Arabian
Plate Sequence Stratigraphy
Sharland, P.R., D.M. Casey, R.B. Davies, M.D. Simmons and O.E. Sutcliffe
2004. Arabian Plate Sequence Stratigraphy. GeoArabia, v. 9, no.
1, p. 199-214 (with 2 charts)
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Abstract:
The purpose of this note is to present revisions to the SP2 scheme
resulting either from significant errors in SP2 or from newly published
data that challenges SP2, or from newly published data identifying
maximum flooding surfaces. The publication of Arabian Plate Sequence
Stratigraphy (Sharland et al., 2001), commonly referred to as SP2,
provided a unifying stratigraphic interpretation of the Arabian
Plate within a modern sequence stratigraphic framework. In 2002
revisions to the stratigraphic positions of some SP2 Cretaceous
maximum flooding surfaces (MSF), and some resulting new interpretations,
were presented by Davies et al. (2002). New interpretations of mixed
carbonate-clastic systems presented by these authors have applications
to other parts of Middle East stratigraphy. Since 2001, many excellent
new papers have been published, and oral presentations made, containing
new data and/or interpretations (e.g. Al-Eidan et al., 2001; Brew
et al., 2001; Konert et al., 2001; Ziegler, 2001; Al-Suwaidi and
Aziz, 2002; Nehlig wt al., 2002; van Buchem et al., 2002; Boote
and Mou, 2003; Prince and Fell, 2003; Stephenson et al., 2003
to name but a few). The interpretations
presented here are based on this new post-SP2 literature, as well
as re-interpretations of older literature in the light of this new
work. Following discussions with Gulf PetroLink, the Neftex SP2
authors have been encouraged to provide a summary chronostratigraphic
up-date based
on this new literature from GEO 2004 of the SP2 interpretation,
with particular emphasis on (1) revisions to the published geological
timescale; (2) changes to SP2 megasequence boundaries (position
and dating); (3) changes to SP2 maximum flooding surfaces (position
and dating); (4) the identification and dating of any new TMS and/or
MFS; and (5) any proposed changes to the SP2 sequence stratigraphic
nomenclature. This GeoArabia Stratigraphic Note and the accompanying
two chronostratigraphic chart enclosures (Enclosure 1 Mesozoic and
Cenozoic, and Enclosure 2 Paleozoic and Precambrian), are intended
to update those in SP2. These new charts have been extended into
Jordan (in the north) and southwest Oman and Yemen (in the south).
Significant changes to MFS are made in the Neogene, Paleogene and
Permo-Triassic sections.
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Phanerozoic
cycles of sea-level change on the Arabian Platform
Haq, B.U. and A.M. Al-Qahtani 2005. Phanerozoic cycles of sea-level
change on the Arabian Platform. GeoArabia, v. 10, no. 2, p. 127-160
(with 2 charts)
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Abstract:
The Arabian Plate has experienced a complex tectonic history while
also being widely influenced by eustatic sea-level changes. These
diastrophic events either affected changes in the rate and/or location
of subsidence that in turn led to the creation of significant new
sedimentary accommodation, or caused major erosional hiatuses. As
a result, both eustacy and tectonics have played important roles
in the development of sedimentary sequences and in determining the
locus and characteristics of reservoir, source and seal facies on
the Arabian Platform. Here, we present a synthesis (Cycle Chart
A and Cycle Chart B) of the regional sea-level fluctuations affecting
the Platform that is based on Phanerozoic epi- and peri-Platform
sequence-stratigraphic data. Information used for the synthesis
includes sections from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Greater Gulf are,
Oman and Yemen. The regional Cycle Chart incorporates interpreted
sedimentary onlap patterns on the margins of the Arabian Platform,
as well as models of regional sea-level fluctuations that controlled
these patterns. These are compared to
eustatic data that represents the global mean models of sea-level
changes, largely at second-order cycle level for the Paleozoic and
third-order cycle level for the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The
comparisons reveal that Phanerozoic sediment accumulation patterns
on the Platform were broadly controlled by eustacy, with a strong
overprint of tectonics for several long intervals. During periods
of tectonic quiescence, however, correlations with the eustatic
events improve significantly. Thus, for example, during the Cambrian
through early Silurian and mid Jurassic through early Paleogene
intervals eustacy may have been the significant controlling factor
for sedimentary patterns when long-term trends in both regional
and global sea-level curves show similarities. The use of the Cycle
Chart could facilitate exploration efforts on the Arabian Platform,
provide better chronostratigraphic estimates and global correlations,
and prove a useful accompaniment for sequence-stratigraphic studies.
This interactive effort was greatly facilitated by the recent publication
of the sequence-stratigraphic synthesis of the Arabian Plate. The
ages of Maximum Flooding Surfaces, however, have been recalibrated
to the new (GTS 2004) time scale. This synthesis also represents
a new recalibration of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eustatic curves
of Haq et al. (1988) to an up-to-date numerical time scale (GTS
2004).
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All graphics
in this publication have been designed electronically in color by
Gulf PetroLink and adapted or modified from graphics as indicated
in the figure captions.
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this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical
or otherwise, including photocopying, without prior permission of
the publisher, Gulf PetroLink, Bahrain.
Select links
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you.
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