Types of soft-sediment deformation structures in a lacustrine Ploužnice member (Stephanian, Gzhelian, Pennsylvanian, Bohemian Massif), their timing, and possible trigger mechanism

Abstract

The succession of Stephanian C lacustrine and fluvial facies of the Ploužnice member (Semily Formation) paleolake in the Krkonose Piedmont Basin (northern Czech Republic) preserved in borehole Sm-1 shows five types of soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS): (1) sediment injections (clastic dikes), (2) load structures and ball-and-pillow structures, (3) water-escape structures (discontinuous laminations, deformed wavy bedding, recumbent folding, and dish or pillar structures), (4) deformations by growth of carbonate and silica minerals during diagenesis, and (5) bioturbation. Bioturbations disturbing mechanical SSDS suggest that soft-sediment deformations may occur syndepositionally or soon after deposition. The discussed mechanical SSDS are developed in a lacustrine environment, most being in lower shoreface and offshore facies. The mechanical SSDS found in the Ploužnice lake deposits occur in all lacustrine facies associations (290 SSDS horizons in a 67-m-thick succession). The cumulative thickness in cm of mechanical SSDS horizons per meter of thickness (ratio cm SSDS/m) is the highest in lower shoreface facies where it reaches from 50 up to 59.7 cm SSDS/m. Offshore facies association reaches 44 cm SSDS/m. Upper shoreface facies associations have 25.9 and 26.0 cm SSDS/m, while nearshore/mudflat facies associations preserve from 22.5 to 20.5 cm SSDS/m, and in palustrine carbonate, 13.5 cm mechanical SSDS/m was found. SSDS in fluvial facies are rare (2.9 cm SSDS/m). The distribution of SSDS in the Sm-1 borehole shows clear relationships to sedimentary facies and processes such as density flows or fluctuation of water level. The relationships of particular structures indicate a relative timing of formation which is as follows: sediment deposition was followed by the formation of mechanical SSDS, then by bioturbation, and finally by deformations due to early diagenetic growth of carbonates and silica. The distribution of SSDS in vertical sections and their direct relationship to sedimentary facies point to endogenic rather than external trigger mechanisms such as seismic activity. The main endogenic trigger mechanisms responsible for the origin of SSDS included a Stephanian semi-humid seasonal climate, basin morphology with relatively steep gradients, and elevated source areas, which created a conducive environment for rapid and repeated deposition of sheetfloods and hyperconcentrated flows and turbidites causing syndepositional loading.