A evolução diagenética de dois reservatórios turbidíticos terciários da porção offshore da Bacia do Espírito Santo, foi influenciada tanto por processos meteóricos como por processos relacionados a domos salinos adjacentes aos reservatórios, que tiveram diferente impacto sobre sua qualidade. A precipitação de pirita framboidal, dolomita microcristalina e siderita ocorreram sob condições eodiagenéticas marinhas. A percolação por água meteórica ocorreu ainda durante a eodiagênese, e promoveu extensiva caulinização (δ18OSMOW=+15.3‰ a +18.2‰; δDSMOW=-51‰ a -66‰) e dissolução de feldspatos, micas e intraclastos lamosos. Durante o progressivo soterramento da sequência (profundidades atuais: 2600-3000m) e consequente compactação, fluidos oriundos dos lutitos circundantes, modificados por reações com a matéria orgânica e carbonatos, deslocaram gradualmente os fluidos salobros marinhos-meteóricos, levando à precipitação de calcita poiquilotópica (valores médios: δ18OVPDB= -6.6‰; δ13CVPDB= -1.2‰). A composição dos fluidos mesodiagenéticos foi progressivamente modificada pela proximidade dos domos de sal, promovendo ubíqua albitização dos feldspatos e precipitação localizada de quartzo, calcita (valores médios: δ18O= -10.2‰; δ13C= -3.9‰) e dolomita em sela (valores médios: δ18O= -10.2‰; δ13C= -4.2‰). A análise de inclusões fluidas nos crescimentos de quartzo indicou que os fluidos precipitantes tinham salinidade predominantemente entre 9 e 13 % de NaCl (em peso) e temperaturas de homogeneização na faixa de 1050 a 1450 C Estes valores são mais altos do que aqueles esperados para o gradiente geotérmico normal da área. A distribuição da albitização dos feldspatos sugere que as fraturas ao longo das margens dos domos de sal atuaram como caminho preferencial para a circulação das salmouras quentes. Os valores de δ13C e δ18O dos cimentos de calcita e dolomita seguem um padrão de covariância, mostrando um declínio desde daqueles representativos da água do mar (~0%), para δ13C =-5.9‰ e δ18O = -10.9‰ para a calcita, e δ13C = -5.4‰ e δ18O = -11.7‰ para a dolomita, o que sugere a progressiva participação da descarboxilação térmica da matéria orgânica dos lutitos com o soterramento. A compactação mecânica foi mais importante do que a cimentação na redução da porosidade, e a dissolução de feldspatos foi o processo mais importante na geração de porosidade nos reservatórios. Apesar da proximidade dos domos de sal, a intensidade dos processos diagenéticos foi moderada, já que não ocorreu autigênese de ilita, e a cimentação de quartzo foi limitada. Estas características podem estar relacionadas com o soterramento relativamente recente destes reservatórios. Este estudo mostra que a predição da diagênese e qualidade de reservatórios relacionados a domos de sal é uma função de múltiplas variáveis, incluindo as dimensões dos domos, o regime térmico regional da bacia, a condutividade térmica e de fluidos, e a composição mineral e propriedades geomecânicas dos reservatórios e litologias associadas. / The diagenetic evolution of two tertiary turbidite reservoirs from the offshore portion of the Espírito Santo Basin, eastern Brazil, was influenced by meteoric and salt dome-related processes, which had different impact on their quality. Marine eogenetic processes included the precipitation of framboidal pyrite, microcrystalline dolomite and siderite. Meteoric water influx during eodiagenesis occurred in response to relative sea-level falls that promoted extensive kaolinization (δ18O=+15.3‰ to +18.2‰; δD= -51‰ to -66‰) and dissolution of framework silicate grains. During progressive burial (present depths – 2600 m – 3000 m), connate marine fluids modified by reactions with organic matter and carbonates presented in the surrounding mudrocks gradually displaced brackish fluids generated by the meteoric influx and led to concretionary cementation by poikilotopic calcite (average δ18O= -6.6‰; δ13C= -1.2‰). Mesogenetic fluids were progressively modified by the proximity of salt domes, which led to ubiquitous feldspar albitization and localized quartz, calcite (average δ18O= -10.2‰; δ13C= -3.9‰) and saddle dolomite precipitation (average δ18O= -10.2‰; δ13C= -4.2‰). Fluid inclusion analysis in quartz overgrowths indicate that the precipitating fluids had salinities predominantly in the range 9-13 wt% NaCl equivalent and temperatures largely in the 105 – 145oC range These values are higher than those expected considering the normal geothermal gradient for the area. The distribution of feldspar albitization suggests that the fracture systems along the salt domes margins acted as preferential pathways for such hot, saline diagenetic fluids. Isotopic values for calcite and dolomite cements follow a co-variance trend of decreasing δ13C and δ18O from close to marine (~0‰) towards negative values (δ13C and δ18O down to -5.9‰ and -10.9‰ for calcite; -5.4‰ and -11.7‰ for dolomite), suggesting increasing contribution from thermal decarboxylation with increasing temperature and depth. Mechanical compaction was more important than cementation in reducing depositional porosity, and the dissolution of framework silicate grains is the most important processes for enhancing reservoir quality. Despite the proximity to the salt domes, the intensity of the influenced diagenetic processes is relatively mild, as illite authigenesis is lacking, and quartz cementation is limited, features that may be related to the recent burial of the reservoirs.

This thesis examines the interaction of pre-existing and evolving salt-related topography on the temporal and spatial evolution of depositional systems in deepwater. To achieve this, the thesis integrates stratigraphic and structural analysis of 3D seismic data from the Miocene record of the salt-influenced Lower Congo Basin, Offshore Angola. Observations at multiple scales ranging from the semi-regional (&gt; 50 km) to local, kilometre-scale and covering timescales ranging from the entire Miocene (~ 18 Myr) to &gt; 2 Myr are presented. At the semi-regional scale, results from this study shows that the progressive along-strike linkage of short (&lt;10 km) fault segments and salt diapirs into through-going large scale (&gt; 30 km) faults and elongated saltwalls results in long lived diversion and/or confinement of depositional system fairways. Axial confinement of fairways occurs where structural strike is parallel to sediment input, contrasting with ponding or diversion of deposits oriented at a high angle to structural strike. The orientation of the structures remains relatively static, which in combination with the fixed sediment entry points of the fairways results in recurrence of the major styles of interaction, and long term pinning of fairways throughout the Miocene. The development of large (10's of km) "sediment shadow" zones devoid of coarse clastics downdip of diverted and or confined sediment gravity flows is also observed through the Miocene. At the intraslope basin (10's of km) and sub-basin scale ( < 10 km), the role of confinement by salt-related structures on the temporal evolution and dip-and-strike variability of Late Miocene channelised-lobe complexes in an elongate intraslope basin was also investigated. At both of these scales, the morphology of the recieving basin geometry significantly influences the dimensions, planform morphology and vertical stacking patterns of channelised-lobe complexes. A transition from thick, radial shaped lobe-complexes which are aggradationally stacked and deposited via 'fill-and-spill' of sub-basins within an intraslope basin to thinner, elongate, laterally offset and compensationally stacked channelised-lobe complexes in the intraslope basin is observed. This transition occurs as the salt-related structural template evolves and confinement changes from the sub-basin scale to the intraslope basin scale. At the depositional element scale ( < 5 km), results from this study further shed light on the critical and hitherto neglected role of salt-related topography in controlling the location of channel to lobe transition zones in deepwater depositional systems. The location of the transition zones are documented from four case studies, with the transitions spatially controlled by salt-related reduction in gradient e.g. a break in slope downflow of monoclinal structures, and/or a reduction in lateral confinement of depositional fairways downflow of segment boundaries. Overall, the result of this thesis show the significant influence which evolving saltrelated topography exerts on the stratigraphic development, geometry and sediment routing patterns on salt-influenced continental margins. In particular the study highlights how variable the interaction between evolving salt-related topography and deepwater sedimentation is at a range of temporal and spatial scales.

Ancient basin-floor strata are exceptionally well exposed in the Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup in the southern Canadian Cordillera. Data from the Castle Creek outcrop, where strata of the upper Kaza Group crop out, and the Mt. Quanstrom outcrop, where the middle Kaza is exposed, form the main dataset for this study. The aim of this study is to describe and interpret the strata starting at the bed scale, followed by stratal element scale, lobe scale and ultimately fan scale. Strata of the Kaza Group comprise six sedimentary facies representing deposition from a variety of fluid and cohesive sediment gravity flows. These, in turn, populate seven stratal elements that are defined by their basal contact, cross-sectional geometry and internal facies distribution. The lithological characteristics of stratal elements vary little from proximal to more distal settings, but their relative abundance and stacking pattern do, which, then, forms the basis for modeling the internal architecture of lobes. Lobes typically comprise an assemblage of stratal elements, which then are systematically and predictably arranged in both space (along a single depositional transect) and time (stratigraphically upward). Lobes typically became initiated by channel avulsion. In the proximal part of the system scours up to several meters deep, several tens of meters wide are interpreted to have formed by erosion downflow of the avulsion node. Erosion also charged the flow with fine-grained sediment and on the lateral margins and downflow avulsion splays were deposited. Later flows then exploited the basin-floor topography and on the proximal basin-floor carved a feeder channel, which then fed a downflow depositional lobe. At the mouths of feeder channels flows became dispersed through a network of distributary channels that further downflow shallow and widen until eventually merging laterally in sandstone-rich terminal splays. During the lifespan of a single lobe the feeder channel remains fixed, but the distributary channel network and its associated terminal splays wander, causing them to stack and be intercalated laterally and vertically. Eventually an upstream avulsion terminates local sediment supply, causing a new lobe to be initiated elsewhere on the fan, and the process repeats.

A evolução diagenética de dois reservatórios turbidíticos terciários da porção offshore da Bacia do Espírito Santo, foi influenciada tanto por processos meteóricos como por processos relacionados a domos salinos adjacentes aos reservatórios, que tiveram diferente impacto sobre sua qualidade. A precipitação de pirita framboidal, dolomita microcristalina e siderita ocorreram sob condições eodiagenéticas marinhas. A percolação por água meteórica ocorreu ainda durante a eodiagênese, e promoveu extensiva caulinização (δ18OSMOW=+15.3‰ a +18.2‰; δDSMOW=-51‰ a -66‰) e dissolução de feldspatos, micas e intraclastos lamosos. Durante o progressivo soterramento da sequência (profundidades atuais: 2600-3000m) e consequente compactação, fluidos oriundos dos lutitos circundantes, modificados por reações com a matéria orgânica e carbonatos, deslocaram gradualmente os fluidos salobros marinhos-meteóricos, levando à precipitação de calcita poiquilotópica (valores médios: δ18OVPDB= -6.6‰; δ13CVPDB= -1.2‰). A composição dos fluidos mesodiagenéticos foi progressivamente modificada pela proximidade dos domos de sal, promovendo ubíqua albitização dos feldspatos e precipitação localizada de quartzo, calcita (valores médios: δ18O= -10.2‰; δ13C= -3.9‰) e dolomita em sela (valores médios: δ18O= -10.2‰; δ13C= -4.2‰). A análise de inclusões fluidas nos crescimentos de quartzo indicou que os fluidos precipitantes tinham salinidade predominantemente entre 9 e 13 % de NaCl (em peso) e temperaturas de homogeneização na faixa de 1050 a 1450 C Estes valores são mais altos do que aqueles esperados para o gradiente geotérmico normal da área. A distribuição da albitização dos feldspatos sugere que as fraturas ao longo das margens dos domos de sal atuaram como caminho preferencial para a circulação das salmouras quentes. Os valores de δ13C e δ18O dos cimentos de calcita e dolomita seguem um padrão de covariância, mostrando um declínio desde daqueles representativos da água do mar (~0%), para δ13C =-5.9‰ e δ18O = -10.9‰ para a calcita, e δ13C = -5.4‰ e δ18O = -11.7‰ para a dolomita, o que sugere a progressiva participação da descarboxilação térmica da matéria orgânica dos lutitos com o soterramento. A compactação mecânica foi mais importante do que a cimentação na redução da porosidade, e a dissolução de feldspatos foi o processo mais importante na geração de porosidade nos reservatórios. Apesar da proximidade dos domos de sal, a intensidade dos processos diagenéticos foi moderada, já que não ocorreu autigênese de ilita, e a cimentação de quartzo foi limitada. Estas características podem estar relacionadas com o soterramento relativamente recente destes reservatórios. Este estudo mostra que a predição da diagênese e qualidade de reservatórios relacionados a domos de sal é uma função de múltiplas variáveis, incluindo as dimensões dos domos, o regime térmico regional da bacia, a condutividade térmica e de fluidos, e a composição mineral e propriedades geomecânicas dos reservatórios e litologias associadas. / The diagenetic evolution of two tertiary turbidite reservoirs from the offshore portion of the Espírito Santo Basin, eastern Brazil, was influenced by meteoric and salt dome-related processes, which had different impact on their quality. Marine eogenetic processes included the precipitation of framboidal pyrite, microcrystalline dolomite and siderite. Meteoric water influx during eodiagenesis occurred in response to relative sea-level falls that promoted extensive kaolinization (δ18O=+15.3‰ to +18.2‰; δD= -51‰ to -66‰) and dissolution of framework silicate grains. During progressive burial (present depths – 2600 m – 3000 m), connate marine fluids modified by reactions with organic matter and carbonates presented in the surrounding mudrocks gradually displaced brackish fluids generated by the meteoric influx and led to concretionary cementation by poikilotopic calcite (average δ18O= -6.6‰; δ13C= -1.2‰). Mesogenetic fluids were progressively modified by the proximity of salt domes, which led to ubiquitous feldspar albitization and localized quartz, calcite (average δ18O= -10.2‰; δ13C= -3.9‰) and saddle dolomite precipitation (average δ18O= -10.2‰; δ13C= -4.2‰). Fluid inclusion analysis in quartz overgrowths indicate that the precipitating fluids had salinities predominantly in the range 9-13 wt% NaCl equivalent and temperatures largely in the 105 – 145oC range These values are higher than those expected considering the normal geothermal gradient for the area. The distribution of feldspar albitization suggests that the fracture systems along the salt domes margins acted as preferential pathways for such hot, saline diagenetic fluids. Isotopic values for calcite and dolomite cements follow a co-variance trend of decreasing δ13C and δ18O from close to marine (~0‰) towards negative values (δ13C and δ18O down to -5.9‰ and -10.9‰ for calcite; -5.4‰ and -11.7‰ for dolomite), suggesting increasing contribution from thermal decarboxylation with increasing temperature and depth. Mechanical compaction was more important than cementation in reducing depositional porosity, and the dissolution of framework silicate grains is the most important processes for enhancing reservoir quality. Despite the proximity to the salt domes, the intensity of the influenced diagenetic processes is relatively mild, as illite authigenesis is lacking, and quartz cementation is limited, features that may be related to the recent burial of the reservoirs.

La marge active Est Gondwanienne s'est développée dans un contexte de subduction de type andine entre le Permien et le Crétacé inférieur. Suite à une période de rifting régional au Crétacé supérieur, qui précède l'océanisation de la Mer de Tasman, le continent Zealandia se détache du Gondwana. A l'Eocène, un événement tectonique majeur entraine l'obduction de matériel mantellique sur la marge Nord-Est du continent Zealandia, qui affleure aujourd'hui en Nouvelle-Calédonie (NC). L’enregistrement de ces événements tectoniques est accessible dans les bassins Ouest calédoniens dans lesquels d’épaisses séries sédimentaires se sont déposées. La longue période de subduction Phanérozoïque est principalement enregistrée par le dépôt de séries de turbidites volcanoclastiques (« grauwackes ») tandis que les périodes de rifting et de post-rift sont associées au dépôt de formations fluvio-deltaïques passant latéralement à des dépôts turbiditiques. La période pré/ syn-obduction, encore mal comprise et complexe, s’enregistre par une épaisse série gravitaire syn-tectonique (« Flysch ») sur laquelle reposent des formations mixtes silici-carbonatées en contexte récifal et lagunaire à terre, et turbiditique en mer. Ces séries sédimentaires sont aujourd’hui relativement bien cartographiées et identifiées à terre, mais leur étude détaillée d’un point vue sédimentologique fait toujours défaut. L’analyse de la carotte du puits onshore Cadart-1 qui échantillonne 1950 m des séries syn-rift à syn-obduction et des nombreux affleurements de la côte Ouest de la Grande Terre permettra d’apporter de nouveaux éléments sur les faciès, les géométries et les architectures de ces différentes séries. Aussi, une approche terre-mer est proposée en s’appuyant sur la nouvelle carotte IODP 371 U1507 et sur le nouveau jeu de données sismiques de la campagne TECTA acquis dans le Bassin de Nouvelle-Calédonie. L’objectif principal est d’améliorer la connaissance de l’histoire tectonique et sédimentaire de la Nouvelle-Calédonie à partir des enregistrements sédimentaires des bassins ouest-calédoniens, d’en déduire leur évolution paléogéographique en lien avec l’histoire géodynamique régionale. Sur un plan plus fondamental cette étude apportera des nouveaux éléments permettant de mieux comprendre les mécanismes de l’obduction. D’un point de vue appliqué, ce travail permettra également d’apporter des informations essentielles sur les potentielles roches mères, réservoirs et couvertures du système pétrolier des bassins de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. / From Permian to Early Cretaceous the eastern Gondwana margin was an Andine subduction context. Late Cretaceous widespread regional rifting affects this region and precedes Cretaceous to Eocene seafloor spreading of the Tasman Sea, leading to the isolation of the Zealandia continent. During the Eocene, a major tectonic event affects the entire region and leads to the obduction of mantellic material on the northeastern margin of Zealandia, which presently outcrops in New-Caledonia. The stratigraphic records of these tectonics events are accessible within the western New-Caledonian basins, in which very thick sedimentary series were deposited and are now visible through onland outcrops. The Phanerozoic eastern Gondwana subduction episode is recorded by volcanoclastic turbidites whereas rifting and post-rift phases are associated with fluvial-estuarian deposits capped by deeper deposits. The complex pre to syn-obduction phase is recorded by a very thick syntectonic gravity flow unit (“Flysch”), composed of turbidites originating from various siliciclastic and carbanoceous sources. These sedimentary series are well mapped and identified in New-Caledonia, but a detailed sedimentological description and interpretation is still lacking. Core descriptions from the CADART well which recovered 1930 meter of “flysch” series, combined with outcrop descriptions should bring new insight onto the sedimentary facies, geometries and stratigraphic architecture of these series. Following this, we focused on newly acquired data in the New Caledonian Basin, including new multichannel seismic data acquired during the TECTA cruise as well as new drilling data performed in 2017 during IODP Expedition 371. The main objective of this study is to improve the knowledge of the tectonic history of New Caledonia, from these sedimentary records. On a fundamental aspect, this study will allow to better understand the obduction mechanisms. In addition, this study should provide new information on the potential petroleum system of New-Caledonian basins.

<p> Sedimentary structures, textures and fabric were studied in detail in eight turbidite greywacke beds from the Cloridorme Formation (Middle Ordovician), Gaspe, Quebec. The beds are exposed on the wave-cut platform near Grande Vallee and were traced for about two miles along the strike (276 degrees), which is parallel to the average current direction (274 degrees) as indicated by sole mark directions. </p> <p> The beds under study show the following systematic downcurrent changes along the strike from east to west: (i) Sole mark types show the following changes: (1) tool marks such as grooves, prod marks and isolated flute marks, to (2) longitudinal ridges, longitudinal ridges with overlapping flute, closely spaced flutes, to (3) poorly developed, shallow longitudinal ridges with occasional cuspate crossing bars, to (4) smooth bottom with occasional grooves. (ii) There is an increase in variance of sole mark directions without a large change in the mean direction in most beds, but the sole mark direction changes by nearly 90° as one of the beds is traced from east to west along the strike. (iii) Most of the beds are massive and are divided into two parts by a bedding joint. However, in the proximal region, if a bed is unusually thin, the bedding joint is absent and the bed shows slightly wavy, plane-laminated structure at places. (iv) Grain orientations are generally statistically non-significant in the upper massive part of the bed in the proximal region and significant in the rest of the bed. Significant grain orientations and graptolite orientations show large deviations from the sole in the distal region. Deviations increase towards the top of the bed. (v) The beds show a change from good grading to poor grading or slight reverse grading from the proximal to distal region. It is considered that the beds were deposited by low concentration, highly turbulent currents. Deposition of the beds took place in two distinct phases. First a 'quick' bed separated from the current was sheared extensively by the overflowing current and on consolidation formed the lower part of the bed. Later deposition in the proximal region from the upper part of the current and the part close to the tail was by settling of individual particles from the suspension. Separation and consolidation of another 'quick' bed in some cases formed the upper part of the beds in the distal region. </p> <p> The depositing currents produced a good vertical and lateral grain size grading in the proximal region, but poor vertical grading in the distal region due to the loss of coarse grains and possibly increased concentration of flocculated clay. Also, the turbidity currents tended to "meander" greatly on slowing down in the distal region. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Detailed geochemical analysis of the turbidite-associated shales of the Cretaceous Katafito Formation, Greece, reveals important details regarding the paleoenvironment, paleoproductivity, and regional tectonics of the Pindos Basin. The Katafito Formation was deposited along an active margin at the early onset of closure of the Tethys Sea in the Pindos sub-basin. While careful studies of the coarse clastic component of turbidites are common, this study consisted of a detailed geochemical characterization of the fine-grained portions, which helped reveal paleoenvironmental information about the basin. This study combined organic and inorganic geochemistry utilizing elemental, mineralogical, and organic chemical signatures from fine-grained turbidite-associated sediments across six regional outcrops; three in the Peloponnese region and three in the Eprius region of Greece. In addition, shales from two outcrops associated with shallow marine deposits were sampled from Crete in the absence of identified turbidite outcrops and were used as reference point for geochemical indicators. In total 117 shale samples were analyzed via X-ray florescence (XRF) for elemental quantification, X-ray powdered diffraction (XRPD) for quantitative phase analysis of the minerals present, and Rock-Eval Pyrolysis for organic quality and type. Chemical trends between northern and southern outcrops reveal details about the tectonics, climate, and ocean circulation of the Pindos sub-Basin during the Cretaceous. Potassium feldspar and plagioclase feldspar show distinct trends between northern and southern outcrops, with a relative decrease in plagioclase to the north despite the source terrain becoming more mafic toward the north. This decrease in plagioclase to the north could show that the mountains were more developed in the north during the Cretaceous, leading to a higher orographic effect and the resulting increase in precipitation rates and the associated increase in weathering rate. Geochemical proxies for paleo-oxygenation (U/Th, V/Cr, Authigenic uranium, and degree of pyritization) are similar in abundance between northern Pindos, southern Pindos, and Crete samples, but using a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test at the 99% confidence level, these proxies show that the northern part of the basin was more oxic than the south at the time of deposition. This is interpreted to show that although the Pindos Basin waters were still well-oxygenated and in communication across the study area, the early signs of tectonic constriction were beginning to be seen in the north during the Late Cretaceous. Most samples contain less than 0.5% total organic carbon (TOC) based on Rock-Eval analysis, with a median of 0.36% and IQR of 0.29-0.47%. This could be the result of either low primary productivity or efficient recycling of organic matter in oxic conditions. However, paleo-TOC indicators such as nickel enrichment suggest that total organic carbon was likely 2-3% higher at time of deposition, which, given the interpretation that waters were dominantly oxic, suggests high primary productivity rates at the time of deposition. The large discrepancy between original and preserved TOC is at least partially explained by the high thermal maturation of the samples (Tmax median of 591°C and IQR of 594-437°C), suggesting that hydrocarbons have been generated and migrated out of the shales. Lastly, based on elevated calcium carbonate concentrations measured in shale samples and common preservation of detrital carbonate grains in the associated turbidite sandstones, along with the regional prevalence of time-equivalent limestones preserved across much of Greece and the broader region, it is interpreted that the turbidites of the Katafito Formation were deposited basinward of a well-developed carbonate shelf, and that siliciclastics were efficiently transported across this shelf through well developed and focused transport fairways.

No description available.

Le fonctionnement des systèmes turbiditiques est directement lié au transfert de sédiment par les fleuves du continent vers le domaine marin. Ce transfert est contrôlé par le climat et le niveau marin. Les fluctuations de ces facteurs de contrôle depuis le dernier maximum glaciaire s’enregistrent ainsi dans les systèmes turbiditiques par des périodes d’activité et d’inactivité des systèmes turbiditiques. À l’échelle du système, l’enregistrement sédimentaire est également contrôlé par la morphologie et les processus sédimentaires. Le système turbiditique du Rhône classé parmi les systèmes turbiditiques argilo-silteux, est le plus grand dépôt sédimentaire du Golfe du Lion (Méditerranée Occidentale). Principalement alimenté par les apports du Rhône, il est actuellement inactif dû à l’éloignement du canyon avec la source sédimentaire (~70 km). L’objectif du travail réalisé est d’y déterminer, à partir de 21 carottes sédimentaires, (1) l’activité turbiditique au cours des derniers 25 ka, (2) le rôle des fluctuations climatiques et eustatiques sur le fonctionnement, (3) le rôle de la morphologie sur la variabilité spatiale et temporelle des dépôts turbiditiques. Le travail se base sur (1) la réalisation d’un cadre chronostratigraphique basé sur les fluctuations du rapport isotopique de l’oxygène (δ18O), les fluctuations du rapport Ca/Fe et sur des datations radiocarbones, (2) la caractérisation des lithofaciès. Les résultats obtenus montrent que (1) le niveau marin est le principal facteur de contrôle qui détermine la position de l’embouchure du fleuve Rhône et sa connexion avec le canyon du Petit-Rhône. (2) la remontée rapide et brève du niveau marin vers 19 ka (19-ka meltwater pulse) est enregistrée par un changement des processus turbiditiques, (3) lors du maximum de bas niveau marin, entre 24 ka et 19 ka BP, la présence des hyperpycnites démontrent la connexion directe entre le fleuve et la tête de canyon ainsi que la capacité du Rhône à produire des courants hyperpycnaux, (4) la morphologie du système turbiditique exerce un contrôle sur les lithofaciès turbiditiques essentiellement par le degré de confinement des courants de turbidité. / Turbidite systems are active when they are fed by sediments transported from the shelf to the basin floor. This sediment transfer is mainly controlled by climate and sea level. Fluctuations of these control factors since the Last Glacial Maximum are recorded within turbiditic systems by periods of high deposition separated by condensed intervals. In addition, morphological control and sedimentary processes are internals factors explaining the spatial variability of the sedimentary record along the turbidite system. The Rhone turbidite system is classified among Mud-rich systems; it is the largest sediment body in the Gulf of Lions (Western Mediterranean). It results mainly from the accumulation of sediments supplied by the Rhone River. It is presently inactive because the head of the Petit Rhone canyon is situated at about 70 km from the river mouth. Through analyses of 21 sediment cores collected along this system, we characterized, (1) the turbiditic activity during the last 25 kyr, (2) the role of climatic and sea-level controls on the turbiditic activity, (3) the role of internal factors such as the morphology on the spatial variability of the turbiditic deposition. Our study is based on (1) the realization of a chronostragraphical framework based on oxygen isotope (δ18O) fluctuations, Ca/Fe ratio and 14C AMS dating, (2) the characterization of lithofacies. The results show that: (1) sea-level is the main control factor on the connection between the Rhone canyon head and Rhone River mouth. The Rhone turbidite system is definitely a “low-stand dominant system” in the terminology of Covault et al. (2010). (2) the rapid and short sea-level rise at about 19 ka (19-ka meltwater pulse) is recorded by a shift from hyperpycnal flows to lower-concentration turbidites. (3) The presence of hyperpycnites demonstrates a direct connection between the Petit-Rhone canyon head and the Rhone River mouth favoured by sea-level low-stand conditions from 24 to 19 ka. They also demonstrate the competence of the Rhone River to generate hyperpycnal flows during flood episodes. (4) the morphology of the Rhone turbidite system controls the confinement of the turbidity currents and results in various arrangements of lithofacies.

The well-known clinoformal geometry of a basin-fill, with an alluvial to shelf segment, deep-water slope segment, and a basin floor segment, arises from the development of a wedge-shaped body of sediment at the basin-margin that has been termed a basin-margin wedge or a shelf-slope sedimentary prism. The basin-margin wedge characteristically has atopset-foreset clinoformal geometry, with its topset dominated by alluvial, coastal and shelfal processes, while its foreset is dominated by turbidite sedimentation. Tectonic configuration of the basin, sediment supply, and relative sea level variation are some of the major factors that control the development and growth of the basin-margin wedge. This dissertation documents two distinct stages of development of the basin-margin wedge at an Eocene active margin, and relates the observed variability in the nature of the shelf-margin, deep-water slope, and basin-floor deposits with these stages. The Tyee Basin in western Oregon was a forearc basin that was filled during late early Eocene and Middle Eocene under greenhouse climatic condition. The sedimentary succession of the Tyee Basin include continental, shallow-marine and deep-water sandstones that are well exposed in Coast Range area of Oregon. The variability observed within the thick and laterally extensive turbidite sandstones of the Tyee Basin led to contrasting depositional models for the Tyee basin in the past. Notably, the submarine ramp model, which provides an alternative model for deepwater coarse clastic deposition, was proposed based on the sedimentary succession of the Tyee Basin. Reconstruction of the clinoformal geometry of the Tyee Basin succession from detailed field data (more than 1000 outcrop locations) and subsurface data reveals two distinct stages of development of this active basin-margin. Each stage has a distinct style of clinoform development and a distinct character of associated sandy deepwater deposits. At the initial stage the basin-margin clinoforms appear to be small (< 250m clinoform height) and strongly progradational, with clinoform topset dominated by the feeder fluvial deposits. At this stage, sandy unconfined (not channelized) turbidite deposits accumulated on the Tyee deepwater slope and extended to the Tyee basin-floor. Large scale sediment conduits on the deepwater slope, in the form of slope channels or canyons, are notably absent in this stage. The second stage is characterized by larger clinoform height (> 500m), higher degree of topset aggradation with repeated fluvio-deltaic cycles on the shelf, and spectacular, sand-rich, well-organized turbidite channels and canyons on the slope. The slope channels active at this stage supplied coarse sediments to the basin-floor to form unusually thick basin-floor fans. The first infill stage represents the embryonic development of a basin-margin wedge on the Tyee continental margin, and could have some similarity with the previously mentioned submarine ramp model. But this was followed by a much longer period of basin-filling when repeated fluvial and shallow-marine cycles formed on the shelf and well-organized turbidite channels were active on the slope supplying sands to the Tyee Basin floor fans. It was concluded that the two stages of development of the basin-margin wedge in the Tyee Basin is controlled largely by the configuration of the basin, that is a result of the prominent topographic/bathymetric features in oceanic basement underlying the sedimentary succession of the Tyee Basin. Tectonically active hinterland and greenhouse climate may have contributed to a relatively high sediment supply to the basin. The relatively small-amplitude sea level variations expected under greenhouse climatic condition of the Early to Middle Eocene are likely to have relatively minor effect on the architecture of the basin-fill. The present work on Tyee Basin builds on earlier research on this basin, but now establishes a ground trothed clinoformal growth model, revises the existing interpretation of sediment transport direction during a major part of the basin-filling history, and demonstrates a two-stage evolution of margin accretion. The observations from the active Tyee Basin was compared and contrasted with a latest Pleistocene sediment wedge on the New Jersey outer shelf. This sediment wedge, developed under icehouse climatic condition, and on a passive margin, was studied using high resolution seismic data (CHIRP). In contrast to the sedimentary succession of the Tyee Basin, the depositional architecture of the sediment wedge on outer New Jersey shelf, which was interpreted as a set of falling stage deltaic clinothems, appears to be strongly controlled by eustatic sea level variation of latest Pleistocene. / text