Sedimentology of the Upper Devonian to Lower Carboniferous Finke Group, Amadeus and Warburton Basins, central Australia

Abstract

Abstract The Finke Group in central Australia was divided into four formations by Wells et al. (1966), and the Santo Sandstone (Wells et al., 1967) is now included in the group as a synonym of the Idracowra Sandstone. The distribution of the latter has been amended following detailed stratigraphic work south of Black Hill Range. The age of the Finke Group is Upper Devonian to ?Lower Carboniferous, based on correlation with the Pertnjara Group. The relative abundance and significance of sedimentary features are described from each formation, and permit the following environmental deductions: Polly Conglomerate—proximal braided stream alluvial fan deposits; Langra Formation—fluviatile sediments consisting largely of point-bar deposits; Horseshoe Bend Shale—playa lake siltstone deposits; and Idracowra Sandstone—fluviatile sediments. The inter-relationship of these facies and their interdigitation with formations of the Pertnjara Group is discussed in terms of a large terrestrial basin in which through-flowin...