La Hamada du Guir est un vaste entablement, allongé du Nord au Sud sur 250 km entre les vallées du Ziz et du Guir, au Sud-Est du Maroc. La formation sédimentaire qui la reconstitue fut longtemps décrite comme riche en dépôts lacustres et attribuée au Néogène. Dans ce mémoire, il est démontré que cette formation est en réalité détritique, rouge et issue de transports fluviatiles. Elle a pu être divisée en quatre ensembles: L'ensemble A, déposé par des fleuves s 'écoulant d'Est en Ouest, au Sénonien - Eocène inférieur. L'ensemble B, caractérisé par une puissante série détritique, armée par des carbonates dus à un remplacement épigénique du sédiment originel par de la calcite-dolomite. Ces carbonates forment d'épaisses et vastes dalles. Cette puissante formation détritique est constituée par plusieurs cycles successifs de sédimentation fluviatile et de faciès carbonatés. Cette épigénie carbonatée, qui modifia à plusieurs reprises et sur plusieurs mètres d'épaisseurs la nature des sédiments rouges originels, révèle un climat à saisons alternantes à longues saisons sèches de type semi-aride. Lorsque l'avalanche des flux détritiques s'interrompt, le milieu évaporatoire provoque la concentration des solutions des nappes superficielles et des sols, qui deviennent alors capables saisonnièrement de dissoudre silicates et quartz, puis de cristalliser calcite et/ou dolomite, précédées et/ou accompagnées de néoformation de palygorskite. Elle est riche en gisements de Gastéropodes terrestres, jadis confondus avec le genre Clavator attribué à l'Aquitanien; ils appartiennent en réalité aux genres Romanella et Vicentinia, de l'Eocène moyen et supérieur périméditerranéen. Dans cet ensemble, l 'écoulement des courants change progressivement: d'abord Est-Ouest, il évolue vers un sens Nord-Sud. L'ensemble C, semblable à l'ensemble B auquel il fait suite dans le secteur septentrional de la Hamada. L'ensemble D, conglomératique, discordant sur tout ce qui précède, attribué au Néogène. Il résulte de vastes épandages venus du Nord, depuis le Haut - Atlas alors installé. L'âge de cette série cesse donc d'être néogène: - au dessus du Crétacé moyen; l 'ensemble A serait du Sénonien - Eocène inférieur. - Les puissants ensembles B et C sont datés de l'Eocène moyen et supérieur par de nombreux gisements de Gastéropodes (Romanella, Vicentinia). - Ne reste néogène que l'ensemble D, discordant sur tout ce qui précède. L'attribution de la Hamada du Guir à l'Eocène implique de vastes révisions cartographiques.

Nos deux terrains de Sicuani et d 'Ocongate se situent à cheval sur la Cordillère Orientale et la Vallée interandine du Vilcanota, au Sud -Est de Cuzco . La stratigraphie comprend des niveaux d'âge paléozoïque jusqu'au Tertiaire, avec dominante continentale . On y a distingué deux zones paléogéographiques et tectoniques, séparées par le Rio Vilcanota. 1 - une zone sud -ouest monotone (Cordillère Occidentale) où le Tertiaire, affecté d'une tectonique simple repose sur un Crétacé réduit, 2 - une zone nord -est (Cordillère Orientale) où un Crétacé à dominante continentale se replie en un grand synclinorium à tectonique souple . Au-dessous, le socle paléozoïque en partie métamorphisé par des intrusions d'age inconnu, possède une tectonique encore mal connue. Encre les deux, une zone très étroite, celle de Vilcanota, en général anticlinale, écaillée ou non, représente vers le Nord le rétrécissement de la zone de l'altiplano péruano - bolivien. Diverses phases tectoniques affectent ces terrains : - d'abord une (ou plusieurs?) phases précarbonifères mal connues, - une phase Permien moyen importance , - une phase névadienne localement, - une phase Crétacé moyen (mouvements précurseurs). - une phase principale Crétacé supérieur, surtout dans la Cordillère Occidentale, - une ou plusieurs phases tertiaires, - un soulèvement général pliocène-pléistocène, Les incursions marines ont toujours été fugitives (Ayavacas et Copacabana essentiellement), si l'on met à part les dépôts des mers précarbonifères, et il semble que l'on ait affaire à une zone géanticlinale comprise entre l'Eugéosynclinal Occidental et le Miogéosynclinal Oriental de la chatne andine.

Cette étude concerne les régions des Monts de Judée, d'Artuf, vallée d'Ayalon; Gezer; plaine maritime. La stratigraphie, et tectonique sont abpordées.

A 3D seismic volume was acquired summer 2000 over the southern end of Hydrate Ridge (FIR), an anomalously shallow ridge 100 km offshore Newport, Oregon. The survey followed a succession of scientific expeditions aimed at studying the gas hydrates present in the shallow subsurface that gave the name to the ridge. This thesis consists of a seismic sequence analysis of the high-resolution (125 Hz) 3D survey. Identification of seismic units and interpretation of depositional sequences observed on the seismic sections is presented. The sequence analysis is compared with the results from nine sites cored during ODP Leg 204 during summer 2002. The first objective is to document in detail the stratigraphy of the ridge so that we can compare it with the gas hydrate distribution. The second is to reconstruct the structural evolution through time of this complex anticline as inferred from the depositional history. The result is a time series of structural evolutionary cross-sections as well as a series of paleo-bathymetric maps revealing the development of and interplay between the structures now buried in the subsurface of southern HR. The structural evolutionary diagrams show the existence of three anticlines, interpreted as thrust-related folds. They formed at the deformation front and controlled the distribution and deformation of the sediments during the Pleistocene. The current southern HR started its uplift less than 0.5 Ma. A seismic relict in the form of a double BSR is a witness to the evolution of the gas hydrate system of HR. It confirms the recent uplift of the ridge and consequent shallowing of the base of the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Further detailed studies of the stratigraphy reveal stratigraphic controls on the fluid flow, which in turn control the distribution of gas hydrates. Analysis of the amplitude map of the bottom-simulating reflector (BSR), which is a proxy for the free gas distribution, shows a relationship between anticlinal features within the older strata (older than 1.6 Ma) and strong amplitude anomalies of the BSR, which confirm previous observations suggesting a very low permeability for the young slope-basin sediments and an accumulation of gas within the older sediments underneath. / Graduation date: 2004

The Ediacaran in Uruguay preserves a unique record of deposits generated during the assembly of the palaeocontinent Gondwana and concurrent with major changes in the atmosphere and oceans, and the rise of animal life. Recent studies have suggested that the deep oceans remained anoxic and highly ferruginous throughout the Ediacaran and possibly into the Cambrian. Unfortunately, acceptance of this idea has been hindered by the virtual absence of iron formations (IF). Detailed studies of Ediacaran IF in Uruguay confirm that ferruginous conditions dominated the pre-Gaskiers (~580 Ma), and interestingly, they also extended well into the upper Ediacaran before complete ocean ventilation occurred. Significantly, a simple twolayer stratified system that argues for an oxygenated surface layer overlying a suboxic zone is proposed. The association of negative 13C excursions in Neoproterozoic carbonates and large-scale glaciations has become a tempting explanation for the short-term perturbation of the global carbon cycle. Not surprisingly, negative 13C shifts in Ediacaran-aged carbonates from Uruguay have been interpreted as recording post-Gaskiers glacial events. New highresolution 13C-chemostratigraphy of carbonates shows negative fractionations in deep facies with a progressive rise towards shallow-water settings, and suggests a deposition across a stratified ocean. Furthermore, 87Sr/86Sr chemostratigraphy coupled with radiometric data allowed a more precise chronostratigraphy, which supports an age of ~600-575 Ma for the unit, and suggests a deposition concurrent with the Gaskiers glaciation. Notwithstanding whether associated 13C variations in shallow water facies were produced by glacially-related conditions or by the dynamic of the basin itself remains unresolved. Although these conclusions are particularly valid for these deposits, they carry important implications for the understanding of other negative 13C excursions recorded in the Precambrian. Finally, bilaterian burrows occur in Gaskiers age glaciomarine rocks in Uruguay implying that these are the oldest definite animal tracks yet reported. Crucially, our new discovery unites the palaeontological and molecular data pertaining to the origin of bilaterians, and brings the origin of animals firmly into the interval of the Neoproterozoic glaciations. It also implies that ancestral bilaterians likely evolved first in relatively shallow seas, and only colonized the deep-sea floor once sufficient bottom water oxygenation had taken place.

The Granite Wash is comprised of diachronous, Cambrian to Devonian sandstone deposits, which include the Devonian Contact Rapids and Keg River sandstones of which this study will focus. Prolific oil production from the Granite Wash has fueled exploration since the 1950s and as a result substantial core and wireline data is available. Mapping of the Precambrian subcrop suggests that palaeo-highs, known as inselbergs, strongly influenced sedimentation transport, volume, rate, and ultimately preservation after marine transgression. Several distinct surfaces identified from wireline data and cores indicate an overall marine transgression throughout Keg River time. The facies observed represent continental, shallow marine and sabkha environments and a climatic shift from arid to semi-arid to arid. This detailed sedimentological and stratigraphic study provided the depositional framework that allowed for palaeogeographic maps to be constructed.

Craters within Arabia Terra, Mars, contain hundreds of meters of layered strata showing systematic alternation between slope- and cliff-forming units, suggesting either rhythmic deposition of distinct lithologies or lithologies that experienced differential cementation. Hypothesized origins of these intercrater layered deposits include lacustrine, aeolian, volcanic airfall, and impact surge deposition. On Earth, rhythmically deposited strata can be examined in terms of stratal packaging, wherein the interplay of tectonics, sediment deposition, and change in base level results in predictable patterns with respect to changes in the amount of space available for sediment accumulation. Fundamental differences between tectonic regimes of Earth and Mars demand that packaging of layered strata primarily reflects changes in sediment influx and base level. Analysis of stratal packaging may therefore help us understand the relative roles of these parameters, and provide crucial constraint on martian depositional models. Rhythmic stratal patterns in Becquerel Crater (7°W 22°N) have been attributed to astronomical forcing of regional climate. A clear depositional model, however, has yet to be presented. Here, we reanalyze strata of Becquerel Crater and compare results with two additional crater successions. Results indicate that, by contrast with Becquerel Crater, strata within Danielson Crater (7°W 8°N) and an unnamed crater (Crater X; 1.2°W 9°N) do not record hierarchical packaging readily attributable to astronomical effects, and suggest that regional climate forcing may not be readily applied as a paradigm for all intracrater deposition. Similarities in depositional style in these three craters, however, may be linked by a model for sediment accumulation—with potential links to regional climate—wherein episodic melting of ground ice raised local base level, stabilized aeolian sedimentation, and resulted in differential cementation of accumulated strata.

In 2007, the Barnett Shale in the Fort Worth basin of Texas produced 1.1 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) gas and ranked second in U.S gas production. Despite its importance, controls on Barnett Shale gas well performance are poorly understood. Regional and vertical variations of reservoir properties and their effects on well performances have not been assessed. Therefore, we conducted a study of Barnett Shale stratigraphy, petrophysics, and production, and we integrated these results to clarify the controls on well performance. Barnett Shale ranges from 50 to 1,100 ft thick; we divided the formation into 4 reservoir units that are significant to engineering decisions. All but Reservoir Unit 1 (the lower reservoir unit) are commonly perforated in gas wells. Reservoir Unit 1 appears to be clay-rich shale and ranges from 10 to 80 ft thick. Reservoir Unit 2 is laminated, siliceous mudstone and marly carbonate zone, 20 to 300 ft thick. Reservoir Unit 3 is composed of multiple, stacked, thin (~15-30 ft thick), upward coarsening sequences of brittle carbonate and siliceous units interbedded with ductile shales; thickness ranges from 0 to 500 ft. Reservoir Unit 4, the upper Barnett Shale is composed dominantly of shale interbedded with upward coarsening, laterally persistent, brittle/ductile sequences ranging from 0 to 100 ft thick. Gas production rates vary directly with Barnett Shale thermal maturity and structural setting. For the following five production regions that encompass most of the producing wells, Peak Monthly gas production from horizontal wells decreases as follows: Tier 1 (median production 60 MMcf) to Core Area to Parker County to Tier 2 West to Oil Zone-Montague County (median production 10 MMcf). The Peak Monthly oil production from horizontal wells is in the inverse order of gas production; median Peak Monthly oil production is 3,000 bbl in the Oil Zone-Montague County and zero in Tier 1. Generally, horizontal wells produce approximately twice as much oil and gas as vertical wells.This research clarifies regional variations of reservoir and geologic properties of the Barnett Shale. Result of these studies should assist operators with optimization of development strategies and gas recovery from the Barnett Shale.

The Middle-Late Ordovician Eureka Quartzite in south-central Nevada and eastern California is a supermature quartz arenite that was deposited along the Lower Paleozoic western passive margin of Laurentia. Measured section descriptions and facies stacking patterns indicate that the Eureka Quartzite represents a 3rd-order sequence and contains three ~2-4 m.y. sequences and many small parasequences. Detrital zircon analysis of eight samples from the base and top of four locations contains three main populations of ~1.8-2.0 Ga, ~2.6-2.8 Ga, and ~2.0-2.3 Ga, and a smaller infrequent population of ~1.6-1.8 Ga grains. These peaks are interpreted to represent sediment sourced from exposed proximal basement to the east, likely from the Yavapai and Mazatzal Provinces (~1.6-1.7 Ga), the Trans-Hudson Orogen (~1.8-1.9 Ga), Paleoproterozoic crusts (~2.0-2.3 Ga), and underlying or proximal Archean (~2.6-2.8 Ga) sources. Sediment likely was transported to the shoreline and across Archean basement by rivers draining the Transcontinental Arch. Long-shore currents played an important role in deposition and likely account for the similarity of Middle-Late Ordovician, supermature, quartz arenite deposits on western Laurentia. Although the Peace River Arch likely provided some sediment for the Eureka Quartzite, it is apparent its provenance was mostly Trans-Hudson Orogen and Archean basement. Temporal and spatial provenance changes are inferred from probability-density plots of the detrital zircon analyses to indicate sea-level changes covered or exposed possible sediment sources during deposition.

Description géologique, paléogéographique et tectonique de ce secteur.