Peritidal carbonate facies models: A review

Existing facies models for peritidal carbonates are limited in number and do not reflect the wide spectrum of possible types. The major depositional processes in peritidal carbonate environments are reviewed in order to stress the complex nature of the systems. The tidal channel model is critically discussed and it is suggested that channel deposits may be of minor importance in typical shoaling-up sequences. The possible causes of multiple asymmetrical sequences are reviewed.