No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The late Mississippian carbonates in the Appalachian Basin, U.S.A., were deposited on a huge, south-facing ramp during long-term Mississippian transgression that formed the Mississippian supersequence. The St. Louis- to Glen Dean interval consists of up to twelve fourth-order depositional sequences (300 to 400 k.y. average duration). The sequences (a few meters to over a hundred meters thick) consist of eolianites, lagoonal carbonate muds, ooid shoals, and skeletal banks, and open marine skeletal wackestone and basinal marion the ramp-slope and basin margin. Sequence boundaries are at the top of prograding red-beds, eolianites, and shoal water facies on the ramp, and beneath lowstand sand bodies and quartzose calcisiltite wedges on the ramp margin and slope. Maximum flooding surfaces are difficult to map regionally, therefore it is difficult to separate the TST from the HST of these fourth-order sequences. / Ph. D.

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

Les plateformes carbonatées sont typiquement caractérisées par une architecture sédimentaire et stratigraphique complexe qui s’exprime à une échelle qui peut dépasser le simple affleurement. Ce travail est centré sur les dépôts Barrémien (Crétacé inférieur) de la falaise de Gresse-en-Vercors (sud-est de la France) qui nous procure une fenêtre d’observation à l’échelle de la sismique à travers une bordure de plateforme – analogue des réservoirs du Moyen Orient - idéale pour étudier en continu et à grande échelle le développement des plateformes carbonatées. Cette falaise de 500 m de haut pour 25 km de long permet d’étudier la transition entre les dépôts de peu profonds de la plateforme et ceux du bassin. De nouvelles données biostratigraphiques montrent que la série de plate-forme de Gesse-en-Vercors est essentiellement Barrémien inférieur. Quatre séquences stratigraphiques ont été définies, avec deux épisodes complets de plateforme, séparés par trois « drowning ». Les nouvelles données numériques hautes résolutions (nuage de points LIDAR et photos géoréférencées hautes résolutions) acquises par hélicoptère permettent la réalisation d’un DEM 3D haute résolution pour l’ensemble de l’affleurement. L’intégration des observations stratigraphiques et du DEM dans gOcad abouti à la création d’un modèle 3D en continu de l’architecture stratigraphique et de la répartition des facies de l’affleurement qui peu être utilisé pour interprétations stratigraphiques et sédimentologiques. Le modèle géologique qui en résulte démontre que les données numériques d’affleurement et la modélisation géologique en 3D sont des outils pertinents pour tester la caractérisation des affleurements carbonatés et les modèles conceptuels de système de plateformes carbonatées. Il permet d’appréhender les variations subtiles de profils sédimentaires et d’établir une mosaïque de facies à haute résolution tout au long de la plateforme à l’échelle de la sismique. Cette approche est particulièrement critique en ce qui concerne la caractérisation 3D des clinoformes et des cortèges de dépôts sédimentaires dans un modèle non cylindrique tel que la plateforme carbonaté : par exemple, un prisme de bas niveau apparent ou des lobes distaux qui « onlappent » en 2D correspondent en réalité à des progradations en contexte de haut niveau en 3D. / Carbonate platforms are characterized by complex sedimentary and stratigraphic architectures that can be expressed at length scale exceeding single outcrops. This work focuses on the Barremian (Lower Cretaceous) deposits of the Gresse-en-Vercors cliff (southeastern France) that provide a seismic-scale slice though a platform margin - analogous to Middle East reservoirs - ideal to study large scale carbonate platform developments in continuous. The cliffs are 500 m high and extend for 25 km along depositional dip, straddling the transition from shallow water platform to deeper basin. New biostratigraphical data shows that the Vercors platform is mainly Lower Barremian. Four stratigraphic sequences were defined, with two complete platform stages, separated by three drowning events.New high-resolution numerical data (LIDAR point-set and high-resolution georeferenced photos) obtained by helicopter survey, allowed the realization of a 3D high-resolution DEM over the entire outcrops. Integrating the stratigraphic observations and the DEM in gOcad result in a continuous 3D stratigraphic architecture and facies model of the carbonate outcrop that can be used for stratigraphic and sedimentological interpretations. The resulting geological model demonstrates that outcrop numerical data and 3D geological modeling are pertinent tools for improving carbonate outcrop characterization and conceptual models of carbonate platform systems. It allows to establish subtle sedimentary profiles and high resolution facies mosaic along seismic scale platform trend. This approach is particularly critical for the 3D characterization of clinoforms and stratigraphic system tracts in non-cylindrical carbonate systems: for example, apparent low stand wedge or distal onlapping lobes in 2D are in reality prograding high stand systems in 3D.

This study aims to establish a depositional framework for an area of the Louisiana shelf, north-central Gulf of Mexico. The depositional history of the study area is poorly understood, especially within the last cycle of major eustatic fluctuation (~18, 000 yrs BP – present). Data sets used in this study include pre-existing and previously unanalyzed two-dimensional, highresolution seismic profile records (Acadiana 86 and Acadiana 89), geotechnical foundation boring data (Coleman and Roberts, 1988a), and an industry lease block survey report (Cole, 1983). Seismic sequence stratigraphic methods are employed in this study to analyze seismic profile data. Seismic sequence analysis results indicate the presence of five unconformable surfaces and five seismic facies units. Through correlation of seismic profile data with lithologic and chronologic data, it is possible to conclude that these seismic facies units represent shelf-margin deltaic deposition during the last lowstand of sea level (~18, 000 yrs BP), sourced by the Pearl River. .

La formation de la Vaca Muerta, dans le bassin de Neuquén (Argentine), constitue le gisement non conventionnel le plus important d’Argentine. Dès lors, cette formation à la fois roche mère et roche réservoir a suscité un intérêt particulier dans le monde pétrolier afin de comprendre l’architecture des corps sédimentaires et la distribution de la matière organique de ce réservoir. L’étude menée dans le cadre de cette thèse se base sur la sédimentologie, la stratigraphie, la minéralogie et la géochimie dans le but de comprendre la logique de mise en place des systèmes de dépôt et les conditions d’oxygénation du milieu. Le but final de ce travail est de comprendre les conditions de dépôt et de préciser la relation stratigraphique entre les intervalles riches en matière organique et l'évolution du bassin (interactions entre remplissage et déformations/structuration). L’étude de sismique 3D menée dans la partie orientale du bassin a permis de déterminer un système de dépôt dominé par la houle, et montrer l’impact de la tectonique locale sur la géométrie des clinoformes et le contrôle eustatique des séquences sismiques. L’étude de terrain centrée dans un premier temps sur l’anticlinal de Picún Leufú en partie méridionale du bassin puis sur d’autres secteurs le long d’un transect nord-sud de plus de 500 km de long, a permis de mettre en évidence deux grands secteurs ayant évolué distinctement. Un secteur centro-méridional qui évolue pendant l’intervalle Tithonien-Valanginien depuis un environnement de plateforme silicoclastique vers un environnement de rampe mixte; ce secteur est alimenté essentiellement depuis le sud et le transport des sédiments vers le large est assuré par la combinaison entre des courants de dérive littorale, des courants de tempêtes et des courants gravitaires. Le second secteur au nord du bassin correspondant à la zone de Malargüe, et montre un environnement de rampe carbonatée pérenne pendant tout l’intervalle Tithonien-Valanginien. L’analyse et la synthèse stratigraphique des différents secteurs étudiés montrent un signal stratigraphique homogène avec la mise en place de cinq séquences transgressives-régressives dans le bassin pendant l’intervalle Tithonien-Valanginien. L’étude minéralogique et géochimique a permis d'évaluer l’impact du climat sur les terres émergées et par conséquent sur la distribution des sédiments vers le large. La géochimie révèle des conditions oxiques de la colonne d’eau faisant suite à une période initiale euxiniques qui coïncident avec le dépôt des niveaux les plus riches en matière organique. Enfin, la synthèse entre le signal stratigraphique et le signal géochimique montre l’existence de 4 ou 5 intervalles relativement riches en matière organique et préférentiellement localisés dans les cortèges transgressifs. / The Vaca Muerta Formation is the principal source rock in the Neuquén Basin (Argentina). It constitutes also the major unconventional play in Argentina. Therefore, the Vaca Muerta formation stirs up large interest in the oil industry to understand the architecture and the organic matter distribution of this reservoir. Our study proposes an integrated approach, using sedimentology, stratigraphy, mineralogy and geochemistry in order to understand the depositional system and the paleoenvironmental conditions. The ultimate goal of this work is to clarify the stratigraphic relationship between organic-rich level and the basin filling. In the eastern part of the Neuquén basin, the study of 3D seismic allowed us to identify a wave-dominated depositional system and assess the role of the local tectonic and the eustatic control through seismic geometry. We carried out extensive field investigation, including logs and sampling, first in the Picún Leufú Anticline (southern part of the basin) and second, on several areas along a N-S trend over 500 km distance. This study allowed to define two major sectors which evolve differently. The first one corresponds to the central and southern part of the basin (from Picún Leufú Anticline to Chos Malal). There, an evolution from a siliciclastic shelf to a mixed ramp setting is observed during the Tithonian-Valanginian interval. Sediments were redistributed along the shoreface by longshore currents and further transported by storm and gravitary currents basinward. The second sector corresponds to Malargüe area (North area). It displays a perennial carbonate ramp during the Tithonian-Valanginian interval. Sequence stratigraphy analysis of all areas shows an homogeneous signal with five transgressive-regressive sequences in the basin. The geochemistry and clay mineralogy indicate the climate role in the evolution of the sedimentary environments. Geochemistry displays a “normal marine” environment with oxic waters and short-lived episodes of euxinia that coincides with the organic-rich levels. Lastly, the integrated approach, connecting stratigraphy end geochemistry shows four to five organic-rich intervals that coincide with the transgressive systems tract.

A porção sul do supercontinente Gondwana, durante o intervalo de tempo compreendido entre o Neocarbonífero e o Eotriássico, é marcada por importantes eventos de ordem tectônica e sedimentar. Neste contexto, um ciclo de subsidência se desenvolveu acompanhando os movimentos da então denominada Orogenia Sanrafaélica, resposta da colisão do terreno Patagônico com a borda SW do Gondwana. O soerguimento das margens deste supercontinente propiciou a formação de um grande corpo d´água confinado, ou apresentando diminutas conexões oceânicas. A geração de novo e volumoso espaço de acomodamento possibilitou a acumulação de uma seqüência transgressivo-regressiva entre o neopermiano e o eotriássico da Bacia do Paraná. O caráter predominantemente progradacional da porção superior desta seqüência, culminou com a completa colmatação do corpo d´água, propiciando o desenvolvimento de sistemas deposicionais continentais ao final deste ciclo. Os sedimentos da Formação Rio do Rasto, objeto da presente dissertação, se inserem neste contexto e são caracteristicamente representativos dos depósitos de trato de mar alto desenvolvidos nos estágios terminais da evolução desta seqüência de segunda ordem, denominada ?Gondwana I? (Milani, 1997). A área de estudo da presente dissertação compreende a porção centro-sul e leste do Estado de Santa Catarina, englobando a carta topográfica do município de Lages e as serras do Rio do Rasto, Rio do Sul e Espigão, localizadas nas escarpas a leste do estado homônimo. Nesta região ocorrem rochas das unidades paleozóicas e mesozóicas na Bacia do Paraná, litoestratigraficamente pertencentes aos Grupos Tubarão, Guatá, Passa Dois e São Bento. A Formação Rio do Rasto caracteriza-se por aflorar muito bem na área estudada, possibilitando o levantamento de seções contínuas e o estudo detalhado de afloramentos sob a ótica da análise de fácies, elementos arquiteturais e análise de paleocorrentes. A Formação Rio do Rasto encontra-se encerrada por contatos de caráter transicional com as formações Teresina na base e Pirambóia no topo. É composta, litoestratigraficamente, pelos membros Serrinha e Morro Pelado, que perfazem, na área de estudo, espessuras máximas da ordem de 250 metros. De modo geral, a unidade caracterizase por seu caráter predominantemente progradacional, com a tendência de aumento de estratos de arenitos para o topo. Os sedimentos da porção basal da unidade, pertencentes ao Membro Serrinha, caracterizam-se pela presença de fácies heterolíticas, pelíticas e de coloração acinzentada, depositadas em condições de costa-afora. A ocorrência de elementos arquiteturais constituídos por arenitos com estrutura hummocky, swalley e laminação cruzada por onda é indicativa da deposição a partir de eventos pontuados de elevado grau energético. Concentrações fossilíferas compostas por dentes, escamas e coprólitos de peixes, aqui classificadas com bone beds, apresentam afinidades tafonômicas com depósitos originados por tempestades. Intercaladas a esta associação, ocasionalmente ocorrem camadas métricas lenticulares e sigmoidais de arenitos finos, interpretadas como depósitos de barras de desembocadura deltaica. Para o topo da unidade ocorre a mudança na coloração das fácies pelíticas cinzas para termos de coloração avermelhada e roxa, bem como o predomínio de elementos arquiteturais tipicamente deltaicos, como depósitos de baías, canais interdistributários e vi lobos de rompimento de diques marginais. Elementos arquiteturais eólicos ocorrem intercalados nas porções superiores do Membro Morro Pelado. A ocorrência de associações de fácies depositadas em diferentes posições fisiográficas dentro de um contexto deltaico pode ser expressa na alternância de elementos arquiteturais distais e proximais em todos os exemplos estudados. Esta particularidade pode ser parcialmente explicada pelo caráter fortemente autocíclico esperado em sistemas deposicionais deltaicos, o que propicia a migração constante dos canais, e conseqüentemente das áreas de baía interdistributários e desembocadura. Além da autociclicidade, outro fator determinante na construção do padrão arquitetural observado, é a variação das taxas de subida do nível relativo do mar. Ressalta-se que, inserido em um contexto maior de trato de mar alto, a tendência de desaceleração de subida do nível do mar é sempre esperada. Esta variação, ocorrendo em freqüência relativamente alta, propicia a variação na geração de espaço de acomodamento, determinando aumentos ou diminuições na razão entre aporte sedimentar e abertura de espaço. Desta maneira, quando a razão apresenta valores positivos desenvolve-se um padrão sedimentar progradacional, com conseqüente regressão da linha de costa. Valores negativos, materializados em maior taxa de geração de espaço de acomodação, em relação ao aporte sedimentar, propicia a formação de sucessões de arquitetura retrogradacional e transgressão da linha de costa. Conforme o sistema deltaico progradava, o mar interior ia sendo paulatinamente colmatado, resultando na tendência geral de diminuição do espaço de acomodação de sedimentos. Nas porções inferiores da Formação Rio do Rasto (Membro Serrinha) este fato se expressa na diminuição dos depósitos de tempestade para o topo, ou seja, com o decréscimo volumétrico e em área do corpo d´água, diminui a possibilidade da atuação de ondas de tempestade e conseqüentemente, o retrabalhamento dos sedimentos deltaicos por estes. Os depósitos de tempestades praticamente não ocorrem nas porções superiores da unidade (Membro Morro Pelado), onde, portanto, estão preservadas camadas tabulares lateralmente contínuas, associadas ao desenvolvimento de fluxos hiperpicnais nas porções frontais das barras de desembocadura deltaicas. O preenchimento por sedimentos e a diminuição volumétrica do corpo aquoso não implicaram na compartimentação deste em diversos lagos de menor extensão. O padrão de empilhamento de elementos arquiteturais associado à escassez de níveis contínuos de paleossolo e superfícies erosivas regionais bem marcadas permitem refutar esta hipótese. Dada a continuidade das associações de fácies e recorrência de elementos arquiteturais, em toda a área estudada na presente dissertação, o Sistema Deltaico do Rio do Rasto possivelmente apresentava tamanho em área compatível com a escala de dezenas de milhares de quilômetros quadrados. Dados de paleocorrentes sugerem progradação do edifício deltaico de SE para NW. A ocorrência no segundo terço estratigráfico da unidade, de elementos arquiteturais eólicos intercalados, pode ser considerada uma evidência da transição para o sistema desértico Pirambóia. Os dados de paleoventos indicam tendência de migração do sistema de dunas para WNW, em direção concordante à estimada para a migração do Sistema Deltaico Rio do Rasto. A tendência de continentalização da bacia culmina com os depósitos da Formação Pirambóia, estratigraficamente localizada acima e em contato transicional com a Formação Rio do Rasto. / The south portion of the supercontinent Gondwana, during the time period between the neocarboniferous and the eotriassic, is marked by important events in tectonic and sedimentary order. In this context, a subsidence cycle developed itself along the movements of the then-nominated Sanrafaelic Orogeny, the result of the collision between the Patagonic terrains with the southwestern border of Gondwana. The uplift of this supercontinent?s margins made possible the creation of a large confined body of water, or displaying small oceanic connections. The development of a new, large space of accommodation generated, then, the accumulation of a transgressive-regressive sequence between the neopermian and the eotriassic of Paraná Basin. The mainly progradational character of the upper portion of this sequence culminated with the complete filling of the body of water, allowing the development of depositional continental systems at the end of this cycle. The sediments of the Rio do Rasto formation, object of the present dissertation, are inserted in this context and characteristically representative of the highstand system tract deposits that developed in the terminal stages of this second-order sequence, named ?Gondwana I?(Milani, 1997). The study area of the present dissertation comprehends the central-southern and the eastern portion of the state of Santa Catarina, including the topographic chart of the Lages province e the Rio do Rasto, Rio do Sul and Espigão sierras, located in the eastern cliffs of the homonymous state. In this region, rocks of the paleozoic and mesozoic units of Paraná?s Basin occur, which lithostratigraphically are part of the Tubarão, Guatá, Passa Dois and São Bento groups. The Rio do Rasto formation is notable for an outcropping in the studied area, making possible the uplifting of the continued sessions and the detailed study of the outcrops under the view of the facies analysis, architectural elements and the paleocurrents analysis.The Rio do Rasto formation is surrounded in contacts of transitional character with the the Teresina formation, at the base, and Pirambóia formation at the top. It is composed, lithostratigraphically, by the Serrinha and Morro Pelado members, that present, in the studied área, maximum thickness of 250 meters. Generally, the unit is marked by its predominant progradational character, with the tendency of sandstones strata increasing to the top. The sediments of the base portion of the unit, from the Serrinha member, are characterized by the presence of heterolithic, pelithic and gray-colored facies, deposited in offshore conditions. The occurrence of sandstone-based architectural elements with hummocky structure, swalley and cross-lamination by waves, is indicative of the deposition from high energetic degree events. Fossil concentrations composed of teeth, scales e fish coprolites, here classified as bone beds, present tafonomic similarities with the stormgenerated deposits. Interbedded to this association, lenticular and sigmoidal metric layers from thin sandstones occasionally occur, interpreted as deltaic mouth bars deposits. At the top of the unit, the change of the gray pelithic facies coloration to red and purple tonalities occurs, as well as the predominance of typically deltaic architectural elements, such as basin deposits, interdistributary channels e crevasse splay lobes. Eolian architectural elements occur interbedded on the upper portions of the Morro Pelado member. The occurrence of associations of deposited facies in different physiographic positions inside a deltaic context, can be expressed in the alternation of nearshore and offshore architectural elements in all of the studied examples. This particularity can be partially explained by the strong auto cyclic character expected in deltaic depositional systems, which allows the constant migration of the channels, and consequentially of the interdistributary bay areas and deltaic mouths. Aside from the autocyclicity, another determinant factor in the interbedding of architectural elements is the variation of relative sea level rates, inside a larger context of highstand system tract, where the tendency of deceleration in the sea level rising speed is expected. This variation, occurring in relatively high frequency, makes possible the variation in the accommodation space generation, determining increasing and decreasing on the reason between sedimentary in-fill and the generation of acomodation space. Hence, when the reason presents positive values, a sedimentary progradational character is developed, with consequent regression of the coast line. Negative values, expressed in a bigger rate of accommodation space generation, compared to the sedimental aport, make possible the formation of retrogradational architecture successions and a transgression of the coast line. As the deltaic system progrates, the inner sea is gradually filled, materializing the general tendence of a shrinking in the accommodation space of sediments. In the lower portions of the Rio do Rasto formatiom (Serrinha member), this fact is expressed in the smaller presence of storm deposits to the top, which means that with the reduction of the body of water area, the possibility of reworking of the deltaic sediments through certain high energetic level events is diminished. The storm deposits do not occur on the upper portions of the unit (Morro Pelado member), where, as a result, the horizontally continuous tabular layers are preserved, associated to the development of hyperpicnal fluxes on the frontal portions of the deltaic mouth bars. The filling by sediments and the diminishing in volume of the water body do not result in its compartmentation in several smaller lakes. The pattern of the vertical succession of architectural elements associated to the shortage of continuous levels of paleosoils and marked regional erosive surfaces, allows one to deny this hypothesis. Given the continuity of the deltaic elements in all of the area studied in the present dissertation, the deltaic system of Rio do Rasto possibly presented a size, in area, compatible with the scale of thousands of square kilometers. Data of paleocurrents suggest progradation of the deltaic building from S/SE to N/NW. The occurrence of eolian architectural elements interbedded with sub aquatically deposited sediments, on the second stratigraphic third of the unit, can be considered an evidence of transition to the Pirambóia desert system. The paleoevents data indicate a migration tendence of the dune system to the NW, in a similar direction to the estimated for the Rio do Rasto deltaic system migration. The continentalization tendence of the basin results in the eolic deposits of the Pirambóia formation, stratigraphically located above and in transitional contact with the Rio do Rasto formation.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the sedimentology and stratigraphy of the Middle Jurassic Preuss Sandstone and re-evaluate past sedimentological interpretations. The Preuss is located in northern Utah, western Wyoming and eastern Idaho and is stratigraphically equivalent to the Entrada Sandstone, which is Callovian in age (Dossett et al., 2014). This study is the first attempt at 1) a sequence stratigraphic framework, 2) a petroleum system analysis and 3) an extraterrestrial analog study for the Preuss. This study frames the Preuss within three broad facies groups: marine, coastal and terrestrial. The marine group includes the open marine and restricted marine facies with associated subfacies, the coastal group includes coastal sabkha and associated subfacies, and the terrestrial group includes alluvial, inland sabkha and eolian facies with associated subfacies. Three sections in northern Utah and one section in eastern Idaho compromise the focus of this study. The three Utah sections were measured and described, and samples were collected from two Utah sections and the Idaho section. The Preuss Sandstone was deposited in an asymmetrical retroarc basin, consequently the Preuss thickens from the east towards west-central Utah and the Jurassic Elko highlands. The deposits are mostly terrestrial, which is in accord with recent sedimentological interpretations, but at odds with the old paradigm, which postulates that the Entrada and Preuss were largely tidal in origin. There are marine transgressions within the trough of the retroarc basin, and the transgressions affect terrestrial sedimentary patterns. During marine incurstions, alluvium shed off the highlands is confined west of the seaway, and does not prograde east of the trough until all the available accommodation is filled. The Preuss was deposited during a complete third-order sequence-stratigraphic cycle that lies within the Lower Zuni II second-order lowstand. The Preuss Sandstone can be used as an outcrop analog for ancient and modern environments both here on Earth and on other planetary bodies. The petroliferous Norphlet Formation along the U.S. Gulf Coast was deposited in an environment very similar to the Preuss, but the Waltherian succession of facies might be slightly different. Likewise, the facies present in the Preuss are analogous to modern arid environments, such as the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, the alluvial, sabkha, eolian and shallow marine facies of the Preuss are highly similar to facies observed in ancient Martian environments and modern environments on Saturn's moon, Titan.