Enlightenment of the Mariana Fore-arc Sedimentary Basin Evolution to the Subduction Process

The Mariana subduction structure is a hot topic in ocean-ocean subduction zone research,and its subduction mechanism has attracted wide attention from experts and scholars in China and abroad.Based on the multi-channel seismic data of survey line MGL1204 in the Mariana fore-arc and DSDP ocean drilling data,this paper studies the development and evolution characteristics of the structure and strata in the Cenozoic Mariana fore-arc sedimentary basin.The Cenozoic strata are divided into six seismic sequences,with the possible era of each seismic sequence discerned,and the relationship between fault development and earthquakes analyzed.The episodic activity of the volcanic chain of the Mariana island arc is thought to control the tectonic and stratigraphic development pattern of the Cenozoic sedimentary basin in the fore-arc.Between 16°N-19°N and 146°E-151°E,the maximum thickness of the sedimentary center of the Cenozoic fore-arc sedimentary basin in Mariana is about 2360 m.Normal faults are developed in the area and some broke to the seabed,indicating that the Mariana island arc is still in the post-arc expansion stage.The application of multi-channel seismic sections in structural and stratigraphic evolution study is an important means to elucidating the Mariana subduction mechanism.

Study on the Marine Sedimentary Environment Evolution of the Southern Laizhou Bay Under the Impact of Port Projects

The southern Laizhou Bay is mainly composed of silt-sandy coasts with diverse landforms, and its marine hydrodynamic environment is sensitive to human activities. Marine hydrodynamic and sedimentary environments of the study area have changed under the influence of large-scale port projects in recent years. In this paper, the evolution of hydrodynamic environment, deposition rate, and geochemical characteristics were studied based on sediment grain size, element analysis and ^(210)Pb dating of two cores, in order to analyze the influence of Weifang Port on marine environmental evolution, and provide theoretical and practical basis for protecting marine environment in developing marine resources reasonably. Results showed that sediments of the two cores were relatively coarser and mainly composed of silty sand. Sediments above 230 cm in core WF1 and 218 cm in core WF2 were deposited since 1855 when the Yellow River appeared to deposit its sediments within the modern active delta, and the average deposition rate was between 0.3 and 0.5 cm a^(-1). Implement of Weifang Port projects in 1997 and 2007 created great influence on the sedimentary environment evolution in the surrounding waters, and the deposition rate was significantly increased. The average annual deposition rates were 5.1 cm and 3.5 cm in WF1 and WF2 respectively between 1997 and 2007. Content of heavy metals in sediments showed no obvious change in the vertical, indicating that the heavy metals were less affected by human activity and there was no significant accumulation of such metals in the study area.

Paleo-sedimentary environmental restoration and its significance of Chang 7 Member of Triassic Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin,NW China

Paleo-sedimentary environment of Chang 7 Member of Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin, including the paleoclimate, paleo-salinity and paleo-redox conditions were restored through geochemical elements analysis of 289 samples collected from the outcrop sections around and wells drilled in the basin and using a series of identification indexes of paleo-climate, paleo-salinity and paleo-redox conditions, such as CaO/MgO?Al2 O3, Sr/Cu, Rb/Sr, Rb/K2 O, Th/U, V/(V+Ni), the content of element B tested from the mudstone. Comprehensive analysis shows that in sedimentary period of the Chang 7, the paleo-climate was warm temperate to subtropical climate with temperature higher than 15 ?C, the water body was continental brackish water to freshwater, and the sediments were deposited under strong reduction conditions. Suitable temperature, extensively deep lake basin and strongly reductive paleo-sedimentary environment led to the blooming, enrichment and preservation of organic matter in the submember Chang 73. As a result, a set of high-quality source rock was formed, laying material foundation for large-scale accumulation of shale oil.

Sedimentary Environment and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Asmari Formation at Khaviz Anticline, Zagros Mountains, Southwest Iran

The Oligocene-Miocene Asmari Formation is a thick sequence of shallow water carbonates of the Zagros Basin. Khaviz Anticline outcrop [near Behbahan city/Iran] was studied in this research in order to interpret the facies, depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy of the Asmari Formation succession. In this study, twelve different microfacies types have been recognized, which can be grouped into five (micro) facies associations: peritidal, lagoon, shoal, semi restricted marine and open marine. The Asmari Formation represents sedimentation on a carbonate ramp. According to the fauna data, the Asmari Formation is Oligocene (Rupelian/Chattian) to Early Miocene (Burdigalian) in age at the study area. Eight third-order depositional sequences are identified on the basis of deepening and shallowing patterns in the microfacies. The depositional sequences 0 and 1 (Rupelian-Chattian), 2, 3 and 4 (Chattian) were referred to the lower while sequences 5 and 6 (Aquitanian) were referred to the middle and sequence 7 (Burdigalian) was referred to the upper Asmari Formation. The relative sea-level curve of the Asmari basin and its matching with the global sea-level curves documented that Global eustatic phenomena affected this basin.

Shale Lithofacies and Sedimentary Environment of the Third Member,Shahejie Formation,Zhanhua Sag,Eastern China

Researches into shale lithofacies,their sedimentary environments and relationship benefit understanding both of sedimentary cycle division and unconventional hydrocarbon exploration in lacustrine basins.Based on a 100~300-m-thick dark shale,mudstone and limestone encountered in the lower third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Es3l member)in Zhanhua Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,eastern China,routine core analysis,thin sectioning,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),mineralogical and geochemical measurements were used to understand detailed facies characterization and paleoclimate in the member.This Es3l shale sediment includes three sedimentary cycles(C3,C2 and C1),from bottom to top,with complex sedimentary characters and spatial distribution.In terms of the composition,texture,bedding and thickness,six lithofacies are recognized in this succession.Some geochemical parameters,such as trace elements(Sr/Ba,Na/Al,V/Ni,V/(V+Ni),U/Th),carbon and oxygen isotopes(δ^(18)O,δ^(13)C),and total organic carbon content(TOC)indicate that the shales were deposited in a deep to semi-deep lake,with the water column being salty,stratified,enclosed and reductive.During cycles C3 and C2 of the middle-lower sections,the climate was arid,and the water was salty and stratified.Laminated and laminar mudstone-limestone was deposited with moderate organic matter(average TOC 1.8%)and good reservoir quality(average porosity 6.5%),which can be regarded as favorable reservoir.During the C1 cycle,a large amount of organic matter was input from outside the basin and this led to high productivity with a more humid climate.Massive calcareous mudstone was deposited,and this is characterized by high TOC(average 3.6%)and moderate porosity(average 4%),and provides favorable source rocks.

Sedimentary Environments Can Be Changed by Geotechnology (Case Study: A Morphotectonic Idea for Design of Extensive Artificial Bay on the Iranian Plateau)

Iranian Plateau between the Lesser Caucasus-Alborz Mountains on the north and Zagros-Makran Ranges on the south has several inter-mountainous depressions which were filled by Quaternary deposits. Geologic evidence implied that, the last marine conditions in some depressions such as the Dasht-e Kavir, Dasht-e Lut and Jazmourian basins, had been changed to land conditions in middle Miocene. Based on shape and elevation of the Dasht-e Kavir, Dasht-e Lut and Jazmourian plains related to sea level and geomorphology of Iranian plateau, three semi-connective artificial lakes can be constructed upon the mentioned plains by consideration of many geologic and geotechnical parameters. These artificial lakes can feed by pumping of water from Oman Sea and form a triple artificial bay which they must be connected together by two gated straits. Therefore, a possible morphotectonic idea with many advantages has suggested that it can be present as an international geotechnologic design. This design has the important environmental impacts which can be changed desert to lake sedimentary basins.

Evolutions of sedimentary facies and palaeoenvironment and their controls on the development of source rocks in continental margin basins:A case study from the Qiongdongnan Basin,South China Sea

Hydrocarbon resources in the Qiongdongnan Basin have become an important exploration target in China.However,the development of high-quality source rocks in this basin,especially in its deep-water areas,are still not fully understood.In this study,evolutions of sedimentary facies and palaeoenvironment and their influences on the development of source rocks in diverse tectonic regions of the Qiongdongnan Basin were investigated.The results show that during the Oligocene and to Miocene periods,the sedimentary environment of this basin progressively varied from a semi-closed gulf to an open marine environment,which resulted in significant differences in palaeoenvironmental conditions of the water column for various tectonic regions of the basin.In shallow-water areas,the palaeoproductivity and reducibility successively decrease,and the hydrodynamic intensity gradually increases for the water columns of the Yacheng,Lingshui,and Sanya-Meishan strata.In deep-water areas,the water column of the Yacheng and Lingshui strata has a higher palaeoproductivity and a weaker hydrodynamic intensity than that of the Sanya-Meishan strata,while the reducibility gradually increases for the water columns of the Yacheng,Lingshui,and Sanya-Meishan strata.In general,the palaeoenvironmental conditions of the water column are the most favorable to the development of the Yacheng organic-rich source rocks.Meanwhile,the Miocene marine source rocks in the deep-water areas of the Qiongdongnan Basin may also have a certain hydrocarbon potential.The differences in the development models of source rocks in various tectonic regions of continental margin basins should be fully evaluated in the exploration and development of hydrocarbons.

Investigation of the Petrological and Geochemical Characteristics of Siderite in the Early Cretaceous Sandstone of Lacustrine Sedimentary Sequence in the Erlian Basin from Northeastern China

Siderite is a prevalent authigenic mineral in siliciclastic rocks, which usually occurred in eodiagensis period and could be used as an indicator of sedimentary environment. Some siderite precipitated in burial depth with geochemical information of basin fluid evolution. The crystal morphology, geochemical composition, and isotope values are influenced by physical and geochemical environment of precipitation. In this study, samples from the Early Cretaceous of Erlian basin in the northwestern China were collected, and mineralogy, bulk and in-situ geochemistry, C and O isotopes were analyzed to comprehensively investigate the sedimentary and diagenetic environment that the sediments experienced. Six lithofaices with three types of crystal habits were recognized in the siderite-rich sandstone, bundle crystal in spherical forms, blocky rhombs in intergranular pore and cleavage of muscovite, and micro bundle and mosaic crystals aggregates in nodular. The siderite growth proceeds through micro bundle and mosaic crystals to bundle siderite aggregates and then into blocky rhombs. The crystal evolution is also reflected by geochemical composition. The micro bundle and mosaic crystals are Casiderite. The spheritic shaped bundle aggregates are Ca-Mn-siderite. The blocky rhomb siderite shows gray part and bight part with Ca, Mg and Mn varies. Increase of Ca in block rhomb siderite suggests burial and mesodiagenesis, the high content of Mn may have linkage with eogenetic effects. The relatively positive and slightly negative δ13C value indicates meteoric water domination and influence of organic matter evolution in shallow buried time. The narrow ranges negative δ18O value suggest a small span of temperature of siderite formation.

Sedimentary evolution and control factors of the Rizhao Canyons in the Zhongjiannan Basin, western South China Sea

Submarine canyon is an important channel for long-distance sediment transport, and an important part of deepwater sedimentary system. The large-scale Rizhao Canyons have been discovered for the first time in 2015 in the continental slope area of the western South China Sea. Based on the interpretation and analysis of multi-beam bathymetry and two-dimensional multi-channel seismic data, the geology of the canyons has however not been studied yet. In this paper, the morphology and distribution characteristics of the canyon are carefully described,the sedimentary filling structure and its evolution process of the canyon are analyzed, and then its controlling factors are discussed. The results show that Rizhao Canyons group is a large slope restricted canyon group composed of one east-west west main and nine branch canyons extending to the south. The canyon was formed from the late Miocene to the Quaternary. The east-west main canyon is located in the transition zone between the northern terrace and the southern Zhongjiannan Slope, and it is mainly formed by the scouring and erosion of the material source from the west, approximately along the slope direction. Its development and evolution is mainly controlled by sediment supply and topographic conditions, the development of 9 branch canyons is mainly controlled by gravity flow and collapse from the east-west main canyon. This understanding result is a supplement to the study of “source-channel–sink” sedimentary system in the west of the South China Sea, and has important guiding significance for the study of marine geological hazards.

Sedimentary elements,evolutions and controlling factors of the Miocene channel system:a case study of the deep-water Taranaki Basin in New Zealand

Deep-water channel systems are important petroleum reservoirs,and many have been discovered worldwide.Understanding deep-water channel sedimentary elements and evolution is helpful for deep-sea petroleum exploration and development.Based on high-resolution 3D seismic data,the Miocene channel system in the deep-water Taranaki Basin,New Zealand,was analyzed by using seismic interpretation techniques such as interlayer attribute extraction and strata slicing.The channel system was divided into five composite channels(CC-I to CC-V)according to four secondary level channel boundaries,and sedimentary elements such as channels,slump deposits,inner levees,mass transport deposits,and hemipelagic drape deposits were identified in the channel system.The morphological characteristics of several composite channels exhibited stark variances,and the overall morphology of the composite channels changed from relatively straight to highly sinuous to relatively straight.The evolution of the composite channels involved a gradual and repeated process of erosion and filling,and the composite channels could be divided into three evolutionary stages:initial erosion-filling,later erosion-filling(multistage),and channel abandonment.The middle Miocene channel system may have formed as a consequence of combined regional tectonic activity and global climatic change,and its intricate morphological alterations may have been influenced by the channel's ability to self-regulate and gravity flow properties.When studying the sedimentary evolution of a large-scale deep-water channel system in the Taranaki Basin during the Oligocene-Miocene,which transitioned from a passive margin to plate convergence,it can be understood how tectonic activity affected the channel and can also provide a theoretical reference for the evolution of the deepwater channels in areas with similar tectonic conversion environments around the world.

Depositional Environment of Sediments in Tonle Sap Sedimentary Basin, Western Part of Cambodia: Insights from Field and Geochemical Studies

Tonle Sap sedimentary basin was considered a favorable geological condition for hydrocarbon accumulation in the onshore Cambodia. Two exposure outcrops in Battambang province, called Somlout and Takream, were selected to represent sediments in this basin. The sedimentology and geochemistry studies provide insights into the depositional environment of sediments using field investigation, lithological, sedimentological, paleontological, and geochemical analysis. The redox condition, water column, and depositional setting were analyzed by plotting the ratio of V vs. Cr, Uauthigenic vs. V/Cr, Sr vs. Ba, Ca vs. (Fe + Ca), and Fe2O3/TiO2 vs. Al2O3/(Al2O3 + Fe2O3) diagram. Moreover, these diagrams can be used to predict depositional conditions as well. Based on the results, Somlout and Takream comprise calcareous shale and limestone facies. The geochemical analysis showed that Somlout calcareous shale samples were deposited in the dysoxic freshwater of the lake setting during the regression, while Somlout limestones and Takream were deposited in high salinity seawater, oxic condition of shallow-marine water. In addition, Somlout limestones consist of fragmental fusulinid foraminifera, bivalve shelve, and bryozoan, which suggest a barrier environment. Meanwhile, Teakream consists of fine-grained calcareous shale, and lime-mudstone, which are presented to form in the quiet marine setting of the lagoon environment. Therefore, the Tonle Sap basin sediments were deposited in the Somlout area’s barrier and lake environment, and the lagoon environment for Takream.

The Cenozoic sedimentary environment and sedimentary filling evolution of Wan'an Basin in the western South China Sea

As one of the basins with extremely abundant oil and gas resources in South China Sea,the Wan'an Basin has attracted great attention from domestic and international geologists and hydrocarbon explorers.Currently,the sequence stratigraphic framework,distribution of sedimentary systems and sedimentary filling evolution of the Wan'an Basin are still not clear,consequently,it bring some difficulties for hydrocarbon exploration.Based on the palaeobios,well drilling,well logging,and seismic and other data,the sequence stratigraphic framework of the Wan'an Basin is established,and the sequence interfaces of T100,T60,T50,T40 and T30 in this study are identified.On this basis,the sedimentary environment and sedimentary filling evolution of the Wan'an Basin are systematically analyzed.The results show that the basin had experienced three tectonic evolution periods since Cenozoic,i.e.,the OligoceneeEarly Miocene extensional fault-depression period,Middle Miocene strike-slip reformation period and Late Miocene eQuaternary regional depression period.Thereinto,the provenance in the extensional faultdepression period(OligoceneeEarly Miocene)was mainly from the western uplift of the basin,where the deltaeshore-shallow lacustrineebathylimnetic sedimentary system during Early Oligocene and delta elittoral-neritic sedimentary system during Late OligoceneeEarly Miocene were developed respectively.The provenance during the strike-slip reformation period(Middle Miocene)was still mainly from the western uplift of the basin,where the deltaelittoral-neriticecarbonate platform sedimentary system was developed,and the carbonate platform began to develop abundantly.The provenance during the regional depression period(Late MioceneeQuaternary)is mainly supplied by input of the western distal large rivers,the deltaelittoral-shallow seaecarbonate platformebathyal sea sedimentary system was developed in the Late Miocene,and the shelf-margin deltaecontinental slopeebathyal sea sedimentary system was developed during Pliocene-Quaternary.Therefore,the Wan'an Basin has a favorable hydrocarbon resource potential.

Geochemical Characteristics of the Upper Permian Longtan Formation from Northeastern Sichuan Basin:Implications for the Depositional Environment and Organic Matter Enrichment

A set of organic-rich shales of the upper Permian Longtan Formation,which is widely developed in the northeastern part of the Sichuan Basin,is a key formation for the next step of exploration and development.At present,most studies on this set of formations have focused on the reservoir characteristics and reservoir formation mechanism of the shales,and basic studies on the palaeoenvironment and organic matter(OM)enrichment mechanism have not been fully carried out.In this paper,we recovered the sedimentary palaeoenvironment by mineralogical,elemental geochemical and organic geochemical analyses,and explored the enrichment mechanism of OM under the constraints of palaeoenvironmental evolution.The shales can be divided into two stages of sedimentary evolution:compared with the shales of the Lower Longtan Formation,the shales of the Upper Longtan Formation are relatively rich in quartz,poor in clay and carbonate minerals,and the OM type changes from typeⅢto typeⅡ_(2).The depositional environment has undergone a change from sea level rise,from warm and wet climate to dry and cold climate,and from oxygen-poor condition restricted to open reduction environment;the land source input has decreased,the siliceous mineral content has increased,the biological productivity has improved,and the deposition rate has changed from high to low.A depositional model was established for the shales of the Longtan Formation,reflecting the differential reservoir formation pattern of organic matter.For the Lower Longtan Formation shales,the most important factors controlling OM content are terrestrial source input and deposition rate,followed by paleoclimate and paleooxygen conditions.For the Upper Longtan Formation shales,the most important controlling factor is paleo-productivity,followed by sedimentation rate.The depositional model constructed for the Upper and Lower Longtan Formation shales can reproduce the enrichment of organic matter and provide a basis for later exploration and development.

Formation,evolution,reconstruction of black shales and their influence on shale oil and gas resource

Black shales are important products of material cycling and energy exchange among the lithosphere,atmosphere,hydrosphere,and biosphere.They are widely distributed throughout geological history and provide essential energy and mineral resources for the development of human society.They also record the evolution process of the earth and improve the understanding of the earth.This review focuses on the diagenesis and formation mechanisms of black shales sedimentation,composition,evolution,and reconstruction,which have had a significant impact on the formation and enrichment of shale oil and gas.In terms of sedimentary environment,black shales can be classified into three types:Marine,terrestrial,and marine-terrestrial transitional facies.The formation processes include mechanisms such as eolian input,hypopycnal flow,gravity-driven and offshore bottom currents.From a geological perspective,the formation of black shales is often closely related to global or regional major geological events.The enrichment of organic matter is generally the result of the interaction and coupling of several factors such as primary productivity,water redox condition,and sedimentation rate.In terms of evolution,black shales have undergone diagenetic evolution of inorganic minerals,thermal evolution of organic matter and hydrocarbon generation,interactions between organic matter and inorganic minerals,and pore evolution.In terms of reconstruction,the effects of fold deformation,uplift and erosion,and fracturing have changed the stress state of black shale reservoirs,thereby having a significant impact on the pore structure.Fluid activity promotes the formation of veins,and have changed the material composition,stress structure,and reservoir properties of black shales.Regarding resource effects,the deposition of black shales is fundamental for shale oil and gas resources,the evolution of black shales promotes the shale oil and gas formation and storage,and the reconstruction of black shales would have caused the heterogeneous distribution of oil and gas in shales.Exploring the formation mechanisms and interactions of black shales at different scales is a key to in-depth research on shale formation and evolution,as well as the key to revealing the mechanism controlling shale oil and gas accumulation.The present records can reveal how these processes worked in geological history,and improve our understanding of the coupling mechanisms among regional geological events,black shales evolution,and shale oil and gas formation and enrichment.

Cenozoic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau:Evidence from the tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the western Qaidam Basin

Geologists agree that the collision of the Indian and Asian plates caused uplift of the Tibet Plateau. However, controversy still exists regarding the modes and mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau uplift. Geology has recorded this uplift well in the Qaidam Basin. This paper analyzes the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the western Qaidam Basin using sub-surface seismic and drill data. The Cenozoic intensity and history of deformation in the Qaidam Basin have been reconstructed based on the tectonic developments, faults growth index, sedimentary facies variations, and the migration of the depositional depressions. The changes in the sedimentary facies show that lakes in the western Qaidam Basin had gone from inflow to still water deposition to withdrawal. Tectonic movements controlled deposition in various depressions, and the depressions gradually shifted southeastward. In addition, the morphology of the surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin shows that the Cenozoic tectonic movements controlled the evolution of the Basin and divided it into （a） the southern fault terrace zone, （b） a central Yingxiongling orogenic belt, and （c） the northern fold-thrust belt; divided by the XI fault （Youshi fault） and Youbei fault, respectively. The field data indicate that the western Qaidam Basin formed in a Cenozoic compressive tectonic environment caused by the India--Asia plate collision. Further, the Basin experienced two phases of intensive tectonic deformation. The first phase occurred during the Middle Eocene--Early Miocene （Xia Ganchaigou Fm. and Shang Ganchaigou Fro., 43.8- 22 Ma）, and peaked in the Early Oligocene （Upper Xia Ganchaigou Fro., 31.5 Ma）. The second phase occurred between the Middle Miocene and the Present （Shang Youshashan Fro. and Qigequan Fro., 14.9-0 Ma）, and was stronger than the first phase. The tectonic--sedimentary evolution and the orienta- tion of surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin resulted from the Tibetan Plateau uplift, and recorded the periodic northward growth of the Plateau. Recognizing this early tectonic--sedimentary evolution supports the previous conclusion that northern Tibet responded to the collision between India and Asia shortly after its initiation. However, the current results reveal that northern Tibet also experi- enced another phase of uplift during the late Neogene. The effects of these two stages of tectonic activity combined to produce the current Tibetan Plateau.

Basin Fluid Mineralization during Multistage Evolution of the Lanping Sedimentary Basin,Southwestern China

The Lanping sedimentary basin has experienced a five-stage evolution since the late Paleozoic： ocean-continent transformation （late Paleozoic to early mid-Triassic）; intracontinental rift basin （late mid-Triassic to early Jurassic）; down-warped basin （middle to late Jurassic）; foreland basin （Cretaceous）; and strike-slip basin （Cenozoic）. Three major genetic types of Ag-Cu polymetallic ore deposits, including the reworked hydrothermal sedimentary, sedimentary-hydrothermally reworked and hydrothermal vein types, are considered to be the products of basin fluid activity at specific sedimentary-tectonic evolutionary stages. Tectonic differences of the different evolutionary stages resulted in considerable discrepancy in the mechanisms of formation-transportation, migration direction and emplacement processes of the basin fluids, thus causing differences in mineralization styles as well as in genetic types of ore deposit.

Deep-water depositional architecture and sedimentary evolution in the Rakhine Basin,northeast Bay of Bengal

Since the consecutive discovery of several gas fields from 2004 to present,the Rakhine Basin has been an active area for petroleum exploration in the Bay of Bengal.High-resolution 3D seismic data and well data from blocks AD1,AD6 and AD8 offshore northwest Myanmar are used to study the Miocene–Pleistocene depositional architecture and sedimentary evolution in the Rakhine Basin.Analysis of seismic facies and seismic attributes indicates that deep-water architectural elements include submarine canyons,confined slope channel complex systems,aggradational channel–levee complexes,isolated channels,frontal splays and mass-transport complexes,which have variable characters(shape,dimension,sedimentary architecture)within predominantly background deep-water slope-basin floor facies.Most of the sediments are interpreted to be sourced from the Ganges–Brahmaputra fluvio-deltaic system to the north with only minor lateral input from the IndoMyanmar Ranges to the east.Investigation of the depositional evolution and architectural elements transformation during the filling history of the Rakhine Basin suggests the Rakhine Basin experienced rapid progradation during the Oligocene–Middle/Upper Miocene,gradual retrogradation during the Middle/Upper Miocene–Early Pliocene and gradual progradation during the Early Pliocene–Pleistocene.Published exploration results indicate that the main reservoirs of the discoveries in blocks A1 and A3 are Pliocene frontal splays and channel–levee fills,dominated by fine and very fine-grained sandstones,in structural and structural–stratigraphic traps.Analytic results from seismic characters and several exploration wells indicate that channel complexes and associated overbanks and frontal splays with fine-grained sandstones and siltstones trapped by the four-way closures are primary reservoir targets.

Extensional structures of the Nan'an Basin in the rifting tip of the South China Sea: Implication for tectonic evolution of the southwestern continental margin

Nan'an Basin is a giant hydrocarbon basin,but its tectonic division scheme and associated fault systems has not been well understood.Based on newly acquired seismic data from the southwestern margin of the South China Sea,this study analyzed the structural units,tectonic feature and geodynamics of the sedimentary basin.The new data suggests that the Nan0 an Basin is a rift basin oriented in the NE-SW direction,rather than a pull-apart basin induced by strike-slip faults along the western margin.The basin is a continuation of the rifts in the southwest South China Sea since the late Cretaceous.It continued rifting until the middle Miocene,even though oceanic crust occurred in the Southwest Subbasin.However,it had no transfer surface at the end of spreading,where it was characterized by a late middle Miocene unconformity(reflector T3).The Nan'an Basin can be divided into eight structural units by a series of NE-striking faults.This study provides evidences to confirm the relative importance and interplay between regional strike-slips and orthogonal displacement during basin development and deformation.The NE-SW-striking dominant rift basin indicates that the geodynamic drivers of tectonic evolution in the western margin of the South China Sea did not have a large strike-slip mechanism.Therefore,we conclude that a large strike-slip fault system did not exist in the western margin of the South China Sea.

The Sedimentary System and Evolution of the Early Tertiary in the Sunda Basin, Indonesia

The Sunda basin is located at the north of the Sunda Strait situated between Sumatra and Java islands, Indonesia. It is an early Tertiary typical half-graben basin, in which developed a series of terrigenous clastic sedimentation. Previous work suggested that the early Tertiary sediments were alluvial, fluvial, lacustrine and swamp deposits, of which the Banuwati formation was alluvial and lacustrine deposits, the Zelda member fluvial deposits, and Gita member fluvial and swamp deposits. In this paper, based on the integrated research on core lithology （including lithology succession and structure）, well log shape, and seismic reflection characteristics, a more detailed sedimentation system was set up as follows： l） In addition to the alluvial, lacustrine, fluvial and the swamp deposits presented in previous work, subaqeous fan, shore-shallow lacustrine, deep lacustrine and turbidite fan, fan delta and delta deposits also developed in this basin. 2） Alluvial fan, subaqeous fan and fan delta deposits occurred on the steep slope adjacent to the synrift boundary fault; while the deltaic depositional system usually distributed on the gentle slope of the basins. 3） The Zelda member that was interpreted as a fluvial deposit in previous work is now interpreted as a subaqueous fan, fan delta, delta and lacustrine deposit system. 4） From the point of view of sedimentology, the evolution of basin could be divided into four stages： the initial subsidence （matching the Banuwati formation）, the rapid subsidence （matching the low Zelda member of Talang Akar formation）, the steady subsidence or fluctuation （matching the middle Zelda member of Talang Akar formation）, and the uplifting （matching the upper Zelda member and the Gita member of Talang Akar formation）. At the initial subsidence stage, the alluvial fan, flood plain, braided stream deposits developed, and then subaqeous fan sedimentation; at the rapid subsidence stage, shore-shallow lacustrine and deep lacustrine deposits and turbidite fans occurred; at the steady subsidence stage, thick fan deltas and delta sandstones developed; and at the uplifting stage, came fluvial （including meandering fiver and the anastomosed stream） and swamp sediments. Sediment supply was mainly from the northwest, secondly from the east. From the beginning to the end of the terrigenous basin evolution, the area of sedimentation was gradually enlarged. The palaeo-topography became increasingly flat.