Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 3: September 2024
Type: Article
Published: 2024-09-30
DOI: 10.11646/mesozoic.1.3.20
Page range: 408–419
Abstract views: 78
PDF downloaded: 41

The depositional differences of confined and unconfined turbidite sheet systems

School of Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China
School of Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China
degree of confinement depositional architecture stacking pattern controlling factors

Abstract

The depositional architecture between unconfined and confined turbidite sheet systems are increasingly recognized, but the major differences are not summarized. This paper aims to summarize the major differences based on the well-studied published systems with known degree of confinement and depositional architectures. The unconfined and confined turbidite sheet systems differ greatly in four aspects: sedimentary facies, stacking patterns of individual beds, facies associations and onlap styles. The sedimentary facies in confined systems are mainly thick beds, occasionally with grain size breaks, overlain by thick mud caps; whereas beds in unconfined turbidite systems present less mud proportion. The stacking patterns in confined systems in mainly vertically stacked, whereas compensationally stacked in strike direction, and progradationally or retrogradationally stacked in dip direction. One facies association have only been identified in confined systems and four facies associations are found in unconfined systems. The vertical log of unconfined turbidite sheet systems presenting a transition of facies association, whereas no transitions in confined systems. The depositional architecture of turbidite sheet systems is controlled by both sediment supply and basin relief. The establishment between degree of confinement and various parameters in this study can be applied in the petroleum industry.

References

  1. Amy, L.A. & Talling, P.J. (2006) Anatomy of turbidites and linked debrites based on long distance (120× 30 km) bed correlation, Marnoso Arenacea Formation, Northern Apennines, Italy. Sedimentology, 53 (1), 161–212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2005.00756.x
  2. Amy, L.A., Kneller, B.C. & McCaffrey, W.D. (2007) Facies architecture of the Gres de Peira Cava, SE France: landward stacking patterns in ponded turbiditic basins. Journal of the Geological Society, 164, 143–162. https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492005-019
  3. Babonneau, N., Savoye, B., Cremer, M. & Klein, B. (2002) Morphology and architecture of the present canyon and channel system of the Zaire deep-sea fan. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 19, 445–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-8172(02)00009-0
  4. Bouma, A. (1964) Turbidites. 247–256. In: Developments in sedimentology, Elsevier (Vol. 3). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0070-4571(08)70967-1
  5. Cullis, S., Colombera, L., Patacci, M. & McCaffrey, W.D. (2018) Hierarchical classifications of the sedimentary architecture of deep-marine depositional systems. Earth-Science Reviews, 179, 38–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.01.016
  6. Deptuck, M.E., Piper, D.J., Savoye, B. & Gervais, A. (2008) Dimensions and architecture of late Pleistocene submarine lobes off the northern margin of East Corsica. Sedimentology, 55, 869–898. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2007.00926.x
  7. Dudley, P.R., Rehmer, D.E. & Bouma, A.H. (2000) Reservoir-scale characteristics of fine-grained sheet sandstones, Tanqua Karoo Subbasin, South Africa. In: Deep-Water Reservoirs of the World. SEPM, Gulf Coast Section, 20th Annual Research Conference, Houston, Texas, 318–341. https://doi.org/10.5724/gcs.00.15.0318
  8. Gervais, A., Savoye, B., Mulder, T. & Gonthier, E. (2006) Sandy modern turbidite lobes: a new insight from high resolution seismic data. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 23, 485–502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2005.10.006
  9. Groenenberg, R.M., Hodgson, D.M., Prelat, A., Luthi, S.M. & Flint, S.S. (2010) Flow-deposit interaction in submarine lobes: Insights from outcrop observations and realizations of a process-based numerical model. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 80, 252–267. https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2010.028
  10. Grundvåg, S.A., Johannessen, E.P., Helland‐Hansen, W. & Plink‐Björklund, P. (2014) Depositional architecture and evolution of progradationally stacked lobe complexes in the Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen. Sedimentology, 61, pp. 535–569. https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.12067
  11. Haughton, P.D. (1994) Deposits of deflected and ponded turbidity events, currents, Sorbas Basin, southeast Spain. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 64, 233–246. https://doi.org/10.1306/D4267D6B-2B26-11D7-8648000102C1865D
  12. Hodgson, D.M. & Haughton, P.D. (2004) Impact of syndepositional faulting on gravity current behaviour and deep-water stratigraphy: Tabernas-Sorbas Basin, SE Spain. In: Lomas, S.A. and Joseph, P. (Eds), Confined Turbidite Systems. Geological Society of London, Special Publications, 224, 135–158. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2004.222.01.05
  13. Jegou, I., Savoye, B., Pirmez, C. & Droz, L. (2008) Channel-mouth lobe complex of the recent Amazon Fan: The missing piece. Marine Geology, 252, 62–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2008.03.004
  14. Kneller, B. (1995) Beyond the turbidite paradigm: physical models for deposition of turbidites and their implications for reservoir prediction. In: Hartley, A.J. & Prosser, D.J. (Eds), Characterization of deep marine clastic systems. Geological Society of London, Special Publications, 94, 31–49. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1995.094.01.04
  15. Kneller, B., Nasr-Azadani, M. M., Radhakrishnan, S. & Meiburg, E. (2016) Long-range sediment transport in the world’s oceans by stably stratified turbidity currents. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 121 (12), 8608–8620. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JC011978
  16. Liu, Q., Kneller, B., Fallgatter, C., Valdez Buso, V. & Milana, J.P. (2018a) Tabularity of individual turbidite beds controlled by flow efficiency and degree of confinement. Sedimentology, 65 (7), 2368–2387. https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.12470
  17. Liu, Q., Kneller, B., Fallgatter, C. & Buso, V.V. (2018b) Quantitative comparisons of depositional architectures of unconfined and confined turbidite sheet systems. Sedimentary Geology, 376, 72–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2018.08.005
  18. Liu, Q., Kneller, B., An, W. & Hu, X. (2021) Sedimentological responses to initial continental collision: triggering of sand injection and onset of mass movement in a syn-collisional trench basin, Saga, southern Tibet. Journal of the Geological Society, 178 (6), jgs2020–178. https://doi.org/10.1144/jgs2020-178
  19. Lucchi, F.R. & Valmori, E. (1980) Basin‐wide turbidites in a Miocene, over‐supplied deep‐sea plain: a geometrical analysis. Sedimentology, 27, 241–270. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1980.tb01177.x
  20. Macdonald, H.A., Peakall, J., Wignall, P.B. & Best, J. (2011) Sedimentation in deep-sea lobe-elements: implications for the origin of thickening-upward sequences. Journal of the Geological Society, 168, 319–332. https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492010-036
  21. Marini, M., Milli, S., Ravnås, R. & Moscatelli, M. (2015) A comparative study of confined vs. semi-confined turbidite lobes from the Lower Messinian Laga Basin (Central Apennines, Italy): Implications for assessment of reservoir architecture. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 63, 142–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.02.015
  22. Meiburg, E. & Kneller, B. (2010) Turbidity currents and their deposits. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 42, 135–156. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-fluid-121108-145618
  23. McCaffrey, W. & Kneller, B. (2001) Process controls on the development of stratigraphic trap potential on the margins of confined turbidite systems and aids to reservoir evaluation. AAPG Bulletin, 85, 971–988. https://doi.org/10.1306/8626CA41-173B-11D7-8645000102C1865D
  24. Mutti, E. (1977) Distinctive thin‐bedded turbidite facies and related depositional environments in the Eocene Hecho Group (South‐central Pyrenees, Spain). Sedimentology, 24, 107–131. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1977.tb00122.x
  25. Mutti, E. & Lucchi, F.R. (1978) Turbidites of the northern Apennines: introduction to facies analysis. International Geology Review, 20, 125–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206817809471524
  26. Mutti, E. & Normark, W.R. (1987) Comparing examples of modern and ancient turbidite systems: problems and concepts. 1–38. In: Marine clastic sedimentology, Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3241-8_1
  27. Mutti, E. & Sonnino, M. (1981) Compensation cycles: a diagnostic feature of turbidite sandstone lobes. In International Association of Sedimentologists, 2nd European Regional Meeting, Bologna, 120–123.
  28. Normark, W.R. & Piper, D.J. (1991) Initiation processes and flow evolution of turbidity currents: implications for the depositional record. In: Osborne, R.H. (Eds), Shoreline to Abyss: Contributions in Marine Geology in Honor of Francis Parker Shepard. SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology, 46, 207–230. https://doi.org/10.2110/pec.91.09.0207
  29. Patacci, M., Haughton, P.D. & Mccaffrey, W.D. (2015) Flow behavior of ponded turbidity currents. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 85, 885–902. https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2015.59
  30. Pickering, K.T. & Hiscott, R.N. (1985) Contained (reflected) turbidity currents from the Middle Ordovician Cloridorme Formation, Quebec, Canada: an alternative to the antidune hypothesis. Sedimentology, 32, 373–394. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1985.tb00518.x
  31. Picot, M., Droz, L., Marsset, T., Dennielou, B. & Bez, M. (2016) Controls on turbidite sedimentation: insights from a quantitative approach of submarine channel and lobe architecture (Late Quaternary Congo Fan). Marine and Petroleum Geology, 72, 423–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.02.004
  32. Prélat, A., Hodgson, D.M. & Flint, S.S. (2009) Evolution, architecture and hierarchy of distributary deep‐water deposits: a high resolution outcrop investigation from the Permian Karoo Basin, South Africa. Sedimentology, 56, 2132–2154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2009.01073.x
  33. Prélat, A., Covault, J.A., Hodgson, D.M., Fildani, A. & Flint, S.S. (2010) Intrinsic controls on the range of volumes, morphologies, and dimensions of submarine lobes. Sedimentary Geology, 232, 66–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2010.09.010
  34. Remacha, E. & Fernández, L.P. (2003) High-resolution correlation patterns in the turbidite systems of the Hecho Group (South-Central Pyrenees, Spain). Marine and Petroleum Geology, 20, 711–726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2003.09.003
  35. Remacha, E., Fernández, L.P. & Maestro, E. (2005) The transition between sheet-like lobe and basin-plain turbidites in the Hecho basin (south-central Pyrenees, Spain). Journal of Sedimentary Research, 75, 798–819. https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2005.064
  36. Saller, A., Werner, K., Sugiaman, F., Cebastiant, A., May, R., Glenn, D. & Barker, C. (2008) Characteristics of Pleistocene deep-water fan lobes and their application to an upper Miocene reservoir model, offshore East Kalimantan, Indonesia. AAPG Bulletin, 92, 919–949. https://doi.org/10.1306/03310807110
  37. Smith, R. & Joseph, P. (2004) Onlap stratal architectures in the Gres d’Annot: geometric models and controlling factors. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 221 (1), 389–399. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2004.221.01.21
  38. Spychala, Y.T., Hodgson, D.M., Prélat, A., Kane, I.A., Flint, S.S. & Mountney, N.P. (2017a) Frontal and lateral submarine lobe fringes: comparing sedimentary facies, architecture and flow processes. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 87, 75–96. https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2017.2
  39. Spychala, Y.T., Hodgson, D.M., Stevenson, C.J. & Flint, S.S. (2017b) Aggradational lobe fringes: The influence of subtle intrabasinal seabed topography on sediment gravity flow processes and lobe stacking patterns. Sedimentology, 64, 582–608. https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.12315.
  40. Southern, S.J., Patacci, M., Felletti, F. & McCaffrey, W.D. (2015) Influence of flow containment and substrate entrainment upon sandy hybrid event beds containing a co-genetic mud-clast-rich division. Sedimentary Geology, 321, 105–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2015.03.006
  41. Stevenson, C.J., Talling, P.J., Wynn, R.B., Masson, D.G., Hunt, J.E., Frenz, M., Akhmetzhanhov, A. & Cronin, B.T. (2013) The flows that left no trace: Very large-volume turbidity currents that bypassed sediment through submarine channels without eroding the sea floor. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 41, 186–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2012.02.008
  42. Talling, P.J., Amy, L.A., Wynn, R.B., Blackbourn, G. & Gibson, O. (2007a) Evolution of Turbidity Currents Deduced from Extensive Thin Turbidites: Marnoso Arenacea Formation (Miocene), Italian Apennines. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 77, 172–196. https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2007.018
  43. Talling, P.J., Amy, L.A. & Wynn, R.B. (2007b) New insight into the evolution of large‐volume turbidity currents: comparison of turbidite shape and previous modelling results. Sedimentology, 54, 73–769. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.2007.00858.x
  44. Terlaky, V., Rocheleau, J. & Arnott, R.W.C. (2016) Stratal composition and stratigraphic organization of stratal elements in an ancient deep-marine basin-floor succession, Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup, British Columbia, Canada. Sedimentology, 63, 136–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.12222
  45. Tőkés, L. & Patacci, M. (2018) Quantifying tabularity of turbidite beds and its relationship to the inferred degree of basin confinement. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 97, 659–671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2018.06.012
  46. Weaver, P.P.E., Rothwell, R.G., Ebbing, J., Gunn, D. & Hunter, P.M. (1992) Correlation, frequency of emplacement and source directions of megaturbidites on the Madeira Abyssal Plain. Marine Geology, 109, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(92)90218-7
  47. Wynn, R.B., Weaver, P.P., Masson, D.G. & Stow, D.A. (2002) Turbidite depositional architecture across three interconnected deep-water basins on the north-west African margin. Sedimentology, 49, 669–695. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3091.2002.00471.x