Palaeogeomorphology and its control on the development of sequence stratigraphy and depositional systems of the Early Silurian in the Tarim Basin

Abstract

The Silurian in the Tarim Basin was deposited on the basement deformed by the Caledonian tectonic movements at the end of the Late Ordovician. The development and distribution of sedimentary sequences of the Early Silurian have been clearly controlled by the palaeogeomorphology of the Late Ordovician. Based on unconformity characteristics and distribution of erosion, several zones can be differentiated including a high uplifted erosion zone, a transitional slope zone and a depression zone. The central and west Tabei Uplift zones show high angular unconformity and intense erosion. The Tarim Basin in the late Ordovician shows characteristics of higher in the west, lower in the east while higher in the south, lower in the north. The Early Silurian mainly developed transgressive and highstand systems tracts on the whole, while the lowstand systems tract only developed partly below the slope break. The palaeogeomorphology controlled the clastic source supply and deposit distribution. Braided delta system and tidal flat-estuary system were deposited. The duration of uplifting of the Tazhong paleouplift was longer than that of the Tabei paleo-uplift, and deposition was later. This led to the lower and middle members of the Kepingtage Formation missing in that area. As a large-scale transgression occurred during the deposition period of the upper member of the Kepingtage Formation, sediment from the west of the basin was transported and deposited by tides and waves, forming tidal-marine debris systems above the uplift. Proximal alluvial fan and fan delta coarse clastic deposits developed in proximal uplift zone in the east and southeast of the basin, and braided delta put forward to the transitional zone between the edge of uplift and the sea. Large-scale tidal channel, sub-distributary channel and mouth bar of the delta front can form favorable reservoirs, and they are primary targets for oil and gas exploration. This research on sequence-depositional systems development and distribution controlled by palaeogeomorphology is significant in guiding the prediction of reservoir sandstones.