Basic Lithofacies-Succession Model for the Wumishan Cyclothems: Their Markov Chain Analysis and Regularly Vertical Stacking Patterns in the Third-Order Sequences

The Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation in the Jixian section of Tianjin is a succession of 3300-m-thick carbonate strata formed in a period of about 100 Ma (1310±20 Ma-1207±10 Ma). In this succession of strata, the carbonate metre-scale cyclic sequences belonging to peritidal type with an approximately symmetrical lithofacies-succession are best developed. The wide development of 1:4 stacking patterns shows that these metre-scale cyclic sequences are genetically related to the short-eccentricity cycles, which are called the Wumishan cyclothems that could truly represent sedimentary cycles. Generally, massive and thick-bedded calcareous dolomites and dolomitic limestones of stromatolite biostromes and thrombolite bioherms constitute the central part of the Wumishan cyclothems. The lower and upper parts consist of tidal flat dolostones, sandy-muddy dolostone and the top part is composed of lagoonal facies dolomitic shales with a paleosol cap. Therefore, an approximately symmetrical lithofacies-succession is formed. Many features such as the clear deepening and shoaling vectors of cyclothems, and all kinds of marks of fresh-water diagenesis indicate that the Wumishan cyclothems are the product of autocyclic sedimentation governed by allocyclic high-frequency sea-level changes. The results of a Markov chain analysis reaffirm the existence of the lithofacies-succession model of the Wumishan cyclothems. The boundaries of the Wumishan cyclothems are marked by the instantaneous exposed punctuated surface, which leads to the discrepancy between the cyclothems and the parasequences of the sequence stratigraphy terminology system. It is difficult to form a judgment that the time span of the Milankovitch cycles in the Precambrian is certainly equal to that of the Phanerozoic, but the regularly vertical stacking patterns of the seventh-order rhythms, sixth-order cyclothems and fifth-order parasequence sets still indicate their consistency with the duration of the Milankovitch cycles in the Phanerozoic.

Fischer Plots of Wumishan Cyclothems,Precambrian Records of Third-OrderSea-Level Changes

The Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation ((1310 ± 20 ) Ma - (l 207 ± 10) Ma) in Jixian, Tianjin represents a succession of 3 300 meter thick carbonate strata where are the best developed stromatolite biostromes and thrombolite bioherms. These biostromes and bioherms, together with tidal-flat dolomites and muddy dolostones, form Wumishan cyclothems with approximately symmetrical faciessuccession fabrics, which belong to carbonate meter-scale cyclic sequences of peritidal type. These cyclothems are overlain by lagoon dolomitic mudstones and shales and by frequently developed paleosol layers, indicating that the boundary of Wumishan cyclothems is marked by an instantaneously-exposed punctuated surface. Viewed form the regularly vertical stacking patterns of Wumishan cyclothems in long-term sequences, 26 third-order sequences may be discerned in Wumishan Formation. These thirdorder sequences may also be incorporated into six second-order sequences. In order to study the variation range of third-order sea-level changes and the formation period of third-order sequence, 626 cyclothems are discerned in the middle and upper parts of Wumishan Formation where the outcrops are well developed. In terms of the total thickness and the formation period of Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation, the crust subsidence rate in the sedimentary period of Wumishan Formation is supposed to be 3 meters at each interval of 100 thousands years. Based on this assumption, Fischer plot might be designed to simulate the third-order sea-level changing pattern.

Prediction of Interbeds Intercalated into Complex Heterogeneous Reservoirs at a High Water Cut Stage

The occurrence of interbeds in thick oil formations is one of the main reasons that cause the difference of remaining oil distribution. A quantitative method for predicting interbeds was proposed and the sedimentary origin and division criterion were demonstrated. The distribution of interbeds in different types of sedimentary sand bodies were predicted and analyzed by combining the theory of sedimentology and reservoir bed architectural-element analysis. The interbeds in a single well were recognized from high resolution well logs, and inter-well interbeds were predicted by using the methods of cyclothem correlation, physical properties trtmcation, and conditional simulation. Finally a 3-D model of interbed was built. Application to the Gudao Oilfield was successful.

Correlation of Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous Depositional Sequences in Different Facies Belts on Southern Margin of Upper Yangtze Platform

A fundamental problem in sequence stratigraphy is whether the sequences are global in extent and whether the sea level changes are eustatic in nature. Study on the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous depositional sequences in different facies belts on the southern margin of the Upper Yangtze platform shows that different orders of sequences possess distinctive distribution and correlation in space, although the sea level changes in various orders of sequences may be primarily global in nature. The present paper regards the distribution in space, especially in different facies belts, as a criterion for defining and recognizing the various orders of sequences. The orthosequence (third order sequence) is probably global in nature, which may be discerned in various depositional facies belts on the continental margin and can be correlated over long distances, sometimes maybe worldwide. Commonly, correlation of the subsequences (fourth order sequences with time interval of 0.5 Ma to 1.5 Ma) is difficult in different facies belts, although some of them are probably also worldwide in distribution. A subsequence should be distinguishable and correlatable within at least one facies belt. The higher order sequences, including parasequences (fifth order sequences) and microsequences (sixth order sequences), are regional or local in distribution. They may have reflected the longer and shorter Milankovitch cycles respectively. Orthosequences and subsequences are usually recognizable in different facies belts, while parasequences and microsequences may be distinguished only in shallow marine deposits, but not in slope and basin facies deposits.

Criteria for defining and recognizing the various orders of sequences in outcrop sequence stratigraphy

The regional distribution in different depositional facies belts is here regarded as an important criterion for defining and recognizing the various orders of sequences. The third-order sequence is possibly global in nature, which may be discerned in different depositional facies belts in one continental margin and can be correlated over long distances, sometimes even worldwide. Commonly, correlation of subsequence (fourth-order sequence with time interval of 0.51.5 Ma) is difficult in different facies belts, although some of them may also be worldwide in distribution. A subsequence should be able to discern and correlate within at least one facies belt. The higher-order sequences, including microsequence (fifth-order sequence) and minisequence (sixth-order sequence), are regional or local in distribution. They may reflect the longer and shorter Milankovitch cycles respectively. Sequence and subsequence are usually recognizable in different facies belts, while microsequence and minisequence may be distinguished only in shallow marine deposits, but not in slope and basin facies deposits. A brief discussion is made on the essential conditions for correct identification of sequences, useful methods of study, and problems meriting special attention in outcrop sequence stratigraphy.

The species diversity of fusulinaceans and high-frequency sea-level changes in the Carboniferous-Permian boundary section at Xikou, Zhen'an County,Shaanxi Province, China

The study on the interrelation between sea-level changes and biodiversity with its evolu-tion has great significance for understanding the impact of global changes on organic evolution and exploring the inherent laws of life-environment coevolution in geological history. In this paper, the stratigraphic distribution of fusulinacean fauna in the Carboniferous-Permian boundary section at Xikou, Zhen’an County, Shaanxi Province, is analyzed quantitatively, and the relationship between the species diversity of fusulinaceans and relative sea-level changes is discussed. As a whole, the spe-cies numbers of fusulinacean fauna experience a rapid increase and an obvious decline in Xikou, Zhen’an County, from the Late Carboniferous to the Early Permian. There is a significant increase in species diversity around the Carboniferous-Permian boundary, which is one of the biggest bio-events of the fusulinacean fauna, and represents the radiation of Pseudoschwagerininae subfamily in the studied area. Integrated fusulinacean species diversity into sequence stratigraphic framework, de-tailed study suggests that the species diversity of the fusulinaceans is closely related to its relative stratigraphic location, and is essentially controlled by the sea-level changes, especially by the high-frequency sea-level changes. Generally, the species diversity of fusulinaceans is low, and the number of first and last appearance datum is small in the lower unit of high-frequency depositional cycle formed during the quick rise of the sea level; whereas the species diversity of fusulinaceans is high, and the number of first and last appearance datum is large in the upper unit of high-frequency cycle formed during the slow fall of the sea level. Within the third-order depositional sequence, the species diversity of the fusulinaceans at the first flooding surfaces and the maximum flooding surfaces is low, and it increases upward. The fusulinacean species diversity is low within the transgressive systems track, and it is high within the highstand systems track. The second-order rise and fall in sea level coincide with the bloom and decline of high order taxa of fusulinaceans.