O Bloco São Gabriel, localizado na zona central do embasamento cristalino do Rio Grande Sul, apresenta extensos registros do Neoproterozóico do Ciclo Brasiliano, contidos em complexos ígneos e metamórficos. Esses complexos também guardam registros sedimentares, com sequências carbonáticas metamorfisadas, cuja evolução tectônica é pouco conhecida. Essas sequências são observadas na Formação Passo Feio (Caçapava do Sul), no Complexo Cambaí (Vila Nova do Sul) e no Complexo Metavulcano-sedimentar Coxilha do Batovi (São Gabriel). As rochas carbonáticas da Formação Passo Feio compreendem dolomita mármores impuros. As amostras do Complexo Cambaí são classificadas como calcita mármores impuros. Os mármores do Complexo Coxilha do Batovi compreendem litotipos calcíticos e cálcio-silicáticos, cuja assembleia mineral é composta predominantemente por calcita em alguns exemplares e por grafita em outros, com percentuais de até 10% de quartzo, demonstrando contribuição siliciclástica no protólito. Idades de zircões de rochas associadas com os mármores, de trabalhos anteriores, indicam um intervalo entre 770 – 700 Ma para a deposição dos carbonatos do Bloco São Gabriel. Os carbonatos da Formação Passo Feio sofreram dolomitização durante ou logo após a deposição, enquanto os carbonatos do Complexo Cambaí não foram afetados pela dolomitização. A geoquímica dos elementos traços e terras raras indica que os mármores analisados preservaram as assinaturas originais do protólito nos diferentes graus metamórficos: Coxiha do Batovi (grau baixo), Formação Passo Feio e Complexo Cambaí (grau médio). A análise integrada dos isotópicos de Sr, 13C e 18O da Formação Passo Feio e do Complexo Cambaí revelou a preservação de assinaturas isotópicas primárias. Na Formação Passo Feio essas assinaturas são: 0,7074 (Sr87/Sr86), -0,26‰ e 2,44‰ (δ13CPDB) e -5,68‰ (δ18OPDB). Quando comparadas com a variação desses isótopos na água do mar ao longo do Neoproterozóico, verifica-se que os mármores da Formação Passo Feio e do Complexo Cambaí estão situados no intervalo entre 740 e 730 Ma. O período sugerido para a deposição das rochas carbonáticas da Formação Passo Feio é de 770 a 730 Ma, e entre 740-730 para o Complexo Cambaí. / The São Gabriel Block, located in the central zone of the crystalline basement of Rio Grande do Sul has extensive Neoproterozoic records of the Brasiliano Cycle, contained in igneous and metamorphic complexes. These complexes also keep sedimentary records with metamorphosed carbonate sequences whose tectonic evolution is poorly understood. These sequences are found in Passo Feio Formation, located in Caçapava do Sul region, in Complex Cambaí, at Vila Nova do Sul region and in Coxilha do Batovi metavolcanosedimentary Complex, in the São Gabriel region. The Passo Feio Formation carbonate rocks consist of impure dolomite marbles. The Cambaí Complex samples are classified as impure calcite marbles. Coxilha do Batovi Complex samples include calcite and calc-silicate marbles whose mineral assemblage are composed predominantly of calcite in some samples and graphite in others, with quartz rates up to 10% showing the siliciclastic contribution to the protolith. Zircon ages of associated rocks from previous works indicate an interval between 770-700 Ma for carbonate deposition in S. Gabriel Block. The carbonates from Passo Feio Formation were affected by dolomitization process during or early after its deposition, while the carbonates from Cambaí Complex were not affected by dolomitization. Trace elements and REE geochemistry of marbles indicate preservation of original signature of carbonate protoliths along different metamorphic grades; Coxilha do Batovi (low grade), Passo Feio Formation and Cambaí Complex (medium grade). The integrated analysis of Sr isotope, 13C and 18O from Passo Feio Formation and Cambaí Complex revealed the preservation of primary isotopic signatures. The Passo Feio Formation signatures are: 0,7074 (Sr87/Sr86), -0,26‰ and 2,44‰ (δ13CPDB) and -5,68 (δ18OPDB). In Cambaí Complex, the primary signatures are: 0,7069 (Sr87/Sr86), 5,75 (δ13CPDB) and -11,64 (δ18OPDB). When compared with the variation of these isotopes in seawater along the Neoproterozoic it appears that Passo Feio Formation and Cambaí Complex are situated in the range between 740 and 730 Ma. Based on these data it is suggested that the São Gabriel Block depositional event occurred between 770-700 Ma. The period suggested for the carbonate rocks depositional event of Passo Feio Formation is between 770-730 Ma, and specifically between 740-730 for Cambaí Complex.

A Formação Tombador, Mesoproterozoico, compreende diferentes sistemas deposicionais, depositados em um bacia sag, que abrangem desde sistemas aluviais a estuarinos. Os depósitos bem preservados e sua ampla ocorrência em escala regional (~300 km) faz com que a Formação Tombador seja um excelente caso de estudo no Proterozoico. Foram reconhecidas três sequências deposicionais, limitadas por superfícies erosivas em escala regional no topo da Formação Tombador. A Sequência I é composta na base por canais fluviais cascalhosos entrelaçados rasos, que são sotopostos por depósitos de dunas e lençóis de areia eólicos e inundações em lençol intermediário. O limite inferior desta sequência é caracterizado por uma discordância angular intra-Tombador sobre os sistemas fluvio-estuarinos, evidenciada por uma mudança abrupta de fácies e mudança nas paleocorrentes. Os sistemas fluvio-estuarinos abaixo da discordância apresentam paleocorrentes para noroeste enquanto que os sistemas fluviais acima do limite de sequências indicam um transporte para sul. Uma nova entrada abrupta de depósitos conglomeráticos relacionados a sistemas de leques aluviais sobre a sucessão fluvio-eólica, marca o limite da Sequência II. A Sequência III é caracterizada por sistemas fluvio-estuarinos na porção superior da Formação Tombador, que são progressivamente sucedidos por sistemas marinhos rasos (Formação Caboclo), definindo uma tendência geral transgressiva. As Sequências I e II refletem um soerguimento da área-fonte em resposta a movimentações tectônicas. A mudança abrupta de paleocorrentes dos fluviais basais da Sequência I indicam uma reestruturação regional das redes de drenagens, enquanto que os sistemas de leques aluviais da Sequência II sugerem sedimentos depositados por uma tectônica sin-deposicional. Os limites de sequências II e III é marcado por uma superfície erosiva regional. A discordâncias entre as sequências II e III revela um hiato significante no topo da Formação Tombador sugerindo uma origem tectônica para esta discordância. / The Mesoproterozoic Tombador Formation encompasses different depositional systems deposited in a sag basin, ranging from estuarine to alluvial. The well preserved deposits and their wide occurrence in the regional scale (~300 km) define the Tombador Formation as an excellent case study for the depositional patterns prevailing during the Proterozoic. Three depositional sequences were recognized for the Upper Tombador Formation, bounded by three semi-regional scale unconformities. Sequence I is composed of shallow, gravel-bed braided channels at its base, which are overlain by fine- to coarse-grained sandstones related to aeolian sand sheets and dunes and intermediate sheetfloods. The lower boundary of this sequence is characterized by an angular unconformity cutting fluvio-estuarine deposits, evidenced by an abrupt change of facies and fluvial palaeocurrents. The fluvio-estuarine deposits below the sequence boundary display palaeocurrents to northwest, whereas the fluvial strata above the unconformity show southeastward palaeocurrents. A new abrupt entrance of conglomeratic deposits related to alluvial fans systems overlying the fluvio-aeolian successions marks the lower boundary of Sequence II. The Sequence III is characterized by fluvio-estuarine systems in the top of the Upper Tombador Formation, that are progressively covered by shallow marine systems (Caboclo Formation), defining a general transgressive trend. The pattern of sequences I and II probably reflects the uplift of source areas in response to tectonic movements. The palaeocurrent change in Sequence I indicates a regional rearrangement of the drainage networks, while the alluvial fan systems of sequence II suggest sin-depositional tectonic pulses. The regional erosive surface between sequences II and III reveals a significant hiatus close to the Tombador Formation top, what suggests a tectonic origin for this unconformity.

Orientador: Joel Carneiro de Castro / Banca: Maria Rita Caetano Chang / Banca: Luiz Carlos Weinschütz / Resumo: Os membros Lontras (Formação Campo Mourão) e Rio Segredo (Formação Taciba) constituem uma sucessão marinha de folhelhos e arenitos turbidíticos, que está encaixada entre diamictitos glaciais daquelas formações. O folhelho Lontras tem uma centena de metros na faixa aflorante norte catarinense, contendo em sua porção superior a fácies "folhelho várvico", na verdade um estrato com gradação de siltito a folhelho (Tde) em escala milimétrica e que é considerado como sendo o turbidito distal da sucessão. O turbidito Rio Segredo tem de 15 a 25 m e consiste de estratos gradacionais portando sequência Bouma em diversas escalas: muito delgado (1 a 3 cm; Tde e Tcde), delgado (3 a 10 cm; Tcde e Tbcde), médio (10 a 30 cm; Tbcde e Tabcde), espesso (30 a 100 cm; Tabc) e muito espesso (acima de 1,0 m; Tabc). Há ainda uma divisão "superior" do Membro Rio Segredo normalmente com 10 a 20 m de espessura, que contém turbiditos areno-argilosos muito delgados (Tcde e Tde). Foram levantados sete perfis faciológicos de detalhe, escala 1:50, de modo a registrar turbiditos com até 5 cm de espessura (1 mm no perfil). Posteriormente, quatro desses perfis foram cronocorrelacionados em uma seção norte-sul: Forcação, Wiegand, Laeisz e Dona Emma, numa extensão de 28 km. A esta seção foi acrescido o perfil Taiózinho, localizado 30 km a oeste do Forcação, entre os dois últimos (semelhança faciológica com o Laeisz). Identificaram-se sete sistemas deposicionais, com uma média de 3 m de espessura por sistema e contidos em três sequências de alta frequência. Os sistemas deposicionais são formados por ciclos turbidíticos de origem marinha, encontrados principalmente nos perfis Laeisz e Taiózinho, com uma organização ascendente de adelgaçamento e granodecrescência. Outros ciclos turbidíticos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Lontras shale and overlying Rio Segredo sandstone are members of Campo Mourão and Taciba formations, corresponding to shelf marine and turbidite deposits; they are encased in glacial diamictites of those formations. The Lontras shale is 100 m thick in northern Santa Catarina outcrop belt and it displays a "varved shale" facies in its upper portion. In reality, it represents many mm-scale beds with Bouma sequence Tde, and therefore distal, argillaceous turbidites. The Rio Segredo Member is 15 to 25 m thick and contain beds of different thicknesses: very thin (1 to 3 cm; Tde and Tcde), thin (3 to 10 cm; Tcde and Tbcde), and medium beds (10 to 30 cm; Tbcde and Tabcde). Also, thick (30 to 100 cm) and very thick beds (thicker than 1 m) displays massive or graded sandstones with disperse laminations and cross-laminations resembling Ta, Tb and Tc intervals of Bouma sequence. There is also a Rio Segredo "upper" division with 10 to 20 m thick, consisting of very thin turbidites (Tcde and Tde). Seven detailed facies logs were constructed at 1:50 scale, to represent even 5 cm thin beds (1 mm). Later, four of the logs were put in a north-south stratigraphic section (28 km in length): Forcação, Wiegand, Laeisz and Dona Emma, in a 28 km extension. A fifth log, Taiózinho (distant 30 km west of Forcação), was added to the section between the last two logs, because of its facies similarity with Laeisz log. Seven depositional systems are identified, averaging 3 m thick in, thickness, and they belong to high frequency sequences. The systems are composed of turbidite cycles of marine origin, found mainly in Laeisz and Taiózinho logs: they form thinning- and fining-upward cycles. Turbidite cycles of deltaic origin are observed in Forcação and Dona Emma logs as thickening-up and coarsening-up cycles. In the latter, are included... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

This thesis demonstrates that geological setting, depositional facies, open system flux of hot basinal brines and descending of shallow waters have a strong impact on the distribution of the diagenetic alterations within continental and paralic/shallow marine sandstones which in turn control the quality and heterogeneities of the reservoirs. Geological setting controls the mineralogical and textural maturity of sandstone, whereas depositional facies control the pore water chemistry (marine, brackish or meteoric), sedimentary texture and sand body geometry. Eogenetic alterations in the fluvial deposits are dominated by precipitation of infiltrated clays, kaolinitization of detrital silicates, whereas the shallow marine deposits are dominated by precipitation of early calcite and kaolinite. Conversely mesogenetic alterations are dominated by clay minerals transformation, quartz overgrowths and Ferroan- carbonates, barite and anhydrite. Flux of hot basinal brines is evidenced by precipitation of mesogenetic minerals that lack of internal sources (e.g. barite, anhydrite and ferroan carbonate cements), which is evidenced by: (1) restricted occurrence of these minerals in downthrown blocks. (2) The high fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures (Th) of quartz overgrowths (Th &gt; 110-139°C), and carbonate cements (T &gt; 80-140°C), which also have light δ18OV-PDB(-17.6‰ to -6.7‰). Flux of hot basinal brines is further evidenced by occurrence of saddle Fe-dolomite along stylolites. Fluid inclusion microthermometry further revealed a dramatic shift in pore- water chemistry from NaCl dominated brines during precipitation of quartz overgrowths to NaCl-CaCl2 dominated brines during cementation by Fe-dolomite. Presence of mixed brine (NaCl+CaCl2) systems in the fluid inclusions suggests flux of descending waters, which have circulated in the overlying carbonate-evaporite successions. The restricted occurrence of oil- filled inclusion to quartz overgrowths and methane to Fe-carbonate cements suggest migration of oil during precipitation by quartz and migration of methane during precipitation by Fe- carbonate cements. The extensive mesogenetic cements in the down thrown blocks is attributed to flux of basinal brines along deep seated faults, i.e. open system diagenesis. Integration of fluid inclusion microthermometry, isotopes, Raman spectrometry and thermal tectonic evolution of basins are essential techniques for unraveling the evolution of basinal fluids, cementation conditions and relative timing of hydrocarbons migration. / <p>Errata: Felaktigt disputationsdatum på spikbladet.</p>

The San Andres Formation (Permian, Guadalupian) is the most prolific oil reservoir in the Permian basin. However, despite more than 60 years of production, an estimated 70% of the original oil in place remains. Recovery of this huge resource requires a better understanding of facies and reservoir framework, which, in turn, must be accomplished using a rock-based reservoir characterization process. This high resolution correlation method is essential for understanding the complex heterogeneities found in shallow water platform carbonates. Steps in the construction of a rock-based reservoir model in the Fullerton San Andres Unit (FSAU) included (1) defining depositional facies and primary facies groups; (2) creating an outcrop depositional model; (3) integrating facies descriptions with gamma-ray and porosity log data; (3) defining field-wide high frequency sequences based on wireline logs and cycle stacking patterns; (4) developing a sequence-based reservoir framework and 3-dimensional reservoir architecture; (5) defining porosity and permeability relationships for facies groups based on rock fabric characteristics. In Fullerton Field, the San Andres Formation comprises high frequency cycles of upward shoaling shallow-marine carbonates. Studies of nine cores (1730 ft) in FSAU reveal four peritidal and five shallow subtidal depositional facies based on texture, fossil assemblages, and sedimentary structures. Peritidal facies are dominantly laminated carbonate mudstones, interpreted as deposited on an intermittently exposed tidal flat. Shallow subtidal facies are peloid and mollusk dominated wackestones and packstones, interpreted as deposited in a shallow protected lagoon. Cycle stacking patterns indicate four complete upward shallowing high frequency sequences. Comparison of high frequency sequences between cored wells shows a high degree of similarity in the overall generalized vertical sequence, especially in the proportions of peritidal and subtidal components within each sequence. Three-dimensional reservoir characterization, using 132 gamma ray and porosity logs, reveals that depositional sequences are largely flat-lying with local topographic variation identified as the fundamental influence on lateral facies distribution within the reservoir section. Integration of core and petrophysical data from surrounding fields places FSAU in the larger sequence stratigraphic framework of the Central Basin Platform. The regional depositional sequence formed a series of depositional environments ranging from intermittently exposed to open marine. San Andres facies developed during south-easterly progradation of shallow water tidal flat and sabkha sediments over a deeper open marine shelf. / text

As relações entre tectônica e sedimentação são fatores primordiais na compreensão geológica de sucessões sedimentares. Por sua vez, o estudo de depósitos fluviais pré-silurianos representa um desafio a esta área do conhecimento em consequência da ausência de interação entre rios e plantas terrestres que ocorre nos depósitos fluviais recentes. A Bacia do Camaquã (Ediacarano a Eocambriano) apresenta extensas exposições que possibilitam neste presente trabalho a discussão da sedimentação sob o ponto de vista de um modelo tectônico definido. Através da análise de fácies sedimentares e arquitetura deposicional, a caracterização da unidade estratigráfica basal do Grupo Guaritas (Eocambriano), a Formação Guarda Velha, um espesso pacote sedimentar de depósitos fluviais, levou à reconstituição das características do ambiente de sedimentação, considerando-se a influência da tectônica sin-deposicional e de fatores climáticos. É interpretado um estilo fluvial entrelaçado com grande variação de vazão, alta taxa de aporte sedimentar e grandes dimensões. Diversas estruturas de deformação sinsedimentares de reologia dúctil originadas por sismos são investigadas como indicadores da atividade tectônica sin-sedimentar e correlacionadas às informações de fácies sedimentares e elementos arquiteturais para caracterização do ambiente deposicional, revelando uma bacia com intensa atividade sísmica penecontemporânea. A caracterização dessas estruturas leva ao questionamento sobre o caráter efêmero do sistema fluvial proposto em trabalhos anteriores para a Formação Guarda Velha. Um importante evento reconhecido através da análise de estruturas rúpteis e responsável pela discordância angular entre os Grupos Santa Bárbara e Guaritas, é caracterizado por falhas transcorrentes e oblíquas geradas por compressão NE-SW. As evidências da intensa atividade sísmica sin-deposicional são correlacionadas ao evento regional distensivo com 3 NW-SE e posterior à compressão NE-SW, atribuído ao evento de subisidência responsável pela deposição do Grupo Guaritas. A Bacia do Camaquã apresentou também intensa atividade tectônica após a deposição do Supergrupo Camaquã, notadamente com eventos transcorrentes deformacionais, distintos dos eventos distensionais formadores da bacia. Notadamente foi reconhecido um evento de deformação transcorrente principal na região com direção principal de esforços WNW, estruturas de direção E-W com cinemática destral e estruturas de direção NNE apresentando cinemática sinistral. Este evento foi seguido então por uma distensão NW, que por sua vez precedeu um evento compressivo com direção principal de esforços NNE a N-S, responsável por estruturas com cinemática contrária à do evento transcorrente principal. Finalmente, foi reconhecido um evento de deformação com falhas predominantemente normais geradas por distensão NE, interpretado como de idade cretácea. Desta forma, as evidências coletadas no presente estudo da Formação Guarda Velha revelam intensa atividade sísmica sin-deposicional relacionada ao evento regional distensivo com 3 NW-SE e concomitante a deposição em planícies aluviais com predomínio de carga de fundo e grande variação de vazão, durante a subsidência inicial do rift continental eocambriano do Rio Grande do Sul. / The relationship between tectonics and sedimentation plays a primordial role in the understanding of sedimentary successions. On the other hand, the study of pre-Silurian fluvial deposits represents a challenge due to the lack of interaction between land plants and river systems which characterizes post-Silurian environments. The Camaquã Basin (Ediacaran to Eocambrian) presents extensive exposures allowing investigations of sedimentary environments under a well defined tectonic model. Through the analysis of sedimentary facies and depositional architecture, the geological characterization of the basal stratigraphic unit of the Guaritas Group (Eocambrian), the Guarda Velha Formation, a thick sedimentary strata composed of fluvial deposits, provided the recognition of the sedimentation environment, considering the influence of sin-depositional tectonics and climatic factors. A braided fluvial style with great discharge variation, high sedimentary load and large dimensions was identified. Many seismically triggered ductile sin-sedimentary deformation structures found in the area bring information about the tectonic activity during sedimentation and were correlated using sedimentary facies and architectural elements analysis in order to describe the depositional environment, revealing a basin system dominated by an intense contemporaneous seismic activity. The characterization of these structures lead to a questioning about the until now accepted model of ephemerous channels for this fluvial system. An important event recognized by means of brittle structures analysis was identified as the origin of the angular unconformity between the Santa Bárbara Group and the Guaritas Group which is characterized by strike-slip and oblique faults generated by a NE-SW compression. The intense sin-depositional seismic activity evidences are correlated to an extensional event with 3 direction NW-SE, which post-dates the compression and was responsible for the subsidence of the Guaritas Group. The Camaquã Basin also records an intense tectonic activity that occurred after the deposition of the Camaquã Supergroup, markedly deformational strike-slip events. The most important event recognized on the studied region had a mean WNW stress direction, with E-W structures showing right-slip kinematics and NNE structures presenting left-slip kinematics. Following this event a NW extension followed by a NNE to N-S compression were recognized, the late showing structures with reverse kinematics to the mean strike-slip event. At last, a NE extension event originated normal faults dated of Cretaceous age. Conclusively, the Guarda Velha Formation here collected data reveals an intense seismic activity related to an extension event showing 3 NW-SE concomitantly to a bed load-dominated aluvial plain deposition and great discharge variability, during the initial subsidence of the Guaritas rift (Eocambrian) in southern Brazil.

<p>The main purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the various sand prone depositional facies in the deepwater Southern Outeniqua Basin which generally tend to form during&nbsp / lowstand (marine regression) conditions producing progradational facies. It made use of sequence stratigraphy and turbidite facies models to predict the probable location of deepwater&nbsp / reservoirs in the undrilled Southern Outeniqua Basin using data from basin margin Pletmos Basin and the deepwater Southern Outeniqua Basin. Basin margin depositional packages were&nbsp / correlated in time and space with deepwater packages. It was an attempt at bridging the gap between process-related studies of sedimentary rocks and the more traditional economic geology&nbsp / f commercial deposits of petroleum using prevailing state-of-the-art in basin analysis. It enabled the most realistic reconstructions of genetic stratigraphy and offered the greatest&nbsp / application in exploration. Sequence stratigraphic analysis and interpretation of seismics, well logs, cores and biostratigraphic data was carried out providing a chronostratigraphic framework of the study area within which seismic facies analysis done. Nine (9) seismic lines that span the shallow/basin margin Pletmos basin into the undrilled deepwater Southern Outeniqua basin were analysed and interpreted and the relevant seismic geometries were captured. Four (4) turbidite depositional elements were identified from the seismic lines: channel, overbank deposits,&nbsp / haotic deposits and basin plain (basin floor fan) deposits. These were identified from the relevant seismic geometries (geometric attributes) observed on the 2D seismic lines. Thinning attributes, unconformity attributes and seismic facies attributes were observed from the seismic lines. This was preceded by basic structural analyses and interpretation of the&nbsp / seismic lines. according to the structural analysis and interpretation, deposition trended NW-SE and NNW-SSE as we go deepwater into the Southern Outeniqua basin. Well logs from six (6)&nbsp / of the interpreted wells indicated depositional channel fill as well as basin floor fans. This was identified in well Ga-V1 and Ga-S1 respectively. A bell and crescent shape gamma ray log&nbsp / signature was observed in well Ga-V1 indicating a fining up sequence as the channel was abandoned while an isolated massive mound-shape gamma ray log signature was observed in&nbsp / Ga-S1 indicating basin plain well-sorted sands. Core analyses and interpretation from two southern-most wells revealed three (3) facies which were derived based on Walker&lsquo / s 1978, turbidite&nbsp / facies. The observed facies were: sandstone, sand/shale and shale facies. Sequence stratigraphic characterisation of petroleum reservoirs in block 11b/12b of the Southern Outeniqua&nbsp / Basin. Cores of well Ga-V1 displayed fine-grained alternations of thin sandstone beds and shales belonging to the thin-bedded turbidite facies. This is typical of levees of the upper fan channel but&nbsp / could easily be confused with similar facies on the basin plain. According to Walker, 1978 such facies form under conditions of active fan progradation. Ga-S1 cores displayed not only classic&nbsp / turbidite facies where there was alternating sand and shale sections but showed thick uninterrupted sections of clean sands. This is typical of basin plain deposits. Only one well had&nbsp / biostratigraphic data though being very limited in content. This data revealed particular depth sections and stratigraphic sections as having medium to fast depositional rates. Such rates are&nbsp / characteristic of turbidite deposition from turbidity currents. This study as well as a complementary study by Carvajal et al., 2009 revealed that the Southern Outeniqua basin is a sand-prone&nbsp / basin with many progradational sequences in which tectonics and sediment supply rate have been significant factors (amongst others such as sea level change) in the formation of these&nbsp / deepwater sequences. In conclusion, the Southern Outeniqua basin was hereby seen as having a viable and unexplored petroleum system existing in this sand prone untested world class.</p>

Bentonite clays are exposed in Paleogene strata stretching over 650 km parallel to the Texas coastline. This study focuses on a white and blue and a yellow and brown commercial Ca-montmorillonite bentonite near the city of Gonzales, Gonzales county, Texas. The deposits have stratigraphic ages of Late Eocene (~36.7 - 32.7 Ma). The bentonites in these deposits have varying colors, purities and brightness affording them diverse industrial uses. The distribution and geologic character of the high purity white and blue bentonite suggests that the deposit represents an accumulation of volcanic ash in a secondary tidal channel during the ash-fall event. A low rate of terrigenous clastic sedimentation and rapid accumulation of fresh ash were critical to the formation of high purity clay. The lower purity yellow and brown bentonites appear to have a fluvial origin marked by higher rates of detrital sedimentation and episodic accumulation of clay and ash. The bentonite and associated strata were studied using optical microscopy, SEM, XRD and REE analyses to constrain their textural, mineralogic, and chemical character. vii Eocene pyroclastic volcanism is well documented from sources in southwestern North America, specifically in the Sierra Madre Occidental (Mexico), Trans-Pecos (Texas) and Mogollan-Datil (New Mexico) volcanic fields. Projected Eocene wind patterns support this region as a potential source for the Gonzales bentonites. A comparison of the trace and REE fingerprints of the white and blue bentonites and the yellow and brown bentonites with data available for Late Eocene volcanics in the North American Volcanic Database provides a couple of potential matches. The strongest potential match for the Late Eocene bentonite protolith is described as a sample of silicic tuff with an age range of 32.2 – 30.6 Ma, located in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. While the trace and REE match is strong, the tuff is somewhat young compared to the Jackson Group sediments. In addition, the sample location is due almost directly south of the Gonzales deposits, rather than the western location expected for a Gonzales bentonite source. The other potential matches are located in New Mexico, and the Mexican state of Chihuahua. These potential matches only have 6 REE available for comparison, and require further investigation. Many Paleogene volcanic units in southern North America are undocumented with regard to REE data or precise absolute ages. As additional geochemical analyses become available for a more extensive suite of Paleogene volcanic units, stronger matches with Gulf of Mexico Basin bentonites are expected to emerge. / text

The Lower Permian Admiral Formation redbeds in north-central Texas are famous for their well-studied vertebrate fauna. Taphonomical and paleoecological aspects, however, are inadequately understood. The prerequisite for taphonomical interpretations is an analysis of the depositional environments. Low relief and low regional dip expose extensive paleoslopes in western Archer County. Three major depositional systems may be recognized: a fine-grained meanderbelt, a low sinuosity fine-grained fluvial system, and a tidal flat. The small scale of the sedimentation (average sandstone thickness 1. 5 m) is remarkable. Four types of vertebrate occurrences can be distinguished: Type 1: Mass death bonebeds are situated in a floodbasin facies comprised of gray and red mudstones with abundant Psaronius roots (a swamp-dwelling tree fern) which is associated with the fluvial systems. Such basins were covered by a dense swamp forest with a high diversity of vertebrates. This type is exemplified by the Geraldine Bonebed, which has yielded at least 45 partly articulated skeletons representing 4 genera of tetrapods, and remains of another 8 vertebrate taxa. The bones were found on a layer of fern, seed fern, and conifer foliage and wood. This occurrence was formed by a single catastrophic event, possibly a forest fire, which drove the animals of the swamp forest into a pond, where they died of suffocation and were concentrated into a bonebed by physical processes (wind). Type 2: Lag bonebeds, situated on the landward margin of tidal flat environments, are represented by the Rattlesnake Canyon Bonebed which consists mainly of a calcareous concretion conglomerate, which contains fragmentary bone, serpulid worm colonies (brackish water!), and calamitelean wood. The diversity of forms represented by articulated material is low. The ubiquitous predator Dimetrodon and an amphibian, Trimerorachis, which tolerates brackish water, are common. This type was deposited as lag in a storm washover deposit. Type 3: Ponds (abandoned channels, etc.) which contained a fauna dominated by aquatic forms (the fishes Xenacanthus and Ectosteorachis, and the amphibian Archeria) were gradually filled by fine-grained sediment and organic debris (vertebrates, plants). These oxbow lakes were probably rimmed by stands of Calamites. Four examples are described. Type 4: Single, complete skeletons examplified here by Diadectes are occasionally found in red floodplain mudstones. / text

The Pennsylvanian Marble Falls Formation in the Llano Uplift region of the southern Fort Worth Basin (Central Texas) is a Morrowan-Atokan mixed carbonate-siliciclastic unit whose deposition was influenced by icehouse glacioeustatic sea-level fluctuations and foreland basin tectonics. Previous interpretations of the Marble Falls Formation focused on outcrop data at the fringes of the Llano Uplift. This study uses a series of 21 cores to create a facies architectural model, depositional environmental interpretation, and regional sequence stratigraphic framework. On the basis of core data, the study area is interpreted to have been deposited in a ramp setting with a shallower water upper ramp area to the south and a deeper water basin setting to the north. Analysis of cores and thin sections identified 14 inner ramp to basin facies. Dominant facies are: (1) burrowed sponge spicule packstone, (2) algal grain-dominated packstone to grainstone, (3) skeletal foraminiferal wackestone, and (4) argillaceous mudstone to clay shale. Facies stacking patterns were correlated and combined with chemostratigraphic data to improve interpretations of the unit’s depositional history and form an integrated regional model. The Marble Falls section was deposited during Pennsylvanian icehouse times in a part of the Fort Worth Basin with active horst and graben structures developing in response to the Ouachita Orogeny. The resulting depositional cycles reflect high-frequency sea-level fluctuations and are divided into 3 sequences. Sequence 1 represents aggradational ramp deposition truncated by a major glacioeustatic sea-level fall near the Morrowan-Atokan boundary (SB1). This fall shifted accommodation basinward and previously distal areas were sites of carbonate HST in Sequence 2 deposition following a short TST phase. Sequence 3 represents the final phase of carbonate accumulation that was diachronously drowned by Smithwick siliciclastics enhanced by horst and graben faulting. These findings contribute to our understanding of the depositional response to glacioeustatic sea-level changes during the Pennsylvanian and can also form the basis for constructing a sedimentological and facies analog for Morrowan to Atokan shallow- to deepwater carbonates in the Permian Basin and the northern Fort Worth Basin. / text