao depression, evidently affected by extension of the Tanlu fault; in the Late Cretaceous, the Hefei Basin was subjected to dismembering and the Zhangqiao Formation was distributed in the east-west direction along the downthrown side of the fault.     

Petrogenesis of Late Cretaceous Jiangla’angzong I-Type Granite in Central Lhasa Terrane, Tibet, China: Constraints from Whole-Rock Geochemistry, Zircon U-Pb Geochronology, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf Isotopes

The Jiangla'angzong granite in the northern part of the Central Lhasa Terrane is composed of syenogranite and adamellite. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb analyses suggest that syenogranite has a weighted mean ~(206) Pb/~(238) U age of 86±1 Ma(mean square weighted deviation=0.37), which is in accordance with the muscovite Ar-Ar age(85±1 Ma) of Cu-Au ore-bearing skarns and the zircon U-Pb age(84±1 Ma) of adamellite. This suggests that the Jiangla'angzong magmatism and Cu–Au mineralization events took place during the Late Cretaceous. The granite contains hornblende, biotite, and pyroxene, and does not contain Al-bearing minerals, such as muscovite, cordierite, and garnet. It has high contents of SiO_2(65.10–70.91 wt%), K_2O(3.44–5.17 wt%), and total K_2O+Na_2O(7.13–8.15 wt%), and moderate contents of A_(12)O_3(14.14–16.45 wt%) and CaO(2.33–4.11 wt%), with a Reitman index(σ43) of 2.18 to 2.33, and A/CNK values of 0.88 to 1.02. The P_2O_5 contents show a negative correlation with SiO_2, whereas Pb contents show a positive correlation with SiO_2. Th and Y contents are relatively low and show a negative correlation with the Rb contents. These characteristics suggest that the Jiangla'angzong granite is a high K calc–alkaline metaluminous I–type granite. It is enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE) and large ion lithofile elements(LILE), and depleted in heavy rare earth elements(HREE) and high field strength elements(HFSE), with LREE/HREE ratios of 11.7 to 18.1. The granite has negative Eu anomalies of 0.58 to 0.94 without obvious Ce anomalies(δCe=1.00–1.04). The relatively low initial 87 Sr/86 Sr ratios of 0.7106 to 0.7179, positive εHf(t) values of 1.0 to 4.1, and two-stage Hf model ages(TDM2) ranging from 889 Ma to 1082 Ma, These geochemical features indicate that the granite derived from a juvenile crust. The(~(143) Nd/~(144) Nd)_t values from the Jiangla'angzong granite range from 0.5121 to 0.5123, its εNd(t) values range from-10.17 to-6.10, its(~(206) Pb/~(204) Pb)_t values range from 18.683 to 18.746, its(~(207) Pb/~(204) Pb)_t values range from 15.695 to 15.700, and its(~(208) Pb/~(204) Pb)_t values range from 39.012 to 39.071. These data indicate that the granite was formed by melting of the upper crust with the addition of some mantle materials. We propose that the Jiangla'angzong granite was formed during the postcollision extension of the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes.