Basin-scale stratigraphic architecture and potential Paleocene distributive fluvial systems of the Cordilleran Foreland Basin, Alberta, Canada

This study focuses on the Lower–Middle Triassic Montney, Sunset Prairie, Doig and Halfway formations from the foreland basin of the Canadian Cordillera (Alberta and British Columbia). Based on core and outcrop descriptions, the correlation of 400 wells, and on mineralogical analyses, this study interprets the basin-scale, 3D-stratigraphic architecture of these formations and discusses the controls on its evolution.Well correlation highlights four sequences (1–4) interpreted to occur in two second-order cycles (A and B). In this work, the Early Triassic Montney Formation and the early Middle Triassic Sunset Prairie Formation are interpreted to consist of three third-order sequences (1–3) related to the first second-order cycle (cycle A). The Middle Triassic Doig and Halfway formations are interpreted to consist of a fourth sequence (4) related to a second second-order cycle (cycle B). Integration of the stratigraphic surfaces with previously published biostratigraphic analyses emphasizes a major time gap of c. 2 myr between these two cycles, interpreted to record a major reorganization of the basin. Mineralogical analyses suggest that during cycle A, sediments were delivered from the east (Canadian Shield); whereas in cycle B, additional sources from the west (proto-Canadian Cordillera) occurred. This study shows that the stratigraphic architecture evolution was affected by the structural heritage of the basin and continental geodynamic evolution. This study provides a large-scale understanding on the controls of the stratigraphic architecture of the Lower and Middle Triassic strata, suggesting local and regional controls on the reservoir extension and unconventional play configuration within these strata.

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STRATIGRAPHIC ARCHITECTURE AND PROVENANCE OF THE CRETACEOUS CERRO BARCINO FORMATION, PATAGONIAN BROKEN FORELAND BASIN, SOUTHERN ARGENTINA

10.1130/abs/2019am-337544 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Anthony Harris Edgington ◽

◽

Kristina Lynn Butler ◽

Brian K. Horton

Keyword(s):

Foreland Basin ◽

Stratigraphic Architecture

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Westward propagation of thrusts in the external Western Alps (France) reappraised from an updated chronostratigraphy of the Miocene Molasses

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-8681 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amir Kalifi ◽

Philippe-Hervé Leloup ◽

Philippe Sorrel ◽

Albert Galy ◽

François Demory ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

Foreland Basin ◽

Western Alps ◽

Seismic Profiles ◽

Stratigraphic Framework ◽

Basin Scale ◽

Deformation Kinematics ◽

Westward Migration ◽

External Part ◽

Tectonics And Sedimentation

<p>The fact that the western Alps Miocene foreland basin succession is poorly dated impacts directly our understanding of the deformation kinematics of that part of the external part of the Alpine belt (France). Here we propose a multidisciplinary approach aiming at building a robust tectono-stratigraphic framework of the Miocene deposits at the basin scale (northern subalpine massifs, southern Jura, Royans, Bas-Dauphin&#233; and La Bresse basins). Sr isotopes stratigraphy combined with magnetostratigraphy and biostratigraphy enable sequence stratigraphy subdivisions S1 to S8 between the Upper Aquitanian (-21 Ma) and the Tortonian (-9 Ma) dated with a precision <0.5 Ma. These results highlight four different palaeogeographical domains during the Miocene: (i) the oriental domain with depositional sequences S1a to S3 (~21.3 to 15Ma), (ii) the median domain, in which sequences S2, S3, S4 and S5 occurred (~17.8 to 14Ma), (iii) the occidental domain with sequences S2 to S8 (~17.8 to ~9.5Ma); and (iv) the Bressan domain, in which sequences S6 to S8 are found (~ 11.5 to ~9.5Ma).</p><p>This revised chronostratigraphy was complemented with a structural and tectono-sedimentary study based on new fieldwork data and a reappraisal of regional seismic profiles, allowing to highlight five major faults zones (FZ). It appears that the oriental, median and occidental paleogeographical domains are delineated by FZ1, FZ2 and FZ3, therefore suggesting a strong interplay between tectonics and sedimentation. Evidences of syntectonic deposits and a westward migration of the depocenters impart the following deformation chronology : a Oligocene compressive phase (P1) corresponding to thrusting above FZ1 rooted east (above) Belledonne, which generated reliefs that limited the early Miocene transgression to the east; an Early- to Middle Miocene W-WNW/E-ESE-directed compressive phase (P2) involving the Belledonne massif basal thrust, which between 18.05 +/- 0.15 Ma and 12Ma successively activated the Sal&#232;ve thrust fault, and the FZ2 to FZ5 from east to west. P2 deeply impacted the Miocene palaeogeographical evolution by a rapid westward migration of depocenters in response to the exhumation of piggy-back basins above the growing fault zones; a last Tortonian phase (P3), less well constrained, apparently implied a significant uplift in the subalpine massifs, combined with the activation of the frontal Jura thrust.</p>

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Sediment slugs: large-scale fluctuations in fluvial sediment transport rates and storage volumes

Progress in Physical Geography Earth and Environment ◽

10.1177/030913339501900404 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 500-519 ◽

Cited By ~ 117

Author(s):

A.P. Nicholas ◽

P.J. Ashworth ◽

M.J. Kirkby ◽

M.G. Macklin ◽

T. Murray

Keyword(s):

Sediment Transport ◽

Sediment Supply ◽

Fluvial Systems ◽

Event Scale ◽

Fluvial Sediment ◽

Sediment Routing ◽

Basin Scale ◽

Wide Range ◽

And Storage ◽

Fluvial Sediment Transport

Variations in fluvial sediment transport rates and storage volumes have been described previously as sediment waves or pulses. These features have been identified over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales and have been categorized using existing bedform classifications. Here we describe the factors controlling the generation and propagation of what we term sediment slugs. These can be defined as bodies of clastic material associated with disequilibrium conditions in fluvial systems over time periods above the event scale. Slugs range in magnitude from unit bars (Smith, 1974) up to sedimentary features generated by basin-scale sediment supply disturbances (Trimble, 1981). At lower slug magnitudes, perturbations in sediment transport are generated by local riverbank and/or bed erosion. Larger-scale features result from the occurrence of rare high- magnitude geomorphic events, and the impacts on water and sediment production of tectonics, glaciation, climate change and anthropogenic influences. Simple sediment routing functions are presented which may be used to describe the propagation of sediment slugs in fluvial systems. Attention is drawn to components of the fluvial system where future research is urgently required to improve our quantitative understanding of drainage-basin sediment dynamics.

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Efficacy of bedrock erosion by subglacial water flow

Earth Surface Dynamics Discussions ◽

10.5194/esurfd-3-849-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 849-908 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

F. Beaud ◽

G. E. Flowers ◽

J. G. Venditti

Keyword(s):

Water Flow ◽

Water Pressure ◽

Water Discharge ◽

Sediment Supply ◽

Fluvial Systems ◽

Glacial Meltwater ◽

Erosion Rates ◽

Subglacial Environment ◽

Basin Scale ◽

Bedrock Erosion

Abstract. Bedrock erosion by sediment-bearing subglacial water remains little-studied, however the process is thought to contribute to bedrock erosion rates in glaciated landscapes and is implicated in the excavation of tunnel valleys and the incision of inner gorges. We adapt physics-based models of fluvial abrasion to the subglacial environment, assembling the first model designed to quantify bedrock erosion caused by transient subglacial water flow. The subglacial drainage model consists of a one-dimensional network of cavities dynamically coupled to one or several Röthlisberger channels (R-channels). The bedrock erosion model is based on the tools and cover effect, whereby particles entrained by the flow impact exposed bedrock. We explore the dependency of glacial meltwater erosion on the structure and magnitude of water input to the system, the ice geometry and the sediment supply. We find that erosion is not a function of water discharge alone, but also depends on channel size, water pressure and on sediment supply, as in fluvial systems. Modelled glacial meltwater erosion rates are one to two orders of magnitude lower than the expected rates of total glacial erosion required to produce the sediment supply rates we impose, suggesting that glacial meltwater erosion is negligible at the basin scale. Nevertheless, due to the extreme localization of glacial meltwater erosion (at the base of R-channels), this process can carve bedrock (Nye) channels. In fact, our simulations suggest that the incision of bedrock channels several centimetres deep and a few meters wide can occur in a single year. Modelled incision rates indicate that subglacial water flow can gradually carve a tunnel valley and enhance the relief or even initiate the carving of an inner gorge.

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Climatic control of fluvial-lacustrine cyclicity in the Cretaceous Cordilleran Foreland Basin, western United States

Sedimentology ◽

10.1111/j.1365-3091.1996.tb02020.x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 677-689 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

CARL N. DRUMMOND ◽

BRUCE H. WILKINSON ◽

KYGER C. LOHMANN

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Foreland Basin ◽

Western United States ◽

Climatic Control ◽

Cordilleran Foreland

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Geology of the Epicentral Area of the November 23, 1980 Earthquake (Irpinia, Italy): New Stratigraphical, Structural and Petrological Constrains

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences10060247 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 247 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fabio Matano ◽

Silvio Di Nocera ◽

Sara Criniti ◽

Salvatore Critelli

Keyword(s):

Tectonic Evolution ◽

Foreland Basin ◽

Structural Data ◽

Southern Apennines ◽

Structural Mapping ◽

Epicentral Area ◽

Kinematic Evolution ◽

Stratigraphic Architecture ◽

Stratigraphic Evolution ◽

Basin System

The geology of the epicentral area of the 1980 earthquake (Irpinia-Lucania, Italy) is described with new stratigraphic, petrographic and structural data. Subsurface geological data have been collected during the studies for the excavation works of the Pavoncelli bis hydraulic tunnel, developing between Caposele and Conza della Campania in an area that was highly damaged during 1980 earthquake. Our approach includes geological, stratigraphic, structural studies, and petrological analyses of rock samples collected along the tunnel profile and in outcropping sections. Stratigraphic studies and detailed geological and structural mapping were carried out in about 200 km2 wide area. The main units cropping out have been studied and correlated in order to document the effects of tectonic changes during the orogenic evolution on the foreland basin systems and the sandstone detrital modes in this sector of the southern Apennines. The multi-disciplinary and updated datasets have allowed getting new insights on the tectono-stratigraphic evolution and stratigraphic architecture of the southern Apennines foreland basin system and on the structural and stratigraphic relations of Apennines tectonic units and timing of their kinematic evolution. They also allowed to better understand the relationships between internal and external basin units within the Apennine thrust belt and its tectonic evolution.

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