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.

Reply to the Comment by Tan Mingxuan et al.(2017), on “A new Discovery of the Early Cretaceous Supercritical Hyperpycnal Flow Deposits on the Lingshan Island, East China”

We thank Tan Mingxuan et al. （2017） for their comments stimulated by our short paper in the recent Acta Geologica Sinica （English edition）. We are grateful for the opportunity to expand on the model of the supercritical hyperpycnal flow deposits in the Beilaishi section on the Lingshan Island, and to explain why the model proposed by Tan Mingxuan et al. （2017） cannot explain the bulk of the deposits in the Beilaishi section. We do not dispute that the recognition of supercritical flow deposits remains ambiguous （Ono and Plink-Bjorklund, 2017）. To some extent, the morphology of deep-water supercritical flow deposits is similar to hummocky and swaley cross- stratification （Ono and Plink-Bjorklund, 2017）. Besides, distinguishing the deposits laid down by gravity flows in deep-water systems from those produced by storm-related combined flows in continental shelf systems is not an easy task （Ono and Plink-Bjorklund, 2017）. However, a correct interpretation is crucial for understanding the paleogeographic and depositional model.

A new discovery of The Early Cretaceous Supercritical Hyperpycnal Flow Deposits on Lingshan Island,East China

Objective Understanding the dynamics of sediment gravity flows is of great importance to correctly interpret their related deposits. The discovery of supercritical sediment gravity flows provides some new viewpoints for the explanation of controversial sediment gravity flow deposits. However, the dynamics, formation, evolution processes of supercritical sediment gravity flows and their recognition criteria from their associated deposits are still worldwide controversial. The supercritical hyperpycnal flow deposits recognized in the upper part of Early Cretaceous Lingshandao Formation provide a rare opporttmity to understand their sedimentary characteristics. This work is aimed at documenting the typical sedimentary structures associated with the supercritical hyperpycnal flow, and discussing the vertical stacking and its relationship with flow evolution.

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.

Hyperpycnal (over density) flows and deposits

A hyperpycnal flow forms when a relatively dense land-derived gravity flow enters into a marine or lacustrine water reservoir. As a consequence of its excess of density, the incoming flow plunges in coastal areas, generating a highly dynamic and often long-lived dense underflow. Depending on the characteristics of the parent flow(flow duration and flow rheology) and basin salinity, the resulting deposits(hyperpycnites) can be very variable.According to flow duration, land-derived gravity flows can be classified into short-lived or long-lived flows. Shortlived gravity flows last for minutes or hours, and are mostly related to small mountainous river discharges, alluvial fans, collapse of natural dams, landslides, volcanic eruptions, j?kulhlaups, etc. Long-lived gravity flows last for days,weeks or even months, and are mostly associated with medium-to large-size river discharges.Concerning the rheology of the incoming flow, hyperpycnal flows can be initiated by non-Newtonian(cohesive debris flows), Newtonian supercritical(lahars, hyperconcentrated flows, and concentrated flows) or Newtonian subcritical flows(pebbly, sandy or muddy sediment-laden turbulent flows). Once plunged, non-Newtonian and Newtonian supercritical flows require steep slopes to accelerate, allow the incorporation of ambient water and develop flow transformations in order to evolve into a turbidity current and travel further basinward. Their resulting deposits are difficult to differentiate from those related to intrabasinal turbidites. On the contrary, long-lived Newtonian subcritical flows are capable of transferring huge volumes of sediment, freshwater and organic matter far from the coast even along gentle or flat slopes. In marine settings, the buoyant effect of interstitial freshwater in pebbly and sandy hyperpycnal flows can result in lofting due to flow density reversal. Since the excess of density in muddy hyperpycnal flows is provided by silt-clay sediments in turbulent suspension, lofting is not possible even in marine/saline basins. Muddy hyperpycnal flows can also erode the basin bottom during their travel basinward,allowing the incorporation and transfer of intrabasinal sediments and organic matter. Long-lived hyperpycnal flow deposits exhibit typical characteristics that allow a clear differentiation respect to those related to intrabasinal turbidites. Main features include(1) composite beds with gradual and recurrent changes in sediment grain-size and sedimentary structures,(2) mixture of extrabasinal and intrabasinal components,(3) internal and discontinuous erosional surfaces, and(4) lofting rhythmites in marine/saline basins.

Words of the Editor-in-Chief——some ideas about the comments and discussions of hyperpycnal flows and hyperpycnites

I basically agree with the viewpoints of Shanmugam(Journal of Palaeogeography 7(3):197-238,2018)and Zavala(Journal of Palaeogeog raphy 8(3):306-313,2019)who cited,refined and interpreted the definitions of hypopycnal flow,homopycnal flow and hyperpycnal flow.I appreciate two typical case studies of hyperpycnal flows induced by the Yellow River and Yangtze River,and the Gaoping River.The former is a normal type while the latter is catastrophic.They make up a complete knowledge about hyperpycnal flows and hyperpycnites.According to the interpretation of the word "hyperpycnal" from Greek to English,the "hypopycnal flow" should be "less density flow" or "lower density flow"("低密度流"),the "homopycnal flow" should be "equal density flow"("等密度流"),and the"hyperpycnal flow" should be "higher density flow" or "over density flow"("高密度流" or "超密度流").Some geologists called the "hypopycnal flow" as "异轻流"("abnormally light flow")and called the "hyperpycnal flow" as"异重流"("abnormally heavy flow").There are at least more than 10 names or terms about the "density flows" and the "deposits of density flows".It is a problem indeed.In addition,the density could be changed by salinity,temperature and pressure of water.Therefore,the term "density flow" may be problematic either.Another problem is that reliable and irrefutable identification markers of ancient heperpycnites are lacking.We should observe the policy of "A hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend" to discuss these problems and to promote progress and development of hyperpycnal flows and hyperpycnites.

Hyperpycnal littoral deltas:A case of study from the Lower Cretaceous Agrio Formation in the Neuquén Basin,Argentina

Recent advances in the understanding of deltaic deposits provide new tools for the study and analysis of deltaic deposits in shallow epicontinental seas.After the introduction of sequence stratigraphic concepts,meter-scale coarsening and thickening upward successions have been considered as“parasequences”originated by high-frequency sea-level changes.Nevertheless,recent studies enhanced the importance of wave-aided low-dense hyperpycnal flows in transporting fine-grained sediments in shallow shelfal areas.These poorly-known(and at the same time very common)types of delta,known as hyperpycnal littoral deltas(HLD),develop very low gradient progradational units,controlled by changes in the sediment supply instead of sea level changes.These small-scale progradational units are very common in shallow epicontinental seas like the Lower Cretaceous Agrio Formation in the Neuquén Basin.This study provides a first detailed analysis of hyperpycnal littoral deltas from the Agua de la Mula Member(upper Hauterivian-lower Barremian)of the Agrio Formation.This unit has been studied in three locations near Bajada del Agrio locality in the central part of the Neuquén Basin,Argentina.Six sandy facies,three heterolithic facies,three muddy facies and four calcareous facies were recognized.From facies analysis,three facies associations could be determined,corresponding to offshore/prodelta,distal ramp delta and proximal ramp delta.The three stratigraphic sections discussed in this study are internally composed of several small-scale sequences showing a coarsening and thickening upward pattern,transitionally going from muddy to sandy wave-dominated facies,and ending with calcareous bioclastics levels on top.These small-scale sequences are interpreted as delta front deposits of wave-influenced hyperpycnal littoral deltas,punctuated by calcareous intervals accumulated during periods of low sediment supply.It is interpreted that the development of hyperpycnal littoral deltas could have been facilitated by a decrease in sea water salinity related to an increasing runoff.

Fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation and its influence on development of shale oil sweet sections in lacustrine basins in China

The geological conditions and processes of fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation in continental lacustrine basins in China are analyzed to construct the model of fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation in lacustrine basin,reveal the development laws of fine-grained deposits and source-reservoir,and identify the sweet sections of shale oil.The results show that fine-grained gravity flow is one of the important sedimentary processes in deep lake environment,and it can transport fine-grained clasts and organic matter in shallow water to deep lake,forming sweet sections and high-quality source rocks of shale oil.Fine-grained gravity flow deposits in deep waters of lacustrine basins in China are mainly fine-grained high-density flow,fine-grained turbidity flow(including surge-like turbidity flow and fine-grained hyperpycnal flow),fine-grained viscous flow(including fine-grained debris flow and mud flow),and fine-grained transitional flow deposits.The distribution of fine-grained gravity flow deposits in the warm and humid unbalanced lacustrine basins are controlled by lake-level fluctuation,flooding events,and lakebed paleogeomorphology.During the lake-level rise,fine-grained hyperpycnal flow caused by flooding formed fine-grained channel–levee–lobe system in the flat area of the deep lake.During the lake-level fall,the sublacustrine fan system represented by unconfined channel was developed in the flexural slope breaks and sedimentary slopes of depressed lacustrine basins,and in the steep slopes of faulted lacustrine basins;the sublacustrine fan system with confined or unconfined channel was developed on the gentle slopes and in axial direction of faulted lacustrine basins,with fine-grained gravity flow deposits possibly existing in the lower fan.Within the fourth-order sequences,transgression might lead to organic-rich shale and fine-grained hyperpycnal flow deposits,while regression might cause fine-grained high-density flow,surge-like turbidity flow,fine-grained debris flow,mud flow,and fine-grained transitional flow deposits.Since the Permian,in the shale strata of lacustrine basins in China,multiple transgression-regression cycles of fourth-order sequences have formed multiple source-reservoir assemblages.Diverse fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation processes have created sweet sections of thin siltstone consisting of fine-grained high-density flow,fine-grained hyperpycnal flow and surge-like turbidity flow deposits,sweet sections with interbeds of mudstone and siltstone formed by fine-grained transitional flows,and sweet sections of shale containing silty and muddy clasts and with horizontal bedding formed by fine-grained debris flow and mud flow.The model of fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation in lacustrine basin is significant for the scientific evaluation of sweet shale oil reservoir and organic-rich source rock.

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.

异重流沉积动力学过程及沉积特征

异重流(hyperpycnal flows)是指在汇水盆地水深足够条件下,由于携带大量沉积物颗粒,导致流体密度大于稳定环境水体的密度,流体受浮力影响小,沿盆地底部流动的高密度流体,在海水环境中形成异重流的临界沉积物密度为36~43 kg/m^3(体积浓度1.3%~1.7%)。异重流主要受洪水触发形成;从河口到汇水盆地经过回流区、深度有限流区、潜入区的演化,最终形成异重流;主要经历"早期沉积—侵蚀过路—晚期沉积"的沉降过程,在沉积近端以侵蚀充填沉积为主,远端以持续沉积为主;异重流的形成及其沉积主要受地形、气候、物源的控制,地形高差大、半干旱气候条件、丰富的细粒悬浮沉积物供给有利于异重流形成。异重流沉积特征及沉积序列受"源—汇"系统的控制,以流水成因交错层理、层内突变接触面或侵蚀接触面、碳质碎屑和植物碎片为区别于其他深水重力流沉积的典型沉积构造;沉积序列由沉积近端到沉积远端可能依次发育厚层序列、逆正粒序序列、薄层细粒序列。异重流研究具有十分重要的意义,能够丰富和完善深水重力流理论、探究古气候变化和古洪水作用规律、合理解释深水重力流沉积和砂体分布特征、指导深水常规和非常规油气的勘探。

A global satellite survey of density plumes at river mouths and at other environments: Plume configurations, external controls, and implications for deep-water sedimentation

The U. S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) has archived thousands of satellite images of density plumes in its online publishing outlet called 'Earth Observatory' since 1999. Although these images are in the public domain, there has not been any systematic compilation of configurations of density plumes associated with various sedimentary environments and processes. This article, based on 45 case studies covering 21 major rivers(e.g., Amazon, Betsiboka, Congo [Zaire], Copper, Hugli [Ganges], Mackenzie, Mississippi, Niger, Nile, Rhone, Rio de la Plata, Yellow, Yangtze, Zambezi, etc.) and six different depositional environments(i.e., marine, lacustrine, estuarine, lagoon, bay, and reef), is the first attempt in illustrating natural variability of configurations of density plumes in modern environments. There are, at least, 24 configurations of density plumes. An important finding of this study is that density plumes are controlled by a plethora of 18 oceanographic, meteorological, and other external factors. Examples are: 1) Yellow River in China by tidal shear front and by a change in river course; 2) Yangtze River in China by shelf currents and vertical mixing by tides in winter months; 3) Rio de la Plata Estuary in Argentina and Uruguay by Ocean currents; 4) San Francisco Bay in California by tidal currents; 5) Gulf of Manner in the Indian Ocean by monsoonal currents; 6) Egypt in Red Sea by Eolian dust; 7) U.S. Atlantic margin by cyclones; 8) Sri Lanka by tsunamis; 9) Copper River in Alaska by high-gradient braid delta; 10) Lake Erie by seiche; 11) continental margin off Namibia by upwelling; 12) Bering Sea by phytoplankton; 13) the Great Bahama Bank in the Atlantic Ocean by fish activity; 14) Indonesia by volcanic activity; 15) Greenland by glacial melt; 16) South Pacific Ocean by coral reef; 17) Carolina continental Rise by pockmarks; and 18) Otsuchi Bay in Japan by internal bore. The prevailing trend in promoting a single type of river-flood triggered hyperpycnal flow is flawed because there are 16 types of hyperpycnal flows. River-flood derived hyperpycnal flows are muddy in texture and they occur close to the shoreline in inner shelf environments. Hyperpycnal flows are not viable transport mechanisms of sand and gravel across the shelf into the deep sea. The available field observations suggest that they do not form meter-thick sand layers in deep water settings. For the above reasons, river-flood triggered hyperpycnites are considered unsuitable for serving as petroleum reservoirs in deep-water environments until proven otherwise.

Reply to discussions by Zavala(2019) and by Van Loon, Hüeneke, and Mulder(2019)on Shanmugam, G.(2018, Journal of Palaeogeography, 7(3): 197–238): ‘the hyperpycnite problem’

In this reply,I respond to 18 issues associated with comments made by Zavala(e.g.,inverse-to normally-graded sequence,origin of massive sands,experimental sandy debris flows,tidal rhythmites,facies models,etc.),and 10 issues associated with comments made by Van Loon et al.(e.g.,16 types of hyperpycnal flows,anthropogenic hyperpycnal flow,etc.).

Deltas:a new classification expanding Bates's concepts

Deltas constitute complex depositional systems formed when a land-derived gravity-flow(carrying water and sediments) discharges into a marine or lacustrine standing body of water. However, the complexity of deltaic sedimentary environments has been oversimplified by geoscientists over the years, considering just littoral deltas as the unique possible type of delta in natural systems. Nevertheless, a rational analysis suggests that deltas can be much more complex. In fact, the characteristics of deltaic deposits will depend on a complex interplay between the bulk density of the incoming flow and the salinity of the receiving water body. This paper explores the natural conditions of deltaic sedimentation according to different density contrasts. The rational analysis of deltaic systems allows to recognize three main fields for deltaic sedimentation, corresponding to(1) hypopycnal(2) homopycnal and(3) hyperpycnal delta settings. The hypopycnal delta field represents the situation when the bulk density of the incoming flow is lower than the density of the water in the basin. According to the salinity of the receiving water body, three different types of hypopycnal littoral deltas are recognized: hypersaline littoral deltas(HSLD), marine littoral deltas(MLD), and brackish littoral deltas(BLD). The basin salinity will determine the capacity of the delta for producing effective buoyant plumes, and consequently the characteristics and extension of prodelta deposits.Homopycnal littoral deltas(HOLD) form when the density of the incoming flow is roughly similar to the density of the water in the receiving basin. This situation is typical of clean bedload-dominated rivers entering freshwater lakes. Delta front deposits are dominated by sediment avalanches. Typical fallout prodelta deposits are absent or poorly developed since no buoyant plumes are generated. Hyperpycnal deltas form when the bulk density of the incoming flow is higher than the density of the water in the receiving basin. The interaction between flow type,flow density(due to the concentration of suspended sediments) and basin salinity defines three types of deltas,corresponding to hyperpycnal littoral deltas(HLD), hyperpycnal subaqueous deltas(HSD), and hyperpycnal fan deltas(HFD). Hyperpycnal littoral deltas are low-gradient shallow-water deltas formed when dirty rivers enter into brackish or normal-salinity marine basins, typically in wave or tide-dominated epicontinental seas or brackish lakes.Hyperpycnal subaqueous deltas represent the most common type of hyperpycnal delta, with channels and lobes generated in marine and lacustrine settings during long-lasting sediment-laden river-flood discharges. Finally,hyperpycnal fan deltas are subaqueous delta systems generated on high-gradient lacustrine or marine settings by episodic high-density fluvial discharges.