Storm surge versus turbidite origin of the Coniacian to Santonian sediments in the eastern part of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin

Abstract

A flyschoid facies occurs in the Březno Formation (Coniacian up to Santonian) of the eastern marginal part of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. According toJerzykiewicz (1970, 1971) this facies is of deep water, turbidite origin. He based his interpretation on the study of sedimentary structures. New palaeogeographic reconstruction of lithofacies relations, investigation of deep drillings and detailed sedimentological analysis, however, allowed new results concerning the sedimentary environments and depositional mechanism of this facies. According to the new model presented here, this flyschoid facies was deposited in a shallow marine environment. Clayey sedimentation was the natural response to normal environmental conditions, whereas sandstone intercalations reflect anomalous conditions during heavy storms. During these events, sands were transported basinwards up to distances of 25 km, with normal bottom currents, as well as turbidity currents, acted as transporting mechanisms. This flyschoid facies corresponds to other examples of clayey sequences with sandy storm layers.