The Upper Eocene–Lower Oligocene Qianjiang Formation of the Jianghan Basin in central China consists of a 4700-m-thick lacustrine succession, containing 1800 m of halite deposits. The maximum thickness of the formati...The Upper Eocene–Lower Oligocene Qianjiang Formation of the Jianghan Basin in central China consists of a 4700-m-thick lacustrine succession, containing 1800 m of halite deposits. The maximum thickness of the formation is 4700 m, and includes 1800 m of halite. We have identified eight third-order depositional sequences based on pinch-out and onlap stratigraphic patterns in 2-D and 3-D seismic data and well logs. The basin evolved from a deep to shallow under-filled lake during the Eocene–Oligocene interval. The main rock types are dark mudstones, halite, and siltstone/sandstone in the depocenter, and alternating mudstone and gypsum in shallower areas. The vertical succession indicates a strong sedimentary cyclicity. Depositional facies indicate the presence of two lake system types. Halite developed in a saline lake system, whereas clastic sediments were deposited in freshwater lake systems. The alternating sediment types indicate that the basin cycled repeatedly between saline and freshwater lake systems. This cyclicity was caused by availability of accommodation space that was controlled by a combination of climate change, tectonic subsidence and sediment supply; notably, the highest frequency cycles occurred at Milankovitch timescales controlled by the Earth＇s orbital variations. The cyclic halite plays an important role in generating and preserving oil in the Qianjiang Formation of the Qianjiang depression.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41322013)the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Universities (No. NCET-110723)+2 种基金the National Key Basic Research Development Program of China (No. 2012CB822003)the Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (No. B14031)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) (No. CUG110611)
文摘The Upper Eocene–Lower Oligocene Qianjiang Formation of the Jianghan Basin in central China consists of a 4700-m-thick lacustrine succession, containing 1800 m of halite deposits. The maximum thickness of the formation is 4700 m, and includes 1800 m of halite. We have identified eight third-order depositional sequences based on pinch-out and onlap stratigraphic patterns in 2-D and 3-D seismic data and well logs. The basin evolved from a deep to shallow under-filled lake during the Eocene–Oligocene interval. The main rock types are dark mudstones, halite, and siltstone/sandstone in the depocenter, and alternating mudstone and gypsum in shallower areas. The vertical succession indicates a strong sedimentary cyclicity. Depositional facies indicate the presence of two lake system types. Halite developed in a saline lake system, whereas clastic sediments were deposited in freshwater lake systems. The alternating sediment types indicate that the basin cycled repeatedly between saline and freshwater lake systems. This cyclicity was caused by availability of accommodation space that was controlled by a combination of climate change, tectonic subsidence and sediment supply; notably, the highest frequency cycles occurred at Milankovitch timescales controlled by the Earth＇s orbital variations. The cyclic halite plays an important role in generating and preserving oil in the Qianjiang Formation of the Qianjiang depression.
