谈谈丘状层理与风暴沉积

自有关风暴流和风暴岩的新理论、新概念引入我国地学界以来,我国在风暴沉积研究方面取得了重大的进展,出现了一系列有关风暴沉积或风暴岩的专著、论文和科研报告。丘状交错层理(或称丘状层理,下同)作为一种风暴事件的指示性沉积构造也为我国一部分沉积学者所接受,并把丘状层理作为水深和环境的特征标志。实际上,根据目前国内外的研究成果表明,这种概念或认识在某种意义上是不全面的,甚至是错误的。本文企图综合国内外近     

徐州地区震旦系贾园组的风暴沉积

徐州地区震旦系下部的贾园组具有丰富典型的风暴沉积标志,包括各种冲刷－充填构造、丘状交错层理、碎屑流沉积、粒序层理及卷曲层理等。通过详细的野外观测及室内研究,根据风暴沉积标志的组合可划分出6种风暴沉积序列类型。其中,类型Ⅰ为具粒序层理的薄层含粉砂灰岩,形成于风暴浪基面以下的远源风暴浊流的末梢;类型Ⅱ以渠模与丘状交错层理的组合为特征,出现在风暴浪基面与晴天浪基面之间;类型Ⅲ为风暴流成因的碎屑流沉积内碎屑灰岩与底面的冲刷沟槽、丘状交错层理的组合,是形成于晴天浪基面附近的槽道碎屑流型风暴沉积;类型Ⅳ为具颗粒流沉积特征的内碎屑灰岩与冲刷面构造及丘状交错层理的组合,丘状纹层段中常见卷曲层理,形成于滩前陆棚斜坡的上部;类型Ⅴ为夹于湖相薄层灰岩中的鲕粒砾屑灰岩,为风暴水流冲越鲕滩,在滩后湖近滩一侧的风暴沉积;类型Ⅵ为湖相风暴岩,由冲刷面构造、薄层内碎屑灰岩及丘状交错层理的组合,顶部具晴天沉积。各种序列在垂向上叠置,构成向上变浅序列。风暴沉积的研究对于深化区域古地理及地层对比研究具有重要的理论和现实意义。     

丘状和似丘状交错层理成因机制研究进展

丘状交错层理多和风暴沉积相关,似丘状交错层理多和浊流沉积相关,随着研究的深入,早已打破了丘状(似丘状)交错层理分别只存在于浅水(深水)沉积环境中的界线,故近年来丘状(似丘状)交错层理在作为沉积环境判别标志方面出现了很大的争议和混淆,究其原因则在于对丘状交错层理和似丘状交错层理的成因机制缺乏明确的认识。在详细总结丘状(似丘状)交错层理的结构、形态特征和垂向序列的基础上发现: (1)丘状交错层理底界常为剥蚀面,内部削切关系发育且与洼状交错层理关系密切;垂向序列常出现层段缺失和丘状交错层理叠置。(2)似丘状交错层理纹层厚度变化多样;丘状层可镶嵌于平行层理或小型交错层理之中,且为连续沉积;垂向序列往往出现高流态沉积构造与低流态沉积构造交替叠置。依据这些特征并结合水槽实验的相关研究成果,从流体力学角度可将丘状(似丘状)交错层理的形成机制分为水动力机制和沉积机制两部分。两者的水动力机制完全相同,即为立轴漩涡形成,在自然界中一般为斜压波动引起。两者的沉积机制完全不同: 丘状交错层理为剥蚀悬砂沉积机制,而似丘状交错层理则为悬砂降落沉积机制。由于2种沉积机制所形成的沉积物悬浮浓度及其对沉积流体能量的要求不同,故形成丘状和似丘状交错层理各自不同的沉积特征。这对于从流体演化方面判断沉积环境具有非常重要的意义。     

峡东地区埃迪卡拉系灯影组风暴岩的发现 及其环境意义

本文首次报道了峡东地区埃迪卡拉系灯影组石板滩段地层中的风暴岩。通过详细的剖面观察、测制和室内研究,识别出石板滩段典型的风暴沉积标志,包括各种丘状交错层理、粒序层理、冲刷 充填构造、平行层理及变形层理等。结合各类风暴沉积标志在剖面上的组合关系将研究区风暴岩划分出4个风暴沉积序列类型：其中类型Ⅰ为风暴流成因的滞留沉积与底面的冲刷面、丘状层理、波状层理、水平层理的组合,属形成于正常浪基面附近的近原地风暴岩; 类型Ⅱ为具颗粒流性质的块状内碎屑灰岩与丘状交错层理的组合,常见变形层理,形成于斜坡上部;类型Ⅲ为以渠模、丘状交错层理与水平层理的频繁叠加为特征,出现在风暴浪基面与正常浪基面之间;类型Ⅳ为具粒序层理的砂 砾屑浊积灰岩,形成于风暴浪基面以下,划归为风暴成因的远源浊流沉积。研究区风暴岩的特征表明：风暴层蕴含了强烈的气候信息,风暴频发是灯影期气候转型的重要响应;该时期构造相对活跃、海底地形复杂化是风暴沉积形成的原因之一;研究风暴岩的特征对等时地层对比研究也具有重要意义。     

柴达木盆地新近纪湖相风暴岩的发现及其对青藏高原隆升的地质意义

通过对柴达木盆地路乐河和西岔沟剖面新近系沉积的详细分析,发现柴达木盆地新近纪发育典型的湖相风暴岩沉积。风暴沉积构造主要有风暴侵蚀构造、风暴撕裂构造、风暴浪构造以及及风暴期后快速沉积构造等,包括渠铸型构造、冲刷面构造、泥砾、丘状交错层理、洼状交错层理、平行层理和粒序层理等构造类型。根据风暴岩序列的规模、丘状交错层理的波长大小等因素分析柴达木盆地新近系上干柴沟组风暴的规模明显强于下油砂山组。上干柴沟组与下油砂山组之间古风暴强度的变化说明柴达木盆地在该时期发生了一次重大的古气候转型事件,与青藏高原整体初次隆升时间有较好的响应关系。风暴岩的发现,对于分析柴达木盆地新近纪的古地理、古气候、古构造及板块的运动规律具有重要意义,也为青藏高原的隆升研究提供了新资料、开辟了新途径。     

徐州赵圩地区新元古界风暴沉积序列类型及其水深控制

广义的风暴沉积是自然界内外地质营力促使海水产生足够大的漩涡流,对海底及海岸冲蚀形成的一种事件沉积。徐州赵圩地区发育丰富的晚元古代风暴沉积记录,通过野外露头剖面岩性观察与室内整理,划分出7种不同水深的风暴沉积序列类型。根据冲刷面、滞积层、丘状交错层理(HCS)、液化卷曲层理等典型风暴特征,可将这7种序列与浅海陆棚边缘-台地前缘缓斜坡-台前潮上环境的连续沉积相对应。据此分析了风暴沉积序列与水深的关系,并针对本区的沉积特点对风暴沉积成因进行探讨。     

广西桂林地区中、上泥盆统风暴岩沉积特征及其地质意义

桂林地区中、上泥盆统以海相碳酸盐岩为主,地层中夹有多套风暴沉积.风暴沉积特征包括底面侵蚀构造、放射状组构、丘状交错层理、递变层理、平行层理、块状层理等.风暴沉积主要包括A、B、C、D、E 5种沉积单元:A.块状层理段,由具块状层理的竹叶状砾屑灰岩构成,代表风暴涡流沉积;B.递变层理段,由砾屑灰岩和砂屑灰岩构成,代表风暴浊流沉积;C.丘状交错层理段,由具丘状交错层理的砂屑灰岩构成,代表风暴浪作用沉积;D.平行层理段,由具平行层理的砂屑灰岩组成,代表风暴浊流沉积(相当于鲍马序列的B段);E.均质层理段,由具均质层理的泥晶灰岩构成,为风暴后期的快速悬浮沉积.由上述沉积单元组合成不同的风暴沉积序列.桂林地区风暴沉积的发现表明,广西在泥盆纪时位于低纬度区域,该沉积对于认识该区中、晚泥盆世的古地理、古气候和古海洋具有重要意义.     

滇中中元古代昆阳群因民组碎屑风暴岩及其意义

滇中地区中元古代昆阳群因民组以碎屑岩为主,内发育典型的风暴沉积构造 (包括渠铸型、丘状交错层理和洼状交错层理、递变层理等 )。风暴沉积主要包括 4种岩相类型 :A -具口袋构造的递变层理砂岩段。B -具丘状或洼状交错层理的砂岩段。C -具均质层理的粉砂岩、泥质岩段。D -具水平层理的泥质岩段。上述岩相A、B、C分别代表风暴流作用 -风暴浪作用 -风暴后期的快速悬浮沉积 (事件沉积 ),D代表风暴过后缓慢悬浮沉积 (背景沉积 ),它们组合成不同的风暴沉积序列。滇中地区昆阳群风暴沉积的发现表明中元古代大气圈、水圈及其相互作用与现今近似;中元古代滇中地区位于低纬度 (5 - 30°)的风暴作用带。该沉积对于解释因民组递变层砂岩的成因、证实昆阳群的地层层序也具有重要意义。     

宁夏香山群徐家圈组发现深水复合流沉积构造

宁夏香山群徐家圈组是由灰绿、黄绿色轻微变质中—细粒砂岩、钙质砂岩及粉砂岩和页岩(板岩)组成的深水沉积。在上部灰绿色页岩所夹的中层钙质粉砂岩中发现了复合流层理、准平行层理、不对称小型丘状交错层理;在下部灰绿色厚层—块状中—细粒长石石英砂岩的顶面发现了小型波痕,波痕的形态、波长与波高的分布规律均表现出复合流(combined-flow)的沉积特征。本文根据水槽实验和现代海洋沉积观测所总结出的复合流底床相图和前人在研究地层中较浅海浊流(超重流)与波浪所形成的复合流沉积时给出的复合流沉积示意图,分别对徐家圈组所发现的①小型2D波痕至小型3D波痕的演化和②复合流层理、平行层理、准平行层理和小型丘状交错层理的叠置关系及其纹层所反映的流动方向与沉积时浊流方向的关系,进行了解释。结果表明,所发现的复合流层理、准平行层理、不对称小型丘状交错层理及小型波痕应为复合流沉积,并依据徐家圈组存在内波、内潮汐沉积的事实,推测为深水短周期内波与浊流形成的复合流沉积。这可能是地层中深水复合流沉积构造的首次发现,同时也是内波与浊流形成的复合流沉积的首次发现。     

广西北海涠洲岛第四纪湖光岩组的风暴岩

广西北海涠洲岛第四纪湖光岩组以碎屑岩为主, 内发育渠筑型、丘状或洼状交错层理、平行层理等典型的风暴沉积构造.湖光岩组的风暴岩包括3种岩相类型: A.底部具渠筑型、内部具块状层理或递变层理的砾岩、砂砾岩或含砾砂岩; B.具丘状、洼状交错层理或平行层理的砂岩; C.具浪成交错层理的砂岩.这些岩相组合成典型的A -B -C风暴沉积序列, 它们分别代表在风暴作用期间风暴流(A)、风暴浪(B) 和正常波浪(C) 的沉积.晚更新世北海涠洲岛地区位于低纬度的浅海沉积背景下, 上更新统湖光岩组以正常浪及面之上的浅海背景粗火山碎屑和砂沉积为主.湖光岩组风暴岩的发现反映该区晚更新世位于风暴作用频繁的5°~ 2 0°的低纬度地区.风暴沉积发育于正常浪及面之上的浅海地带, 涠洲岛是一个风暴作用控制的浅海陆架.因此风暴岩对解释晚更新世北部湾的古地理和古气候具有重要意义      

四川盆地龙门山区甘溪石沟里泥盆系养马坝组风暴沉积特征及其地质意义

通过对四川盆地龙门山区甘溪石沟里剖面实测,建立了石沟里剖面泥盆系养马坝组风暴沉积的识别标志,进而对其风暴岩进行了系统研究。石沟里养马坝组风暴沉积的重要标志包括冲刷面、渠模等风暴侵蚀构造和粒序层理、平行层理、丘状交错层理等风暴浪构造。该区养马坝组发育了6种类型的风暴沉积单元组成序列,据此建立了完整的风暴序列模式,由粒序层理段(Sa)、平行层理段(Sb)、丘状交错层理段(Sc)、波状层理段(Sd)和泥岩段(Se)组成,底部常发育冲刷面和渠模构造。龙门山区甘溪石沟里养马坝组风暴沉积可分为近源风暴和远源风暴2种类型,依据风暴沉积的剖面结构类型和沉积构造特点,建立了该区风暴沉积序列的分布模式。龙门山区甘溪石沟里养马坝组发育的风暴沉积是该区混合沉积发育、抑制生物礁发育的重要控制因素,对于该区古地理重建具有重要的指示意义。     

Hummocky cross-stratification-like structures in deep-sea turbidites: Upper Cretaceous Basque basins (Western Pyrenees, France)

Hummocky cross-stratification is a sedimentary structure which is widely interpreted as the sedimentary record of an oscillatory current generated by energetic storm waves remobilizing surface sediment on the continental shelf. Sedimentary structures named hummocky cross-stratification-like structures, similar to true hummocky cross-stratification, have been observed in the Turonian–Senonian Basque Flysch Basin (south-west France). The bathymetry (1000 to 1500 m) suggests that the observed sedimentary structures do not result from a hydrodynamic process similar to those acting on a continental shelf. The morphology of these three-dimensional structures shares similarities with the morphology of hummocky cross-stratification despite a smaller size. The lateral extent of these structures ranges from a few decimetres to many decimetres; they consist of convex-up domes (hummock) and concave-up swales with a non-erosive base. Four types of hummocky cross-stratification-like geometries are described; they occur in association with structures such as climbing current ripple lamination and synsedimentary deformations. In the Basque Flysch, hummocky cross-stratification-like structures are only found in the Tc interval of the Bouma sequence. Hummocky cross-stratification-like structures are sporadic in the stratigraphic series and observed only in few turbidite beds or bed packages. This observation suggests that hummocky cross-stratification-like structures are linked genetically to the turbidity current but form under a very restricted range of parameters. These structures sometimes show an up-current (upslope) migration trend (antidunes). In the described examples, they could result from standing waves forming at the upper flow interface because of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability.     

Lacustrine tempestite and its geological significance in the Cenozoic study of the Qaidam Basin

During the Cenozoic a typical lacustrine tempestite deposition was developed in the Lulehe and Xichagou sections of the Qaidam Basin. The sedimentary structures of these two sections above are examined here in detail, which consist of storm erosion, storm tear, storm wave and rapid storm-generated sedimentary structures after storm processes, such as groove casts, scour structures, cutoff structures, hummocky cross-stratification (HCS), parallel bedding and graded bedding. On the basis of these sedimentary characteristics and the vertical facies sedimentary sequence, the causes of the sedimentary succession are analyzed and a Cenozoic sedimentary model of the Qaidam Basin containing shallow proximal, transitional and deep distal tempestites is established. According to the tempestite scale and HCS wavelength, the Cenozoic storm was obviously more intense in the basin’s Upper Ganchaigou formation than that in the Lower Youshashan formation. This variation indicates that a paleoclimatic transition largely corresponded with the second uplift of the whole Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The discovery of a Cenozoic tempestite in the Qaidam Basin is significant in the paleogeographic, paleoclimate and paleostructural fields, which provides a new insight in further study of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau uplift.     

Tempestite facies variability and storm-depositional processes across a wide ramp: Towards a polygenetic model for hummocky cross-stratification

The hydrodynamic mechanisms responsible for the genesis and facies variability of shallow-marine sandstone storm deposits (tempestites) have been intensely debated, with particular focus on hummocky cross-stratification. Despite being ubiquitously utilized as diagnostic elements of high-energy storm events, the full formative process spectrum of tempestites and hummocky cross-stratification is still to be determined. In this study, detailed sedimentological investigations of more than 950 discrete tempestites within the Lower Cretaceous Rurikfjellet Formation on Spitsbergen, Svalbard, shed new light on the formation and environmental significance of hummocky cross-stratification, and provide a reference for evaluation of tempestite facies models. Three generic types of tempestites are recognized, representing deposition from: (i) relatively steady and (ii) highly unsteady storm-wave-generated oscillatory flows or oscillatory-dominated combined-flows; and (iii) various storm-wave-modified hyperpycnal flows (including waxing–waning flows) generated directly from plunging rivers. A low-gradient ramp physiography enhanced both distally progressive deceleration of the hyperpycnal flows and the spatial extent and relative magnitude of wave-added turbulence. Sandstone beds display a wide range of simple and complex configurations of hummocky cross-stratification. Features include ripple cross-lamination and ‘compound’ stratification, soft-sediment deformation structures, local shifts to quasi-planar lamination, double draping, metre-scale channelized bed architectures, gravel-rich intervals, inverse-to-normal grading, and vertical alternation of sedimentary structures. A polygenetic model is presented to account for the various configurations of hummocky cross-stratification that may commonly be produced during storms by wave oscillations, hyperpycnal flows and downwelling flows. Inherent storm-wave unsteadiness probably facilitates the generation of a wide range of hummocky cross-stratification configurations due to: (i) changes in near-bed oscillatory shear stresses related to passing wave groups or tidal water-level variations; (ii) multidirectional combined-flows related to polymodal and time-varying orientations of wave oscillations; and (iii) syndepositional liquefaction related to cyclic wave stress. Previous proximal–distal tempestite facies models may only be applicable to relatively high-gradient shelves, and new models are necessary for low-gradient settings.     

Hummocky cross-stratification, tropical hurricanes, and intense winter storms

Most previous workers have inferred a storm origin for hummocky cross-stratification, which typically occurs in shallow-marine deposits. On the modern Earth, the only storms capable of profoundly affecting shallow-marine depositional environments are severe tropical cyclones (hurricanes) and mid-latitude winter wave cyclones (intense winter storms). This paper examines the palaeogeographic distribution (including palaeolatitude and palaeogeographic setting) of 107 occurrences of hummocky cross-stratification, ranging in age from the Proterozoic to Recent. In each of these stratigraphic units, both palaeolatitude and palaeogeography are consistent with a direct storm influence (associated with the passage of hurricanes or winter storms directly over the site of deposition). This palaeogeographic evidence lends support to the inferred storm origin for hummocky cross-stratification; further, the distribution of the structure suggests that most occurrences (73%) were generated by tropical hurricanes, the remaining 27% being generated by intense mid-latitude winter storms. The preferential generation of hummocky cross-stratification by hurricanes is consistent with: (1) the known differences in the nature of the bottom flows generated by the two major storm types, and (2) the inferred nature of the flows which form hummocky cross-stratification. Hurricanes couple less effectively with the water column than do intense winter storms. Due to this ineffective coupling, hurricane-generated bottom flows tend to be oscillatory-or multidirectional-dominant, with only minor unidirectional components of motion. In contrast, intense winter storms generally do couple effectively with the water column, generating bottom flows which possess a dominant or significant unidirectional component. Most previous workers have suggested that hummocky cross-stratification forms under oscillatory- or multidirectional-dominant flow; thus, it is conceptually reasonable that the vast majority of ancient occurrences of hummocky cross-stratification were probably hurricane-generated, as suggested by the aforementioned palaeogeographic distribution. The Proterozoic, Palaeozoic, Neogene, and Quaternary were times when global climate was similar to that of today. The distribution of hummocky cross-stratification deposited during these times suggests that both hurricanes and intense winter storms occupied latitudinal belts during these times which were essentially identical to those occupied by their modern counterparts. The Mesozoic and Palaeogene were non-glacial times when global climate was much warmer than that of today. The distribution of hummocky cross-stratification deposited during this interval suggests that hurricanes occurred more frequently at higher latitudes during non-glacial times than they do at present. The possibility of a broadened hurricane belt during the Mesozoic and Palaeogene is consistent with climatic considerations. A limited number of Mesozoic and Palaeogene rock units containing hummocky cross-stratification were deposited in palaeogeographic settings that preclude a direct hurricane influence; these examples were deposited in the middle latitudes, suggesting that intense winter storms continued to form hummocky cross-stratification in the middle latitudes during these much warmer times. Some previous workers have suggested that tsunamis may be capable of generating hummocky cross-stratification. The palaeogeographic distribution of the structure does not support an origin due to tsunamis. Lacustrine examples of hummocky cross-stratification reported herein are the first known non-marine occurrences; they suggest that storm effects strongly influence the sedimentary record of some lakes.     

Hummocky cross-stratification in the surf zone: flow parameters and bedding genesis

Primary sedimentary structures exhibiting the diagnostic criteria for single sets of hummocky cross-stratification (Harms et al.) have been found in the surf zone of a storm-wave dominated coastline in the Canadian Great Lakes. Epoxy peels of box cores (0.45 m × 0.30 m) reveal hummocky stratification in well-sorted, fine-grained sands in water depths less than 2 m under conditions of wave breaking and strong longshore currents. The wavelengths of the hummocks (0.3–0.6 m) are somewhat smaller than the norm for their ancient analogues, but the ratios of length to height (8–12) are comparable. Depth of activity rods have been used to identify those hummocks that formed during sediment transport events when the near-bed currents were recorded directly using electromagnetic flowmeters. Results from such experiments clearly identify the hummocky stratification as being produced by an actively growing bedform with little or no lateral migration. Hummocks occur under conditions close to that expected for the upper flat bed. In one vertical sequence, the hummocky cross-stratification is underlain by subhorizontal, planar lamination and overlain by undulatory lamination which grades upward into small-scale, trough cross-lamination of wave ripple origin. This sequence was associated with a single storm and would appear to represent a combined-flow regime sequence with the hummocky structure representing a post-vortex (?) ripple bedform. At the inferred time of hummock formation, near-bed oscillatory flows were dominant and reached maxima of 1.1 m s ^?1 with a superimposed longshore current of 0.27 m s^?1. Rapid sedimentation associated with vertical growth of the hummocky bedform was triggered by a significant reduction in the orbital currents (by 19%) and'steady'currents (by 67%) while the total bed shear remained high.     

松辽盆地南部青山口组湖相风暴沉积

用岩心观察、粒度分析、薄片鉴定等方法,研究了松辽盆地南部青山口组湖相风暴沉积。结果表明,本区风暴沉积具有:a.丘状交错层理、冲刷面、渠模、截切构造、泄水构造及生物扰动成因等沉积构造;b.以跳跃总体为主、悬浮总体不发育的粒度特征;c.典型的“似鲍玛序列”。风暴沉积物源来自于西部斜坡区的(扇)三角洲及滨浅湖滩坝沉积,按其沉积特征及与物源的关系,又可进一步分为原地风暴岩和异地风暴岩。      

青岛灵山岛下白垩统风暴岩与风暴沉积的发现及意义*

青岛灵山岛中生界下白垩统碎屑岩中发育了很好的风暴岩与风暴沉积,其特点是:(1)丘状、洼状构造及丘状、洼状交错层理经常可见;丘状交错层理呈对称或近对称丘状,一般发育在三角洲前缘暗色薄层状砂泥岩互层中,薄层一般厚1~2,cm,有时也可以更厚;砂岩中常有平行层理或低角度交错层理,也可以发育丘状交错层理;细层较厚,多在1~2,cm,甚至3~4,cm;但砂岩多数呈块状;洼状交错层理相对较少,多不完善;洼状构造则相对多见。(2)冲刷侵蚀面非常发育。多波状起伏或凹凸不平,起伏可达20~30,cm,甚至更大;内部的冲刷侵蚀面常不连续,但底部的冲刷侵蚀面连续性很好。(3)中厚层状砂岩内部的冲刷侵蚀面可以分为多个次级层,但常因冲刷面的不连续而上下合并在一起。(4)砂岩中常含有内碎屑,以暗色泥砾为主,小者直径多在1~2,cm,大者可达10,cm以上,形态多变;长轴多顺层分布;有时集中在砂岩的顶部。(5)以中细砂岩为主,没有真正的砾岩;砂岩的分选性可以较好。(6)发育了大量的多尺度、多类型软沉积物的变形构造。(7)有时候含有炭屑。灵山岛风暴岩和风暴沉积的发现,揭示了这套沉积是在一个相对较浅水的湖泊条件下形成的,而非海洋深水;此外,风暴形成的砂岩下移到三角洲前缘相中,使其更加靠近烃源岩,优化了生储关系,有利于油气成藏。     

Storm sedimentation

Storm-driven currents can carry sand from the shoreline tens of kilometres out onto the continental shelves where it is moulded by storm waves into a storm-sand bed showing distinctive sedimentary structures, including hummocky crossstratification. An understanding of the nature of the depositional currents and the processes that form hummocky cross-stratification comes from the work of oceanographers, observations by geologists and experimental studies in the laboratory, although the conclusions reached are sometimes conflicting. Storm-sandstone beds provide valuable information about sediment dispersal and depositional systems in nearshore and shelf environments. Hummocky crossstratification indicates the activity of storm waves and hence the approximate depth of ancient shelf seas.