Lower-order transgressive-regressive cycles within a higher-order transgression at the basin margin:an aberrant intercalation of palaeosol and biostromal ichnofabrics from the early Miocene Kutch Basin,India

The Chhasra Formation(CF)of Kutch Basin exemplifies a typical mixed siliciclastic-carbonate system with alternations of biostromal carbonate and fine-grained siliciclastic beds.The CF is subdivided into two members:the lower Claystone(CM)and the upper Siltstone(SM)member.Three CM outcrops(P1-P3)comprising buried palaeosols that formed under a specific environmental set-up involving imperfectly to poorly drained conditions,are exposed along the Berwali River.The biostromal carbonate beds,alternating with the palaeosols,contain invertebrate bioclasts(bivalves,gastropods,echinoids,etc.)and are characterized by a paucispecific firmground Thalassinoides ichnofabric.At section P1,below the contact between the underlying palaeosol and overlying carbonate,Thalassinoides transforms into firmground Gyrolithes inside the palaeosol forming a compound ichnotaxon.The palaeosol intervals of sections P1 and P2 consist of a Vondrichnus-Termitichnus-root trace ichnofabric defining the Termitichnus ichnofacies.At section P3,lenses of fully bioturbated siltstones with a monospecific firmground Thalassinoides ichnofabric can be observed within an overall silty palaeosol horizon,thereby,locally cross-cutting the pedogenic features.The ichnofabrics of section P3 indicate polyphase pedogenesis with three stages:(1)initial stage:pedogenesis in siltstone of undefined depositional affinity which was obscured by pedogenic processes,(2)transient stage:recurring marine incursions and colonization by crustaceans within the lens-shaped palaeotopographic depressions overprinting the palaeosol,and(3)final stage:subaerial exposure and another preserved phase of pedogenesis.The CM shows an apparent low-order T-R(transgressive-regressive)cyclicity within a 3rd-order TST(transgressive systems tract)that is supported by pedogenic intensity,ichnofabrics,and reciprocal sedimentation near the Miocene basin margin,though the cyclicity can be the result of both autogenic and/or lowerorder allogenic changes.