Integrated biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic framework for Upper Cretaceous strata of the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain, USA

Upper Cretaceous (Santonian-Maastrichtian stages) strata of the eastern US Gulf Coastal Plain represent a relatively complete section of marine to nonmarine mixed siliciclastic and carbonate sediments. This section includes three depositional sequences which display characteristic systems tracts and distinct physical defining surfaces. The marine lithofacies are rich in calcareous nannoplankton and planktonic foraminifera which can be used for biostratigraphic zonation. Integration of this zonation with the lithostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy of these strata results in a framework that can be used for local and regional intrabasin correlation and potentially for global interbasin correlation. Only the synchronous maximum flooding surfaces of these depositional sequences, however, have chronostratigraphic significance. The sequence boundaries and initial flooding surfaces are diachronous, and their use for correlation can produce conflicting results. The availability of high resolution biostratigraphy is critical for global correlation of depositional sequences.     

Evolution of a mixed siliciclastic‐carbonate deep‐marine system on an unstable margin: The Cretaceous of the Eastern Greater Caucasus,Azerbaijan

Mixed siliciclastic‐carbonate deep‐marine systems (mixed systems) are less documented in the geological record than pure siliciclastic systems. The similarities and differences between these systems are, therefore, poorly understood. A well‐exposed Late Cretaceous mixed system on the northern side of the Eastern Greater Caucasus, Azerbaijan, provides an opportunity to study the interaction between contemporaneous siliciclastic and carbonate deep‐marine deposition. Facies analysis reveals a Cenomanian–early Turonian siliciclastic submarine channel complex that abruptly transitions into a Mid Turonian–Maastrichtian mixed lobe‐dominated succession. The channels are entrenched in lows on the palaeo‐seafloor but are absent 10 km towards the west where an Early Cretaceous submarine landslide complex acted as a topographic barrier to deposition. By the Campanian, this topography was largely healed allowing extensive deposition of the mixed lobe‐dominated succession. Evidence for irregular bathymetry is recorded by opposing palaeoflow indicators and frequent submarine landslides. The overall sequence is interpreted to represent the abrupt transition from Cenomanian–early Turonian siliciclastic progradation to c. Mid Turonian retrogradation, followed by a gradual return to progradation in the Santonian–Maastrichtian. The siliciclastic systems periodically punctuate a more widely extensive calcareous system from the Mid Turonian onwards, resulting in a mixed deep‐marine system. Mixed lobes differ from their siliciclastic counterparts in that they contain both siliciclastic and calcareous depositional elements making determining distal and proximal environments challenging using conventional terminology and complicate palaeogeographic interpretations. Modulation and remobilisation also occur between the two contemporaneous systems making stacking patterns difficult to decipher. The results provide insight into the behaviour of multiple contemporaneous deep‐marine fans, an aspect that is challenging to decipher in non‐mixed systems. The study area is comparable in terms of facies, architectures and the presence of widespread instability to offshore The Gambia, NW Africa, and could form a suitable analogue for mixed deep‐marine systems observed elsewhere.     

青岛八仙墩海相碎屑岩的岩石地球化学特征及其油气研究意义

青岛八仙墩剖面出露了一套海相陆源碎屑沉积层序。这套碎屑岩受崂山花岗岩侵入已经发生变质,岩性以硬砂岩为主,夹有页岩、含锰细砂岩、长石砂岩,富含白云质。这套地层保留了各种原生的沉积构造,发育有浊积岩的底模构造,同沉积变形,水平层理、微粒序层理。岩石地球化学分析结果表明:碎屑岩的SiO_2含量在59.6%～71.6%之间,含量的多少与岩性无相关性;而黑色页岩的Al_2O_3含量变化于12.31%～16.39%之间,多在15%以上,高于灰白色砂岩的含量(普遍小于14.5%)。镜下特征和Al203含量都表明砂岩的成熟度低。除一个样品外,碎屑岩的∑REE含量高,在146.75×10~(-6)～245.78×10~(-6)之间,La在30.35×10~(-6)～61.39×10~(-6)之间,对球粒陨石标准化的(La/Yb)_N在8.68×10~(-6)～21.89×10~(-6)之间。对PASS标准化碎屑岩的(La/Ce)_N值为1.07～1.18,显示了陆源碎屑物质的主要贡献。该地层弱的Ce/Ce*负异常和富含白云质岩层指示了海相沉积环境。主量元素判别图解和微量元素判别图解表明这套碎屑岩具有活动大陆边缘背景和大陆岛弧的共同特征,但高的∑REE含量、La和Ce丰度支持了活动大陆边缘的沉积环境,但有待于采用更准确的重矿物分析来确定其物源区的大地构造性质。这套碎屑岩的出露指示了南黄海盆地深部应有奥陶统盆地相浊积沉积体系的存在,可能具有良好的浊积砂岩油气储层。     

Process regime change on a Silurian siliciclastic shelf: controlling influences on deposition of the Gray Sandstone Formation,Pembrokeshire, UK

Shallow marine deposits comprising the Silurian Gray Sandstone Formation (GSF) exhibit pronounced process regime changes through time. The formation was deposited on the southern shelf of the Lower Palaeozoic Welsh Basin (UK), and conformably overlies the Coralliferous Formation. The basal Lithofacies Assemblage A (of Sheinwoodian age) is dominated by a storm‐dominated process regime, comprising shoreface and offshore shelf facies associations. The overlying Lithofacies Assemblage B records a mixed process regime, with units being deposited under both storm‐ and tide‐influenced conditions. Tidal‐influence prevailed during deposition of the overlying Lithofacies Assemblage C, with proximal to distal facies variations across a significant tide‐influenced river delta being observed. A return to storm‐dominated shoreface conditions is seen in the succeeding Lithofacies Assemblage D. Lithofacies Assemblage E (Homerian age) records the return of a tide‐influenced river delta to the area, prior to the conformable transition into the overlying Old Red Sandstone (ORS) Red Cliff Formation (of Ludlow age). Northward thickening of the formation across southern Pembrokeshire into the Musselwick Fault indicates a tectonic control on sedimentation, the formation infilling accommodation space developed in an intra‐shelf half‐graben. Recurring changes in process regime from storm‐ to tide‐influenced sedimentation may be related to the onset and subsequent cessation of tidal resonance in sub‐basins across the shelf area which itself was probably controlled by episodic tectonism. It is proposed that the Coralliferous and Gray Sandstone formations comprise the newly erected Marloes Group. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.