Multiepisodic evaporite sedimentation as an indicator of palaeogeographical evolution in foreland basins (South‐eastern Pyrenean basin,Early–Middle Eocene)

Extensive deposition of marine evaporites occurred during the Early–Middle Eocene in the South‐eastern Pyrenean basin (north‐east Spain). This study integrates stratigraphic and geochemical analyses of subsurface data (oil wells, seismic profiles and gravity data) together with field surveys to characterize this sedimentation in the foredeep and adjacent platform. Four major evaporite units were identified. The oldest was the Serrat Evaporites unit, with a platform‐slope‐basin configuration. Thick salina and sabkha sulphates accumulated on the platform, whereas resedimented and gravity‐derived sulphates were deposited on the slope, and salt and sulphates were deposited in the deep basin. In the subsequent unit (Vallfogona evaporites), thin sulphates formed on the platform, whereas very thick siliciclastic turbidites accumulated in the foredeep. However, some clastic gypsum coming from the platform (gypsarenites and gypsum olistoliths) was intercalated in these turbidites. The following unit, the Beuda Gypsum Formation developed in a sulphate platform‐basin configuration, where the topography of the depositional surface had become smooth. The youngest unit, the Besalú Gypsum, formed in a shallow setting. This small unit provides the last evidence of marine influence in a residual basin. Sulphur and oxygen isotope compositions are consistent with a marine origin for all evaporites. However, δ³⁴S and δ¹⁸O values also suggest that, except for the oldest unit (Serrat Evaporites), there was some sulphate recycling from the older into the younger units. The South‐eastern Pyrenean basin constitutes a fine example of a foreland basin that underwent multiepisodic evaporitic sedimentation. In the basin, depositional factors evolved with time under a structural control. Decreasing complexity is observed in the lithofacies, as well as in the depositional models, together with a diminishing thickness of the evaporite units.     

测老庙坳陷早白垩世巴音戈壁组叠锥构造特征及其环境解释

为了全面了解测老庙坳陷早白垩世叠锥构造的沉积特征,并探讨其成因及形成环境等问题,运用野外露头实测、光薄片观察、X射线衍射分析、阴极发光照相、扫描电镜照相等方法,发现叠锥构造发育于钙质结核外侧,覆盖所有方向,呈放射状,直圆锥锥顶指向结核中心;叠锥矿物成分主要为纤维状低镁方解石,纤维状方解石呈锥形套叠,具波状消光;阴极发光显微镜下呈均一的棕红色,不具微量元素分异和析出的成岩色带;叠锥结核的发育规模明显受制于原生沉积环境.结果表明叠锥结核的发育具有明显的阶段性;其发育的原生沉积环境应为水深在5~30 m、水体能量较高的滨浅湖沉积环境.推测叠锥构造的形成可能是同沉积期生物沉积作用和胶结作用,以及后期上覆岩层静压力共同作用的结果.      

Tectonic control of accommodation space and sediment supply within the Mata Amarilla Formation (lower Upper Cretaceous) Patagonia,Argentina

The Mata Amarilla Formation dates from the early Upper Cretaceous and was deposited during a transition in tectonic regime from the extensional Rocas Verdes Basin to the Austral Foreland Basin. Detailed sedimentological logs and architectural parameters were used to define 13 facies associations. The distribution of facies associations and associated variations in fluvial architecture have enabled large‐scale changes in accommodation space/sediment supply ratios (A/S ratio) to be defined for the three component sections of the Mata Amarilla Formation. The lower and upper sections are characterized by a high A/S ratio, whereas the middle section corresponds to a low A/S ratio. In the western part of the study area, small‐scale variations in the A/S ratio were recognized in the middle section. The strong west to east trend in evolution of the fluvial systems coincides with the direction of propagation of the Patagonian fold and thrust belt, which is located to the west of the study area. Intervals of high A/S ratio (i.e. lower and upper sections) are interpreted to have developed during periods of increased loading by the fold and thrust belt caused by tectonic uplift. In contrast, intervals of low A/S ratio (i.e. middle section) were developed during periods of tectonic quiescence. This article suggests that the large‐scale variations in A/S ratios are related to different rates of migration and growth of the Patagonian fold and thrust belt, whereas the small‐scale variation occurred in response to specific periods of thrusting and folding in the Patagonian fold and thrust belt (i.e. local loads). This field example of the effects of different scales of variation in A/S ratios across the Austral Foreland Basin could be used to recognize similar tectonically forced variations in stratigraphic architecture in other foreland basins throughout the world, as well as to understand the response of fluvial systems to such changes.     

Marginal formation of De Geer moraines and their implications to the dynamics of grounding‐line recession

De Geer moraine ridges occur in abundance in the coastal zone of northern Sweden, preferentially in areas with proglacial water depths in excess of 150 m at deglaciation. From detailed sedimentological and structural investigations in machine‐dug trenches across De Geer ridges it is concluded that the moraines formed due to subglacial sediment advection to the ice margin during temporary halts in grounding‐line retreat, forming gradually thickening sediment wedges. The proximal part of the moraines were built up in submarginal position as stacked sequences of deforming bed diamictons, intercalated with glaciofluvial canal‐infill sediments, whereas the distal parts were built up from the grounding line by prograding sediment gravity‐flow deposits, distally interfingering with glaciolacustrine sediments. The rapid grounding‐line retreat (ca. 400 m yr^?1) was driven by rapid calving, in turn enhanced by fast iceflow and marginal thinning of ice due to deforming bed conditions. The spatial distribution of the moraine ridges indicates stepwise retreat of the grounding line. It is suggested that this is due to slab and flake calving of the ice cliff above the waterline, forming a gradually widening subaqueous ice ledge which eventually breaks off to a new grounding line, followed by regained sediment delivery and ridge build‐up. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Some consequences of applying lognormal theory to pseudolognormal distributions

A logarithmic transformation may be used to improve the efficiency of estimates of the mean when observations follow the lognormal distribution. But if this transformation is applied to observations that follow another distribution, bias may be introduced. We consider some consequences of erroneously applying lognormal estimation theory and demonstrate that biased estimates may be obtained for certain classes of distributions. Illustrations of bias obtained in gold sampling are given.     

Spatial pattern recognition by decomposition

The decomposition problem—the assignment of sample observations to component populations—is studied in a spatial context. The observations are spatially located and the assignment to component populations takes into account the value of each observation as well as the values of neighboring observations. Both parameter estimation and assignment rules use a new method that integrates a standard multivariate decomposition algorithm with nonlinear regression. The method is illustrated and tested with artificial data. The distribution of the trace component Cr₂O₃ in recent Lake Michigan sediments is, then, analyzed by the method. It yields a pattern of component populations that is correlated with the Lake's bottom structure and depositional environments. Study carried out as visiting scholar at the Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois U.S.A.     

Typological factor analysis: A new classification method applied to geology

The purpose of typological factor analysis is to detect, within a multidimensional sample, the existence of subsets characterized by different maximal elongation directions. The method which has been successfully applied in the field of pattern recognition can be considered from two points of view: (1) an automatic classification or dynamic clustering technique: and (2) a form of factor analysis. Using this form of analysis nuclei of affine varieties (points, axes, planes, etc) are identified. Different case studies were analyzed in order to establish the advantages of the method compared to other methods. Geochemical analyses of rock samples; that is, rhyolites, mafic, and intermediate rocks of the Normetal (Abitibi) area were subjected to typological factor analysis for the purpose of classification of geological deposits and detection of geochemical anomalies. The method was also applied to the classification of sediments from the Barataria Bay area in Louisiana.