A Formação Piauí registra a deposição de um sistema eólico, fluvial e marinho raso acumulado em uma bacia de sinéclise intracratônica. A caracterização das associações de fácies e do arcabouço estratigráfico foi feito através de uma descrição detalhada das fácies sedimentares e levantamento de perfis de afloramentos. As fácies foram classificadas de acordo com a textura dos grãos (tamanho e seleção) e estruturas sedimentares observadas. Medidas de paleocorrentes foram feitas nas estratificações e laminações cruzadas. Os perfis foram medidos na escala 1:50 em locais com boa exposição vertical. Seis associações de fácies foram reconhecidas, dunas e interdunas eólicas, lençóis de areia eólicos, canais fluviais, canais fluviais influenciados por maré, shoreface superior e shoreface inferior. Através da correlação das superfícies estratigráficas as associações de fácies foram organizadas em tratos de sistema, que formaram oito sequências deposicionais de alta frequência, delimitados por discordâncias subaéreas. Estas sequências são compostas por um trato de sistemas de nível baixo (TSNB), que é dominado por sistemas eólicos ou fluviais, um trato de sistemas transgressivo (TST), que é formado por canais fluviais influenciados por maré e/ou depósitos de shoreface superior e inferior com empilhamento retrogradacional, e um trato de sistemas de nível alto (TSNA), que é formado por depósitos de shoreface superior e inferior com empilhamento progradacional. Duas sequências deposicionais de mais baixa frequência foram determinadas ao observar o empilhamento das sequências de alta frequência. Ambas as sequências são formadas por uma regressão inicial seguida por uma transgressão progressiva. O principal controle das variações no nível relativo do mar durante a acumulação da Formação Piauí foi glacio-eustático. Contudo, mudanças climáticas estavam associadas com as fases glacio-eustáticas e influenciaram a deposição eólica e fluvial. / The Piauí Formation records the deposition of aeolian, fluvial and shallow marine systems accumulated in a cratonic sag basin. Characterization of the facies associations and sequence stratigraphic framework was done by detailed description of sedimentary facies and logging of outcrops. The facies were classified based on grain texture (size and selection) and sedimentary structures observed. Paleocurrent orientations were measured from cross-strata. Stratigraphic sections were measured at a 1:50 scale at outcrops with good vertical exposure. Six facies associations were recognized: aeolian dunes and interdunes, aeolian sandsheets, fluvial channels, tidally-influenced fluvial channels, upper shoreface and lower shoreface. Through correlation of stratigraphic surfaces the facies associations were organized in system tracts, which formed eight high frequency depositional sequences, bounded by subaerial unconformities. These sequences are composed of a lowstand system tract (LST), that is aeolian-dominated or fluvial-dominated, a transgressive system tract (TST) that is formed by tidally-influenced fluvial channels and/or upper and lower shoreface deposits with retrogradational stacking, and a highstand system tract (HST), which is formed by lower and upper shoreface deposits with progradational stacking. Two low frequency cycles were determined by observing the stacking of the high frequency cycles. Both sequences are formed by an initial regression followed by a progressive transgression. The main control on sedimentation in Piauí Formation was glacioeustasy, which was responsible for the changes in relative sea level. Even though, climate changes were associated with glacioeustatic phases and influenced the aeolian and fluvial deposition.

Orientador: Elson Paiva de Oliveira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T22:46:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Grisolia_MariaFernandaPereira_M.pdf: 11518476 bytes, checksum: 78e6dbc87f588ed4d9104ec88d51df15 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A área em estudo localiza-se entre o embasamento mesoarqueano do Núcleo Serrinha e o Greenstone Belt do Rio Itapicuru (BA). O Núcleo Serrinha é constituído pelo Complexo Santa Luz, caracterizado por rochas metamórficas gnáissico-migmatíticas (Mascarenhas 1979), cobertas pelas vulcânicas do Grupo Capim (Winge 1984, apud. Cruz Filho et al. 2003) e pelas seqüências vulcano-sedimentares do Greenstone Belt do Rio Itapicuru (Brito Neves et al. 1980), intrudidas por granitóides diversos e recobertas por unidades fanerozóicas. Embora vários estudos tenham sido feitos, ou estão em desenvolvimento no GBRI, pouco se conhece sobre as rochas sedimentares do mesmo e quase nada sobre as relações de contato do GBRI e o embasamento. Por este motivo, foi planejado um projeto de cartografia geológica da transição embasamento-greenstone que resultou em um mapa geológico de uma área com cerca de 700 km2 entre as cidades de Nordestina, Queimadas e Santa Luz, a oeste da exposição principal do greenstone belt do Rio Itapicuru. Nesta região foi mapeada uma sequência de rochas sedimentares clásticas metamorfisadas denominada Sequência Metassedimentar Monteiro por Grisolia (2007) e Moreto (2007) em seus trabalhos de conclusão de curso de Geologia. Estudos de proveniência de sedimentos, erosão e possíveis ambientes tectônicos foram feitas pela primeira vez em metassedimentos do greenstone belt Rio Itapicuru, Bloco Serrinha, Bahia, utilizando geocronologia U-Pb, LA-ICP-MS em zircões detríticos, geoquímica e isótopos Sm- Nd. O protólito das rochas metassedimentares foram classificados como arcósia, xistos, grauvacas e arenitos. O índice químico de alteração (CIA) varia 39-70 indicando intemperismo químico moderado nas áreas fonte. Rochas félsicas a intermediárias (granito, granodiorito, andesito e riolito) são as principais rochas fonte, e, secundariamente, rochas máficas (basalto e gabro). A maioria das amostras mostram ?Nd negativo (0) valores variando de -6,83 a -34,29 e apenas uma amostra resultou ?Nd (0) = +2,38. Idades modelo de Nd (TDM) apresentam idades entre 2,0-2,2 Ga, com alguns outliers em 2,67 Ga. Os dados U-Pb em zircões detríticos de quatro amostras resultaram em populações com idades 207Pb/206Pb de 2,16, 2,14, 2,15, 2,17, 2,18, 2,20, 2,21 e 2,23 Ga, com alguns grãos mais velhos sendo alguns arqueanos. Os resultados isotópicos indicam que o metassedimentos do greenstone belt Rio Itapicuru possuem áreas fonte principalmente em terrenos Palaeoproterozoicos como os Greenstone Belts Rio Itapicuru e Rio Capim, e muito raramente rochas arqueanas. No entanto, as populações de zircão entre 2,17 Ga e 2,24 Ga não são encontradas no bloco Serrinha, exigindo, portanto, fontes ainda não encontradas. Diagramas de configuração tectônica sugerem que os sedimentos podem ter sido depositados principalmente em margens continentais ativas. Nossos dados confirmam um modelo em que os basaltos e granitos de arco do greenstone belt Rio Itapicuru acrescionaram para uma margem continental ativa desconhecida que colodidiu com outras estruturas pré-existentes, sendo posteriormente empurradas contra um microcontinente Arqueano. / Abstract: The area is located between the basement of the mesoarchean Serrinha Block and the Rio Itapicuru Greenstone Belt (BA). The Serrinha Block consists in the SantaLuz Complex, characterized by gneissic-migmatitic rocks (Mascarenhas 1979), covered by (Winge 1984, apud. Cruz Filho et al. 2003) volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Rio Itapicuru and Rio Capim greenstone belts (Brito Neves et al. 1980), intruded by granitoids and covered by several Phanerozoic units. Although several studies have been conducted or are under development in RIGB, little is known about the sedimentary rocks and almost nothing about the geological relations between RIGB and basement. For this reason, a project was planned with geological mapping of the transition-greenstone basement, which resulted in a geological map of an area of approximately 700 km2 between the towns of Nordestina, Queimadas and Sant Luz, west of the main display of the RIGB. A sequence of metamorphosed clastic sedimentary rocks was mapped known as Monteiro metamorphic sequence by Grisolia (2007) and Moreto (2007) in their final graduation work of Geology. Studies of sediment provenance, weathering and possible tectonic environments have been made for the first time in metasedimentary rocks of the Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt, Serrinha Block, Bahia, using LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology in detrital zircons and whole-rock geochemistry and Sm-Nd isotope data. The protolith of the metasedimentary rocks were classified as arkose, shale, greywacke and sandstone. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) ranges from 39-70 indicating moderate chemical weathering in source areas. Intermediate and felsic rocks (granite, granodiorite, rhyolite and andesite) are the likely main source rocks, and secondarily mafic rocks (basalt and gabbro). Most samples show negative ?Nd(0) values ranging from -6.83 to -34.29 and only one sample yielded ?Nd(0) = +2.38. Depleted mantle Nd model ages (TDM) fall most in the range 2.0 to 2.2 Ga, with a few outliers at 2.67 Ga. The U-Pb data on detrital zircons of four samples yielded 207Pb/206Pb age populations of 2.16 to 2.23 Ga, with a few grains older and only on Archaean grain. The isotope results indicate that the metasedimentary rocks the Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt have source areas mostly in Palaeoproteroic terranes such as the Rio Itapicuru and Rio Capim greenstone belts, and very much rarely in Archaean rocks. However, zircon populations between 2.17 Ga and 2.24 Ga are not found in the Serrinha block, thus requiring sources not yet found. Diagrams of tectonic setting suggest that the sediments may have been deposited mostly on active continental margins. Our data support a model in which basalts and arc granites of Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt accretted onto an unknown active continental margin and the entire pile collided with, and was thrusted onto Archaean microcontinents. / Mestrado / Geologia e Recursos Naturais / Mestre em Geociências

No description available.

D.Phil. / The tectonic history of the Kheis Terrane and its relationship with the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Province (NNMP) along the western margin of the Kaapvaal Craton were the focus of this study. Major issues addressed in this study are the origin and timing of formation of the Kheis Terrane and the recognition and definition of terrane boundaries in the area. Results of detailed measured sections across the Kheis Terrane, heavy mineral provenance studies, 40Ar/39Ar analyses of metamorphic muscovite, U-Pb SHRIMP dating of detrital zircon grains from 12 samples from the Kheis- and Kakamas Terranes and one igneous body from the Kakamas Terrane are presented. A new stratigraphic unit, the Keis Supergroup, comprising the Olifantshoek-, Groblershoop- and Wilgenhoutsdrif Groups, is defined. The base of the Keis Supergroup is taken at the basal conglomerate of the Neylan Formation. The Mapedi- and Lucknow Formations, previously considered part of the Olifantshoek Group, are now incorporated into the underlying Transvaal Supergroup. The Dabep Fault was found not to represent a terrane boundary. Rather, the Blackridge Thrust represents the boundary between the rocks of the Kheis Terrane and the Kaapvaal Craton. Provenance studies indicate that the rocks of the Keis Supergroup were deposited along a passive continental margin on the western side of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton with the detritus derived from a cratonic interior. Detrital zircon grains from the rocks of the Keis Supergroup of the Kheis Terrane all gave similar detrital zircon age populations of ~1800Ma to ~2300Ma and ~2500Ma to ~2700Ma. The Kaapvaal Craton most probably never acted as a major source area for the rocks of the Keis Supergroup because of the lack of Paleo- to Mesoarchean zircon populations in the Keis Supergroup. Most of the detrital zircon grains incorporated into the Keis Supergroup were derived from the Magondi- and Limpopo Belts and the Zimbabwe Craton to the northeast of the Keis basin. The rock of the Kakamas Terrane was derived from a totally different source area with ages of ~1100Ma to ~1500Ma and ~1700Ma to ~1900Ma which were derived from the Richtersveld- and Bushmanland Terranes as well as the ~1166Ma old granitic gneisses ofthe Kakamas Terrane. Therefore the rocks of the Kheis- and Kakamas Terranes were separated from each other during their deposition. Detrital zircon populations from the Sprigg Formation indicate that it this unit was deposited after the amalgamation of the Kheis- and Kakamas Terranes and therefore does not belong to the Areachap Group. Results provide clear evidence for a tectonic model characterised by the presence of at least two Wilson cycles that affeected the western margin of the Kaapvaal Craton in the interval between the extrusion of the Hartley lavas at 1.93Ga and the collision with the Richtersveld tectonic domain at ~1.13Ga. According to the revised plate tectonic model for the western margin of the Kaapvaal- Zimbabwe Craton, the Neylan Formation represents the initiation of the first Wilson Cycle, with rifting at ~1927Ma ago, on the western margin of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton. The metasedimentary rocks of the Olifantshoek Group were deposited in a braided river environment which gradually changed into a shallow marine environment towards the top of the Olifantshoek Group in the Top Dog Formation. The metasedimentary rocks of the Groblershoop Group were deposited in a shallow, passive or trailing continental margin on the western side of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton. The rocks of the Wilgenhoutsdrif Group overlie the Groblershoop Group unconformably. This unconformity is related to crustal warping as a volcanic arc, represented by the metavolcanics of the Areachap Group, approached the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton from the west. The rocks of the Keis Supergroup were deformed into the Kheis Terrane during the collision of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton, Areachap Arc and the Kgalagadi Terrane to form the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton. This event took place sometime between 1290Ma, the age of deformed granites in the Kheis Terrane and 1172Ma, the initiation of rifting represented by the Koras Group. This is supported by 40Ar/39Ar analyses of metamorphic muscovite from the Kheis Terrane that did not provide any evidence for a ~1.8Ga old Kheis orogeny (an age commonly suggested in the past for this orogeny). This collisional event resulted in the deformation of the rocks of the Keis Supergroup into the Kheis Terrane sometime between 1290Ma and 1172Ma.The second Wilson cycle was initiated during rifting along the Koras-Sinclair-Ghanzi rift on the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton at ~1172Ma. It was followed soon after by the initiation of subduction underneath the Richtersveld cratonic fragment at ~1166Ma after which the rocks of the Korannaland Group were deposited. The closure of the oceanic basin between the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton and the Richtersveld cratonic fragment occurred about 50Ma later (~1113Ma, the age of neomorphic muscovite in the metasedimentary rocks of the Kakamas Terrane) and resulted in the large open folds characterising the Kheis terrane and NNMP. Detrital zircon populations in the Sprigg Formation show that this formation does not belong to the Areachap Group and that it was deposited after the closure of the oceanic basin between the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton and the Richtersveld cratonic fragment at ~1113Ma. The Areachap Group can be extended towards the north and into Botswana along the Kalahari line where it forms the boundary between the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton to its east and the Kgalagadi Terrane to its west. The Areachap Terrane is thus related to the collision of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton and Kgalagadi Terrane and was deformed a second time during the oblique collision of the Richtersveld cratonic fragment with the combined Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton. The extension of the Areachap Group to the north along the Kalahari line opens up new exploration prospects for Coppertontype massive sulphide deposits underneath the Kalahari sand.

M.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

A Ressonância Magnética Nuclear (RMN) é uma das técnicas mais versáteis de investigação científica experimental, com destaque para o estudo da dinâmica, estrutura e conformação de materiais. Em particular, sua utilização na ciência do petróleo é uma de suas primeiras aplicações rotineiras. Metodologias desenvolvidas especificamente para atender esta comunidade científica mostraram-se desde cedo muito úteis, sendo o estudo da interação rocha/fluido uma de suas vertentes mais bem sucedidas. Desde então, importantes propriedades petrofísicas de reservatórios de óleo e gás têm sido determinadas e entendidas, tanto em laboratório quanto in-situ, nas próprias formações geológicas que armazenam esses fluidos. Entre estas propriedades, a permeabilidade, porosidade e molhabilidade de um reservatório figuram dentre as mais importantes informações estimadas. Com essa finalidade, a determinação e correlação dos possíveis efeitos que a interação rocha/fluido pode causar nos fenômenos de relaxação magnética e difusão molecular, tais como influência da susceptibilidade magnética e geometria do espaço poroso, foram estudados em onze rochas sedimentares retiradas de afloramentos, que possuem propriedades petrofísicas similares àquelas apresentadas por rochas reservatório de petróleo. Os resultados mostraram que os tipos de interação rocha/fluido, detectáveis pelos experimentos de RMN, são por sua vez influenciados pelas características geométricas e estruturais do meio poroso, sendo possível obter essas informações pelos resultados de RMN. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo principal estudar e estabelecer essas correlações, afim de se obter informações petrofísicas com maior acurácia e abrangência. Em particular, o estudo da razão T1/T2, que é a razão entre os tempos de relaxação longitudinal e transversal, típicos parâmetros envolvidos numa medida de RMN, mostrou ser um parâmetro útil no estabelecimento destas correlações. Ainda, diferentes metodologias para se medir estes e outros parâmetros de RMN foram estudadas e propostas, cuja interpretação conjunta mostrou ser fundamental para o entendimento dessas correlações. A permeabilidade das rochas, importante parâmetro que define as propriedades de transporte de fluidos dentro da matriz porosa, foi estimada aplicando-se essas metodologias propostas, mostrando excelentes resultados. Através do uso da técnica de RMN em estado-estacionário, esses resultados podem ser estendidos para a escala de well-logging, fato que aumenta consideravelmente a importância desses resultados. Uma vez consolidadas as medidas in-situ, as metodologias propostas deverão auxiliar a indústria de exploração e produção de petróleo a otimizar seus métodos e estratégias de produção, reduzindo seus custos e aumentando a vida útil de seus reservatórios. / The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technique is one of the most versatile techniques for scientific research, specially for the study of dynamics, structure and conformational of materials. In particular, its application in oil science is one of its first routine applications. Methodologies developed specifically to match this scientific community proved to be very useful, and the study of rock/fluid interactions is one of its most successful cases. Since then, important petrophysical properties of oil and gas reservoirs have been determined and understood both in the laboratory and inside the geological formations that store those fluids. Among these properties, the permeability, porosity and wettability of a reservoir formation are the most important information to be estimated. For this purpose, the determination and correlation of possible rock/fluid interaction effects that cause alterations on magnetic relaxation phenomena and molecular diffusion, such as the influence of the magnetic susceptibility and geometry of the porous space, were studied in eleven sedimentary rock cores taken from outcrops, since they have the same petrophysical properties presented by oil reservoir rocks. The results obtained confirmed that the types of rock/fluid interactions, detectable by the NMR experiments, are for instance influenced by the porous media geometry and structure, being possible so to obtain such information using those NMR results. Thus, the main goal of this work was the study and establishment of these correlations, in order to obtain petrophysical information with greater accuracy and comprehensiveness. In particular, the study of the T1/T2 ratio, which is the ratio of longitudinal and transverse relaxation times, common parameters strongly involved in a typical NMR measurement, was found to be useful in establishing those correlations. Moreover, different methodologies to measure this and other NMR parameters were studied and proposed, whose joint interpretation proved to be fundamental for the success of these correlations. The permeability of the rocks, an important parameter that controls the fluid transport properties inside the porous matrix, was estimated using the proposed methodologies, showing excellent results. Appling the steady-state NMR technique, those results could be extended to the well-logging scale, which could improve considerably the importance of that results. Once confirmed in measurements in-situ, the proposed methodologies will be able to help the production and exploration industry to optimize their production methods and strategies, thereby reducing production costs and increasing the reservoir lifetimes.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / This study describes porosity and permeability distribution in the deep marine play of the central Bredasdorp Basin, Block 9, offshore South Africa using methods that include thin section petrography, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy, in order to characterize their porosity and permeability distributions, cementation and clay types that affect the porosity and permeability distribution. The study includes core samples from nine wells taken from selected depths within the Basin. Seventy three thin sections were described using parameters such as grain size measurement, quantification of porosity and permeability, mineralogy, sorting, grain shape, matrix, cementation, and clay content. Core samples were analyzed using x-ray diffraction for qualitative clay mineralogy and phase analysis. Scanning electron microscope analysis for qualitative assessment of clays and cements. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were conducted on fifty-four (54) and thirty-five (35) samples respectively to identify and quantify the clay mineralogy of the sandstones. The SEM micrographs are also useful for estimating the type and distribution of porosity and cements. Analyses of these methods is used in describing the reservoir quality. Detrital matrix varies in abundance from one well to another. The matrix consists predominantly of clay minerals with lesser amounts of detrital cements. X-ray diffraction analyses suggest these clays largely consist of illitic and kaolinite, with minor amounts of chlorite and laumontite. Because these clays are highly illitic, the matrix could exhibit significant swelling if exposed to fresh sea water, thus further reducing the reservoir quality. The majority of the samples generally have significant cements; in particular quartz cement occurs abundantly in most samples. The high silica cement is possibly caused by the high number of nucleation sites owing to the relatively high abundance of detrital quartz. Carbonate cement, particularly siderite and calcite, occurs in variable amounts in most samples but generally has little effect on reservoir quality in the majority of samples. Authigenic, pore-filling kaolinite occurs in several samples and is probably related. to feldspar/glauconite alteration, it degrades reservoir quality. The presence of chlorite locally (plate 4.66A & B) and in minute quantities is attributed to a late stage replacement of lithic grains. Don't put references to plates and figures in abstract. A high argillaceous content is directly responsible for the low permeability obtained in the core analysis. Pervasive calcite and silica cementation are the main cause of porosity and permeability destruction. Dissolution of pore filling intergranular clays may result in the formation of micro porosity and interconnected secondary porosity. Based on the combination of information derived from thin section petrography, SEM and XRD, diagenetic stages and event sequences are established for the sandstone in the studied area. Reservoir quality deteriorates with depth, as cementation, grain coating and pore infilling authigenic chlorite, illite and kaolinite becomes more abundant.

The aim of the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) project, a component of the NSF Earthscope Initiative, is to directly observe active fault processes at seismogenic depths through the drilling of a 3 km deep (true vertical depth) inclined borehole across San Andreas fault. Preliminary subsurface models based on surface mapping and geophysical data predicted different lithologies than were actually encountered. At 1920 meters measured depth (mmd), a sequence of well-indurated, interbedded arkosic conglomerates, sandstones, and siltstones was encountered. We present a detailed lithologic and structural characterization as a step toward understanding the complex geologic history of this fault-bounded block of arkosic sedimentary rocks. We divide the arkosic section into three lithologic units with different compositional, structural, and sedimentary features: the upper arkose, 1920-2530 mmd, the clay-rich zone, 2530-2680 Illtlld, and the lower arkose, 2680-3150 mmd. We interpret the section to have been deposited in a Salinian transtensional basin, in either a subaqueous or subaerial fan setting. We suggest four different possibly equivalent sedimentary units to the SAFOD arkoses, the locations of which are dependent on how the San Andreas fault system has evolved over time in the vicinity of the SAFOD site. Detailed analysis of three subsidiary faults encountered in the arkosic section at 1920 mmd, 2530 mmd, and 3060 mmd, shows that subsurface faults have similar microstructures and composition as exhumed faults at the surface, with less evidence of alteration from extensive fluid flow.

No description available.

The Late Silurian-Early Devonian Helderberg Group, Central Appalachians, is a sequence of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sediments that was deposited during relative tectonic quiescence on a ramp that built out from low-relief tectonic highlands bordering the eastern side of the Appalachian Basin. Three transgressive-regressive sequences are recognized. Each sequence was deposited over 2-3 m.y.; subsidence rates during deposition were 1 to 2 cm/1000 years. Skeletal grainstone/rudstone formed fringing skeletal banks that formed during regression and prograded away from the eastern side of the basin. Thick Middle Devonian siliciclastic sediments buried the Helderberg Group and updip subaerial exposures accompanying the onset of the Acadian Orogeny. Cementation of the Helderberg Group began on the seafloor, but most cements formed under shallow (<300 m depth) to deep burial (300 m to 4 km) conditions. Regional cathodoluminescent zonation patterns in early, clear calcite cements indicate meteoric groundwaters, that become progressively more reducing away from recharge areas, were involved in shallow burial cementation. Progressive downdip reduction of meteoric groundwaters resulted in updip nonluminescent calcite cements that pass downdip into timecorrelative "subzoned" dull cement and finally, nonzoned dull cements. Calculated stable isotopic compositions of Helderberg shallow burial pore fluids are similar to values in modern coastal meteoric groundwaters. Extensive meteoric groundwater systems developed over a 3-4 m. y. period when the Helderberg Group was subaerially exposed along the eastern basin margin and when Helderberg aquifers were confined by fine-grained sediments at <300 m burial depth. Meteoric groundwaters had recharge areas in eastern tectonic highlands which supplied sufficient hydraulic heads to expel connate marine pore fluids and discharge at least 150 km offshore onto the floor of the Appalachian Basin. Void-filling dull calcite cement formed from deep burial (300 m to 4 km) pore fluids with calculated chemical compositions similar to modern oil field brines. Migration of hydrocarbons and high-temperature, high-pressure brines occurred during Late Paleozoic deformation after Helderberg sediments were totally cemented. Brines probably came from eastern overthrusted terranes and migrated through fractures without altering conodont CAI values. Late hydrocarbons probably had several source rocks. / Ph. D.