Adding the missing third and fourth dimensions to trajectory analysis in carbonate systems

We developed a seismic geomorphology-based procedure to enhance traditional trajectory analysis with the ability to visualize and quantify lateral variability along carbonate prograding-margin types (ramps and rimmed shelves) in 3D and 4D. This quantitative approach analysed the shelf break geometric evolution of the Oligo-Miocene carbonate clinoform system in the Browse Basin and delineated the feedback between antecedent topography and carbonate system response as controlling factor on shelf break rugosity. Our geometrical analysis identified a systematic shift in the large-scale average shelf break strike direction over a transect of 10 km from 62° to 55° in the Oligo-Miocene interval of the Browse Basin, which is likely controlled by far-field allogenic forcing from the Timor Trough collision zone. Plotting of 3D shelf break trajectories represents a convenient way to visualize the lateral variability in shelf break evolution. Shelf break trajectories that indicate contemporaneous along-strike progradation and retrogradation correlate with phases of autogenic slope system re-organization and may be a proxy for morphological stability of the shelf break. Shelf break rugosity and shelf break trajectory rugosity are not inherited parameters and antecedent topography does not dictate long-term differential movement of the shelf margin through successive depositional sequences. The autogenic carbonate system response to antecedent topography smooths high-rugosity areas by filling accommodation and maintains a relatively constant shelf break rugosity of ~150 m. Color-coding of the vertical component in the shelf break trajectory captures the creation and filling of accommodation, and highlights areas of the transect that are likely to yield inconsistent 2D sequence stratigraphic interpretations.     

Ephemeral rollover points and clinothem evolution in the modern Po Delta based on repeated bathymetric surveys

Reconstructions of ancient delta systems rely typically on a two-dimensional (2D) view of prograding clinothems but may miss their three-dimensional (3D) stratigraphic complexity which can, instead, be best documented on modern delta systems by integrating high-resolution geophysical data, historical cartography, core data and geomorphological reconstructions offshore. We quantitatively compare three precisely positioned, high-resolution multi-beam bathymetry maps in the delta front and pro delta sectors (0.3 to 10 m water depth) of Po di Pila, the most active of the modern Po Delta five branches. By investigating the detailed morphology of the prograding modern Po Delta, we shed new light on the mechanisms that control the topset to foreset transition in clinothems and show the temporal and spatial complexity of a delta and its pro delta slope, under the impact of oceanographic processes. This study documents the ephemeral nature of the rollover point at the transition between sandy topset (fluvial, delta plain to mouth-bar) and muddy seaward-dipping foreset deposits advancing, in this case, in >20 m of water depth. Three multibeam surveys, acquired between 2013 and 2016, document the complexity in space and time of the topset and foreset regions and their related morphology, a diagnostic feature that could not be appreciated using solely 2D, even very high-resolution, seismic profiles. In addition, the comparison of bathymetric surveys gathered with one-year lapses shows the migration of subaqueous sand dunes on the clinothem topset, the formation of ephemeral cut-and-fill features at the rollover point (few m below mean sea level), the presence of collapse depressions derived by sagging of sediments and fluid expulsion (possibly induced by storm waves) on the foreset, and splays of sand likely reflecting gravity flows on the lower foreset. Though the modern Po Delta is anthropogenic in many respects, its subaqueous clinothem can be studied as a scale model for ancient clinothems that are less resolved geometrically and far less constrained chronologically.     

Conjugate ruptures and seismotectonic implications of the 2019 Mindanao earthquake sequence inferred from Sentinel-1 InSAR data

In 2019, four strong earthquakes of Mw>6.4 occurred successively in Mindanao, Philippines. Based on the reports from the USGS and PHIVOLCS, these earthquakes were dominated by strike-slip ruptures. Whether these earthquakes are temporally and spatially related remained unknown. We characterized the coseismic displacement fields during the earthquake sequence using an InSAR technique with Sentinel-1 SAR data. The InSAR deformation measurements convincingly reveal that the four earthquakes produced distinct coseismic displacement patterns. We estimated the source parameters of the earthquakes with a two-step inversion strategy. The optimal model suggests that the earthquake sequence resulted from the reactivation of a conjugate fault structure that involves two nearly vertical left-lateral strike-slip faults and two high-angle right-lateral strike-slip faults. We calculated Coulomb stress changes from the earthquake sequence, suggesting that the previous strong earthquakes had significant stress-encouraging effects on the following events. The regional velocities based on the GPS analysis suggest that the formation of this conjugate structure is mainly due to the westward movement of the subducting Philippine Sea Plate. This earthquake sequence provides a seismotectonic background for subsequent strong earthquakes and helps to better understand the formation mechanisms and seismotectonic implications of conjugate structure rupturing.     

上扬子地区双河露头五峰组—龙马溪组下段化学层序地层分析

综合地球化学、高分辨层序地层学理论方法,利用双河露头资料及样品分析测试,采用多元统计方法优选出陆源输入强度相关元素组合Al-K-Ti-Mg-Rb-Cr-Zr、自生沉淀强度相关元素组合Ca-Mn-Ba-Co、有机质吸附及还原强度相关元素组合V-Ni-M0-U-Cu-Zn作为化学层序地层划分指标体系,将双河露头五峰组划分为...     

深水源—汇系统对多尺度气候变化的过程响应与反馈机制

源—汇系统对多尺度气候变化的响应与反馈是当前深水沉积学研究的前缘和新动向.通过梳理外陆架—深水盆地沉积物搬运分散系统(深水源—汇系统)对从构造尺度到人类尺度气候变化的过程响应,揭示了两种(迟滞和瞬态)深水源—汇系统的过程响应与反馈机制.迟滞响应深水源—汇系统的过渡区较宽、响应尺度较大(Teq≥104年),有利形成条件为...     

贵州瓮福磷矿含磷岩系层序特征及黔中古陆控矿意义

新元古代末期震旦系陡山沱阶和早古生代早期寒武系梅树村阶是全球两大成磷时期.贵州瓮福磷矿含磷岩系—早震旦世陡山沱组磷矿a矿层与b矿层,是震旦系陡山沱阶成磷事件的典型代表.瓮福磷矿含磷岩系为在浅水陆棚地区沉积的一套与磷矿有成因联系的岩石组合,属于浅海台地相型;含磷岩系具备早期准备阶段、磷质富集阶段及晚期磷质贫化消失阶段的沉...     

江苏金坛和尚墩旧石器遗址地层的古地磁年代与磁化率研究

北方黄土研究中磁化率分析已越来越多运用到第四纪风尘堆积研究中。采用古地磁极性柱结合磁化率曲线比对定年的方法,初步确定江苏金坛和尚墩遗址750cm厚的地层年龄为330kaBP,对应磁化率曲线判断该区域分别经历了24kaBP左右、110kaBP左右、190—240kaBP左右、300kaBP左右的4个暖湿期,其中间隔有3个干冷时期,具有完整的3个气候旋回。对应地层发育的4个古土壤层、3个黄土层的风尘堆积—古土壤序列。研究表明,虽然古地磁极性定年的方法有一定的局限性,但在以磁化率信息为辅助的条件下,可在一定程度上消除这些局限,获得较为准确的地层年代,多种证据表明这种方法是可靠的。     

Clinoform architecture and along‐strike facies variability through an exhumed erosional to accretionary basin margin transition

Exhumed basin margin‐scale clinothems provide important archives for understanding process interactions and reconstructing the physiography of sedimentary basins. However, studies of coeval shelf through slope to basin‐floor deposits are rarely documented, mainly due to outcrop or subsurface dataset limitations. Unit G from the Laingsburg depocentre (Karoo Basin, South Africa) is a rare example of a complete basin margin scale clinothem (>60 km long, 200 m‐high), with >10 km of depositional strike control, which allows a quasi‐3D study of a preserved shelf‐slope‐basin floor transition over a ca. 1,200 km² area. Sand‐prone, wave‐influenced topset deposits close to the shelf‐edge rollover zone can be physically mapped down dip for ca. 10 km as they thicken and transition into heterolithic foreset/slope deposits. These deposits progressively fine and thin over tens of km farther down dip into sand‐starved bottomset/basin‐floor deposits. Only a few km along strike, the coeval foreset/slope deposits are bypass‐dominated with incisional features interpreted as minor slope conduits/gullies. The margin here is steeper, more channelized and records a stepped profile with evidence of sand‐filled intraslope topography, a preserved base‐of‐slope transition zone and sand‐rich bottomset/basin‐floor deposits. Unit G is interpreted as part of a composite depositional sequence that records a change in basin margin style from an underlying incised slope with large sand‐rich basin‐floor fans to an overlying accretion‐dominated shelf with limited sand supply to the slope and basin floor. The change in margin style is accompanied with decreased clinoform height/slope and increased shelf width. This is interpreted to reflect a transition in subsidence style from regional sag, driven by dynamic topography/inherited basement configuration, to early foreland basin flexural loading. Results of this study caution against reconstructing basin margin successions from partial datasets without accounting for temporal and spatial physiographic changes, with potential implications on predictive basin evolution models.     

胶莱盆地东缘早白垩世莱阳群沉积序列及岩相古地理

胶莱盆地东缘早白垩世早期莱阳群沉积体现了湖盆由开始形成—鼎盛—萎缩消亡的全过程,发育由冲洪积相—湖相—三角洲相—河流相沉积的完整序列,且由东至西,由湖相到河流相逐渐过渡;古水流方向显示莱阳期盆地中心位于朱吴断裂、海阳断裂带之间,以断裂带为界,以西水流方向大致为由NW至SE向,以东水流方向则为由SE至NW向;早白垩世早期莱阳期盆地的形成与演化明显受区域性牟(平)-即(墨)断裂带活动所控制。