Sedimentology of a Devonian fault-bounded braidplain and lacustrine fill in the lower part of the Skrinkle Sandstones, Dyfed, Wales

The Upper Devonian to Lower Carboniferous Skrinkle Sandstones of the Pembroke Peninsula are predominantly continental deposits from the post-Caledonian synrift succession at the southern margin of the Upper Palaeozoic Welsh Landmass. The lower part of the Sandstones record deposition in the 30 × 10 km Tenby–Angle fault block, from which a 6- to 68-m-thick interval is described and interpreted as a lacustrine deposit succeeded by a high-energy sandy braidplain succession. The lacustrine deposit is dominated by red mudstones and ripple cross-laminated sandstones. Interbedded quartzose sandstones form a coarsening-upward sequence from the red mudstones in the basin centre, suggesting a deltaic origin, and a smooth-fronted braidplain delta model is proposed. The sequence introduces the braidplain succession, composed of groups of horizontal/low-angle laminated and trough cross-bedded sandstones. These are compared with recent ephemeral stream and sheetflood sediments and their characteristics used to depict a system of mutually erosive sheetflood and channel bodies, the latter produced during the rising and falling stages of flood events, which alternate to produce a thick multistorey sandstone. Palaeocurrent data indicate an axial drainage system from the north-west, running parallel to the main faults of the area. This is supported by the maturity and sandy nature of the sediments. Basin closure towards the south and the postulated Bristol Channel Landmass is inferred.