Palaeoshoreline for the Late Cretaceous marine platform in the Iberian Trough (Leonese Area, Spain) deduced from outcrop and subsurface analysis

The location of the Late Cretaceous paleoshoreline in the Leonese Area (Iberian Trough, Spain) has been investigated by seismic analysis through isobath and isopach maps. The succession can be divided into two depositional sequences: DS-1 and DS-2. These sequences are composed of fluvial systems at the base, with paleocurrents that flowed eastward and north-eastward. The DS-1 sequence (Late Albian-Middle Turonian) shows intertidal to subtidal and offshore deposits at the top, while the DS-2 sequence (Late Turonian-Campanian) presents intertidal to subtidal, tidal flat and shallow marine and lacustrine deposits at its top. The stratigraphic cyclicity based on systems tracts shows that these two depositional sequences exhibit remarkable eustatic control. Both sequences start at the base with a significant sedimentary supply from fluvial systems, related to eustatic fall episodes, and conclude at the top with transgressive periods. The evolution of the basin reveals the history of base-level changes and associated shifts in depositional trends during successive stages. The deeper sectors of the DS-1 sequence are located towards the northeastern part of the study area while the proximal portion of the basin-margin is located to the southwest. The paleoshoreline is placed in a direction oriented at 120. The variations in thickness are elongated in orientations between 030 and 050 and are mainly related to paleovalleys and tributary fluvial networks that supply sediment through the shoreline. It is possible that these variations may be related to active synsedimentary faults. Depocenters move toward the northeast and east during the DS-2 sequence while the proximal portion of the basin-margin moves to the southwest. The paleoshoreline has an orientation of 155 direction and moves basinward. The isopach maps show a group of corridors oriented at 130?C140 and 165?C170, interpreted as result of accumulation of sandy bodies such as inter and subtidal bars. The fluvial systems are transversal to the paleoshoreline direction.     

Stratigraphic evolution of the nearshore to fluvial plain of the Upper Cuyo Group,Neuquén,Argentina

The upper portion of the Cuyo Group in the Zapala region, south‐eastern Neuquén Basin (Western Argentina), encompasses marine and transitional deposits (Lajas Formation) overlain by alluvial rocks (Challacó Formation). The Challacó Formation is covered by the Mendoza Group above a second‐order sequence boundary. The present study presents the stratigraphic framework and palaeophysiographic evolution of this Bajocian to Eo‐Calovian interval. The studied succession comprises the following genetic facies associations: (i) offshore and lower shoreface–offshore transition; (ii) lower shoreface; (iii) upper shoreface; iv) intertidal–subtidal; (v) supratidal–intertidal; (vi) braided fluvial to delta plain; (vii) meandering river; and (viii) braided river. The stratigraphic framework embraces four third‐order depositional sequences (C1 to C4) whose boundaries are characterized by the abrupt superposition of proximal over distal facies associations. Sequences C1 to C3 comprise mostly littoral deposits and display well‐defined, small‐scale transgressive–regressive cycles associated with fourth‐order depositional sequences. Such high‐frequency cycles are usually bounded by ravinement surfaces associated with transgressive lags. At last, the depositional sequence C4 delineates an important tectonic reorganization probably associated with an uplift of the Huincul Ridge. This is suggested by an inversion of the transport trend, north‐westward during the deposition of C1 to C3 depositional sequences (Lajas Formation) to a south‐west trend during the deposition of the braided fluvial strata related to the C4 depositional sequence (Challacó Formation).     

Depositional facies,environments and sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the Middle Triassic–Lower Cretaceous (pre-Late Albian) succession in Arif El-Naga anticline,northeast Sinai,Egypt

The Middle Triassic–Lower Cretaceous (pre-Late Albian) succession of Arif El-Naga anticline comprises various distinctive facies and environments that are connected with eustatic relative sea-level changes, local/regional tectonism, variable sediment influx and base-level changes. It displays six unconformity-bounded depositional sequences. The Triassic deposits are divided into a lower clastic facies (early Middle Triassic sequence) and an upper carbonate unit (late Middle- and latest Middle/early Late Triassic sequences). The early Middle Triassic sequence consists of sandstone with shale/mudstone interbeds that formed under variable regimes, ranging from braided fluvial, lower shoreface to beach foreshore. The marine part of this sequence marks retrogradational and progradational parasequences of transgressive- and highstand systems tract deposits respectively. Deposition has taken place under warm semi-arid climate and a steady supply of clastics. The late Middle- and latest Middle/early Late Triassic sequences are carbonate facies developed on an extensive shallow marine shelf under dry-warm climate. The late Middle Triassic sequence includes retrogradational shallow subtidal oyster rudstone and progradational lower intertidal lime-mudstone parasequences that define the transgressive- and highstand systems tracts respectively. It terminates with upper intertidal oncolitic packstone with bored upper surface. The next latest Middle/early Late Triassic sequence is marked by lime-mudstone, packstone/grainstone and algal stromatolitic bindstone with minor shale/mudstone. These lower intertidal/shallow subtidal deposits of a transgressive-systems tract are followed upward by progradational highstand lower intertidal lime-mudstone deposits. The overlying Jurassic deposits encompass two different sequences. The Lower Jurassic sequence is made up of intercalating lower intertidal lime-mudstone and wave-dominated beach foreshore sandstone which formed during a short period of rising sea-level with a relative increase in clastic supply. The Middle-Upper Jurassic sequence is represented by cycles of cross-bedded sandstone topped with thin mudstone that accumulated by northerly flowing braided-streams accompanying regional uplift of the Arabo–Nubian shield. It is succeeded by another regressive fluvial sequence of Early Cretaceous age due to a major eustatic sea-level fall. The Lower Cretaceous sequence is dominated by sandy braided-river deposits with minor overbank fines and basal debris flow conglomerate.     

Stratigraphic architecture of a tide‐influenced shelf‐edge delta,Upper Cretaceous Dorotea Formation,Magallanes‐Austral Basin,Patagonia

The Magallanes‐Austral Basin of Patagonian Chile and Argentina is a retroforeland basin associated with Late Cretaceous–Neogene uplift of the southern Andes. The Upper Cretaceous Dorotea Formation records the final phase of deposition in the Late Cretaceous foredeep, marked by southward progradation of a shelf‐edge delta and slope. In the Ultima Esperanza district of Chile, laterally extensive, depositional dip‐oriented exposures of the Dorotea Formation contain upper slope, delta‐front and delta plain facies. Marginal and shallow marine deposits include abundant indicators of tidal activity including inclined heterolithic stratification, heterolithic to sandy tidal bundles, bidirectional palaeocurrent indicators, flaser/wavy/lenticular bedding, heterolithic tidal flat deposits and a relatively low‐diversity Skolithos ichnofacies assemblage in delta plain facies. This work documents the stratigraphic architecture and evolution of the shelf‐edge delta that was significantly influenced by strong tidal activity. Sediment was delivered to a large slump scar on the shelf‐edge by a basin‐axial fluvial system, where it was significantly reworked and redistributed by tides. A network of tidally modified mouth bars and tidal channels comprised the outermost reaches of the delta complex, which constituted the staging area and initiation point for gravity flows that dominated the slope and deeper basin. The extent of tidal influence on the Dorotea delta also has important implications for Magallanes‐Austral Basin palaeogeography. Prior studies establish axial foreland palaeodrainage, long‐term southward palaeotransport directions and large‐scale topographic confinement within the foredeep throughout Late Cretaceous time. Abundant tidal features in Dorotea Formation strata further suggest that the Magallanes‐Austral Basin was significantly embayed. This ‘Magallanes embayment’ was formed by an impinging fold–thrust belt to the west and a broad forebulge region to the east.     

The applicability of modern tidal analogues to pre‐vegetation paralic depositional models

In modern siliciclastic environments terrestrial and aquatic vegetation binds substrate, controls weathering and erosion rates, influences run‐off, sediment supply and subsequent depositional architecture. This study assesses the applicability of modern depositional models that are impacted by vascular vegetation, as analogues for ancient pre‐land plant systems. A review of pre‐Devonian published literature demonstrates a paucity of described tidal successions; this is possibly due to the application of modern analogues for interpreting the record when there is a lack of tidal indicators. This paucity suggests a need for revised models of tidal deposition that consider the different environmental conditions prior to land plant evolution. This study examines the Ordovician–Silurian Tumblagooda Sandstone, which is exposed in the gorge of the Murchison River and coastal cliffs near Kalbarri, Western Australia. The Tumblagooda Sandstone comprises stacked sand‐rich facies, with well‐preserved bedforms and trace fossils. Previous interpretations of the depositional setting have proposed from a mixed sheet‐braided fluvial and intertidal flats; to a continental setting dominated by fluvial and aeolian processes. An enigmatic element is the rarity of mud‐rich facies preserved in the succession. Outcrop logging, facies and petrographic analysis record dominantly shallow water conditions with episodes of emergence. Abundant ichnotaxa indicate that marine conditions and bi‐directional flow structures are evidence for an intertidal and subtidal depositional environment. A macrotidal estuary setting is proposed, with evidence for tidal channels and repeated fluvial incursions. Physical and biogenic sedimentary structures are indicative of tidal conditions. The lack of clay and silt resulted in the absence of flaser or lenticular‐bedding. Instead cyclic deposition of thin beds and foreset bioturbation replaced mud drape deposits. Higher energy conditions prevailed in the absence of the binding activity of plants in the terrestrial and marine realm. This is suggestive of different weathering processes and a reduction in the preservation of some sedimentary features.     

Sedimentology,stratigraphy and palynological occurrences of the late Cretaceous Erlian Formation,Erlian Basin,Inner Mongolia,People's Republic of China

The Erlian Basin is one of the non-marine Cretaceous basins of north-east China that developed during the late Mesozoic continental extension in eastern Asia. This basin experienced two major tectonic events: (i) a syn-rift stage that was dominated by a fluvial–lacustrine depositional environment and (ii) a post-rift stage that was dominated by a fluvial environment. A new sedimentological study performed on Erlian Formation drill cores has led to the determination of an architectural model and to the subsequent characterisation of the stratigraphic evolution of this sedimentary unit during the late Cretaceous. The palynological occurrences that were identified in samples provided a possible stratigraphical age for the Erlian Formation.Sediments of the Erlian Formation occur at the top of the Cretaceous stratigraphic column of the Erlian Basin and were deposited during the post-rift stage. Facies architecture and the ideal succession of facies that were identified for this formation exhibit two different members, both dominated by a fluvial depositional environment: (i) the lower member, which is dominated by channels of a braided river system and (ii) the upper member, which is dominated by overbank deposits. The lower member expresses a tectonically induced uplift as indicated by channels clustering under negative accommodation, whereas a period of stratigraphic base-level rise that is associated with an increase of accommodation is identified in the upper member. Therefore the Erlian Formation highlights an alternation of short uplifts that were dominated by braided fluvial channel deposits with periods of stratigraphic base-level rise that were dominated by overbank deposits. This sedimentological architecture has significant metallogenic implications for the origin of confined permeable sandstone layers, which represent adequate host-rocks for roll front-type uranium deposits.The palynological assemblage Exesipollenites, Ulmipollenites/Ulmoideipites, Buttinia and Momipites that were recognised in two samples of the Erlian Formation has revealed a post-late Campanian age therefore more likely indicating a late Cretaceous age of deposition for the sediments of the Erlian Formation.     

Jurassic - Early Cretaceous paleogeography and paleoenvironments of the north-eastern margin of Gondwana: Insights from the Carpentaria Basin,Australia

Although Jurassic-Early Cretaceous sedimentary systems were extensively developed on northeastern Gondwana, deciphering their paleogeography has been complicated by poor exposure and the lack of a robust chronostratigraphic framework. The southeastern margin of the Carpentaria Basin, northeastern Australia is one of the few regions where these sedimentary systems are extensively exposed. Employing a combination of facies analysis and new data from paleontology and detrital zircon geochronology, we present a temporally and environmentally refined paleogeographic framework for this region. A Late Jurassic, southeasterly directed marine incursion invaded northeastern Gondwana, extending inland across the Carpentaria Basin, as demonstrated by a thin (~30 m), marine influenced (fluvio-estuarine) stratigraphic succession capped by a sequence bounding ~30 myr paraconformity. The depositional hiatus marked the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous uplift of the Euroka Arch, with loss of sedimentary and fluvial connectivity between the Carpentaria Basin and adjoining Eromanga Basin. Subsequent deposition by low-accommodation fluvial systems resulted in a thin, fluviatile depositional package developing during the Early Cretaceous. Paleocurrent and provenance data indicate that the Middle to Late Jurassic (c. 170–160 Ma) fluvial systems predating the paraconformity extended from the Eromanga Basin to the south across the southeastern Carpentaria Basin, transporting sediment from distal sources in the Lachlan Orogen of southeastern Australia. Fluvial systems of the southeastern Carpentaria Basin post-dating the paraconformity and Euroka Arch uplift show a provenance shift to easterly sources in the Mossman Orogen and Kennedy Igneous Association. Previously unrecognised Jurassic-Early Cretaceous igneous activity provided a persistent source of sediment to the southeastern Carpentaria Basin succession due to reworking of air fall tuff from an active magmatic arc located on the continental margin of northeastern Gondwana.     

Anatomy of an Upper Triassic continental to marginal‐marine system: the mixed siliciclastic–carbonate Travenanzes Formation (Dolomites,Northern Italy)

The Travenanzes Formation is a terrestrial to shallow‐marine, siliciclastic–carbonate succession (200 m thick) that was deposited in the eastern Southern Alps during the Late Triassic. Sedimentary environments and depositional architecture have been reconstructed in the Dolomites, along a 60 km south–north transect. Facies alternations in the field suggest interfingering between alluvial‐plain, flood‐basin and shallow‐lagoon deposits, with a transition from terrestrial to marine facies belts from south to north. The terrestrial portion of the Travenanzes Formation consists of a dryland river system, characterized by multicoloured floodplain mudstones with scattered conglomeratic fluvial channels, merging downslope into small ephemeral streams and sheet‐flood sandstones, and losing their entire discharge subaerially before the shoreline. Calcic and vertic palaeosols indicate an arid/semi‐arid climate with strong seasonality and intermittent discharge. The terrestrial/marine transition shows a coastal mudflat, the flood basin, which is usually exposed, but at times is inundated by both major river floods and sea‐water storm surges. Locally coastal sabkha deposits occur. The marine portion of the Travenanzes Formation comprises carbonate tidal‐flat and shallow‐lagoon deposits, characterized by metre‐scale shallowing‐upward peritidal cycles and subordinate intercalations of dark clays from the continent. The depositional architecture of the Travenanzes Formation suggests an overall transgressive pattern organized in three carbonate–siliciclastic cycles, corresponding to transgressive–regressive sequences with internal higher‐frequency sedimentary cycles. The metre‐scale sedimentary cyclicity of the Travenanzes Formation continues without a break in sedimentation into the overlying Dolomia Principale. The onset of the Dolomia Principale epicontinental platform is marked by the exhaustion of continental sediment supply.     

Sedimentary response to the intracontinental orogenic process: insight from the anatomy of a small Mesozoic basin in western Yanshan,northern North China

ABSTRACT

The intra-continental orogeny and tectonic evolution of the Mesozoic Yanshan fold-thrust belt (YFTB) in the northern North China Craton (NCC) have been strongly debated. Here, we focus on the Shangyi basin, located in the centre of the YFTB. An integrated analysis of sedimentary facies, palaeocurrents, clast compositions, and detrital zircon dating of sediments was adopted to determine the palaeogeography, provenance, basin evolution, and intra-continental orogenic process. The Shangyi basin comprises the well-exposed Early–early Middle Jurassic Xiahuayuan Formation and the Longmen Formation, and the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Tuchengzi Formation. Based on the 18 measured sections, five facies associations – including alluvial fan, fluvial, delta, lacustrine, and eolian facies – have been identified and described in detail. The onset of the Shangyi basin was filled with fluvial, deltaic, and lacustrine deposits controlled by the normal fault bounding the northern basin, corresponding to the pre-orogeny. In the Middle Jurassic, the cobble–boulder conglomerates of alluvial fan, as molasse deposits, were compatible with the syn-orogeny of the Yanshan movement, which played a critical role in northern North China and even East Asia. After the depositional break in the Middle–Late Jurassic, the Shangyi basin, controlled by the normal fault present in the north of the basin, re-subsided and quickly expanded southward with thick sedimentation, which is correlative with the post-orogeny. Combined with A-type granites, metamorphic core complexes, mafic dikes, and rift basins of the Late Jurassic–early Early Cretaceous present in the northern NCC and Mongolia, significant extension was widespread in the northern NCC and even in northeast Asia. Moreover, vertical changes of provenance indicate that the Taihang Mountain and the Inner Mongolia palaeo-uplift (IMPU) present at the west and north of the basin, respectively, experienced uplift twice in the Middle–Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, resulting in a regional depositional break.     

安徽合肥盆地东北部白垩纪层序地层学分析

运用层序地层学理论和工作方法 ,对合肥盆地东北部白垩纪陆相地层各类沉积建造的沉积环境、沉积相和陆相沉积体系域进行了分析 ,根据红层盆地的沉积物充填序列、基本层序 ,将白垩纪断 (坳 )陷盆地充填沉积序列中划分为 4个层序 ,在层序地层学分析基础上 ,并根据岩石地层单元和沉积体系在时空上的展布特征 ,初步建立了红盆地层格架。     

A contribution to regional stratigraphic correlations of the Afro-Brazilian depression – The Dom João Stage (Brotas Group and equivalent units – Late Jurassic) in Northeastern Brazilian sedimentary basins

The Dom João Stage comprises an interval with variable thickness between 100 and 1200 m, composed of fluvial, eolian and lacustrine deposits of Late Jurassic age, based mainly on the lacustrine ostracod fauna (although the top deposits may extend into the Early Cretaceous). These deposits comprise the so-called Afro-Brazilian Depression, initially characterized as containing the Brotas Group of the Recôncavo Basin (which includes the Aliança and the Sergi Formations) and subsequently extended into the Tucano, Jatobá, Camamu, Almada, Sergipe, Alagoas and Araripe Basins in northeastern Brazil, encompassing the study area of this paper. The large occurrence area of the Dom João Stage gives rise to discussions about the depositional connectivity between the basins, and the real extension of sedimentation. In the first studies of this stratigraphic interval, the Dom João Stage was strictly associated with the rift phase, as an initial stage (decades of 1960–70), but subsequent analyses considered the Dom João as an intracratonic basin or pre-rift phase – without any relation to the active mechanics of a tectonic syn-rift phase (decades of 1980–2000). The present work developed an evolutionary stratigraphic and tectonic model, based on the characterization of depositional sequences, internal flooding surfaces, depositional systems arrangement and paleoflow directions. Several outcrops on the onshore basins were used to build composite sections of each basin, comprising facies, architectural elements, depositional systems, stratigraphic and lithostratigraphic frameworks, and paleocurrents. In addition to that, over a hundred onshore and offshore exploration wells were used (only 21 of which are showed) to map the depositional sequences and generate correlation sections. These show the characteristics and relations of the Dom João Stage in each studied basin, and they were also extended to the Gabon Basin. The results indicate that there were two main phases during the Dom João Stage, in which distinctive sedimentary environments were developed, reflecting depositional system arrangements, paleoflow directions were diverse, and continuous or compartmented basins were developed.     

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.     

Sequence architecture and carbonate platform configuration (Late Cenomanian–Santonian), Sinai, Egypt

Abstract Relative sea‐level changes on the mixed carbonate–siliciclastic platform of Sinai are manifested in shifts of distinct facies belts (deep‐water facies, high‐energy subtidal, shallow subtidal, lagoon, shallow shoreface siliciclastics, supratidal) and are interpreted in terms of sequence stratigraphy. Eight sedimentary sequences are recognized for the Upper Cenomanian to Santonian. Their correlation along a north–south transect reveals distinct changes in lithofacies and progradation/retrogradation patterns within the individual systems tracts. The number and stratigraphy of the sequence boundaries of Sinai correlate well with those from adjacent areas. Patterns of increased subsidence are documented for the Central Sinai Basin since the Late Cenomanian by increased thickness of the stratal packages (post‐CeSin 7 HST, post‐TuSin 1 LST and HST, post‐TuSin 2 LST) and are balanced by varying accumulation rates. Based on new sedimentological and biostratigraphic data, large‐scale palaeogeographic maps and cross‐sections show the: (1) temporal and spatial evolution of the Central Sinai Basin, e.g. its latest Cenomanian initial formation, Lower Turonian deep‐water facies, Middle Turonian to Coniacian synsedimentary subsidence; (2) drowning of the Cenomanian platform coinciding with the latest Cenomanian to Early Turonian relative sea‐level rise; (3) re‐establishment of the platform in Middle–Late Turonian times; and (4) a Coniacian basin and swell morphology.     

Tectonic controls on spatio-temporal development of depositional systems and generation of fining-upward basin fills in a strike-slip setting: Kyokpori Formation (Cretaceous), south-west Korea

Abstract The Kyokpori Formation (Cretaceous), south‐west Korea, represents a small‐scale lacustrine strike‐slip basin and consists of an ≈ 290 m thick siliciclastic succession with abundant volcaniclasts. The succession can be organized into eight facies associations representing distinctive depositional environments: (I) subaqueous talus; (II) delta plain; (III) steep‐gradient large‐scale delta slope; (IV) base of delta slope to prodelta; (V) small‐scale nested Gilbert‐type delta; (VI) small‐scale delta‐lobe system; (VII) subaqueous fan; and (VIII) basin plain. Facies associations I, III and IV together constitute a large‐scale steep‐sloped delta system. Correlation of the sedimentary succession indicates that the formation comprises two depositional sequences: the lower coarsening‐ to fining‐upward succession (up to 215 m thick) and the upper fining‐upward succession (up to 75 m thick). Based on facies distribution, architecture and correlation of depositional sequences, three stages of basin evolution are reconstructed. Stage 1 is represented by thick coarse‐grained deposits in the lower succession that form subaqueous breccia talus and steep‐sloped gravelly delta systems along the northern and southern basin margins, respectively, and a sandy subaqueous fan system inside the basin, abutting against a basement high. This asymmetric facies distribution suggests a half‐graben structure for the basin, and the thick accumulation of coarse‐grained deposits most likely reflects rapid subsidence of the basin floor during the transtensional opening of the basin. Stage 2 is marked by sandy black shale deposits in the upper part of the lower succession. The black shale is readily correlated across the basin margins, indicating a basinwide transgression probably resulting from large‐scale dip slip suppressing the lateral slip component on basin‐bounding faults. Stage 3 is characterized by gravelly delta‐lobe deposits in the upper succession that are smaller in dimension and located more basinward than the deposits of marginal systems of the lower succession. This lakeward shift of depocentre suggests a loss of accommodation in the basin margins and quiescence of fault movements. This basin evolution model suggests that the rate of dip‐slip displacement on basin‐margin faults can be regarded as the prime control for determining stacking patterns of such basin fills. The resultant basinwide fining‐upward sequences deviate from the coarsening‐upward cycles of other transtensional basins and reveal the variety of stratigraphic architecture in strike‐slip basins controlled by the changes in relative sense and magnitude of fault movements at the basin margins.     

Distinct styles of fluvial deposition in a Cambrian rift basin

Process‐based and facies models to account for the origin of pre‐vegetation (i.e. pre‐Silurian) preserved fluvial sedimentary architectures remain poorly defined in terms of their ability to account for the nature of the fluvial conditions required to accumulate and preserve architectural elements in the absence of the stabilizing influence of vegetation. In pre‐vegetation fluvial successions, the repeated reworking of bars and minor channels that resulted in the generation and preservation of broad, tabular, stacked sandstone‐sheets has been previously regarded as the dominant sedimentary mechanism. This situation is closely analogous to modern‐day poorly vegetated systems developed in arid climatic settings. However, this study demonstrates the widespread presence of substantially more complex stratigraphic architectures. The Guarda Velha Formation of Southern Brazil is a >500 m‐thick synrift fluvial succession of Cambrian age that records the deposits and sedimentary architecture of three distinct fluvial successions: (i) an early rift‐stage system characterized by coarse‐grained channel elements indicative of a distributive pattern with flow transverse to the basin axis; and two coeval systems from the early‐ to climax‐rift stages that represent (ii) an axially directed, trunk fluvial system characterized by large‐scale amalgamated sandy braid‐bar elements, and (iii) a distributive fluvial system characterized by multi‐storey, sandy braided‐channel elements that flowed transverse to the basin axis. Integration of facies and architectural‐element analysis with regional stratigraphic basin analysis, palaeocurrent and pebble‐provenance analysis demonstrates the mechanisms responsible for preserving the varied range of fluvial architectures present in this pre‐vegetation, rift‐basin setting. Identified major controls that influenced pre‐vegetation fluvial sedimentary style include: (i) spatial and temporal variation in discharge regime; (ii) the varying sedimentological characteristics of distinct catchment areas; (iii) the role of tectonic basin configuration and its direct role in influencing palaeoflow direction and fluvial style, whereby both the axial and transverse fluvial systems undertook a distinctive response to syn‐depositional movement on basin‐bounding faults. Detailed architectural analyses of these deposits reveal significant variations in geometry, with characteristics considerably more complex than that of simple, laterally extensive, stacked sandstone‐sheets predicted by most existing depositional models for pre‐vegetation fluvial systems. These results suggest that the sheet‐braided style actually encompasses a varied number of different pre‐vegetation fluvial styles. Moreover, this study demonstrates that contemporaneous axial and transverse fluvial systems with distinctive architectural expressions can be preserved in the same overall tectonic and climatic setting.     

Facies and palaeosol analysis in a progradational distributive fluvial system from the Campanian–Maastrichtian Bauru Group,Brazil

The Upper Cretaceous Bauru Group in south‐east Brazil consists of alluvial strata whose characteristics and distribution indicate a fluvial system developed in a semi‐arid to arid climate. Sections exposed within a 90 000 km² study area in Minas Gerais State (in south‐eastern Brazil) were evaluated using facies and palaeosol analysis to formulate depositional and pedogenic models that may account for geomorphic and climate features. From east to west, the study succession records a gradual decrease in grain size, an increase in the width/thickness ratio in channels, a decrease in the lateral and vertical connectivity of channel deposits, and an increase in overbank deposits. The fluvial architecture indicates a braided channel belt, ephemeral ribbon–channels, and an unconfined fluvial facies from east to west in the study area. The lateral and vertical distribution of facies, stratigraphic architecture and palaeocurrent data suggest proximal, medial and distal portions of a progradational distributive fluvial system. The sedimentary dynamics were marked by the building and abandonment of channels related to processes of aggradation, vegetation growth and palaeosol generation. Macromorphological and micromorphological analyses have identified pedological and mineralogical features that indicate an arid to semi‐arid climate with a provenance from the north‐eastern part of the basin (Alto Paranaiba Uplift). From the proximal to the distal portions of the distributive fluvial system, the palaeosol development is different. In the proximal portion, the palaeosols are absent or poorly developed, allowing a possible general comparison with the present soil order: Inceptisols and Aridisols. In the medial portion of the fluvial system, the palaeosols are well‐developed and characterized by Bt, Btk, C and Ck horizons (Alfisols, Aridisols, Inceptisols and Entisols). Poorly drained to well‐drained palaeosols from the base to the top in the distal plain (Aridisols and Inceptisols) are associated with geomorphic and hydromorphic changes in the fluvial system due to progradational evolution. The genetic relationship between the fluvial architecture and the palaeosols enhances the understanding that the sedimentation and pedogenesis that occurs in different portions of the distributive fluvial system are related to the tectonic and climatic evolution of the basin.     

祁连山北缘旱峡早白垩世下沟组-中沟组沉积相研究

祁连山北缘旱峡地区发育完整的下白垩统下沟组-中沟组沉积序列;以陆源碎屑岩为主,发育砾岩、砂岩、钙质粉砂岩和页岩等;其中砾石分选差、磨圆一般、成分以灰白色砂岩为主,砂岩成分、结构成熟度中等-差。岩石组合、沉积序列和综合沉积特征研究表明,下沟组和中沟组主要由湖泊、扇三角洲、河流等3种类型沉积相、亚相与微相类型组成,发育了一系列重力流成因的沉积类型;湖泊沉积主要发育在下沟组底部和中沟组,扇三角洲沉积分布在下沟组中-上部,中沟组发育河流沉积。研究区早白垩世中期古流向以EN向为主,早白垩世晚期以W向为主,表明沉积沉降中心也由早期的旱峡西移至研究区西南侧。在综合分析的基础上,建立了研究区下白垩统下沟组-中沟组沉积相模式。     

Palynofacies and sea-level changes in the Upper Cretaceous of the Vocontian Basin, southeast France

Upper Cretaceous platform carbonates of the Vocontian Basin (southeastern France) have been investigated in a cross-section from the proximal deposits exposed in the lower Rhône Valley to the distal part of the basin in the Southern Subalpine Ranges north of Nice. The stratigraphic interval studied in detail spans the uppermost Turonian and Coniacian.Palynofacies patterns were used to detect eustatic signals at a third-order scale and are the tool for correlation of proximal and distal platform deposits. The organic constituents observed in the studied samples have been grouped into a continental fraction, including higher plant debris (phytoclasts) and sporomorphs, and a marine fraction with dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs, prasinophytes, and foraminiferal test linings. The main factors influencing the stratigraphic and spatial distribution of land-derived, allochthonous, and marine, relatively autochthonous, organic particles are the proximity of land, the organic productivity, the degree of biodegradation and the hydrodynamic conditions of the depositional system. Palynofacies parameters used for the sequence stratigraphic interpretation are: (1) the ratio of continental to marine constituents (CONT/MAR ratio); (2) the ratio of opaque to translucent phytoclasts (OP/TR ratio); (3) the phytoclast particle size and shape; and (4) the relative proportion and species diversity of marine plankton. Ternary diagrams illustrating significant proximality changes were used to decipher transgressive-regressive trends within the succession.High amounts of translucent phytoclasts and decreasing values of the CONT/MAR ratio occur during the phase of relative sea-level rise in the upper Turonian. The stratigraphic interval of maximum flooding around the Turonian/Coniacian boundary is marked by the highest abundance and species diversity of dinoflagellate cysts, and by high percentages of opaque, equidimensional particles within the phytoclast group. The OP/TR ratio is still high within the lower Coniacian representing the early highstand deposits, whereas the relative abundance of marine constituents is again decreasing. Sedimentary organic matter of the upper Coniacian is dominated by large, blade-shaped, mainly opaque phytoclasts, which are a characteristic palynofacies signature of late highstand deposits.The present study demonstrates the high potential of palynofacies analysis in high-resolution stratigraphy and correlation of sedimentary series of shallow epeiric seas.     

Sedimentationsabläufe im Atlas-Golf (Kreide Küstenbecken Marokko)

The Geological Institute of Bonn University since 1975 investigates in connection with DSDP/IPOD the Cretaceous of the Atlantic coastal basin in south-western Morocco. 30 main stratigraphic sections and numerous auxiliary ones were taken along several traverses, running along distances of 150 to 200 km in west-east direction. The recognized epicontinental facies-pattern along the traverse of the southern High Atlas mountain range depicts clearly, that we cut here the critical region of intertonguing marine, fine-clastic-carbonaceous sediments and continental detritic deposits. The littoral zone successively progrades with three major transgressions (Neocomian, Upper Aptian, Turonian) towards the African Continent. Sedimentation processes, stratigraphy, paleomagnetics, geochemistry, sedimentology and paleogeography are investigated, taking selected horizons on one hand and complete stratigraphic columns on the other. A new sedimentation model reflecting transgression and regression events in the Cretaceous “Atlas Gulf” show some probabilities of eustatic sea-level changes. There are similarities between the Atlas Gulf and other coastal basins on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. There are certain relations between the sedimentary record of the proand regrading littoral zone on the continent and in the nearby deep sea deposits. There is an exciting coincidence between the stratigraphie succession of the downwarping Atlas Gulf and the sedimentary cover of the interior of Africa, especially the Mesozoic Sahara Basin.