Sequence stratigraphy and controls on sedimentation of the Upper Cretaceous in the Afikpo Sub-basin,southeastern Nigeria

Outcrop-based sequence stratigraphic analysis and palynological biofacies were used to define depositional sequences and their bounding surfaces, and build a sequence stratigraphic model for the Upper Cretaceous succession of the Afikpo Sub-basin. Four unconformity-bounded third-order depositional sequences were identified. Sequence 1 comprises the Nkporo Formation and is subdivided into lowstand system tract (LST) representing an incised valley fill and transgressive systems tract (TST) consisting of estuarine and marine shales and mudstones. The base of the sequence is an angular unconformity correlated to the 77.5 Ma sequence boundary (SB) and the maximum flooding surface (MFS) is dated at 76 Ma. Sequence 2 is diachronous and straddles the lithostratigraphic boundary of the Nkporo and Mamu formations. The upper SB is dated at 71 Ma while associated MFS is dated at 73.5 Ma. Sequence 3 consists of the upper Mamu Formation and the Ajali Formation. The upper SB of sequence 3 is at 68 Ma while the MFS is dated at 69.8 Ma. Sequence 4 is the topmost depositional sequence belonging to the Nsukka Formation. The upper SB is placed at 66.5 Ma. The MFS within this sequence is dated at 67.8 Ma. The sequences encompass from tidally influenced bay head delta and central estuarine environments to coastal and shallow marine shelf environments. Stratigraphic architecture and facies types show that sequence development was controlled to a great extent by eustatic sea level variations though differential subsidence rates encouraged differential rates of sediment supply and rates of sea level change along different segments of the shoreline.     

Development of calcrete of the Late Cretaceous carbonate platform,northern Jordan,and its tectonic implications

A calcrete horizon, 3–10 m thick, is found exposed in northern Jordan in three localities, Rumman, Marsa’, and Wasfi At Tal forest (WTF). It is situated at the base of the dominantly limestone, Late Cenomanian Hummar Formation, separating it from the underlying marly Fuheis Formation. The calcrete horizon exhibits all the diagnostic features characteristic of calcrete, such as diagenetic pisoids; a mottled or clotted texture; circumgranular cracks around grains in a nodular texture; pendant or microstalactitic cement; meniscus cement; plant roots or rhizogenic structures, both longitudinal and transverse; exfoliation on boulder and cobbles; alagally laminated hard pans; and abundant dissolution of cracks and vugs. Consequently, it represents a subaerial erosional unconformity and type 1 sequence boundary (SB) that was not previously noticed. The Hummar Formation is considered as a third-order sequence with the SB at the base of the calcrete horizon, while the calcrete horizon itself forms the lowstand system tracts (LST). The transgressive systems tracts (TST) involve the lower two third of the Hummar Formation ending with peloidal grainstone representing the maximum flooding surface (MFSs). The rest of the formation is the falling highstand systems tracts (HST). The next SB is not seen due to a thick soil-covered gap. The calcrete horizon formed due to the formation of a paleohigh, in the study area, associated with the compression produced by the initial subduction of the Afro-Arabian Plate under the Eurasian Plate during the Late Cenomanian, slightly earlier than the previously known Turonian subduction and compression.     

Tectonic controls on sequence stacking pattern and along-strike architecture in the Pleistocene Mejillones Formation,northern Chile: Implications for sequence stratigraphic models

In the Mejillones Formation, a shallow-marine Pleistocene succession of northern Chile, the cyclic stratigraphic record is the result of the complex interaction of regional uplift, glacio-eustasy, local tectonics, sediment supply, and sedimentary processes. Stratal geometries, characteristics of sedimentary facies, and nature of sequence-bounding unconformities have been investigated to evaluate the influence of: (i) intrabasinal, short-term normal faulting on both along-strike variations in sequence architecture and genetic complexity of key stratal surfaces; and (ii) long-term regional uplift on sequence stacking pattern. The stratigraphic succession, dissected by small-displacement (few meters) normal faults striking obliquely with respect to the palaeo-shoreline trends, displays systematic variations in sequence architecture and the nature of bounding surfaces across them. Indeed, depending on position with respect to the fault plane, two basic types of internal organisation can be recognised in the examined shallow-marine, almost clastic-starved sequence. Within grabens it consists of a siliciclastic-rich transgressive systems tract (TST), which is bounded beneath by a transgressively modified, Glossifungites-demarcated sequence boundary (SB/RS), overlain by a mollusc-bearing falling-stage systems tract (FSST). The erosional downlap surface that separates the TST from the FSST is the regressive surface of marine erosion (RSME). On the footwall crests the combination of marine regressive erosion, during falls in relative sea-level, and uplift has resulted in complete removal of the sediments of the TST from these sites, leading to the formation of a tectonically enhanced basal unconformity composed of the RSME superimposed onto the previous SB/RS (SB/RS/RSME). The prominent lateral change in component units (systems tracts) and nature of bounding surfaces within the studied sequence is directly related to the presence of normal faults and indicates that fault activity had a major impact on the sequence stratigraphic evolution of the Mejillones Formation, enhancing subsidence within the grabens and promoting unconformities in the horsts.Overall, the Mejillones Formation records a long-term sea-level fall driven by the contemporaneous regional uplift, punctuated by repeated, high-frequency eustatic sea-level changes. The effect of this superimposition was that glacio-eustatic sequences were displaced progressively downward and basinward and stacked in a distinct downstepping, tectonically enhanced falling-stage sequence set, which reflects basin-wide loss in accommodation space. The sequence set is underlain by a composite RSME that becomes progressively younger basinward and is made up by the lateral and down-dip connection of a series of lower-rank sequence boundaries including hanging-wall SB/RSs and footwall SB/RS/RSMEs of successive sequences.     

An extensive erosion surface of a strongly deformed limestone bed in the Gushan and Chaomidian formations (late Middle Cambrian to Furongian), Shandong Province,China: Sequence–stratigraphic implications

In order to understand sequence development and sea-level fluctuations during the late Middle Cambrian to early Furongian on the North China epeiric platform, the present study focuses on a unique, subtle erosion surface of an extensive (approx. 100 km), strongly deformed limestone bed in the uppermost part of the Gushan Formation, Shandong Province, China. The Gushan Formation and the overlying Chaomidian Formation consist mainly of shales and a variety of carbonates that were deposited in subtidal environments (e.g., deep subtidal, shallow subtidal, shoreface/shoal, subtidal microbial flat, and restricted platform interior). Three third-order depositional sequences (S1–3) are identified, each of which comprises a thin transgressive systems tract (TST) and a relatively thick highstand systems tract (HST). Each sequence is bounded by a drowning unconformity (SB1), a subaerial unconformity (SB2), or a surface of submarine erosion (SB3). The upper sequence boundary (SB2) of sequence 1 (S1) is represented by a subtle erosion surface of an extensive, deformed limestone bed with a wide variety of soft-sediment deformation structures (e.g., lime mudstone breccias, chaotic wacke-packstone laminae and fragments, homogenized oolites, and clastic dykes), and is overlain by small sporadic microbial buildups and an extensive bioclastic grainstone bed. The deformed limestone was formed during early diagenesis by differential deformation processes (brecciation, liquefaction/fluidization, and injection) which were most likely induced by pore-water overpressure during the period of rapid sea-level fall. Despite the lack of subaerial exposure features (e.g., paleokarst, paleosol, etc.), the characteristics of the erosion surface (cutting well-lithified sediment below), the missing of a significant geological record (the Prochuangia biozone), and the worldwide correlatable positive carbon isotope excursion collectively indicate that the erosion surface developed under conditions of subaerial exposure after contemporaneous marine cementation of the deformed sediment. The missing of the Prochuangia biozone is most likely due to non-deposition at a subaerial hiatal surface. The erosion surface was submerged as a result of subsequent rise in sea level, where sporadic microbial buildups formed under suitable conditions. Freshly deposited, winnowed, shell-dominated transgressive lag deposits (containing Chuangia trilobite fragments, brachiopod shells, and abundant glauconite grains) formed with continued rise in sea level, which became, in turn, overlain by shale-dominated facies. The unique combination of the subtle erosion surface (sensu stricto a subaerial unconformity) and the underlying deformed limestone bed provides an important criterion for recognizing the subtle changes in relative sea level on shallow epeiric platforms.     

Estuarine, barrier-island to strand-plain sequence and related ravinement surface developed during the last interglacial in the Paleo-Tokyo Bay, Japan

Recognition of sequence boundaries and transgressive surfaces (i.e. ravinement surfaces, RS) is now known to be of great importance in stratigraphy. The sedimentary features of deposits immediately above a transgressive surface are well exposed in the Upper Pleistocene Kioroshi Formation of the Kanto Plain in central Japan. The formation comprises mainly coastal and shallow-marine deposits (estuarine, barrier-island and the strand-plain systems) which accumulated along a wavedominated coast in the Late Pleistocene, i.e., the last interglacial to last glacial period. The Kioroshi Formation is bounded above and below by sequence boundaries that formed in the lowstand periods correlative to the glacial periods of oxygen isotope stages 4 and 6, respectively. A significant transgressive surface that was formed by landward migration of barrier islands during the transgressive interval, the ravinement surface (RS), is found within the deposits of the upper shelf environment.

This ravinement surface is characterized by the exotic nature of the overlying sediment veneer (pebbles, shells and scattered mud clasts) which is poorly sorted. The RS shows a very flattened erosional surface in the shore-parallel sense, and the gradient of the surface in shore-normal sense is calculated as 0.0021, where the syndepositional tectonic movement is revised. The RS commonly cuts through the lower sequence boundary. However, in the places where the river or tidal channel valleys incised, the valley-filling sediment shows a deepening-upward sequence recognized as a transgressive systems tract and the RS can be clearly distinguished from the lower sequence boundary.     

珠江口盆地恩平凹陷北带下-中中新统层序构型及其差异性分析:对岩性圈闭发育的启示

针对海相三角洲层序地层研究中的理论和应用问题,选取珠江口盆地恩平凹陷北带下-中中新统(T50-T35)古珠江三角洲为目标开展了精细解剖.在消化吸收"沉积层序"理论最新进展的基础上,结合古珠江三角洲发育特点和井震资料条件,提出了基于层序界面(SB)、最大海退面(MRS)、最大海泛面(MFS)和高频海泛面(FS)等4种类型...     

从层序地层学角度论岩石地层单位界线的厘定与优化

以碳酸盐台地内部、边缘及盆地３个不同相区的岩石地层基本单位———组为实例,从层序地层学角度论述了岩石地层单位界线的厘定与优化方案,认为以层序（尤其是Ⅰ型层序）界面及体系域之间界面（即初始海泛面、最大海泛面等）作为一些组的新界线,将会更有利于野外岩石地层单位的识别与对比。     

层序地层与地层界线优化

以扬子地台、华北地台和塔里木地台早古生代层序地层研究成果和典型范例为基础 ,讨论了层序地层与年代地层和岩石地层单位及其界线之间的相互关系。在年代地层方面 ,进一步强调以初始海泛面 ( FFS)作为优化年代地层“阶”的标准。从自然界线的观点 ,建议将全球界线层型剖面和点 ( GSSP)在层序地层序列中的位置优化至初始海泛面 ( FFS)。探讨了三级层序结构与生物宏演化阶段之间的可能关系。在岩石地层方面 ,强调以层序地层的关键界面 (层序界面、初始海泛面、最大海泛面 )优化组、段界线。     

Mid-cycle condensed shellbeds from mid-Pleistocene cyclothems, New Zealand: implications for sequence architecture

Richly fossiliferous and disconformity-bounded facies successions, termed Mid-Cycle Condensed Shellbeds (MCS), occupy a mid-cycle position within depositional sequences in the Castlecliff section (mid-Pleistocene, Wanganui Basin, New Zealand). These shell-rich intervals (0.1–4.5 m thick) comprise the upper of two loci of shell accumulation in Castlecliff sequences. The lower disconformable contacts are sharp and variably burrowed, and are interpreted as submarine transgressive surfaces formed by storm or tidal current erosion at the feather-edge of contemporary transgressive systems tracts. Above (i.e. seaward) of this erosion surface, macrofossil remains (mainly bivalves and gastropods) accumulated, with little reworking, on the inner-shelf under conditions of reduced terrigenous sediment supply. The upper contacts are sharp transitions from shell-rich to relatively shell-poor lithofacies; parautochthonous shell accumulation was ‘quenched’by downlapping highstand systems tract shelf siltstones and muddy fine sandstones. Castlecliff MCS, together with the basal shell-rich part of overlying highstand systems tracts, occupy a stratigraphic position which corresponds to the condensed section that forms at the transgressive/highstand systems tract boundary in the sequence model of Haq et al. (1987). Palaeoenvironmental analysis indicates that Castlecliff MCS are substantially, if not entirely, transgressive deposits. This study therefore shows that the ‘condensation maximum’within a depositional sequence does not necessarily bracket the transgressive systems tract/highstand systems tract boundary.     

珠江口盆地番禺天然气区东南缘坡折带韩江组中段沉积层序与岩性地层圈闭研究

综合利用钻井、测井、地震等资料,运用层序地层学原理,在珠江口盆地番禺天然气区东南缘陆架坡折带珠江组－韩江组层序地层格架划分的基础上,重点对韩江组中段SQhj₂的沉积层序特征进行了分析研究。SQh_j2层序可划分出低位、海侵及高位体系域,其中低位体系域依据地震、测井等特征可识别出明显的两期。在阐明层序结构和沉积体系域构成特征的基础上,建立了研究区SQhj₂的沉积层序模式,在此基础上,对研究区有利储集砂体和岩性地层圈闭分布进行了预测。     

声波时差测井资料识别层序地层单元界面的方法、原理及实例

结合济阳坳陷古近系层序地层研究,在地震、岩芯、录井等资料综合分析基础上,探讨了运用声波时差测井识别层序地层单元界面的方法和原理。在正常埋藏压实条件下,泥页岩的声波时差对数与其深度的关系曲线为一条直线(回归线),由于沉积作用形成的不整合造成地层缺失、风化层和致密的湖侵泥岩层形成等,将使不整合面(层序界面)上下的声波时差对数与深度的回归线出现错开、斜率不同、异常值等异常响应。生油岩密集段(CS段)在湖盆洼陷带对应于泥岩、页岩沉积,有机质含量高,声波时差值也高,并且同一层序内在最大湖泛面位置声波时差值达到最大,向上、向下均逐渐减小,在层序界面附近达到最小。     

鄂尔多斯盆地中南部上古生界层序与岩相古地理演化*

为明确鄂尔多斯盆地中南部上古生界层序特点与岩相古地理演化规律,利用周缘野外露头和盆地钻井测井相特征,分析层序界面、体系域界面的岩性、古构造及海侵方向变化特征,总结层序发育特点与岩相古地理演化规律。结果表明: 不同风化序列的区域性不整合面及海侵方向转换面为二级层序界面,区域性海退面、下切冲刷面及陆上暴露面为三级层序界面; 潮间带砂坪及近岸相海侵含砾砂岩顶为海侵面,最大海侵面发育灰岩、泥页岩及煤层,是海侵体系域与高位体系域分界面; 上古生界包括二级层序2个: MSQ1、MSQ2,三级层序6个: SQ1、SQ2、SQ3、SQ4、SQ5、SQ6,其中SQ1—SQ2发育水进体系域与高位体系域,不发育低位体系域,SQ1为潟湖—障壁海岸沉积体系,SQ2为泥炭坪—泥坪相潮坪沉积;SQ3—SQ6发育完整的低位—海侵—高位体系域,SQ3发育区域性海退进积海陆过渡相三角洲沉积,SQ4早期为低位体系域下切冲蚀砂体,晚期沉积古环境由温暖湿润还原环境演变为炎热干燥的氧化环境,SQ5—SQ6早中期为氧化环境三角洲沉积,SQ6晚期为高位体系域具海侵夹层的潮坪相沉积。研究为鄂尔多斯盆地及其他盆地层序与岩相古地理演化提供理论依据。     

柴北缘鱼卡地区侏罗纪含煤地层层序地层学研究

运用钻井岩心、测井及层序地层学有关理论、方法,对青海柴北缘鱼卡地区侏罗纪含煤地层进行了层序地层学研究。共识别出4个层序界面,将侏罗系含煤地层划分为3个三级层序,分别对应于中侏罗统大煤沟组、石门沟组下段和石门沟组上段;研究区层序界面主要包括区域不整合面(古风化壳)、三角洲平原分流河道下切谷、河道间古土壤和盆地内基准面下降—暴露—上升旋回的转折点;与海相含煤盆地不同,厚煤层在层序格架内的发育具有多样性。在古隆起和盆地内部,厚煤层常靠近初始湖泛面发育(煤7);在盆地边缘河流—三角洲平原,厚煤层常靠近最大湖泛面发育(煤5)。总体来看,陆相含煤盆地三级层序中,湖侵体系域聚煤最好。      

右江盆地海相泥盆系-中三叠统层序界面成因类型与盆地演化

在右江地区海相层序地层学研究的基础上,将层序界面区分为升隆侵蚀层序不整合界面、海侵上超层序不整合界面、暴露层序不整合界面和造山侵蚀层序不整合界面四个成因类型,并且相同成因类型的层序界面,在盆内不同地域的具体表现形式不尽相同,它们与盆地的成生、发展有紧密的联系,这些界面类型依次反映了盆地的新生、演化和盆山转换过程。     

黔中隆起及外围南华-留纪层序地层特征

以黔中地区层序地层研究为基础,并与三都盆区层序地层对比。根据不整合界面、地层结构及地层的堆叠型式等特征,将黔中隆起及外围地区的南华-志留纪地层划分为14个层序,并阐述了各层序及体系域的发育特征。在此基础上,建立了南华-志留纪的岩石地层格架及相对海平面变化曲线。研究区层序地层的特点是：在浅水陆架区,大多数层序由海侵体系域和高水位体系域构成,并且高水位体系域的厚度常大于海侵体系域的厚度;层序所反映的海平面升降变化,在层序的下部表现较剧,常快速上升。通过层序界面的对比研究,界面基本性质进一步得到明确,使地层格架更趋真实。如黔中、黔北南沱组与澄江组的接触关系性质,从盆地区海侵体系域一高水位体系域及层序界面的延伸对比来看,黔中地区缺失这两个体系域,证明这里南沱组与澄江组之间为假整合接触。     

华南泥盆系层序地层与岩石-年代地层界线间相关性探讨

以广西六景、象州大乐、桂林塘家湾及贵州独山与贵阳东北郊乌当剖面为例,在已有的地层、古生物、沉积相研究的基础上,开展了层序地层学研究.通过这项研究,认为那高岭组与莲花山组的界线是一年代地层、岩石地层及层序地层合一的界面;论证了大乐剖面应堂组的古琶段与贵州独山剖面的龙洞水组属于下泥盆统的可行性;总结了吉维特阶与艾菲尔阶间多处存在沉积间断面或沉积停滞面的客观事实,确认该界面为一符合实际又易于识别的自然界面,可作为D_2~2 /D_2~1的界面;讨论了存在于不同沉积相中的D_3/D_2界面,认为该界面置于D_2~2上部层序之上的海进体系域顶面,与以牙形类为准确立的界线很接近,但其更利于野外实际工作;对贵阳东北郊乌当剖面乌当组的归属提出疑问,并将其定为吉维特阶早期.     

Formation and significance of a middle Silurian ravinement surface on Gotland, Sweden

A laterally extensive and conspicuously smooth erosional surface is exposed near the Wenlock–Ludlow boundary on east-central Gotland, Sweden. It occurs in the reef complex area of a carbonate platform, has an undulating topography, and separates truncated bioherms and biostromes from overlying allochthonous high energy deposits. On a basin regional scale, the surface is associated to a shift from a prograding to a retrograding platform, and to a substantial hiatus in basin marginal areas (Estonia). The significance of the surface is further indicated by: (a) clear-cut truncation of the reef complex, including m-sized stromatoporoids, along a distance of at least 20 km, (b) an erosional relief exceeding 2.08 m, (c) a conspicuously smooth nature in both palaeolows and palaeohighs, (d) present, although scarce, subaerial diagenetic indications, e.g. shallow karst features at the unconformity surface and pendant/meniscus cement in the lowermost part of overlying strata, (e) a locally occurring basal conglomeratic lag in overlying strata, and (f) peritidal indications and, as evident from at least one quarry, onlapping geometry in overlying strata.

The unconformity has implications for the analysis of the middle Silurian Baltic basin evolution as well as for the interpretation of erosional surfaces on carbonate platforms in general. Based on the above characteristics, the formation of the unconformity is attributed to a relative sea-level fall, causing subaerial exposure, followed by transgressive abrasion in a rocky shore environment. The unconformity hence constitutes a ravinement surface which, based on the associated basin regional sedimentary changes, is interpreted as coinciding with a regional exposure surface (sequence boundary). It thus increases our understanding of the hitherto poorly understood palaeogeographic evolution of the middle Silurian Baltic basin. Further, the transgressive erosion was significant as well as recurrent, as indicated by the clear-cut truncation of large stromatoporoids at the unconformity surface and by truncated marine fossil fragments in upper edges of karst infills. The unconformity therefore constitutes a good example of the capability of transgressive erosion in creating stratigraphic incompleteness, and hence in removing subaerial indications, on previously exposed carbonate platforms.     

Carbonate Diagenesis Controlled by Glacioeustatic Sea-Level Changes： A Case Study from the Carboniferous-Permian Boundary Section at Xikou, China

The diagenesis of modern and ancient carbonatesedi ments has been widely studied and systematicallyreviewed since the 1960s (e .g. Moore ,2001 ,1989 ;Wang et al ., 1994 , 1991 ; McIlreath and Morrow,1990 ; Tucker and Bathurst , 1990 ; Schneidermannand Harris , 1985 ; Longman, 1980 ; Bathurst ,1975) . With the development of sequence stratigra-phy and its more widespread application, discussionabout the relationship between diagenesis and se-quence stratigraphy/sea-level changes ,as well as…     

High-resolution sequence stratigraphy of a complex, incised valley succession, Cobequid Bay — Salmon River estuary, Bay of Fundy, Canada

The post-glacial succession in the Cobequid Bay — Salmon River incised valley contains two sequences, the upper one incomplete. The lower sequence contains only highstand system tracts (HST) deposits which accumulated under microtidal, glacio-marine deltaic conditions. The upper sequence contains two, retrogradationally stacked parasequences. The lower one accumulated in a wave-dominated estuarine environment under micro-mesotidal conditions. It belongs to the lowstand system tract (LST) or early transgressive system tract (TST) depending on the timing and location of the lowstand shoreline, and contains a gravel barrier that has been overstepped and preserved with little modification. The upper parasequence accumulated in the modern, macrotidal estuary, and is assignable to the late TST. Recent, net progradation of the fringing marshes indicates that a new HST has begun. The sequence boundary separating the two sequences was formed by fluvial incision, and perhaps also by subtidal erosion during the relative sea level fall. Additional local erosion by waves and tidal currents occurred during the transgression. The base of the macrotidal sands is a prominent tidal ravinement surface which forms the flooding surface between the backstepping estuarine parasequences. Because fluvial deposition continued throughout the transgression, the fluvial-estuarine contact is diachronous and cannot be used as the transgressive surface. The maximum flooding surface will be difficult to locate in the macrotidal sands, but is more easily identified in the fringing muddy sediments. These observations indicate that: (1) large incised valleys may contain a compound fill that consists of more than one sequence; (2) relative sea level changes determine the stratal stacking patterns, but local environmental factors control the nature of the facies and surfaces; (3) these surfaces may have complex origins, and commonly become amalgamated; (4) designation of the transgressive surface (and thus the LST) is particularly difficult as many of the prominent surfaces in the valley fill are diachronous facies boundaries; and (5) the transgression of complex topography may cause geologically instantaneous changes in tidal range, due to resonance under particular geographical configurations.     

Sedimentary response to Late Quaternary sea-level changes in the Romagna coastal plain (northern Italy)

Data from 17 continuously cored boreholes, 40–170 m deep, reveal the subsurface stratigraphy of the Romagna coastal plain. Sedimentological and microfaunal data allow the distinction of eight facies associations of Late Pleistocene–Holocene age, including 18 lithofacies and 16 faunal associations. Ten ¹⁴C dates provide the basis to establish a sequence stratigraphic framework for the succession corresponding to the upper part 35 ky BP of the last glacio-eustatic cycle. The eight facies associations can be grouped into lowstand, transgressive and highstand systems tracts. The upper part of the lowstand systems tract consists of alluvial plain deposits. These accumulated during the Late Pleistocene when the shoreline was ≈250 km south of its present-day position. A pronounced stratigraphic hiatus (between 25 and 8·8 ky BP) is invariably recorded at the upper boundary (transgressive surface) of these Pleistocene, indurated and locally pedogenized alluvial deposits. The succeeding postglacial history is represented by a well developed transgressive–regressive cycle. Transgressive deposits, interpreted to reflect the rapid landward migration of a barrier–lagoon system, include two wedge-shaped, paralic and marine units. These thicken in opposite directions and are separated by a ravinement surface. Above the transgressive deposits, the maximum flooding surface (MFS) marks the change from a transgressive barrier–lagoon complex to a prograding, wave-dominated delta system (early Po delta). The MFS can be traced landwards, where it constitutes the base of lagoonal deposits. An aggradational to progradational stacking pattern of upper delta plain (marsh), lower delta plain (lagoon/bay), and delta front (beach ridge) deposits reflects the progressive increase in the sediment supply/accommodation ratio during the following highstand. The alluvial deposits capping the sequence accumulated by the 13th century AD, in response to an avulsion event that caused abandonment of the former Po delta lobe and the northward migration of the Po River towards its present position.