Characteristics and control factors of feldspar dissolution in gravity flow sandstone of Chang 7 Member,Triassic Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin,NW China

To clarify the formation and distribution of feldspar dissolution pores and predict the distribution of high-quality reservoir in gravity flow sandstone of the 7^(th) member of Triassic Yanchang Formation(Chang 7 Member)in the Ordos Basin,thin sections,scanning electron microscopy,energy spectrum analysis,X-ray diffraction whole rock analysis,and dissolution experiments are employed in this study to investigate the characteristics and control factors of feldspar dissolution pores.The results show that:(1)Three types of diagenetic processes are observed in the feldspar of Chang 7 sandstone in the study area:secondary overgrowth of feldspar,replacement by clay and calcite,and dissolution of detrital feldspar.(2)The feldspar dissolution of Chang 7 tight sandstone is caused by organic acid,and is further affected by the type of feldspar,the degree of early feldspar alteration,and the buffering effect of mica debris on organic acid.(3)Feldspars have varying degrees of dissolution.Potassium feldspar is more susceptible to dissolution than plagioclase.Among potassium feldspar,orthoclase is more soluble than microcline,and unaltered feldspar is more soluble than early kaolinized or sericitized feldspar.(4)The dissolution experiment demonstrated that the presence of mica can hinder the dissolution of feldspar.Mica of the same mass has a significantly stronger capacity to consume organic acids than feldspar.(5)Dissolution pores in feldspar of Chang 7 Member are more abundant in areas with low mica content,and they improve the reservoir physical properties,while in areas with high mica content,the number of feldspar dissolution pores decreases significantly.

Volcanism Pacing Slumping Gravity Flow Deposits during the Late Carboniferous in the Southern Margin of the Junggar Basin,China

Deep-water gravity depositional processes and evolution in arc systems have become topics of intense research focus in recent years.This study discusses the co-evolution of volcanism and deep-water gravity flow deposits at the southern margin of the Junggar Basin,based on petrology,geochronology and geochemical analyses.The results show that a massive collapse of unstable sediments from the slope was triggered by volcanism,resulting in the formation of slumping gravity flows.The occurrence of volcanic beds in the slump deposits confirm that synchronous volcanism likely affected sediment instability,triggering gravity flows.The Th/Yb,Ta/Yb and Th/Ta elemental ratios,U-Pb ages of detrital zircons and paleocurrent directions indicate that the North Tianshan(NTS)island arc represents the provenance of the Qianxia Formation.Moreover,statistical data on the pyroclastic components in the gravity flow deposits reveal an intensity index of volcanism,indicating that volcanism is strongly related to gravity flow deposits,especially in terms of the type and distribution of the deposits.A model for volcanically-triggered deep-water gravity flow deposits is established,in order to provide a more in-depth understanding of the co-evolution of volcanism and gravity flow deposits within the depositional setting of the late Paleozoic NTS oceanic subduction margin in the Junggar Basin.

Gravity Flow on Slope and Abyssal Systems in the Qiongdongnan Basin,Northern South China Sea

The study of new seismic data permits the identification of sediment gravity flows in terms of internal architecture and the distribution on shelf and abyssal setting in the Qiongdongnan Basin （QDNB）. Six gravity flow types are recognized： （1） turbidite channels with a truncational basal and concordant overburden relationship along the shelf edge and slope, comprising laterally-shifting and vertically-aggrading channel complexes; （2） slides with a spoon-shaped morphology slip steps on the shelf-break and generated from the deformation of poorly-consolidated and high water content sediments; （3） slumps are limited on the shelf slope, triggered either by an anomalous slope gradient or by fault activity; （4） turbidite sheet complexes （TSC） were ascribed to the basin-floor fan and slope fan origin, occasionally feeding the deep marine deposits by turbidity currents; （5） sediment waves occurring in the lower slope-basin floor, and covering an area of approximately 400 km2, were generated beneath currents flowing across the sea bed; and （6） the central canyon in the deep water area represents an exceptive type of gravity flow composed of an association of debris flow, turbidite channels, and TSC. It presents planar multisegment and vertical multiphase characteristics. Turbidite associated with good petrophysical property in the canyon could be treated as a potential exploration target in the QDNB.

Status and Trends in Research on Deep-Water Gravity Flow Deposits

Deep-water gravity flows are one of the most important sediment transport mechanisms on Earth. After 60 years of study, significant achievements have been made in terms of classification schemes, genetic mechanisms, and depositional models of deep-water gravity flows. The research history of deep-water gravity flows can be divided into five stages： incipience of turbidity current theory; formation of turbidity current theory; development of deep-water gravity flow theory; improvement and perfection of deep-water gravity flow theory; and comprehensive development of deep-water gravity flow theory. Currently, three primary classification schemes based on the sediment support mechanism, the rheology and transportation process, and the integration of sediment support mechanisms, rheology, sedimentary characteristics, and flow state are commonly used.Different types of deep-water gravity flow events form different types of gravity flow deposits. Sediment slump retransportation mainly forms muddy debris flows, sandy debris flows, and surge-like turbidity currents. Resuspension of deposits by storms leads to quasi-steady hyperpycnal turbidity currents （hyperpycnal flows）. Sustainable sediment supplies mainly generate muddy debris flows, sandy debris flows, and hyperpycnal flows. Deep-water fans, which are commonly controlled by debris flows and hyperpycnal flows, are triggered by sustainable sediment supply; in contrast, deep-water slope sedimentary deposits consist mainly of debris flows that are triggered by the retransportation of sediment slumps and deep-water fine-grained sedimentary deposits are derived primarily from fine- grained hyperpycnal flows that are triggered by the resuspension of storm deposits. Harmonization of classification schemes, transformation between different types of gravity flow deposit, and monitoring and reproduction of the sedimentary processes of deep-water gravity flows as well as a source-to-sink approach to document the evolution and deposition of deep-water gravity flows are the most important research aspects for future studies of deep-water gravity flows study in the future.

An Upward Shallowing Succession of Gravity Flow Deposits in the Early Cretaceous Lingshandao Formation,Western Yellow Sea

Objective Several well-exposed gravity flow deposits in the Early Cretaceous Lingshandao Formation provide a rare opportunity to study deep-water processes. The main objective of this work is to establish the spatial and temporal relationships between the various gravity flow deposits, and thus to establish their sequence stratigraphic patterns and depositional conditions.

Sedimentary characteristics and model of gravity flow channel-lobe complex in a depression lake basin:A case study of Chang 7 Member of Triassic Yanchang Formation in southwestern Ordos Basin,NW China

To reveal the development characteristics and distribution of gravity flow sedimentary system under micro-paleogeomorphologic units of the Chang 7 Member of Triassic Yanchang Formation in the southwestern Ordos Basin,on the basis of the restoration of the paleogeomorphological form of the Chang 7 depositional period by the impression method,each micro-paleogeomorphologic unit was depicted in-depth,and the characteristics and development models of gravity flow deposits in the study area were studied in combination with outcrop,core,mud logging and log data.The results show that:(1)The paleogeomorphology in the Chang 7 depositional period was an asymmetrical depression,wide and gentle in the northeast and steep and narrow in the southwest.Three sub-paleogeomorphologic units were developed in the basin,including gentle paleo-slope,paleo-slope and paleo-depression,and they can be further subdivided into eight micro-paleogeomorphologic units:bulge,groove,slope break belt,plain of lake bottom,deep depression of lake bottom,paleo-channel,paleo-ridge of lake bottom,and paleo-uplift of lake bottom.(2)There are 9 types of lithofacies and 4 types of lithofacies assemblages of Chang 7 Member.According to lithofacies composition and lithofacies vertical combination,the gravity flow deposit is further divided into 5 types of microfacies:restricted channel,unrestricted channel,natural levee,inter-channel,lobe.(3)Paleogeomorphology plays an important role in controlling sediment source direction,type and spatial distribution of sedimentary microfacies,genetic types and distribution of sand bodies in Chang 7 Member.

Heterogeneity and influencing factors of marine gravity flow tight sandstone under abnormally high pressure:A case study from the Miocene Huangliu Formation reservoirs in LD10 area,Yinggehai Basin,South China Sea

The characteristics of reservoir heterogeneity of the marine gravity flow tight sandstone from the Miocene Huangliu Formation under abnormally high pressure setting at LD10 area in Yinggehai Basin are studied,and the influencing factors on reservoir heterogeneity are discussed,based on modular formation dynamics test,thin sections,XRD analysis of clay minerals,scanning electron microscopy,measurement of pore throat image,porosity and permeability,and high pressure Hg injection,as well as the stimulation of burial thermal history.The aim is to elucidate characteristics of the heterogeneity and the evolution process of heterogeneity of the reservoir,and predict the favorable reservoirs distribution.(1)The heterogeneity of the reservoir is mainly controlled by the cement heterogeneity,pore throat heterogeneity,quality of the reservoir heterogeneity,and the diagenesis under an abnormally high pressure setting.(2)The differences in pore-throat structure caused by diagenetic evolution affected the intergranular material heterogeneity and the pore throat heterogeneity,and finally controlled the heterogeneity of reservoir quality.(3)Compared with the reservoir under normal pressure,abnormally high pressure restrains strength of the compaction and cementation and enhances the dissolution of the reservoir to some extent,and abnormally high pressure thus weakening the heterogeneity of the reservoir to a certain degree.The favorable reservoirs are mainly distributed in the gravity flow sand body under the strong overpressure zone in the middle and lower part of Huangliu Formation.

Evolution and controlling factors of the gravity flow deposits in the Miocene sequence stratigraphic framework,the Lower Congo-Congo Fan Basin,West Africa

To understand the evolution of the Miocene gravity flow deposits in the Lower Congo-Congo Fan Basin,this paper documents the Miocene sequence stratigraphic framework,the depositional characteristics and the controlling factors of the gravity flow system.Based on the establishment of high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework,lithofacies characteristics and sedimentary units of the gravity flow deposits in the region are identified by using seismic,well logging and core data comprehensively,and the sedimentary evolution process is revealed and the controlling factors are discussed.The Miocene can be divided into four 3 rd-order sequences(SQ1-SQ4).The gravity flow deposits mainly include siliciclastic rock and pelite.The main sedimentary units include slumping deposits,mass transport deposits(MTD),channel fills,levee-overbank deposits,and frontal lobes.In the Early Miocene(SQ1),mainly gull-wing,weakly restricted to unrestricted depositional channel-overbank complexes and lobes were formed.In the early Middle Miocene(SQ2),W-shaped and weakly restricted erosional-depositional channels(multi-phase superposition)were subsequently developed.In the late Middle Miocene(SQ3),primarily U-shaped and restricted erosional channels were developed.In the Late Miocene(SQ4),largely V-shaped and deeply erosional isolated channels were formed in the study area.Climate cooling and continuous fall of the sea level made the study area change from toe of slope-submarine plain to lower continental slope,middle continental slope and finally to upper continental slope,which in turn affected the strength of the gravity flow.The three times of tectonic uplifting and climate cooling in the West African coast provided abundant sediment supply for the development of gravity flow deposits.Multistage activities of salt structures played important roles in redirecting,restricting,blocking and destroying the gravity flow deposits.Clarifying the characteristics,evolution and controlling factors of the Miocene gravity flow deposits in the Lower Congo-Congo Fan Basin can provide reference for deep-water petroleum exploration in this basin.

Effects of Seasonal Variations in Physical Parameters on Quality of Gravity Flow Water in Kyanamira Sub-County, Kabale District, Uganda

The effect of seasonal variations in physical parameters on quality of gravity flow water was investigated in Kyanamira Sub-County, Kabale District, Uganda. The seasonal variations in the physical parameters (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, colour, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS)) were determined during wet and dry seasons. Composite samples from gravity flow water sources were collected monthly from March to August, 2014 and then analyzed. Temperature was measured using thermometer;pH, EC and TDS were determined using a multimeter, turbidity, colour and total suspended solids were determined by spectrophotometric method. TDS, pH and temperature were the most contributing parameters to water quality variations in both seasons. The mean pH values varied between 3.78 - 4.84 from March to August, 2014 at all study sites. These pH values were consistently below the WHO permissible range of 6.5 - 8.5. Similarly, total suspended solids varied between 0.66 - 2.17 mg·L-1 and were well above the recommended WHO limit of zero mg·L-1 at all study sites. Turbidity mean values varied between 0.83 - 3.7 NTU and were outside the recommended limits of 3 NTU at Kigata (3.7 NTU) only. Temperatures (20.3°C - 21.15°C) for all the study sites were within the recommended limit of 20°C - 30°C in water for domestic purposes. The mean values of physical parameters for the wet season were: temperature (21.12°C), colour (12.5 PtCoU), turbidity (3.4 NTU), TDS (76.76 mg·L-1), TSS (2.13 mg·L-1), pH (4.19) and EC (152.7 μS·cm-1) were different from those of the dry season (temperature (20.99°C), colour (0.93 PtCoU), turbidity (0.53 NTU), TDS (77.33 mg·L-1), TSS (0.67 mg·L-1), pH (4.86) and EC (158.65 μS·cm-1). Basing on these findings above, it was evident to justify discouraging the use of gravity flow water at these study sites for domestic purposes without proper treatment.

Division and Correlation of Lacustrine Gravity Flow Reservoirs Based on High-Resolution Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis—Taking Oil Formation I of Lower Es3 in Wuhaozhuang Oilfield as an Example

The phase change of lacustrine gravity flow deposition is fast and complex. In its reservoir division and correlation, the isochronous problem is very important. Taking the oil formation I of Es3 in Wuhaozhuang oilfield as an example, through the analysis of stratigraphic drilling and logging data in the study area, according to the genetic types of different levels of base level cycle interfaces and the characteristics of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy, this paper subdivides the lacustrine gravity flow oil layer of lower Es3 in Wuhaozhuang Oilfield, divides it into four short-term base level cycle sequences, and establishes the high-resolution isochronous stratigraphic framework of this interval. It is found that the mid-term, short-term and ultra short-term base level cycles correspond to the oil formation, sand layer group and single layer in the oil layer correlation unit of the oilfield respectively. Based on this, the oil layer correlation unit of the interval is divided, and the sublayer correlation model is established according to the identification characteristics of the short-term base level cycle.

Origin of submarine canyon-channel systems along the middle segment of West Mariana Ridge,Philippine Sea

Submarine canyon-channel systems have been documented in the Parece Vela Basin,West Mariana Ridge;however,the mechanism of the formation and controlling factors remain poorly understood.Based on high-resolution multibeam bathymetric data and two-dimensional(2D)seismic profiles,we identified and mapped the submarine canyon-channel system along the middle segment of West Mariana Ridge in the Philippine Sea.These submarine canyon-channels show a main W-E orientation at depth of 2000–4500 m.They are approximately 72–128 km in length and 1.3–15 km in width,and their canyon heads are adjacent to the seamounts with several branches.The upper reaches of submarine canyon-channels are characterized by deeply incised,narrow,V-shaped thalwegs,suggesting the powerful erosion of gravity flows.The distinguished sediment waves are suggested to be resulted from the interaction of turbidity currents and seafloor.Our observations demonstrate that gravity flows originated from the collapses of seamount flanks plays a vital role in developing the submarine canyonchannel system along the West Mariana Ridge.This work provides better understanding of erosion,transport,and deposition of sediments from subducting ridges to deep-water basins,and also new insights into the origin and evolution of submarine canyon-channel systems along subducting ridges.

A flow chemiluminescence paper-based microfuidic device for detection of chromium(Ⅲ)in water

In this work,a solely gravity and capillary force-driven flow chemiluminescence(GCF-CL)paper-based microfuidic device has been proved for the first time as a new platforn for inex-pensive,usable,mini mally instrumented dynamic chemiluninescence(CL)detection of chromium(Ⅲ)[Cr(Ⅲ)],where an appropriate angle of inclination between the loading and detection zones on the paper produces a rapid flow of CL prompt solution through the paper charnel.For this study,we use a cost-effective paper device that is manufactured by a simple wax screen-printing method,while the signal generated from the Cr(Ⅲ)-catalyzed oxidation of luminol by H_(2)O_(2) is recorded by a low-cost and luggable CCD camera.A series of GCF-CL affecting factors have been evaluated carefully.At optimal conditions,two linear relationships between GCF-CL intensities and the logarithms of Cr(Ⅲ)concentrations are obtained in the concentration mnges of 0.025-35 mg/L and 50-500 mg/L separately,with the detection limit of 0.0245mg/L for a les than 30s assay,and relative standard deviations(RSDs)of 38%,4.5%and 2.3%for 0.75,5 and 50 mg/L of Cr(Ⅲ)(n=8).The above results indicate that the GCF-CL paper-based microfluidic device possesses a receivable sensitivity,dynamic range,storage stability and reproducibility.Finally,the developed GCF-CL is utilized for Cr(Ⅲ)detection in real water samples.

Pliocene hyperpycnal flow and its sedimentary pattern in D block of Rakhine Basin in Bay of Bengal

Based on core,logging,lab test and seismic data,sedimentary characteristics and pattern of marine hyperpycnal flow,the distribution rules of hyperpycnal flow reservoir,prediction method of favorable hyperpycnal flow reservoir zones,hydrocarbon accumulation model in hyperpycnal flow reservoir in D block of Bay of Bengal were investigated,and the favorable exploration zone and well sites were predicted.Pliocene in D block has typical hyperpycnal flow sediment,which is a set of fine-medium sandstone held between thick layers of marine mudstone and features a series of reverse grading unit and normal grading unit pairs.The hyperpycnal flow sediment appears as heavily jagged box shape,bell shape and tongue shape facies on log curves with linear gradient,and corresponds to multiple phases of deep channels on the seismic section and high sinuous channel on stratal slices.The sedimentary bodies formed by a single phase hyperpycnal flow which include five types of microfacies,namely,supply channel(valley),channel complex,branch channel,levee and sheet sand.The hyperpycnal flow sediments appear in multiple branches,multiple generations and stages in space,forming high-quality reservoirs in strips on the plane and superposition vertically,with fairly good physical properties.The channel complex sandstone,with large thickness,coarse particle size and good physical properties,is the most favorable exploration facies.Based on the guidance of the sedimentary model,distribution of the channel complex microfacies was delineated in detail by seismic reflection structure analysis,spectrum waveform characteristic analysis,slice and attribute fusion,and combined with the structural feature analysis,the favorable drilling zone was sorted out,effectively guiding the exploration deployment of the block.

EFFECT OF GRAVITY FIELD ON SOLIDIFICATION BEHAVIOR OF STEEL INGOT

By means of numerical simulation. the in fluence of gravity on fluid flow,patterns has been simulated.The result shows that with the increase of inclined angle,the velocity of fluid flow decreases and the isotherms become flatter,which suppresses the evolution of channel segregation.

Types,characteristics and geological significance of event deposits of Chang 9 Member of Triassic Yanchang Formation in southwestern Ordos Basin,NW China

Through core observation,thin section identification,and logging and testing data analysis,the types and characteristics of event deposits in the ninth member of Yanchang Formation of Triassic(Chang 9 Member)in southwestern Ordos Basin,China,are examined.There are 4 types and 9 subtypes of event deposits,i.e.earthquake,gravity flow,volcanic and anoxic deposits,in the Chang 9 Member in the study area.Based on the analysis of the characteristics and distribution of such events deposits,it is proposed that the event deposits are generally symbiotic or associated,with intrinsic genetic relations and distribution laws.Five kinds of sedimentary microfacies with relatively developed event deposits are identified,and the genetic model of event deposits is discussed.Seismites are mainly developed in the lake transgression stage when the basin expands episodically,and commonly affected by liquefaction flow,gravity action and brittle shear deformation.Gravity flow,mainly distributed in the high water level period,sandwiched in the fine-grained sediments of prodelta or semi-deep lake,or creates banded or lobate slump turbidite fan.It is relatively developed above the seismites strata.The volcanic event deposits are only seen in the lower part of the Chang 9 Member,showing abrupt contact at the top and bottom,which reflects the volcanic activity at the same time.Anoxic deposits are mostly formed in the late stage of lake transgression to the highstand stage.Very thick organic-rich shales are developed in the highstand stage of Chang 9 Member,and the event deposits in the depositional period of these shales are conducive to potential reservoirs.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Model of Gravity Flow Depositional System for the First Member of Upper Miocene Huangliu Formation in Dongfang Area, Yinggehai Basin, Northwestern South China Sea

The gravity flow deposit were mainly developed in the lowstand systems tract（LST） of the first member of Upper Miocene Huangliu Formation（Ehl1） in Dongfang area, Yinggehai Basin, has become a valuable target for gas exploration and production. The gravity flow sedimentary characteristics of lithofacies associations, sedimentary texture, seismic facies and logging facies were described in detail on the basis of integrated analysis of cores, logging and seismic data. The sedimentary microfacies types composed of neritic sandbar, continental shelf mud, main channel, bifurcated or cross-cutting distributary channel, overspill, and natural levee are revealed under the constraint of high resolution sequence stratigraphic framework in the Ehl1. The gravity flow deposit system in the LST is divided into three evolution stages corresponding to periods of three parasequence sets. The gravity flow deposit was induced in the early LST, expanded rapidly in the middle LST and decreased slightly in the late LST. But its developing scale decreased sharply in the transgression systems tract（TST） and finally vanished in the highstand systems tract（HST）. This spatial evolution rule is constrained by the integrated function of sediments supply of the Vietnam Blue River in the LST, the development of local gradient change in sea floor（micro-topography, i.e., flexure slope break）, and the fall in relative sea level. On the basics of the deep study of the coupling relationship among the three main control factors, the sedimentary model is established as an optimal component of ＂source-channel-sink＂ for shallow marine turbidite submarine fan.

Glaciation-induced features or sediment gravity flows——An analytic review

For more than 150 years, geologic characteristics claimed to be evidence for pre-Pleistocene glaciations have been debated. Advancements in recent decades, in understanding features generated by mainly glacial and mass flow processes, are here reviewed. Detailed studies of data offered in support of prePleistocene glaciations have led to revisions that involve environments of mass movements. Similarities and differences between Quaternary glaciogenic and mass movement features are examined, to provide a more systematic methodology for analysing the origins of more ancient deposits. Analyses and evaluation of data are from a) Quaternary glaciogenic sediments, b) formations which have been assigned to pre-Pleistocene glaciations, and c) formations with comparable features associated with mass movements(and occasionally tectonics). Multiple proxies are assembled to develop correct interpretations of ancient strata. The aim is not per se to reinterpret specific formations and past climate changes, but to enable data to be evaluated using a broader and more inclusive conceptual framework.Regularly occurring pre-Pleistocene features interpreted to be glaciogenic, have often been shown to have few or no Quaternary glaciogenic equivalents. These same features commonly form by sediment gravity flows or other non-glacial processes, which may have led to misinterpretations of ancient deposits. These features include, for example, environmental affinity of fossils, grading, bedding, fabrics, size and appearance of erratics, polished and striated clasts and surfaces(“pavements”), dropstones, and surface microtextures.Recent decades of progress in research relating to glacial and sediment gravity flow processes have resulted in proposals by geologists, based on more detailed field data, more often of an origin by mass movements and tectonism than glaciation.The most coherent data of this review, i.e., appearances of features produced by glaciation, sediment gravity flows and a few other geological processes, are summarized in a Diamict Origin Table.

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.

Diversity of depositional architecture and sandbody distribution of sublacustrine fans during forced regression: A case study of Paleogene Middle Sha 3 Member in Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, East China

Currently, the differences in gravity flow deposits within different systems tracts in continental lacustrine basins are not clear. Taking the middle submember of the third member of Paleogene Shahejie Formation(Sha 3 Member) in the Shishen 100 area of the Dongying Sag in the Bohai Bay Basin as an example, the depositional architecture of sublacustrine fans during forced regression and the impact of the fourth-order base-level changes on their growth were investigated using cores, well logs and 3D seismic data. Sublacustrine fans were mainly caused by hyperpycnal flow during the fourth-order base-level rise, while the proportion of slump-induced sublacustrine fans gradually increased during the late fourth-order base-level fall. From rising to falling of the fourth-order base-level, the extension distance of channels inside hyperpycnal-fed sublacustrine fans reduced progressively, resulting in the transformation in their morphology from a significantly channelized fan to a skirt-like fan. Furthermore, the depositional architecture of distributary channel complexes in sublacustrine fans changed from vertical aggradation to lateral migration, and the lateral size of individual channel steadily decreased. The lobe complex's architectural patterns evolved from compensational stacking of lateral migration to aggradational stacking, and the lateral size of individual lobe steadily grew. This study deepens the understanding of depositional features of gravity flow in high-frequency sequence stratigraphy and provides a geological foundation for the fine development of sublacustrine fan reservoirs.

Confined gravity flow sedimentary process and its impact on the lower continental slope,Niger Delta

There is active gravity flow sedimentation on the lower continental slope of Niger Delta. High-resolution 3-D seismic data enable a detailed study on the gravity flow deposition process and its impact. The lower continental slope of Niger Delta is characterized by a stepped complex topography, which resulted from gravity sliding and spreading during Miocene and Pliocene. Two types of accommodations are identified on the slope: ponded accommodation as isolated sub-basins and healed slope accommodation as connected tortuous corridors, where multi-scale submarine fans and submarine channels developed. Gravity flow deposition process is affected by the characteristics of gravity flows and the receiving basin. At the early stage, gravity flow deposition process was dominated by "fill and spill" pattern in the ponded accommodation, whereas it was confined to the healed slope accommodation during the late stage. On the lower continental slope of Niger Delta, complex slope topography controlled the distribution and evolution of the gravity flow, producing complicated gravity depositional patterns.