Basin Evolution Research Articles

Morphometric indices assessment: Implications for active tectonics in the upper Narmada Basin, central India

During the Palaeoproterozoic era, the Northern and Southern cratonic blocks of the Indian Plate came together and amalgamated. Farther, facilitated by the East-West trending central Tectonic Suture Zone, characterized by the Son-Narmada Fault/Lineament (SNF/L) and Central Shear (CIS) Zone, has long intrigued researchers due to its implications for active tectonics, particularly in the Narmada basin. In this study, we employ geomorphic and morphotectonic indices to elucidate the neotectonic activity in the Upper Narmada basin (UNB) of central India. Utilizing SRTM-DEM data, we analyze morphometric and morphotectonic parameters to shed light on the development of drainage patterns and active tectonics within the basin. Our findings reveal a pronounced influence of tectonics on basin evolution, as evidenced by high bifurcation ratios indicative of intense tectonic activity and elevated ruggedness values suggestive of heightened erosion susceptibility. The predominant ENE-WSW orientation of the Son Narmada South Fault (SNSF) and Son Narmada North Fault (SNNF), aligned with major lineament trends, exerts control over the Narmada River drainage network. Additionally, the high value (<50) of the asymmetric factor reveals the significant tectonic influence on the Upper Narmada basin, while the transverse asymmetric factor and stream length index values further corroborate the basin's susceptibility to active tectonics. Notably, the abrupt elevation changes (200–600 m asl) reflected by Dhuandhar, Kapildhara and other falls along the course of Narmada provide compelling evidence of neotectonic activity. Thus, we assert that morphotectonic analyses employing Digital Elevation Maps, satellite imagery, and SRTM-DEM data represent an efficacious approach for investigating complex basin morphotectonics.

Quaternary morpho-stratigraphic evolution of the eastern Campo Imperatore basin (Gran Sasso range, central Italian Apennines) and tectonic implication

ABSTRACT Geological survey and geochronological analyses were conducted in the Campo Imperatore plain to understand its Quaternary morpho-sedimentary and tectonic evolution. In the Late Pliocene-Early Pleistocene, low relief energy and steady and warm climatic conditions promoted a long phase of areal peneplanation, resulting in the formation of gently sloping landscape. With further regional uplift and changes in frequency/amplitude of the glacial-interglacial cycles (Early-Middle Pleistocene transition) and after establishment of the expansion-contraction cycles of the Apennine glaciers (Middle Pleistocene), the morpho-sedimentary processes become highly dynamic. In Middle Pleistocene, more than 100 meters of breccias deposited all along the slopes of the Gran Sasso range, followed by higher frequency processes of sedimentation, erosion and pedogenesis of Middle-Late Pleistocene to Holocene fluvio-glacial deposits. These have been progressively offset by synthetic and antithetic normal faults belonging to the Gran Sasso fault system, a 40-km-long seismogenic structure which released in the past earthquakes of Mw~7.

Multistage lithospheric drips control active basin formation within an uplifting orogenic plateau

According to GNSS/INSAR measurements, the Konya Basin in Central Anatolia is undergoing rapid subsidence within an uplifting orogenic plateau. Further, geophysical studies reveal thickened crust under the basin and a fast seismic wave speed anomaly in the underlying mantle, in addition to a localised depression in calculated residual topography (down to 280 m) over the Konya Basin, based on gravity-topography considerations. Using scaled laboratory (analogue) experiments we show that the active formation of the Konya Basin may be accounted for by the descent of a mantle lithospheric drip causing local circular-shaped surface subsidence. We interpret that the Konya Basin is developing through a secondary drip pulse that is contemporaneous with broad plateau uplift caused by a larger-scale lithospheric drip since the Miocene. The research reveals that basin evolution and plateau uplift may be linked in a multistage process of lithospheric removal during episodic development of orogenic systems.

Reconstructing early sedimentation patterns of the lower Codó Formation (Early Cretaceous, NE Brazil): Evidence of marine influence and the onset of an alkaline hypersaline lake

The upper Aptian lower Codó Formation is an attractive stratigraphic unit within the Parnaíba and São Luís basins, northeastern Brazil, formed during the break-up of Western Gondwana. Located in a large sag basin, the formation records a dynamic depositional history of deltaic, lacustrine, and sabkha environments. This sedimentary evolution is reflected in a diverse lithological succession characterized by intermittent terrestrial input, episodic marine incursions, and restricted lacustrine phases culminating in sulfate evaporite precipitation. While the later stages of the formation have been extensively studied, the initial sedimentary processes and environmental conditions remain poorly understood. This research aims to reconstruct the depositional paleoenvironments during the initial stages of Codó sedimentation, elucidating the onset of the alkaline hypersaline lake environment and the earlier marine incursions in the study region. To achieve this, it was conducted a high-resolution facies analysis using core descriptions, trace fossil analysis, petrography, various types of X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and isotope analyses (δ1³C, δ1⁸O, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) on a ∼63-m-thick succession from borehole 2-TV-1-MA. Thirteen facies were recognized and grouped into brackish lake, prodelta, delta front, and alkaline hypersaline lake facies successions. The lower Codó Formation exhibits cyclic sedimentation, indicating fluctuating water dynamics associated with shifts between open and closed drainage systems controlled by paleoclimate. Tectonic subsidence drove the basin's evolution from a brackish lacustrine-deltaic environment with an incipient marine influence (balanced-fill basin stage) to a restricted system with the establishment of an alkaline hypersaline lake (underfilled basin stage).

Astronomical timescale across the middle Permian–Early Triassic unconformities in the northwestern Junggar Basin: Implications for the origin of the unconformities

The middle Permian–Early Triassic terrestrial successions in the Junggar Basin record an important tectonic transformation stage characterized by the development of unconformities. These unconformities control billion-ton-scale hydrocarbon reservoirs in the northwestern Junggar Basin; however, their age, duration and underlying causes remain uncertain in the absence of an accurate Permian‒Triassic timescale. This study performed a comprehensive cyclostratigraphic analysis utilizing natural gamma ray data from 14 wells to determine the age and duration of the unconformities spanning from the middle Permian Lower Wuerhe (P2w) Formation to the lower Triassic Baikouquan (T1b) Formation while also revealing their potential origins. Our results suggest that astronomically forced climate changes were recorded in the western Junggar Basin during the Permian‒Triassic period. By applying astronomical tuning through sedimentation rates across each well, 14 time-domain series were generated. Using two previously reported maximum sedimentary ages from detrital zircon U–Pb dating, a 38.2-million-year long astronomical timescale was constructed, encompassing the period from the middle Permian Xiazijie Formation to the lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation. This analysis constrains the duration of unconformities between the P2w and T1b formations to ∼7–23 Myr. By integrating the duration, order, and implications of these unconformities with previously reported evidence, we conclude that the unconformity between the middle Permian and upper Permian was driven primarily by tectonic inversion resulting from intensified regional tectonic activity. In contrast, the unconformity between the upper Permian and Lower Triassic likely arose from uplift and erosion induced by compressive stresses associated with tectonic activity, which contributed to the formation of unconformities and stratigraphic discontinuities. This work provides a crucial reference for further studies aimed at integrating detailed sedimentological analyses with high-resolution geochronological data to further elucidate the timing and effects of these tectonic events on sedimentary facies and basin development.

Micropaleontological and sedimentological analyses of carbonates rocks in parts of Sokoto Basin, Nigeria: implications for paleoecological interpretation and exploration efforts

This study presents a detailed analysis of the Paleocene and Maastrichtian marine sediments in the Sokoto Basin, Nigeria, using boreholes GSN – BH – 2051 and GSN – BH – 4051, respectively. This study is aimed at integrating sedimentological, micropaleontological and petrographic data in paleoecologic interpretation of depositional environments of the Sokoto Basin. The methods adopted in this research involved the examination of ditch cuttings, carbonate thin sections, and microfossils analyses from the boreholes drilled in Sokoto Basin. The sedimentological data from the borehole showed that the studied stratigraphic unit comprises mainly fine to medium-grained limestone facies, sparitic intraclastic packstone and oolitic-elmicrite wackestone facies. The microfacies obtained from petrography data revealed micro-fossils abundance and diversity associated with the onset of shallow marine transgression which resulted in the deposition of the Dange and Kalambaina Formations, respectively. The assemblages of the larger foraminifera (Opercullnoides bermudezi) and the larger ostracod (Bairdia iIaroensis) in the borehole sections further suggested marginal marine depositional environment for the Kalambaina and Gamba Shale Formations. The paleoecological interpretation suggests varying salinities and dysaerobic conditions during deposition, with implications for understanding basin evolution. The study concludes by highlighting the importance of integrating multiple methods for a detailed understanding of paleoecological and depositional environment of Sokoto sedimentary basin.

Stratigraphic overview of the Neogene Transylvanian Basin, Romania

Although the Transylvanian Basin is often referred as part of the Miocene Pannonian Basin System, we point out important tectonic and sedimentary differences reflected in the stratigraphy. The Neogene of the Transylvanian Basin can be split into two tectonic megasequences: Lower Miocene and Middle to Upper Miocene. The Early Miocene onset of the back arc extension in the Pannonian Basin was not observed in the Transylvanian Basin, where shallow to deep marine sediments were deposited in a flexural basin. Diverse types of facies developed in the continental (e.g., Sânmihai) and marine (e.g., Coruş, Chechiş, Hida) Lower Miocene formations. Although these are poorly constrained to the standard biostratigraphy, recent 87 Sr- 86 Sr data support their limited correlation with the Burdigalian. The Middle Miocene extension in the Transylvanian Basin is very weak compared to that the Pannonian Basin. As the high-resolution Middle Miocene regional biostratigraphy of the Badenian and Sarmatian was calibrated by magnetostratigraphy and radiometric dating of the volcanic tuffs up to the Serravallian/Tortonian boundary, the influence of the regional tectonics on the basin's evolution and stratigraphy can be better understood. The regional tectonics produced a progressive basin isolation starting with the late part of the Middle Miocene. The uplift of the Carpathians isolated the basin at the beginning of the Pannonian and initiated the fan delta, lacustrine, and fluvial sedimentation. The basin was rapidly uplifted and eroded, while post-extensional subsidence was still ongoing in the Pannonian Basin. Endemic fossil assemblages allow only regional-scale correlations for this interval. The uppermost part of the stratigraphic record is represented by the volcano-sedimentary formations generated by the late evolution of the Eastern Carpathians. The sedimentation and subsidence pattern of the Transylvanian Basin reflect the effect of retreating subduction zone in the Eastern Carpathians.

About this title - The Miocene Extensional Pannonian Superbasin, Volume 1: Regional Geology

The first Pannonian Superbasin volume is dedicated to the regional geology of various Neogene extensional basins surrounded by the Alps, Carpathians and Dinarides. All these subbasins developed on highly extended continental crust, providing the locus typicus for the general evolution of extensional basins developed in a back-arc basin setting.

The Styrian Basin: an overview with new insights from seismic data

The Neogene Styrian Basin is the westernmost subbasin of the Pannonian Basin System. The last comprehensive studies on the basin were published in the last millennium. This overview of the current understanding of basin evolution is based on the re-interpretation of partly unpublished reflection seismic data and a wealth of sedimentological and stratigraphic studies performed during the last 25 years. Reflection seismic data indicate the presence of a major E to SE dipping detachment horizon within the pre-Neogene basement reflecting high-strain upper crustal extension during the early Miocene syn-rift stage of basin evolution. Fault block rotations caused subsidence in several subbasins, which developed often with marked asymmetric geometry. The maximum basin depth exceeds 4 km (Gnas Basin). Syn-rift deposits include thick alluvial fan and fan delta sediments overlain in the basin center by deeper marine pelitic rocks. Subduction-related magmatic activity commenced during the syn-rift stage and continued into the middle to late Miocene post-rift stage. Syn- and post-rift sediments are separated by the middle Miocene “Styrian Unconformity”. Shallow marine sedimentation, controlled by third- and fourth-order sea-level variations, prevailed during the early post-rift stage. The final stage of basin evolution was characterized by differential surface uplift, erosion, and Pliocene-Pleistocene basaltic magmatism.

Chemostratigraphic characterization of the Lower Paleozoic Amdeh Formation outcrops and correlation to the subsurface Haima Supergroup and Nimr Group, Sultanate of Oman

A chemostratigraphic correlation between the siliciclastic Lower Paleozoic Amdeh Formation outcrops of the Saih Hatat area, just south of Muscat, and the hydrocarbon-bearing Haima Supergroup and Nimr Group of subsurface Oman is presented. The Amdeh Formation is a 3.4 km-thick succession of Cambrian to Ordovician-aged sandstones and shales, divided into five lithological members (Am1–Am5). The Amdeh Formation type section was sampled throughout for inorganic elemental geochemistry, quantitative mineralogy and U–Pb zircon geochronology. A robust chemostratigraphic framework for the equivalent Haima Supergroup and Nimr Group intervals, defined in the subsurface, is utilized to correlate with the Amdeh Formation. The Amdeh is interpreted to be a basinward, fully marine, time equivalent of the subsurface Haradh (and likely also the Karim), Amin, Miqrat, Al Bashair, Barik, Mabrouk, Barakat, Ghudun and Saih Nihayda formations. This correlation is based on the identification of key mineralogical, depositional, provenance and sequence stratigraphic events within the inorganic geochemical data, guided by outcrop observations of depositional facies and key surfaces, and existing biostratigraphy. Positioned beyond the northern edge of the Ghaba Salt Basin, the Amdeh Formation outcrops provide important constraints on subsurface reservoir distribution, palaeogeography and basin evolution, factors that are relevant to deep gas prospectivity.

Integrated analysis of the Neogene–Quaternary Valdera‐Volterra Basin (Northern Apennines). Evidence for composite development of hinterland basins

AbstractThe Neogene and Quaternary hinterland basins of the Northern Apennine have been the subject of different tectonic interpretations. Several studies considered these basins as the result of polyphase normal faulting framed in a continuous crustal extensional regime since the middle Miocene. On the contrary, geophysical and geological studies provided evidence of the important role played by out‐of‐sequence thrusts and backthrusts in the evolution of these basins during a prolongated and intense period of shortening. Here we present an integrated analysis of 2D stacked seismic reflection profiles, stratigraphic and geophysical data from deep exploration wells, gravity data, and published geological and biostratigraphic data for the Valdera‐Volterra basin (central Tuscany, Italy). The results support a polyphase and composite evolution of the basin, subdivided into three main phases. During the late Tortonian–Zanclean, the growth of major thrust‐related anticlines controlled the evolution of the sedimentary basin. The growth of a syncline determined the creation of accommodation space for the sediments. This main compressional deformation occurred during the Messinian and ended during the Late Zanclean. NE migration of the depocentre during the Early Zanclean was identified, likely possibly due to a differential activity growth between the bordering anticlines. During the Piacenzian, an extensional phase has been recognised, superposed to the previous compressive phase. During the Latest Piacenzian–Early Pleistocene (?), a final compressional phase took place resulting in the positive inversion of the Piacenzian WSW dipping main border fault.

Fine Shallow Structures of Binchuan Basin Inverted From Receiver Functions and Implications for Basin Evolution

AbstractThe understanding of the velocity structure and basement morphology within the basin is crucial for seismic hazard mitigation and the study of basin evolution. To explore the intricate structure of the Binchuan Basin in western Yunnan, China, we deployed a linear dense array in the northern region of the Binchuan Basin, with inter‐station distance ranging from 50 to 100 m. We propose a novel receiver function processing workflow. Initially, we extracted coherent receiver functions based on the dense array, followed by a inversion of basement morphology, S‐wave velocities, and sedimentary layer's average Vp/Vs ratio jointly with frequency‐dependent teleseismic apparent shear velocity and receiver function waveforms. The results show that S‐wave velocity anomalies correspond to the unconsolidated sediments. The thickness of the sedimentary layer ranges from ∼0.5 to ∼0.75 km. The basement morphology suggests the basin is controlled by normal faults. Additionally, intra‐basin faults displayed higher fault displacement to length ratios (∼0.27) than most isolated normal faults (10−3–10−1), which may result from accumulated fault displacement due to interactions between fault segments. These results emphasize the significant role of N–S trending intra‐basin faults in basin evolution, suggesting that micro‐block rotations and transitional movements within the Northwestern Yunnan Rift Zone are primary mechanisms shaping the Binchuan Basin. We further proposed a multi‐stage model for the evolution of the Binchuan Basin. The robustness testing validates that the proposed processing flow is an effective approach to comprehensively image the basin velocity structure and the basement morphology.

Research on the Synergistic Evolution of Comprehensive Transportation Network System in the Yellow River Basin Aimed at High-Quality Development

The high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin is still facing the issue of imbalance and inadequacy, and it urgently requires the backing and assistance of a well-coordinated and efficient comprehensive transportation network system. Based on this purpose, this study uses a composite system synergy degree model incorporating “mode dimension + regional dimension” to analyze the evolution of this network. The results indicate the following: (1) Railway and air transportation surpass highway transportation in growth and synergy, though overall system synergy is still low. (2) Downstream areas are gradually taking the lead, and the orderliness of each subsystem is gradually becoming consistent. The complexity and variability of the composite system’s synergy are high, with an overall low level of synergy. Overall, despite improvements in service capacity and quality, better integration of different transport modes and enhanced cross-regional cooperation are needed. This study reveals and analyzes in depth the complexity of the comprehensive transportation network system in the Yellow River Basin and its spatiotemporal characteristics of synergistic evolution. We propose suggestions for high-quality development at national, regional, and industry levels, fostering the continuous improvement of the system structure, which aids in overcoming the tangible obstacles faced by the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.

Facies architecture, pedogenesis and palynology of the Olenekian dryland setting – A sedimentary record of Early Triassic climate oscillations in the SE Germanic Basin

The Early Triassic period was characterised by significant climatic perturbations driven by generally high global temperatures. Several significant shifts in the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes were recognised in the marine settings in the Olenekian age deposits that were linked to short-lasting but relatively high-amplitude climatic events. The record of these events in the continental strata is far less understood due to the stratigraphic incompleteness of such deposits. However, in the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland), the Olenekian continental deposits are well preserved, and sedimentation was relatively continuous, making them an ideal candidate for studying the effects of climate changes and their preservation in continental settings. As such, sedimentological analysis of five wells and one outcrop (over 530 m logged in total), integrated with new and legacy palynological data, allowed the reconstruction and dating of major steps in the palaeoenvironmental evolution of the SE part of the Central European (Germanic Basin), and its comparison with the marine-based climatic models for the Early Triassic. The lower and middle Olenekian stage is represented by fine-grained deposits of dry floodplain interbedded with sandstones deposited within fluvial distributary channels and terminal splays. The palaeosols are mainly represented by aridisols (calcisols), indicating a relatively dry, though not extreme, climate as some water was necessary to support relict plant cover. Towards the mid-Spathian times, the climate became more humid - lacustrine deposits appeared, and palaeosols displayed features of an elevated water table (gleyed vertisols and inceptisols). Frequent storms and floods also affected the lacustrine sedimentation, reflecting volatile climatic conditions. In the late Spathian time, continental sedimentation continued, and the dominance of vertisols and more stacked fluvial channels in the sequence is linked with an increased seasonality, with more pronounced humid seasons. The continental setting lasted until the latest Spathian time, when a marine transgression occurred, marking a new phase in the basin development.

Sedimentology and structure of the Paleogene Nummulitic series of Corsica: Reconstruction of the southern termination of the western Alpine foreland basin

AbstractNummulitic Limestones deposits are preserved along the tectonic contact between the Variscan basement and Alpine units of Corsica. These marine carbonates, dated from the Late Palaeocene to the Middle Eocene, were deposited within a foreland flexural basin that is considered to be the southern continuation of the Alpine foreland basin of southeast (SE) France. However, in contrast with the Nummulitic Limestones of SE France, those of Corsica are far less documented. This field‐based study constrains the sedimentology, stratigraphy and structure of the Nummulitic Limestones of Corsica in three localities (Balagne, Corte and Sari‐Solenzara) to identify factors that controlled foreland basin development and to clarify its significance within the early alpine orogen. The microfacies, microfaunal assemblages and siliciclastic fractions are characterised throughout the succession at each locality. The results indicate the existence of an important Variscan basement relief to the west of the basin (West Corsican Massif) that supplied early alluvial fans found at the base of the foreland succession in the northernmost Balagne area. Continuous high clastic input strongly reduced the development and diversity of the overlying Nummulitic Limestones facies and fauna. Further south, limestones in the Corte and Sari‐Solenzara areas are thicker and contain richer fauna. Three depositional models corresponding to the carbonate ramp system are proposed for the Nummulitic Limestones and used to construct paleogeographic maps illustrating the transgressive evolution of the Corsican foreland basin from the Early to the Late Eocene. Based on our results and available regional tectonic data and LT thermochronological data, we propose that the Nummulitic marine transgression took place within a continuous foreland basin encompassing southern Corsica and SE France during the early development of the western alpine arc.

Thermal studies on the lower Carboniferous basins of Khenifra and Qasbat-Tadla, Morocco: What do they teach us about the pre-Variscan stages in NW Africa?

Within the Variscan Belt of Morocco, the Central Massif preserves Early Carboniferous rift basins. The Lower Carboniferous Khenifra and Qasbat-Tadla basins are aborted rifts, developed just before the Variscan orogenesis in Morocco that occurred during the Pennsylvanian-Cisuralian in NW Africa. Due to both weak inversion of these basins during the Variscan orogeny and limited burial afterwards, these basins offer the opportunity to study the Early Carboniferous pre-orogenic thermal regimes. In the Khenifra basin, 77 samples collected across the basin and its basement's boundaries, allowed the determination of the maximal temperature reached during the rocks burial by means of Raman spectroscopic analyses. The Ordovician basement shows mean temperatures between 230 and 300 °C whereas the upper Visean/Serpukhovian infill has a wide range, from temperatures <160 °C to 250–260 °C. This thermal variation within the basinal series has been evidenced from west to east and cannot have been acquired during the Variscan events. The acquisition of these maximal temperatures occurred between Late Devonian to Upper Visean/Serpukhovian and is thought to result from the formation of an extended rift. In the Qasbat-Tadla basin, Rock-Eval data from Ordovician to Devonian source-rocks indicate significantly lower maximal temperatures reached by pre-Carboniferous samples that are within the oil window. Our results are in favor of a heterodox model for the Variscan belt in Morocco and NW African in general, suggesting that no pre-Variscan compressional events are needed. Instead, the development of the intraplate Variscan belt in NW Africa was permitted through the development of hot and weak Lower Carboniferous basins, subsequently inverted in a far-field stress field. The striking thermal differences between the Khenifra and Qasbat-Tadla basins suggest that important tectonic segmentation must have shaped the area during the Early Carboniferous extensional phase.

Integrated Python and GIS approach for Geomorphometric investigation of Man River Basin, Western Madhya Pradesh, India

The Narmada Valley and adjoining region are considered to be tectonically active. The Dhar Lineament is a major zone of fracture North of Narmada River running nearly parallel to Narmada Valley. The Man River Basin spreads across the Dhar Lineament and extends up to the Narmada Lineament. The present study attempts to understand the characteristics and development of the valley of Man River. The high-resolution satellite images, GIS software, and Python program have been used for this study. The nature and characteristics of Man River Valley are quite different on either side of the Dhar Lineament. For micro-level analysis the Man Basin has been divided into 37 subbasins and their geomorphometric indices have been computed and correlated. The results indicate that in the development of Man Basin the Dhar lineament has played a crucial role. The subparallel, angular, tight meanders, and contorted streams are present in drainage. The bifurcation ratio ranges between 2 and 9, the average length of higher-order is less than the average length of lower-order for 13 subbasins, and elongated sub-basins are situated in low-lying gentle plane areas. The Drainage characteristics are largely controlled by various sets of fractures (NE-SW, NW-SE, E-W, and N-S). The anomalous behavior of parameters indicates the tectonic influence in the Man Basin development.

Late Palaeozoic structural evolution of the Patch Bank Ridge and Utsira High, northern North Sea

AbstractThis study focuses on the Late Palaeozoic development of the area east of Utsira High in the North Sea, where the stratigraphic section below the late Permian Rotliegend Group is undrilled. We use regional 3D seismic data to study structuring, sediment distribution and geomorphology across the Patch Bank Ridge and Utsira High in the North Sea. The results show that the Stord Basin and the bounding Utsira East fault initially developed during the Late Palaeozoic extension, probably during the Devonian, and that the Utsira Shear Zone controlled the location of Late Palaeozoic depocentres. The Patch Bank Ridge is an uplifted part of the Stord Basin where we identify Late Palaeozoic growth strata along the southern and northern flanks, indicating a similar timing of the structural evolution in this area. Two key wells, in the Sele High and Ling Depression, are used to relate a Late Palaeozoic isopach map with regional structuring, surface tilt and basement morphology to the enigmatic parts of the Late Palaeozoic basin system. Our results supplement regional models for the Late Palaeozoic basin development, we suggest that the deeply eroded Devonian half‐grabens preserved on the Utsira High formed parts of an extensive basin system that show stratigraphic expansion towards their bounding faults. The Top Basement surface at these highs offers several distinct geomorphologies that evolved during three periods of exposure, expressed as (i) a tilted and rugose landscape, (ii) distinct drainage networks and (iii) peneplain surfaces. Cover sediments place these landscapes to the (i) Devonian, (ii) Carboniferous/Permian/Triassic and (iii) Late Triassic periods.

Coupling Relationship between Basin Evolution and Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Northern Central Myanmar Basin: Insights from Basin and Petroleum System Modeling

Coupling Relationship between Basin Evolution and Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Northern Central Myanmar Basin: Insights from Basin and Petroleum System Modeling

Moho depth model of South America from a machine learning approach

Crustal structure models play an important role in the characterization of seismogenic zones, in the regional delimitation of geological provinces and particularly, in understanding the genesis and evolution of sedimentary basins. Despite the increasing number of new seismic surveys and seismographic networks in South America, crustal thickness measurements are still scarce and irregularly sampled, reducing the resolution of crustal model maps. To overcome these challenges, a novel approach based on machine learning techniques is proposed, in order to explore higher resolution gravity datasets in the interpolation of crustal thickness measurement points obtained from previous seismic/seismological compilations. The algorithm used in this study is based on Gaussian processes prediction methods, which allowed inferring the depth of Moho to South America. The prediction error of the model obtained from the training and testing database was 3.48 km, which is compatible with the uncertainties derived from the H-k stacking analysis. The depth range varied from 69.8 km beneath the Andes to 4.3 km in oceanic regions. The average Moho depth for the South American Platform is 39.1 km, allowing a spatial correlation of deeper and shallower Moho regions with different types of continental basins. Compared to other models, the model resulting from this study presents fine-scale features highlighting the limits of the main tectonic domains and a good agreement with the suture zones. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of applying machine learning tools in crustal-scale imaging using sparse datasets, providing new advances in Moho modeling of the South America, as well as new perspectives on its the history and tectonic evolution.