Sedimentary Characteristics and Paleoenvironmental Records of Zabuye Salt Lake,Tibetan Plateau,since 128 ka BP

This paper for the first time reveals high-resolution core records of Zabuye Salt Lake in the interior of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. According to 1346 samples taken continuously, relatively accurate 14^C, U-series disequilibrium and ESR ages have been obtained, thus revealing that the lake core ages from 0 to 83.63 m of hole SZK02 are -800 to over 128 ka. In the paper, the lake core sedimentary characteristics （including the lithologies and mineral assemblages） are analyzed in detail and correlated with ostracod assemblages I to XX and sporopollen zones A to I, and on the basis of an integrated analysis of the δ^18O values of authigenic calcium-magnesium carbonate and environmental proxies of minerals, sporopollen and microfossils in the lake core, a correlation has been made of oxygen isotope change between this lake core and the Greenland GISP2 and GRIP and Guliya ice cores, and the climate of Zabuye Salt Lake since 128 ka BP is divided into the last interglacial stage （including substages e, d, c, b and a） of oxygen isotope stage （OIS） 5, early glacial stadial of the last glacial stage of OIS 4, interglacial stadial of the last glacial stage of OIS 3, late glacial stadial of the last glacial stage or Last Glacial Maximum of OIS 2 and postglacial state of OIS 1; in addition, 6 Heinrich （H6-H1） events, Younger Dryas event and 8.2 ka BP cold event have been recognized.

Sedimentary characteristics of paleo-aeolian dune sands of Salawusu Formation in the Salawusu River Valley

The Salawusu Formation of Milanggouwan section in Salawusu River Valley includes 7 layers of paleo-mobile dune sands, and 4 layers of paleo-fixed and semi-fixed dune sands. Their structures have been observed and their grain size, surface textural features and several main chemical elements have been analyzed. The results showed that： 1） Some of the aeolian structural characteristics of these dune sands are similar to that of the recent dune sands. 2） They are also similar to the recent dune sands in grain size components, and parameters of Mz,σ, Sk and Kg, as well as in several main chemical components. 3） The scattergrams of Mz-σ and SiO2-Al2O3＋TOFE and the probability curves of grain size showed that these paleo-dune sands are different from paleosols and fluvio-lacustrine facies, but are consistency with recent dune sands. 4） Quartz sands have well roundness and surface textural features such as dish-shaped pits, crescent-shaped pits, pockmarked pits, upturned cleavage plates, siliceous precipitates and siliceous crevasses, indicating that they had been carried for a long time by the wind. As the 11 layers of paleo-dune sands possess the aeolian characteristics in structure, grain size, surface textural features and chemical elements, the origin of their formation should be attributed to eolation.

Effects of water level fluctuation on sedimentary characteristics and reservoir architecture of a lake, river dominated delta

The hydrodynamic conditions present in a river delta's formation are a highly important factor in the variation between its sedimentary regulation and characteristics. In the case of the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta, water level fluctuations and fluviation, are both important controlling factors of the sedimentary characteristics and reservoir architecture. To discuss the effects of water level fluctuation on sediment characteristics and reservoir architecture of this delta, the Fangniugou section in the east of the Songliao Basin was selected for study. Based on an outcrop investigation of the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta, combining with an analysis of the major and trace chemical elements in the sediments to determine the relative water depth, through architecture bounding surfaces and lithofacies division, sedimentary microfacies recognition and architectural element research, this work illustrated the effects of water level fluctuation on the reservoir architecture and established sedimentary models for the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta under various water level conditions. The results show that there are 8 lithofacies in the Fangniugou section. The fan delta front, which is the main object of this study, develops four sedimentary microfacies that include the underwater distributary channel, river mouth bar, sheet sand and interdistributary bay. The effects of water level fluctuation on different orders geographic architecture elements are respectively reflected in the vertical combination of the composite sand bodies, the plane combination of the single sand bodies, the particle size changes in the vertical of hyperplasia in the single sand body, the coset and lamina. In the case of the sand body development of the petroliferous basin, varying water level conditions and research locations resulted in significant variation in the distribution and combination of the sand bodies in the lacustrine basin.

The Sedimentary Characteristics and Environmental Significance of Saline Lake Shore in North Tibetan Plateau

Introduction Through the study of environmental change indicators:landform,strata sedimentary characteristics,mineralogy characteristics and Grain-size,magnetic susceptibility analysis for 3101 cm height profile of Dogai Coring salt lake shore in the northern of Tibet plateau,the conclusion is roughly obtained about six major climate change process:

Sedimentary Characteristics and Reservoir Prediction of Paleogene in the East Part of Kuqa Foreland Basin

Most of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic large-scale hydrocarbon-bearing basins in western China were formed in a similar foreland setting. Hydrocarbon exploration of the Kuqa foreland basin requires research into the sedimentary characteristics and filling evolution of the depositional sequences and their response to the basin process. Based on an analysis of outcrops, well logs and high resolution seismic data, the sedimentary system types and distribution characteristics of the Paleogene in the east part of Kuqa foreland basin were systematically studied. The results show that： （ 1 ） Three types of sedimentary systems are developed in the area： an oxidative salty wide shallow lacustrine system, a fan delta system and an evaporitic bordersea system. （2） The configuration and evolution of the depositional systems of the Paleogene in the Kuqa foreland basin were predominantly determined by foreland tectonism. Vertically, the Paleogene sedimentary sequence can be divided into three parts： the lower, middle and upper depositional system tracts. The lower and upper tracts commonly consist of progradational or aggradational sequences, while the middle part is usually comprised of a set of aggradational to transgressive third-order sequences. Laterally, the sedimentary systems in the east part of the Kuqa foreland basin spread from east to west as a whole, and the sedimentary facies obviously vary from south to north. The sand bodies of the delta front facies are excellent gas reservoirs, characterized by rather thick, extensive and continuous distribution, high porosity and permeability, and just a few barrier beds.

Sedimentary Characteristics of Relict Deposits on the Western South Yellow Sea

Integrated studies of vertical sedimentary sequences, grain sizes, and benthic foraminifera and ostracoda, in combination with AMS 14C dating, and 210pb and 137Cs analysis were carried out in three vibracores taken from the area of relict deposits on the western South Yellow Sea. The relict sands, which are about 0.4 m thick, overlie on the Early Holocene coastal marsh or tidal fiat deposits with an evident erosional interface in between. The middle and upper parts or sometimes the whole of the relict sands have been reworked under the modern dynamic environment. The sedimentation rate varies between 0.204）.30 cmyear-l. The relict sands show a bimodal grain-size distribution pattern in frequency curves, with a sharp peak in the coarse fraction between 3（I） and 4（I） and a secondary peak in the fine fraction of about 7（I）. Of the benthic foraminiferal and ostracod assemblages, the reworked relict sands are characterized by the mixing of the nearshore euryhaline shallow-water species and deeper water species. The erosional interface at the bottom of the relict sands is considered as a regional ravinement surface formed during the transgression in the Early Holocene due to shoreface retreating landwards. The relict sands were accumulated on the ravinement surface during the transgression in the deglaciation period as lag deposits after winnowing and reworking by marine dynamic processes. And the secondary peak of fine fraction in the frequency curve for the relict sands suggests the input of fine-grained sediments during the reworking process. As the conclusion, the relict sands in the study area are interpreted as a type of reworked relict sediments.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Evolution of Asri Basin,Indonesia,in Early Tertiary

The Asri basin is a typical half-graben basin. The east side of the basin is a steep slope controlled by synrifting and the west side is a widespread gentle slope. In the early Tertiary, it was filled with terrigenous clastic sediments composed of the Banuwati and Talang Akar formations from bottom to top. The latter is further divided into the Zelda member （lower part） and the Gita member （upper part）. The previous studies suggested that the early tertiary sediments are alluvial, fluvial and swamp deposits. In this paper, based on the core lithology, well logs and seismic data, the sediments should be alluvial, fluvial and lacustrine systems. The lacustrine system includes subaqeous fan, fan delta and delta, shore-shallow lake, deep lake and turbidite fan deposition. Alluvial fan, subaqeous fan and fan delta sediments were deposited in the early stage and located on the steep slope adjacent. The deltaic sedimentary system was usually distributed on the gentle slope of the basin. In the early Tertiary, the basin evolution could be divided into four stages： initial subsidence （matching Banuwati formation）, rapid subsidence （matching low Zelda member）, steady subsidence or fluctuation （matching middle Zelda） and uplifting （matching upper Zelda）. At the first stage, the alluvial fan, flood plain, braided stream sediments were deposited first with thick brown conglomerate and pebble sandstones, and then subaqeous fan sediments were interbedded with the thick lacustrine mudstones. At the second stage, shore-shallow lake and deep lake and turbidite fan sediments were deposited, with thin fine sandstones and siltstones interbedded with thick mudstones. At the third stage, thick fan delta and delta sandstones were deposited. At last came fluvial meandering, anastomosed and swamp sediments. Sediment supply was mainly from the west and the east, partly from the north.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Models of Paleo-salt Lake During Paleocene and Eocene in the Jiangling Depression of Central China

1 Sedimentary Characteristics of Paleo-salt Lake In early sedimentary stages of Shashi formation,because of drought climate and the concentration of lake,a set of salt strata of hundreds of meters is developed in the tension

Sequence architecture and sedimentary characteristics of a Middle Jurassic incised valley,western Sichuan depression,China

The Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation encompasses tens of meters of thick lowstand meandering valley （LMV） strata in the western Sichuan foreland basin. Ancient LMVs newly discovered in this area were further studied based on sequence stratigraphy and seismic sedimentology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the sedimentary characteristics, sequence architecture, and the controls on LMV deposition in this tectonically active basin using field survey data, seismic sections, seismic amplitude imaging, core description, and comprehensive application of drilling data. The results show the following： （1） Three regional sequence boundaries and two flooding surfaces were recognized, and the Shaximiao For- mation was divided into two-third-order sequences and four systems tracts. （2） Three sedimentary facies associations were identified： incised valley-fill, tributary channel, and overbank facies. Incised valleys are 5-17 km wide, 20-60 m deep and traceable for 120 km along their axes. （3） In the downstream segment, the role of tectonism gradually diminishes, and periodic base-level changes control the form and evolution of the incised valleys. Three types of LMVs--AI, A2, and A3--developed with changes in base level （lake level）; of these types, the base level of the A3 LMV was likely the lowest.

Sedimentary characteristics of distributive fluvial system in arid area: A case study of the Shule River distributive fluvial system, NW China

Based on detailed investigation of the modern sedimentation of the distributive fluvial system of Shule River and the data of unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)aerial photography and satellite remote sensing,the sedimentary characteristics and differences of distributive fluvial system in arid areas are analyzed.By comparing the changes in slope,river morphology and sedimentary characteristics in different sections from the apex to the toe,the distributive fluvial system of Shule River can be divided into three facies belts:"proximal","middle"and"distal".The proximal belt has the largest slope and strongest hydrodynamic condition,mainly appears as large-scale braided river deposits;the fluvial bars in this belt are mainly composed of gravels,the gravels have good roundness and certain directionality,and are medium-large boulders,with low sand content;the main microfacies in this belt are braided channel and flood plain.The middle belt with slope smaller than the proximal belt,is mainly composed of braided bifurcating river deposits.Due to branching and infiltration,this belt has weaker hydrodynamic conditions,so some of the distributive rivers dry up,appearing as ephemeral rivers.This belt has small lenticular sandbodies,fine to medium gravels,higher sand content,and mainly braided channel,flood plain and aeolian dune microfacies.The distal belt has the smallest slope and flat terrain,where the river begins to transform from braided river to meandering river,the sediment is mainly sand.Due to the influence of slope,this belt has weaker erosion toward source and stronger lateral erosion,and point bars developing around the edge of the active lobes.In this belt,the river is completely meandering,and the main microfacies are braided channel,meandering channel,flood plain,aeolian dune,lake and swamp.

Dynamical Control of Asymmetrically Oblique Tidal Currents to the Sedimentary Characteristics and Development of Linear Sand Ridges in the Liaodong Shoal, East Bohai Sea

The Liaodong Shoal is a group of linear sand ridges located in the east Bohai Sea of China.In this study,54 surface sediment samples have been collected,current measurements at 4 stations have been carried out and bathymetric data were obtained.The current directions are rightward deflected relative to the strikes of the sand ridges.Affected by the narrowing effect of the ridge,the current velocities exhibited an anti-‘C’type vertical profile.The velocities of the lower currents linearly correlate with the water depths.The near-bed current velocities over the troughs are estimated to be higher than those over the ridges,and this feature could be explained by the loss of kinetic energy together with the conversion between kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.The sedimentary characteristics that are compatible with the tidal dynamics are developed across the ridges and troughs,including grain size compositions,grain size parameters,mineral compositions and Dhm indexes.The existence of the angles between the current directions and the strikes of the sand ridges is the key factor for the growth of the sand ridges.The asymmetric hydrodynamic features between the flood and ebb currents lead to the differences in the topographical and sedimentary characteristics on both sides of a sand ridge.Insufficient material supply led to the degradation of the sand ridges,and the reduction of the tidal current intensity has led to the development of the subordinate sand ridges in the troughs.Sand ridges are migrating.

Sedimentary characteristics of lacustrine deep-water gravity flow in the third member of Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Dongying Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,China

Many types of sedimentary systems occur in the middle of the third member of the Shahejie Formation(E_(2)S_(3)^(2))of the Paleogene in the Dongying Sag east of the Bohai Bay Basin.Due to the topography and material supply,traction and gravity flow depositions are intertwined in this area,and the sand body types are complex and diverse,making it challenging to improve the accuracy of their description and prediction and restricting oil reservoir exploration and development.Therefore,this paper documents our systematic study of the sedimentary characteristics of the southern slope of Dongying Depression,the formation mechanism of different sand body types,and the prediction of sand body distribution.First,according to the coring well’s single-well facies and vertical rock sequence,nine single lithofacies types and five lithofacies association types were identified.Combined with the well logging facies marks of all wells,the depositional models of delta and gravity flow depositional systems were established in the study area.Then,the gravity flow was divided into slip,collapse,debris flow,and turbidity flow according to its development mechanism.Finally,the distribution law of the gravity flow sedimentary facies type was predicted.Gravity flow sliding deposits are primarily distributed near the delta front,slump and clastic flow deposits are distributed near the far slope,and turbidity current deposits are distributed at the far slope.With the gradual shrinkage of the water body in the north-west direction and the continuous advancement of the river delta,the gravity flow sand body gradually disappears in the late E_(2)S_(3)^(2) and transits to delta plain deposition.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Paleoenvironment of Shale in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation, North Guizhou Province, and Its Shale Gas Potential

The Paleozoic Wufeng-Longmaxi shale is one of the main horizons for shale gas exploration in Sichuan Basin. Outcrop, core and thin section observations, X-ray diffraction analysis, trace element geochemistry and other methods have been used to understand the sedimentary characteristics and identify hydrocarbon source rocks in suitable sedimentary paleoenvironments in the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale in northern Guizhou Province. The thickness of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation ranges from 20 to 200 m and it was mainly deposited on a deep-water shelf. The TOC content is high, up to 5.75%. The main non-organic minerals are detrital quartz and clay minerals, with a little plagioclase feldspar, potassium feldspar, calcite, dolomite and pyrite. There is also biogenic microcrystalline quartz. Six lithofacies have been identified： siliceous shale, clay shale, calcareous shale, silty shale, carbonaceous shale, and muddy siltstone. Using biological Ba, V/（V＋Ni）, TOC, V/Cr, B, Sr/Ba and other indicators, we estimate primary productivity, redox conditions and paleosalinity and show that the early stage of Wufeng-Longmaxi deposition occurred under strong anoxic conditions, high paleosalinity and yielded a high TOC content and an excellent potential shale gas source. The anoxic environment was destroyed at the late stages of Wufeng-Longmaxi deposition, the TOC content decreased, so that it is likely to be a high quality source rock. Organic pores acted as the key reservoir space in the shales, and the pores are mainly mesopose, with most pore diameters less than 20 nm. The siliceous shale has high TOC content and brittle mineral（quartz） content making it an important exploration target for shale oil and gas exploration.

Lithofacies and sedimentary characteristics of the Silurian Longmaxi Shale in the southeastern Sichuan Basin,China

The Silurian Longmaxi Shale (SLS) is the target for shale gas exploration and exploitation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin.Based on detailed description of cores and outcrops,analysis of Gamma Ray (GR) logs,thin sections and mineralogical data,the SLS can be subdivided into six lithofacies:(1) clayey shale,(2) siliceous calcareous shale,(3) siliceous dolomitic shale,(4) silty-clayey interlaminated shale,(5) muddy siltstone,and (6) graptolite shale.Three facies associations are recognized in the study area,i.e.,inner shelf,outer shelf,and bathyal plain (including turbidite) facies.Outer shelf and bathyal plain facies dominate the lower interval of the SLS,while inner shelf facies dominates the upper part of the SLS.The thickness of the black shale in the northern part of the study area is the greatest,where siliceous calcareous shale,siliceous dolomitic shale,and graptolite shale are predominant.These three kinds of shale are rich in total organic carbon (TOC) content and brittle minerals,which is favourable for the accumulation of shale gas and its future exploitation.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Formation Mechanisms of Lacustrine Beach-Bars in the Fourth Member of the Shahejie Formation in the Shubei Area, Western Depression of the Liaohe Oilfield, China

Beach-bars are well developed in the fourth member of the Shahejie Formation in the Shubei area, western depression of the Liaohe oilfield. The fourth member is composed of two three-order sequences, including a lower Sequence 1（SQ1） and an upper Sequence 2（SQ2）. SQ2, which is the focus of this study, comprises a lowstand systems tract（LST） and a transgressive system tract（TST）. Three types of beach-bars have been recognized： shallow-littoral lacustrine sandy beach-bars, semi-deep lacustrine storm-related sandy beach-bars and shallow-littoral lacustrine carbonate beach-bars. Paleo-environments during the deposition of SQ2, including the paleo-geomorphology, paleo-water depth and paleo-source have been reconstructed to determine the formation mechanisms of the different types of beach-bars. The shallow-littoral lacustrine sandy beach-bars formed mainly by waves and currents and were mostly deposited in the LST, where water depths ranged from 3 to 9 m and the terrestrial clast supply is sufficient. The storm-related sandy beach-bars developed in the TST in the southern part of the study area near previously massively deposited sand bodies where there was sufficient water depth to preserve them. The carbonate beach-bars formed primarily in the TST in the Shubei low buried hill belt where there was a lack of terrestrial clast supply and complex, uneven geomorphology that easily gave rise to a lagoonal environment.

Sedimentary filling characteristics and controlling factors of lacustrine microbial carbonates sequence in the Santos Basin,Brazil

Based on comprehensive analysis of seismic,logging,core,thin section data,and stable isotopic compositions of carbon and oxygen,the sedimentary filling characteristics of the Lower Cretaceous Barra Velha Formation sequence in H oil field,Santos Basin,are studied,and the high-frequency sequence stratigraphic framework is established,and the spatial distribution of reef-shoal bodies are predicted and the controlling factors are discussed.During the depositional period of the Barra Velha Formation,the study area is a slope-isolated platform-slope sedimentary pattern from southwest to northeast and the change of climate background from rift to depression periods has resulted in the variation of sedimentary characteristics from the lower third-order sequence SQ1(BVE 300 Member)of low-energy deep water to the upper third-order sequence SQ2(BVE 200 and 100 members)of high-energy shallow water in the Barra Velha Formation.The activities of extensional faults and strike-slip faults in rift period and the sedimentary differentiation from platform margin to intra-platform in depression period made the sedimentary paleogeomorphology in these two periods show features of“three ridges and two depressions”.The reef-shoal bodies mainly developed in the SQ2-LHST period,with vertical development positions restricted by the periodic oscillation of the lake level,and developed on the top of each high-frequency sequence stratigraphic unit in SQ2-LHST in the platform.The strike-slip fault activity controlled the distribution of the reef-shoal bodies on the plane by changing the sedimentary paleogeomorphology.The positive flower-shaped strike-slip faults made the formation of local highlands at the margins of and inside the shallow water platforms and which became high-energy sedimentary zones,creating conditions for the development of reef-shoal bodies.

Enclosed Extent of the Saline Water and its Constraints on the Sedimentary and Salt Forming Characteristics:A Case Study of the Paleogene Playas in Hoh Xil Basin

1 Introduction There is a long period of hot,arid climates in the Jurassic-Neogene,in the eastern of the Neo-Tethys where is been called Western Yunnan—Qiangtang tectonic belt(Zheng et al.,2010).Especially in the Paleogene,under the control of the planetary winds and the north subtropical high pressure belts,a ribbon arid,semi-arid

Depositional process of hyperpycnal flow deposits:A case study on Lower Cretaceous Sangyuan outcrop in the Luanping Basin,Northeast China

Sedimentary process research is of great significance for understanding the distribution and characteristics of sediments.Through the detailed observation and measurement of the Sangyuan outcrop in Luanping Basin,this paper studies the depositional process of the hyperpycnal flow deposits,and divides their depositional process into three phases,namely,acceleration,erosion and deceleration.In the acceleration phase,hyperpycnal flow begins to enter the basin nearby,and then speeds up gradually.Deposits developed in the acceleration phase are reverse.In addition,the original deposits become unstable and are taken away by hyperpycnal flows under the eroding force.As a result,there are a lot of mixture of red mud pebbles outside the basin and gray mud pebbles within the basin.In the erosion phase,the reverse deposits are eroded and become thinner or even disappear.Therefore,no reverse grading characteristic is found in the proximal major channel that is closer to the source,but it is still preserved in the middle branch channel that is far from the source.After entering the deceleration phase,normally grading deposits appear and cover previous deposits.The final deposits in the basin are special.Some are reverse,and others are normal.They are superimposed with each other under the action of hyperpycnal flow.The analysis of the Sangyuan outcrop demonstrates the sedimentary process and distribution of hyperpycnites,and reasonably explain the sedimentary characteristics of hyperpycnites.It is helpful to the prediction of oil and gas exploration targets in gravity flow deposits.

Characteristics of Milankovitch Cycles in the Mid-Permian Liangshan and Qixia Formations of the Sichuan Basin——Examples from Well-Long17 and Well-Wujia1

The Liangshan and Qixia formations in the Sichuan Basin of central China were formed in the earlier middle Permian. Based on outcrop observation of the Changjianggou section at Shangsi, Guangyuan region and 3 rd -order sequence division in typical drillings, one-dimensional spectrum analysis has been used to choose the better curve between the natural gamma ray spectrometry log（ln （Th/K）） in Well-Long17 and the gamma ray log（GR） in Well-Wujia1, respectively, for identifying Milankovitch cycles in Sequence PSQ1 which comprises the Liangshan and Qixia formations, and then to identify the variation in the Milankovitch cycle sequences. On this basis, the system tract and 4 th -order sequence interfaces in Sequence PSQ1 were found via two-dimensional spectral analysis and digital filtering. Finally, a high-frequency sequence division program was established. Among these cycles, long eccentricity （413.0 ka） and short eccentricity （123.0 ka） are the most unambiguous, and they are separately the major control factors in forming 4 th -order （parasequence sets） and 5 th -order （parasequences） sequences, with the average thicknesses corresponding to the main cycles being 11.47 m and 3.32 m in Well-Long17, and 14.21 m and 3.79 m in Well-Wujia1, respectively. In other words, the deposition rate in the beach subfacies is faster than that of the inner ramp facies. The ln（Th/K） curve is more sensitive than the GR as the index of relatively ancient water depth in carbonate deposition. One-dimensional spectrum analysis of ln（Th/K） curve could distinguish the Milankovitch cycle sequences that arose from the Precession cycle （20.90 ka）, with a much higher credibility. Sequence PSQ1 in Well-Long17 contains 10 4 th -order sequences, and the growth span of Sequence PSQ1 consisting of the Liangshan and Qixia formations is about 4.13 Ma. The single deposition thickness of the long eccentricity cycle sequence has the characteristics of thinning and then thickening in the two-dimensional spectrum, which could be used to identify the system tract interface of the 3 rd -order sequence. The precession sequence thickness remains stationary. As a result, the early deposition rate in the mid-Permian of the Sichuan basin was very slow, remaining nearly stationary, and this reflects a sustained depositional environment. Whole-rock carbon and oxygen isotope curves could also prove this point. Milankovitch cycle sequence studies provide a basis for paleoenvironmental analysis and, as such, can be used to analyze ancient climate change, calculate deposition rate and deposition time, and carry out fine isochronous stratigraphic correlation.

Reconsideration of the sediment characteristics of the second member of the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Sanhuiba,Huaying Mountain

The second member of the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sanhuiba area in Huaying Mountain is an important section of sedimentary delta facies in the Chongqing Tianfu Geological Survey and Training Base. In spite of some initial efforts on its lithology and lithofacies, the existing research is yet to be completed and suffers from contradictory conclusions and inadequate evidence. Starting from the sedimentary microfaeies types and cyclic features, we analyzed the vertical sequence of a sedimentary delta model and discovered that this section is a constructional delta deposit. Eight incomplete and asymmetric regressive cycles are marked off, given that frequent erosion surfaces appeared in the section. Based on the analysis of structural characteristics of every monocycle, we summarized the system of cycles, tracts and sequence characteristics of the overall section. In view of this systematic series of cycles, we discussed the features of the syndepositional tectonic movements in the area and conclude that, due to frequent erosion, migration and diversion of a sub-channel branch was brought about by oscillating movements of the crust. In a comparison with neighboring sections, we explored the cause of erosion and the relations between erosion and cycles. This study greatly strengthens existing research and theories, makes an important and comprehensive contribution to geological surveys and training in the area and provides essential suggestions for coal exploration, oil and gas evaluation and in general to exploration and development in the target stratum.