Clay Mineral Associations in Triassic–Lower Cretaceous Rocks of the Dal'negorsk Key Section, Southern Sikhote Alin

Abstract

Investigation of the Triassic–Lower Cretaceous rocks of the Dal'negorsk key section (southern Sikhote Alin) revealed the following successive associations of authigenic clay minerals: (1) sericite–chlorite (Lower Triassic); (2) mica–chlorite (Anisian–Norian); (3) chlorite–mica (Rhaetian–Lower Jurassic); and (4) smectite–chlorite–mica (Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous). These four associations reflect the primary composition of terrigenous admixture in the siliceous sediments and, hence, serve as important indicators of paleosedimentation conditions. The first association represents a product of the erosion of metamorphic rock complexes. The second one reflects the onset of volcanic activity within the sedimentation basin coinciding in time with a vigorous bloom of siliceous plankton (radiolarians) and short-term appearance of specific (anoxic) carbonaceous sediments in the sequence. The third association characterizes the epoch of minimal supply of the basin with volcanic and terrigenous clastic materials and the dominant accumulation of almost pure planktonogenic sediments. The fourth association marks the change of marginal-marine conditions for pelagic ones and is expressed in a significant input of pyroclastic and clastic materials and the formation of distal flysch deposits.