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- Volume 22, Issue 5, 2010
Basin Research - Volume 22, Issue 5, 2010
Volume 22, Issue 5, 2010
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The last phase of deposition in the Swiss Molasse Basin: from foredeep to negative‐alpha basin
Authors Sean D. Willett and Fritz SchluneggerABSTRACTThe Molasse Basin of Switzerland evolved through a distinct late Neogene history with initial development as a classic foredeep or foreland basin in response to loading of the lithosphere by the Alpine orogen. In the central and western foreland, the foredeep behaviour was terminated by deformation and uplift of the Jura Mountains in the distal regions of the foredeep. Following the Jura deformation the Plateau Molasse remained largely undeformed as it rode ‘piggy‐back’ style above the decollement feeding displacement into the Jura. Sediment accumulation data for the Molasse suggests that sedimentation in the Plateau Molasse region continued until the basin was inverted at about 5 Ma. We present a mechanical model for this sequence of events in which deformation jumps across much of the basin to the distal Jura because of the dip on the weak evaporitic decollement and the wedge‐shape of the foredeep basin. Subsequently, the Plateau Molasse remained largely undeformed as a result of continued sedimentation in a wedgetop basin, where the physical properties and geometry of the orogenic wedge combine to produce a critical wedge whose critical surface slope would be less than zero and thus should dip towards the Alpine interior. Accommodation space is created over this negative surface–slope segment of the wedge and sedimentation maintains this slope near zero, stabilizing the wedge. We present a simple analytical theory for the necessary conditions for such a ‘negative‐alpha basin’ to develop and be maintained. We compare this theory to the late Neogene evolution of the Alps, Molasse Basin and Jura Mountains and infer physical properties for the decollement.
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Importance of predecessor basin history on sedimentary fill of a retroarc foreland basin: provenance analysis of the Cretaceous Magallanes basin, Chile (50–52°S)
Authors B. W. Romans, A. Fildani, S. A. Graham, S. M. Hubbard and J. A. CovaultABSTRACTAn integrated provenance analysis of the Upper Cretaceous Magallanes retroarc foreland basin of southern Chile (50°30′–52°S) provides new constraints on source area evolution, regional patterns of sediment dispersal and depositional age. Over 450 new single‐grain detrital‐zircon U‐Pb ages, which are integrated with sandstone petrographic and mudstone geochemical data, provide a comprehensive detrital record of the northern Magallanes foreland basin‐filling succession (>4000‐m‐thick). Prominent peaks in detrital‐zircon age distribution among the Punta Barrosa, Cerro Toro, Tres Pasos and Dorotea Formations indicate that the incorporation and exhumation of Upper Jurassic igneous rocks (ca. 147–155 Ma) into the Andean fold‐thrust belt was established in the Santonian (ca. 85 Ma) and was a significant source of detritus to the basin by the Maastrichtian (ca. 70 Ma). Sandstone compositional trends indicate an increase in volcanic and volcaniclastic grains upward through the basin fill corroborating the interpretation of an unroofing sequence. Detrital‐zircon ages indicate that the Magallanes foredeep received young arc‐derived detritus throughout its ca. 20 m.y. filling history, constraining the timing of basin‐filling phases previously based only on biostratigraphy. Additionally, spatial patterns of detrital‐zircon ages in the Tres Pasos and Dorotea Formations support interpretations that they are genetically linked depositional systems, thus demonstrating the utility of provenance indicators for evaluating stratigraphic relationships of diachronous lithostratigraphic units. This integrated provenance dataset highlights how the sedimentary fill of the Magallanes basin is unique among other retroarc foreland basins and from the well‐studied Andean foreland basins farther north, which is attributed to nature of the predecessor rift and backarc basin.
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Insights in the exhumation history of the NW Zagros from bedrock and detrital apatite fission‐track analysis: evidence for a long‐lived orogeny
ABSTRACTWe present the first fission‐track (FT) thermochronology results for the NW Zagros Belt (SW Iran) in order to identify denudation episodes that occurred during the protracted Zagros orogeny. Samples were collected from the two main detrital successions of the NW Zagros foreland basin: the Palaeocene–early Eocene Amiran–Kashkan succession and the Miocene Agha Jari and Bakhtyari Formations. In situ bedrock samples were furthermore collected in the Sanandaj‐Sirjan Zone. Only apatite fission‐track (AFT) data have been successfully obtained, including 26 ages and 11 track‐length distributions. Five families of AFT ages have been documented from analyses of in situ bedrock and detrital samples: pre‐middle Jurassic at ∼171 and ∼225 Ma, early–late Cretaceous at ∼91 Ma, Maastrichtian at ∼66 Ma, middle–late Eocene at ∼38 Ma and Oligocene–early Miocene at ∼22 Ma. The most widespread middle–late Eocene cooling phase, around ∼38 Ma, is documented by a predominant grain‐age population in Agha Jari sediments and by cooling ages of a granitic boulder sample. AFT ages document at least three cooling/denudation periods linked to major geodynamic events related to the Zagros orogeny, during the late Cretaceous oceanic obduction event, during the middle and late Eocene and during the early Miocene. Both late Cretaceous and early Miocene orogenic processes produced bending of the Arabian plate and concomitant foreland deposition. Between the two major flexural foreland episodes, the middle–late Eocene phase mostly produced a long‐lasting slow‐ or nondepositional episode in the inner part of the foreland basin, whereas deposition and tectonics migrated to the NE along the Sanandaj‐Sirjan domain and its Gaveh Rud fore‐arc basin. As evidenced in this study, the Zagros orogeny was long‐lived and multi‐episodic, implying that the timing of accretion of the different tectonic domains that form the Zagros Mountains requires cautious interpretation.
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Thermotectonic evolution of the Ukrainian Donbas Foldbelt revisited: new constraints from zircon and apatite fission track data
Authors M. Danišík, R. F. Sachsenhofer, W. Frisch, V. A. Privalov, E. A. Panova and C. SpiegelABSTRACTThe Donbas Foldbelt (DF) is the compressionally deformed segment of a large Late Palaeozoic rift cross‐cutting the southern part of the East European Craton and is traditionally described as a classic example of an inverted intracratonic rift basin. Proposed formational models are often controversial and numerous issues are still a matter of speculation, primarily due to the lack of absolute time constraints and insufficient knowledge of the thermal evolution. We investigate the low‐temperature thermal history of the DF by means of zircon fission track and apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronology applied to Upper Carboniferous sediments. In all samples, the AFT chronometer was reset shortly after deposition in the Early Permian (∼275 Ma). Samples contained kinetically variable apatites that are sensitive to different temperatures and using statistic‐based component analysis incorporating annealing characteristics of individual grains assessed by Dpar , we identified several distinct age populations, ranging from the Late Permian (∼265 Ma) to the Late Cretaceous (∼70 Ma). We could thus constrain the thermal history of the DF during a ∼200 Myr long period following the thermal maximum. We found that earliest cooling of Permian and Permo‐Triassic age is recorded on the basin margins whereas the central parts were residing in or slowly cooling through the apatite partial annealing zone during Jurassic and most of Cretaceous times, and then finally cooled to near‐surface conditions latest around the Cretaceous/Palaeogene boundary. Our data show that Permian erosion was less significant and Mesozoic erosion more significant than generally assumed. Inversion and pop‐up of the DF occurred in the Cretaceous and not in the Permian as previously thought. This is indicated by overall Cretaceous AFT ages in the central parts of the basin.
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Fluid inclusions as constraints in a three‐dimensional hydro‐thermo‐mechanical model of the Paris basin, France
Authors J. Gonçalvès, M. Pagel, S. Violette, F. Guillocheau and C. RobinABSTRACTFluid inclusion homogenization temperatures and three‐dimensional hydro‐thermo‐mechanical modelling were combined to constrain fluid flow, solute and heat transport in the Paris basin, France, focusing on the two main petroleum reservoirs i.e. the Dogger and the Triassic (Keuper) formations. The average homogenization temperatures of two‐phase aqueous inclusions in different samples range from 66 °C to 88 °C in the Dogger calcite cement, from 106 °C to 118 °C in the Keuper dolomite cement and from 89 °C to 126 °C in the Keuper quartz and K‐feldspar cements. The maximum homogenization temperatures for inclusions in the Keuper quartz and K‐feldspar cements were 17–47 °C higher than present‐day temperatures in the boreholes at similar depths. Processes that might explain higher temperatures in the past were examined through numerical simulations and sensitivity tests. A warmer climate in the Late Cretaceous–Early Tertiary resulted in a temperature rise of only 8 °C. Late Cretaceous chalk had a thermal blanketing effect that resulted in simulated temperatures as high as 15–20 °C above the present day ones. An additional 300 m deposition and subsequent erosion of chalk, not taken into account so far, has to be considered to simulate the high palaeo‐temperatures recorded by fluid inclusions in both reservoirs. In view of the simulated thermal history of the basin, in the Keuper, an age of about 85 Ma is consistent with quartz/K‐feldspar temperatures and an age of about 65 Ma is in agreement with the precipitation temperature of the dolomite cement. Our models suggest an age of about 50 Ma for the Dogger calcite cementation.
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Milankovitch and sub‐Milankovitch forcing of the Oxfordian (Late Jurassic) Terres Noires Formation (SE France) and global implications
Authors S. Boulila, B. Galbrun, L. A. Hinnov, P.‐Y. Collin, J. G. Ogg, D. Fortwengler and D. MarchandABSTRACTHigh‐resolution analysis (2277 samples) of magnetic susceptibility (MS) was performed on ∼700‐m‐thick Early–Middle Oxfordian marine marls of the Terres Noires Formation, SE France. MS variations within these sediments record sub‐Milankovitch to Milankovitch frequencies with long‐term eccentricity (405 kyr and ∼2 Myr) being the most prominent. The 405 kyr cycle was used as a high‐resolution geochronometer for astronomical calibration of this poorly constrained interval of Late Jurassic time. The estimated duration of this Early–Middle Oxfordian interval concurs with the current International Geologic Time Scale GTS2004 (∼4 Myr), but the estimated durations of the corresponding ammonite zones are notably different. The calibration improves the resolution and accuracy of the M‐sequence magnetic anomaly block model that was previously used to establish the Oxfordian time scale. Additionally, the 405 kyr cyclicity is linked to third‐order sea‐level depositional sequences observed for Early–Middle Oxfordian time. Strong ∼2 Myr cycles are consistent with long‐term eccentricity modulation predicted for the Late Jurassic. These cycles do not match second‐order sequences that have been documented for European basins; this raises questions about the definition and hierarchy of depositional sequences in the Mesozoic eustatic chart. Our results require substantial revisions to the chart, which is frequently used as a reference for the correlation of widely separated palaeogeographic domains. Finally, a long‐term trend in the MS data reflects a progressive carbonate enrichment of the marls expressing an Early Oxfordian global cooling followed gradually by a warming in the Middle Oxfordian. This trend also records a major transgressive interval likely peaking at the Transversarium ammonite zone of the Middle Oxfordian.
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Geochemical constraints on the Palaeocene–Miocene evolution of eastern Azerbaijan, with implications for the South Caspian basin and eastern Paratethys
Authors C. L. Johnson, S. M. Hudson, H. D. Rowe and M. A. EfendiyevaABSTRACTFine‐grained Palaeogene–early Neogene strata of the South Caspian basin, specifically the Oligocene–Lower Miocene Maikop Series, are responsible for the bulk of hydrocarbon generation in the region. Despite the magnitude of oil and gas currently attributed to the source interval offshore, geochemical evaluation of 376 outcrop samples from the northern edge of the Kura basin (onshore eastern Azerbaijan) indicates that depositional conditions in these proximal strata along the basin margins were dominantly oxic to mildly suboxic/anoxic throughout three major depositional stages: the Palaeocene–Eocene, Oligocene–early Middle Miocene and late Middle–Late Miocene. Palaeocene–Eocene samples have low average total organic carbon (TOC) values (0.3%), with higher total inorganic carbon (TIC) values (average=2.6%), extremely low sulphur content (0.2%) and relatively high detrital input as indicated by Fe/Al and Ti/Al ratios. C–S–Fe associations, along with relatively lower concentrations of redox‐sensitive trace elements (e.g. V, Ni, Mo, U) indicate dominantly oxic environments of deposition during much of the Palaeocene–Eocene. A pronounced geochemical shift occurred near the Eocene–Oligocene boundary, and continued through the Early Miocene. Specifically, this interval is characterized by a distinct increase in TOC (ranging from 0.1 to 6.3% with an average of 1.5%), C–S–Fe associations that reveal an abrupt relative increase of carbon and sulphur with respect to iron‐dominated Palaeocene–Eocene samples, and higher concentrations of redox‐sensitive trace metals. These changes suggest that a shift away from unrestricted marine conditions and towards more variable salinity conditions occurred coincident with the initial collision of the Arabian plate and partial closure of the Paratethys ocean. Despite periodic basin restriction, the majority of Upper Eocene–Lower Miocene strata in the northern Kura basin record oxic to slightly dysoxic conditions.
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The Astrakhan Arch of the Pricaspian basin: Geothermal analysis and modelling
Authors A. Ismail‐Zadeh, H. Wilhelm, Y. Volozh and O. TinakinABSTRACTThe Astrakhan Arch (ASAR) region contains one of the largest sub‐salt carbonate structures of the Pricaspian salt basin (located to the northwest of the Caspian Sea), where prospects for hydrocarbon generation and accumulation in the Devonian to Carboniferous deposits are considered to be high. We evaluate the regional vertical temperature gradient within stratigraphic units based on the analysis of 34 boreholes drilled in the region. To show that the thermal gradient is altered in the vicinity of salt diapirs, we study measured temperatures in six deep boreholes. We develop a three‐dimensional geothermal model of the ASAR region constrained by temperature measurements, seismic stratigraphic and lithological data. The temperatures of the sub‐salt sediments predicted by the geothermal model range from about 100 °C to 200 °C and are consistent with the temperatures obtained from the analysis of vitrinite reflectivity and from previous two‐dimensional geothermal models. Temperature anomalies are positive in the uppermost portions of salt diapirs as well as within the salt‐withdrawal basins at the depth of 3.5 km depth and are negative beneath the diapirs. Two areas of positive temperature anomalies in the sub‐salt sediments are likely to be associated with the deep withdrawal basins above and with the general uplift of salt/sub‐salt interface in the southern part of the study region. This implies an enhancement of thermal maturity of any organically rich source rocks within these areas. The surface heat flux in the model varies laterally from about 40 to 55 mW m−2. These variations in the heat flux are likely to be associated with structural heterogeneities of the sedimentary rocks and with the presence of salt diapirs. The results of our modelling support the hypothesis of oil and gas condensate generation in the Upper Carboniferous to Middle Devonian sediments of the ASAR region.
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Respective contributions of tectonic and gravity‐driven processes on the structural pattern in the Eastern Nile deep‐sea fan: insights from physical experiments
Authors L. Loncke, B. C. Vendeville, V. Gaullier and J. MascleABSTRACTIn the Nile deep‐sea fan, thin‐skinned deformation detaching on a layer of Messinian salt has generated an upslope to downslope progression from growth faults, to polygonal minibasins bounded by salt ridges, to buckle folds. Such progression is common in salt‐bearing passive margins, where gravity spreading of the salt–sediment system causes proximal thin‐skinned extension on the shelf and upper slope, and distal contraction along and in front of the lower slope. In the Eastern Nile deep‐sea fan, this structural progression seems to be restricted to a corridor bounded by NW–SE‐trending lineaments more than 200 km in length. These are associated with salt ridges and record strike–slip movements. In the absence of a large grid of deep‐penetrating seismic data accurately imaging the basement, different likely hypotheses have been advanced about the origin of this corridor: (1) it may result from possible deep‐seated tectonics related to the Rift of Suez, combined with salt‐related deformation or, (2) by complex interaction between the overburden's gravity spreading and pre‐existing pre‐Messinian paleo‐topographic features, particularly the possible buttressing effect of a seamount located North of the eastern Nile deep‐sea fan. In order to understand how this corridor could have been generated, we used a series of physical experiments to test the effect on three‐dimensional spreading of a sediment lobe of the following parameters: (1) active, crustal, oblique extension, (2) a dormant subsalt graben, (3) a passive buttress, such as a seamount and (4) complex paleo‐topographic features along the Egyptian margin affecting initial salt distribution. These experiments show that the presence of a distal buttress, combined with a complex Messinian topography best explain the complex deformational pattern observed in the eastern Nile deep‐sea fan.
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Emplacement mechanics of sandstone intrusions: insights from the Panoche Giant Injection Complex, California
Authors W. Vétel and J. CartwrightABSTRACTThe Panoche Giant Injection Complex (PGIC; California) constitutes the most complete sandstone intrusion network yet described, and is an excellent analogue for subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs modified by sand remobilisation. Sandstone dykes and sills were intruded during the Late Palaeocene into slope mudstones of the Great Valley forearc basin, and are exposed for more than 300 km2. The PGIC consists of dykes and sills and represents upwards infilling of natural hydraulic fractures sourced from highly overpressured Cretaceous sand bodies. Over 1300 orientation measurements show that dykes are almost randomly oriented with only a slight orientation bias trending NE–SW, N–S or NW–SE, suggesting either a horizontally isotropic state of stress during intrusion or modification of stress by newly‐formed fractures that override the remote stress. Dykes are segmented in a pattern consistent with radial propagation with fingering towards tips similar to that observed for other mixed mode fractures. Kinematic indicators reveal there was no systematic sense of opening for the intrusions. This is interpreted as the result of short‐range mechanical interactions. Cross‐cutting relationships between injections imply a diachronous timing and a fluid pressure in the source units that was in excess of the lithostatic load. Finally we document a suite of minor structures within the host section that allowed the strain of the forcefully intruded sand to be accommodated.
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Volumes & issues
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Volume 36 (2024)
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Volume 35 (2023)
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Volume 34 (2022)
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Volume 33 (2021)
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Volume 32 (2020)
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Volume 31 (2019)
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Volume 30 (2018)
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Volume 29 (2017)
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Volume 28 (2016)
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Volume 27 (2015)
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Volume 26 (2014)
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Volume 25 (2013)
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Volume 24 (2012)
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Volume 23 (2011)
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Volume 22 (2010)
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Volume 21 (2009)
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Volume 20 (2008)
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Volume 19 (2007)
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Volume 18 (2006)
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Volume 17 (2005)
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Volume 16 (2004)
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Volume 15 (2003)
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Volume 14 (2002)
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Volume 13 (2001)
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Volume 12 (2000)
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Volume 11 (1999)
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Volume 10 (1998)
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Volume 9 (1997)
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Volume 8 (1996)
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Volume 7 (1994)
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Volume 6 (1994)
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Volume 5 (1993)
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Volume 4 (1992)
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Volume 3 (1991)
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Volume 2 (1989)
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Volume 1 (1988)