ALBERT

Description: Carbonate ramp systems are widespread throughout the geological record, but very few areas have seismic-scale, continuous and structurally undeformed outcrops that allow reliable interpretation of facies distributions and stacking patterns. The Amellago outcrop shows the detailed depositional and stratigraphic relationships of an ooid-dominated ramp system that is almost completely exposed along a dip profile (37 km long and 1000 m thick) in the Lower to Middle Jurassic of the southern High Atlas, Morocco. Ammonite and brachiopod fauna provide excellent biostratigraphic control on small scale stacking patterns. At Amellago, the evolution of depositional environments is evident at different scales of space and time during this period of tectonic quiescence dominated by thermal subsidence. An important observation is that the Amellago ramp system contains micrite-rich, ooid-free intervals that alternate with ooid-rich intervals. The ooid-rich intervals are mainly in the late transgressive and highstand system tracts, whereas the ooid-free intervals occur in the early transgressive phase. More than 25 such alternations were recorded in high frequency cycles and at the scale of one large cycle at the Aalenian/Bajocian transition. These compositional changes and the associated different ramp geometries are interpreted to result from the combined effects of eustatic sea level and climatic changes.

Description: A high resolution sequence stratigraphic model has been constructed for the mid-Cretaceous Sarvak Formation (in the High Zagros region of SW Iran) which was deposited close to the eastern margin of the Arabian Plate. The exceptional outcrop quality, displaying the detailed facies patterns in the transition zone from carbonate platform to intra-shelf basin, offers the rare opportunity to distinguish between the relative control of carbonate sediment supply (S) and accommodation (A) on the depositional geometries of third- and fourth-order depositional sequences. Four third-order sequences have been distinguished in the Sarvak Formation, with a duration varying between 1.5 and 3 Ma, and a thickness of 50-150 m. These are in turn composed of fourth- and fifth-order sequences that form the stratigraphic building blocks of this carbonate system. A significant distinction has been made in the third-order sequences between the early transgression (e-TST) when the system was still flat, and corresponds to a ramp setting, and the late transgression (l-TST) when the carbonate platform to intra-shelf basin topography was created. The rate of accommodation creation is identified as the dominant factor controlling the morphology of the depositional profile, and, as such, the driving motor behind the dynamics of this type of carbonate system. The dip angle of the depositional profile has a major influence on: (1) the hydrodynamics of the system; (2) the type of carbonate sediment; and (3) the volume of carbonate sediment produced. A good correlation with the third-order sequences of the Natih Formation in Oman is demonstrated, which supports a dominant control by eustatic sea-level changes and a similar response of the carbonate system to changes in the rate of sea-level rise on the southern part of the Arabian Plate. This outcrop analogue can be considered as a good reference model for the Cenomanian-Turonian carbonate platform margins of the Arabian Plate, but also as a textbook example of the response of carbonate systems to sea-level fluctuations (relative influence of accommodation and sediment supply).

Description: The Natih Formation (late Albian-early Turonian, Oman) corresponds to a very broad inner carbonate platform extending over more than 800 km between the Arabian Shield to the south and the Tethys continental margin to the north. Two types of channelized systems have developed recurrently on this inner carbonate platform:incisions corresponding to strictly erosive drainage systems which formed at the top of the sub-aerially-exposed platform during significant drops of relative sea level; tidal channels corresponding to partly erosive but mainly constructive/depositional systems which formed during phases of flooding of the inner platform. The comparative analysis of the basal surface and fill of incisions and tidal channels, based on the study of several outcrops in the Oman Mountains allows the recognition of the similarities and the main differences between these two types of channelized systems which both develop in an inner carbonate platform setting. One of the main criteria of differentiation is the stratigraphic context in which incisions and channels develop. Incisions develop at the top of regressive sequences, whereas the channels analysed here developed during phases of flooding or maximum flooding, during which higher energy processes such as tidal currents developed on the platform. The incision surface is clearly defined, with diagenetic effects such as silicification and dolomitization below, and with the systematic fill of subjacent burrows and cracks by sparitic calcite crystals. The basal erosion surface of channels is often multiple and composite, systematically burrowed, and associated with no significant diagenetic effect. Channels are generally less deep than incisions but their width is very similar. Incisions are longer than channels and present a section that is, on the whole, symmetrical and regular, whereas channels locally have one margin that is steeper and more erosive than the other. Finally, the less diagnostic parameter of differentiation is their fill. Indeed, incisions and channels are similarly filled during phases of flooding of the inner platform. Incisions and channels form significant heterogeneities at the reservoir scale. It is therefore necessary to be able to recognize these two types of channelized systems, in order to predict their geometry, extent and fill type, and the eventual occurrence of associated reservoir bodies in the more distal direction (forced regressive wedges/bioclastic shoals).

Description: 〈p〉Deglacial sedimentary sequences recording the decay and final demise of ice sheets result from intricate interactions between the pattern of ice margin retreat, inherited basin physiography and relative sea-level (RSL) changes. A specific emphasis is here given to the glacio-isostatic adjustment (GIA), which may force postglacial local RSL fall in spite of concomitant glacio-eustatic rise. In this contribution, we characterize a Quaternary deglacial succession emplaced in such a setting, subsequently used as an analogue to interpret an end-Ordovician deglacial record. The Quaternary deglacial succession, tens of metres thick, formed under condition of RSL fall forced by the GIA in 〈i〉c.〈/i〉 10 000 years in the aftermath of the deglaciation. This sedimentary succession consists of a lower, fining-upward sequence representing the backstepping of ice-contact depocentres following the retreat of the ice margin, and an upper, coarsening-upward sequence that relates to the subsequent progradation of a glaciofluvial delta system. A very similar stratigraphic stacking pattern characterizes the Ordovician analogue, suggesting a comparable deglacial sequence. By analogy with the Quaternary succession, this ancient deglacial record would have hence been emplaced under conditions of RSL fall forced by the GIA. Moreover, it must only represent a very short time interval that could be viewed as virtually instantaneous regarding the Late Ordovician glaciation. Such a vision is at odds with commonly accepted interpretations for such successions.〈/p〉

Description: Deglacial sedimentary sequences recording the decay and final demise of ice sheets result from intricate interactions between the pattern of ice margin retreat, inherited basin physiography and relative sea-level (RSL) changes. A specific emphasis is here given to the glacio-isostatic adjustment (GIA), which may force postglacial local RSL fall in spite of concomitant glacio-eustatic rise. In this contribution, we characterize a Quaternary deglacial succession emplaced in such a setting, subsequently used as an analogue to interpret an end-Ordovician deglacial record. The Quaternary deglacial succession, tens of metres thick, formed under condition of RSL fall forced by the GIA in c. 10 000 years in the aftermath of the deglaciation. This sedimentary succession consists of a lower, fining-upward sequence representing the backstepping of ice-contact depocentres following the retreat of the ice margin, and an upper, coarsening-upward sequence that relates to the subsequent progradation of a glaciofluvial delta system. A very similar stratigraphic stacking pattern characterizes the Ordovician analogue, suggesting a comparable deglacial sequence. By analogy with the Quaternary succession, this ancient deglacial record would have hence been emplaced under conditions of RSL fall forced by the GIA. Moreover, it must only represent a very short time interval that could be viewed as virtually instantaneous regarding the Late Ordovician glaciation. Such a vision is at odds with commonly accepted interpretations for such successions.

Description: The Atlas Mountains are classically regarded as a failed Mesozoic rift arm subject to Alpine inversion, folding and thrusting. Here, we present new integrated structural and sedimentological studies that have revealed numerous Early–Middle Jurassic diapiric ridges and minibasins, characterized by distinctive halokinetic structures. Diachroneity in halokinesis is observed across the Central High Atlas, waning first in the SW during the Early–Middle Jurassic (Jbel Azourki and Tazoult ridges) and continuing to late Middle Jurassic towards the NE (Imilchil region). The halokinetic structures are readily differentiated from the effects of later Alpine deformation, allowing a new picture of the Central High Atlas to emerge. The most pervasive deformation in the Central High Atlas is associated with Early–Middle Jurassic diapirism, whereas the impact of Alpine inversion is mostly focused at the basin margins. This new understanding helps explain previously problematic aspects of the Atlas Mountains, which we now recognize as an exceptionally well exposed natural laboratory for understanding the interactions between halokinesis, tectonics and sedimentation.

Description: Mountain building in the Al-Hajar Mountains (NE Oman) occurred during two major shortening stages, related to the convergence between Africa–Arabia and Eurasia, separated by nearly 30 Ma of tectonic quiescence. Most of the shortening was accommodated during the Late Cretaceous, when northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean was followed by the ophiolites obduction on top of the former Mesozoic margin. This shortening event lasted until the latest Santonian – early Campanian. Maastrichtian to Eocene carbonates unconformably overlie the eroded nappes and seal the Cretaceous foredeep. These neo-autochthonous post-nappe sedimentary rocks were deformed, along with the underlying Cretaceous tectonic pile, during the second shortening event, itself including two main exhumation stages. In this study we combine remotely sensed structural data, seismic interpretation, field-based structural investigations and apatite (U–Th)/He (AHe) cooling ages to obtain new insights into the Cenozoic deformation stage. Seismic interpretation indicates the occurrence of a late Eocene flexural basin, later deformed by an Oligocene thrusting event, during which the post-nappe succession and the underlying Cretaceous nappes of the internal foredeep were uplifted. This stage was followed by folding of the post-nappe succession during the Miocene. AHe data from detrital siliciclastic deposits in the frontal area of the mountain chain provide cooling ages spanning from 17.3 to 42 Ma, consistent with available data for the structural culminations of Oman. Our work points out how renewal of flexural subsidence in the foredeep and uplift of the mountain belt were coeval processes, followed by layer-parallel shortening preceding final fold amplification.