Climatic signals in lacustrine deposits of the Upper Yacoraite Formation,Western Argentina: Evidence from clay minerals,analcime, dolomite and fibrous calcite

Authigenic clays are an important control on reservoir quality in lacustrine carbonates but remain challenging to predict. Lacustrine depositional systems respond to climatic variations in rainfall, surface runoff and groundwater input, and evaporation, and result in rapid and frequent changes in lake volume; this is expressed through changing water depth and shoreline position. In the upper portion of the Early Palaeocene Yacoraite Formation of the Salta Basin in Argentina, extensive lacustrine deposits were deposited during the sag phase of rifting. Prior high-resolution stratigraphic studies have suggested that climatic factors control microbial carbonate sequences within a ‘balanced fill’ lake, with variation in the lake level having a major influence on facies association changes. This study characterizes the evolution of facies and mineralogy within the Yacoraite Formation, focusing on the distribution of clay minerals, making a link between the high, medium and low-frequency sequence stratigraphic cycles. The low-frequency transgressive hemicycle of the upper portion of the Yacoraite Formation is comprised of abundant siliciclastic facies, suggesting a wetter period. Microbialites occurring in this interval are coarse-grained and agglutinated. Detrital clay minerals such as illite and chlorite and associated siliciclastic sediments were input to the lake during high-frequency transgressive periods. During high-frequency regressive hemicycles, sedimentation was dominated by carbonate facies with Ca-rich dolomite and the authigenic clays are comprised of chlorite/smectite mixed-layers. By contrast, the low frequency regressive hemicycle records fine-grained agglutinated microbialite with horizons of fibrous calcite, more stoichiometric dolomite, barite and authigenic magnesian smectite. This indicates elevated ion concentrations in the lake under intense evaporation during an arid period. Understanding the conditions that are favourable for formation and preservation of authigenic clays within the lacustrine environment can improve understanding of reservoir quality in comparable economically important deposits.     

Optimal design of SDOF envelope systems for the responses of MDOF dynamic systems

The concept of envelope system for a given dynamic system is proposed in this paper which refers to those systems whose module of transfer function in the whole range of frequency domain is always bigger than that of a given system. This concept opens a new way to study the problems of robust design and modelling for dynamic systems. The condition that an envelope system has to satisfy is rendered as the determination of the positiveness of a real polynomial function and Sturm's sequence method is used to establish an easily implemented criterion for evaluating the positiveness of the polynomial in terms of its coefficients. The optimization for the envelope system is expressed as the minimization of the 2-norm of its transfer function and simplex method is employed to search for the optimal solution. Two dynamic systems are used to illustrate the optimal design for the envelope systems of some of their responses. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facies and sequence stratigraphic architecture of the Mural Limestone (Albian), Arizona: Carbonate response to global and local factors and implications for reservoir characterization

This study documents the detailed facies and sequence stratigraphic architecture of a multi-cyclic patch-reef and its associated ramp interior facies that formed during Oceanic Anoxic Event 1b in the Mural Limestone, Arizona, USA. Ramp interior facies are comprised of bedded wackestone/packstone, rudist build-up and coral–algal patch-reef facies located north of Bisbee, Arizona, at the Grassy Hill locality. The larger multi-cyclic patch-reef that developed coevally ca 5 km to the south of Grassy Hill consists of a high-angle windward margin with a narrow ca 70 m long reef frame containing vertically zonated Microsolena, Actinastrea, diverse branching coral and rudist assemblages, and an 870 m long low-angle leeward margin comprised of reef debris rudstone and grainstone shoal facies. Similar reef geomorphology and orientation is documented across the Gulf of Mexico and reflects the shelf-wide north to north-east-trending prevailing wind and current energies. Controls affecting reef formation and growth patterns include changes in accommodation space associated with low-amplitude global sea-level rise and regional thermotectonic subsidence, local accommodation space and nutrient fluctuations associated with the inner shelf depositional setting within a humid and siliciclastic-rich environment. Four aggradational to retrogradational high-frequency sequences are documented in Arizona: High-frequency sequences 1 and 2 represent the first pulse of patch-reef development in an overall second-order marine transgression over the Sonora/Bisbee Shelf. These sequences correlate to δ¹³C signatures associated with Oceanic Anoxic Event 1b across the Gulf of Mexico and suggest that carbonate reefs persisted on the ramp interior during this time. High-frequency sequences 3 and 4 record a second brief transgression and backstepping of reef facies followed by the final regression of shallow shelf carbonates that correlates to more robust patch-reef development in Sonora, Mexico. The patch-reef at Paul Spur is an excellent outcrop analogue for productive patch-reefs in the Maverick Basin (Comanche Shelf) of Texas. Detailed facies mapping of this outcrop analogue shows that the greatest reservoir potential is contained within the backreef grainstone shoals where primary porosity of up to 15% is observed.     

The Roaches and Ashover Grits: sequence stratigraphic interpretation of a ‘turbidite-fronted delta’ system

A single Upper Carboniferous fluvio-deltaic cycle (Namurian, R₂b5) in the south part of the Pennine Basin of northern England has been reinterpreted using a sequence stratigraphic approach. In upward succession the deposits comprise basinal mudstones, localized thick density current deposits, delta slope deposits and delta-top sandstones, followed abruptly by basinal mudstones. Earlier interpretations linked these elements with a single, mainly regressive, cycle, referred to as a turbidite-fronted delta. Recent evidence for strong glacio-eustatic sea-level fluctuations in the Namurian suggests that it is unlikely that the previous simple model can explain the spatial arrangement of all the lithological units. This paper attempts to identify elements of the Exxon sequence stratigraphic model, in which changes of sea level are an essential part. The basinal mudstones represent deep-water deposition and imply a highstand of sea level. Thick density current deposits are now known to be localized close to the basinward limit of delta progradation, so cannot be seen as a ubiquitous component of the depositional system. They may form a detached fan, or a fan located at the foot of the delta slope. Slope siltstones include turbidite-like sandstones, but these are interbedded with tractional sandstones and Pelecypodichnus trace fossils, giving no clear indication of water depth. The delta-top sandstones, some coarse and pebbly, can in places be shown to consist of two parts separated by a significant erosion surface now regarded as a type 1 sequence boundary. The erosion surface is locally incised about 80 m into the delta deposits, forming a major palaeovalley. Giant cross-beds (foresets 20 m thick) forming part of the palaeovalley fill are restricted to the basinward end of this feature. A curve of relative sea level inferred for the R₂b5 interval suggests a fourth-order cycle in which two sharp rises are separated by a gradual fall. Possible minor (fifth-order) rises and falls may be superimposed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biostratigraphy,sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the Tournaisian–Viséan transitional strata in South China (Guangxi)

The biostratigraphy and sedimentological evolution of the Tournaisian–Viséan (T–V) transitional strata in South China (Guangxi) have been investigated. The sediments were deposited on a carbonate platform and in slope and basinal environments. In the T–V transitional strata, six foraminiferal associations have been distinguished which allow correlation between the shallow and deep water deposits. A careful examination of the evolutionary stages of the foraminifer Eoparastaffella provides a more accurate criterion for the definition of the T–V boundary, but does not significantly modify the historical one. The distinction of two morphotypes is based on the elevation of the last whorl and the peripheral outline. Tournaisian specimens of Eoparastaffella have a well rounded periphery (morphotype 1) contrasting with the subangular periphery of younger Viséan specimens (morphotype 2). A coefficient can be deduced from simple biometric measurements for more precisely defining the T–V boundary. The sequence stratigraphy of the T–V strata in South China has been reconstructed by combining biostratigraphical and sedimentological data. It allowed the correlation of the T–V transitional strata between the platform area and the slope and basinal locations. Late Tournaisian strata were deposited during a highstand systems tract. Near the end of the Tournaisian, a major drop in relative sea-level led to the development of an unconformity in the platform area. Lowstand deposits formed during latest Tournaisian time in the basin where a detailed biostratigraphic framework has been devised. Sediments deposited during the ensuing transgressive systems tract overlie the late Tournaisian highstand sediments in the platform area and the latest Tournaisian lowstand deposits in the basin. A major drop in relative sea-level near the end of the Tournaisian has been recognized worldwide. Therefore, the possibility of using the sequence stratigraphy of the T–V strata in South China for worldwide correlations should be investigated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

东营凹陷现河地区沙三段震积岩特征及其意义

在区域构造背景研究和岩芯观察的基础上,在东营凹陷现河地区沙三段地层中识别出震积岩。震积岩的主要标志是发育各种类型的软沉积变形构造,包括微阶梯状正断层、层内小褶皱、扭曲变形、振动液化砂岩脉、震塌岩等。通过对河152井、王59井、牛38井、牛22井等井岩芯的系统观察,发现由于构造和地震强度的不同,震积岩的垂向序列有所不同,并进一步研究了各种震积岩构造特征与地震强度的关系,研究表明不同的震积岩构造特征对应不同的地震强度,进一步确定了与古地震的关系。通过对本区储层分析,认为震积岩可以作为一种有效的储集空间。这些研究为东营凹陷构造演化研究、震积岩的识别和描述以及成藏提供了重要的地质理论依据,并可为该区古地震研究提供依据。      

2017年四川九寨沟MS7.0地震及余震定位研究

采用特定震源台站校正定位方法对九寨沟M_S7.0地震及其余震进行了精定位研究,结果显示九寨沟地震主震深度为19km左右,余震主要分布于5~15km深度范围;与单事件定位方法相比,其余震展布和断层的线性特征更吻合,更具有平面特征;与双差定位法相比,精定位事件覆盖范围更广。精定位结果显示,断层整体为虎牙断裂西北向的延伸,根据余震分布和特定震源区的校正项分布,认为此发震断层应分南、北两段;余震区长度为40km左右,西北段宽度为10km左右,东南段宽度为6.5km左右。     

2020年5月6日新疆乌恰5.0级和5月9日柯坪5.2级地震总结

2020年5月6日、5月9日,新疆地区南天山西段先后发生乌恰5.0级和柯坪5.2级地震,系统总结2次地震发生前出现的地震活动和地球物理观测异常,其中：①地震活动：震前存在调制地震集中、地震窗、5级以上地震成组等中短期异常;②地球物理观测：2次地震震中附近震前出现形变、电磁和流体观测异常,其中形变异常3项、电磁异常4项、流体异常1项,主要分布在柯坪5.2级地震震中附近。通过对2次地震序列进行跟踪,发现：乌恰5.0级地震余震较少,震后60天内共记录M_L 3.0以上余震4次,最大震级为M_L 4.5;柯坪5.2级地震后余震较丰富,震后60天内共记录M_L 3.0以上余震10次,最大震级为M_L 4.7,计算得到序列h值为1.6,b值为0.73。综合分析认为,2020年5月新疆地区2次5级以上地震前存在的地震活动异常较少,但区域地震活动水平较强,主要存在具有中短期指示意义的地球物理观测异常。     

2020年2月3日四川青白江5.1级地震总结

针对2020年2月3日四川青白江5.1级地震发生前的地震活动和地球物理观测异常、构造背景、震源物理参数,以及地震序列特征等进行系统总结。结果表明,青白江5.1级地震发生前存在小震调制比高值、地磁低点位移、重力固体潮高噪声等中短期异常;地震序列活动特征显示,此次地震为一次孤立型地震序列,序列参数计算结果与当前余震活动水平基本相符。另外,青白江地震发生在龙泉山断裂带上,震源机制计算结果显示为一次逆冲型破裂事件,与龙泉山断裂构造性质一致。同时,此次地震发生在四川盆地的少震弱震区,对于川滇及川滇藏交界地区后续7级以上地震的发生具有一定预测意义。     

2020年1月25日西藏丁青5.1级地震总结

2020年1月25日,藏东昌都丁青地区发生5.1级地震,尽管此次地震发生在监测能力较低地区,但震前仍监测到小震调制比高值、低b值等地震活动中短期异常。文中系统总结了地震构造背景、震源物理参数、序列特征以及震前出现的地震活动和地球物理观测等异常,结果发现：震源机制解显示为拉张型破裂,最近断裂为巴青—类乌齐断裂;序列活动特征、序列h值和b值计算结果显示,此次地震为主余型地震序列。目前,藏东地区仍存在一些地震活动和地球物理观测异常,表明该地区存在发生6级以上地震的强震背景,丁青5.1级地震的发生未能缓解该地区强震危险性。