Genesis and depositional model of subaqueous sediment gravity-flow deposits in a lacustrine rift basin as exemplified by the Eocene Shahejie Formation in the Jiyang Depression, Eastern China

Abstract

Abstract Subaqueous sediment gravity-flow (SSGF) deposits have recently been recognized as a major reservoir plays in lacustrine basins. Research on their genesis and depositional models are crucial to understand gravity flow evolution and the distribution of their deposits. This study analysed SSGF deposits in the third member of the Shahejie Formation in the Jiyang Depression, Eastern China, based on 3-D seismic data, well-log data, and core observations. The types and origins of SSGF, the distribution patterns and depositional models of SSGF deposits have been investigated. The dominant types of SSGF include: muddy debris flows, sandy debris flows, high density turbidity currents, surge-like low density turbidity currents, and quasi-steady low density turbidity currents, which are mainly caused by river floods and sediment failures. The overall distribution of SSGF deposits is controlled by the sediment supplies, basin structure, and sequence stratigraphic framework. Paleotopography, flood energy, triggering mechanism, and the slope angle of the delta front are also important. SSGF deposits associated with river floods can be further subdivided into elongated and fan-shaped deposits. Elongated sandstones are composed predominantly of bedload-dominated and suspension load-dominated hyperpycnal flow deposits. The fan-shaped sandstones can be subdivided into an inner fan, a middle fan, and an outer fan. Inner fan deposits are dominated by gully-filling debrites. Middle fan deposits are composed predominantly of channel-fill deposits, while outer fan deposits consist of thin bedded and laterally extensive lobe intervals. SSGF deposits triggered by sediment failures can be further subdivided according to their proximity to slumping: proximal, intermediate and distal parts. The proximal deposits are composed predominantly of slide and slump deposits. The intermediate deposits are dominated by sandy debrite tongues, while the distal deposits are composed predominantly of thin-bedded, surge-like, low-density turbidites. This study offers some insight into the types, origin of gravity-flow, as well as the distribution of their deposits in a lacustrine rift basin.