Abstract
Detailed fieldwork carried out in the southern part of Bida Basin, Nigeria, allowed the documentation of soft sediment deformation structures (SSDS) in the Maastrichtian Patti Formation. The aim of this study is to examine the sedimentary successions, describe and analyse these deformation features, discuss their deformation mechanisms and potential triggers. The Maastrichtian Patti Formation is composed of lithofacies interpreted to have been deposited in tidal and fluvial sedimentary environments. Soft sediment deformation structures recognised in the tidal sediments were clastic dykes, load cast, isolated sand balls, dish-and-pillar structures, convolute lamination, diapiric structures and recumbent folds. Severely deformed cross beds, ring structures, associated sand balls, normal folds and recumbent folds were identified in the fluvial sediments. SSDS recognised were interpreted to have been caused by effects of liquefaction and fluidization. Field observations, facies analysis and morphology of the SSDS indicate that there are relationship between the depositional environments and SSDS. Endogenic processes are considered as the trigger agents and they are represented by rapid sedimentation and overloading, impact of breaking waves, pressure fluctuations caused by turbulent water flow, cyclic stress and current generated by storm waves and changes in water table. The present study did not identify exogenic processes as trigger agent. The occurrence of SSDS in southern Bida Basin strongly favoured a non-tectonic origin but a clear relationship high energy processes in tidal and fluvial depositional environments.
Highlights
The geologic history of the Southern Bida Basin, located in the central part of Nigeria favoured the presence of well-exposed different types of soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS)
These soft sediment deformation structures (SSDS) occur in the Maastrichtian Patti Formation, which can be recognised in newly exposed sections in the southern part of the basin
The principal goal of this paper is to examine the sedimentary successions in the area of study with a view to identify, to describe and to analyse beds containing soft sediment deformation structures in the different localities where they have been identified
Summary
The geologic history of the Southern Bida Basin, located in the central part of Nigeria favoured the presence of well-exposed different types of soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS). These SSDS occur in the Maastrichtian Patti Formation, which can be recognised in newly exposed sections in the southern part of the basin. Soft sediment deformations include different types of deformations related to a drastic decrease in shear resistance in water-saturated and unconsolidated sediments These structures are related to liquefaction and fluidization processes, which can develop in ancient and modern sedimentary environments. SSDS have been recognised and interpreted from different sedimentary environments [4]-[7] but some characteristic features are useful to identifying the origin of the deformations [2]
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