Sequence stratigraphy and relative sea level variations in Kaštela Bay, Dalmatian coast, Croatia, and implications for the submerged palaeolandscapes and archaeology of the late Pleistocene, marine isotope stage 3 and marine isotope stage 2

Stratigraphic sequences off NE Hainan Island: Controls on sand resource distribution in the South China Sea

Linking sequence stratigraphy interpretations and image logs analysis in heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs

Unsupervised hierarchical sequence stratigraphy framework of carbonate successions

Paleoecological context of Homo aff. erectus (ATE7-1) at Sima del Elefante (late Early Pleistocene, Atapuerca, Spain) inferred from the herpetofaunal assemblage.

Evaluation of the crop sequence boundary (CSB) dataset for field boundary mapping and spatial overlap analysis supporting pesticide risk assessment

ABSTRACT It is widely accepted that three Meso–Neoproterozoic rift systems exist within the North China Craton (NCC): Xiong’er Rift System, Zhaertai-Bayan Obo Rift System, and Yanliao Rift System. However, the presence of an additional rift system on the southwestern margin of the NCC has long been debated, primarily because volcanic rocks have not been identified in outcrops. To address this gap, we conducted geochronological, geochemical, and stratigraphic investigations using drilling cores from the Pantan 1 well together with a regional two-dimensional seismic profile. Moreover, by comparing the lithology of the Xiong’er Group in the Mesoproterozoic Changcheng System of the Xiong’er Rift System, we reconstructed a Mesoproterozoic sedimentary – volcanic stratigraphic sequence for the southwestern margin of the NCC. Therefore, this study proposes the existence of a fourth Meso–Neoproterozoic rift, here referred to as the Guyuan Rift, located along the southwestern margin of the NCC. This rift is distinguished by a unique lithological assemblage that includes volcanic rocks such as basaltic andesite and diabase. The U–Pb ages of the basaltic andesite are 1768.51 ± 0.39 Ma and 1778.70 ± 8.0 Ma. These values correspond to the U–Pb age of 1772.50 ± 4.9 Ma obtained for volcanic rocks in the upper part of the Xiong’er Group in the Zhongtiao Mountains. In addition, the U–Pb age of the diabase is 813.5 ± 7 Ma. The basaltic andesite appears as a wave-impedance layer in the deep seismic reflection profile. The geochemical characteristics of both the basaltic andesite and the diabase dykes indicate that continental rift basins formed along the southwestern margin of the NCC during the Early Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic. Taken together, these findings support the existence of a Meso–Neoproterozoic rift system on the southwestern margin of the NCC. They also provide new evidence for reconstructing the tectonic framework of the NCC during this interval.

This article presents the results of excavations in Early Bronze Age levels at the site of Hamoukar in northeastern Syria. During the 2008 and 2010 field seasons, excavations in the lower town at Hamoukar uncovered evidence for three distinct architectural phases dating to the second half of the third millennium B.C. Prior to these excavations, attention had been focused on the final phase of Early Bronze Age occupation in the lower town, when the settlement was violently destroyed and then abandoned. It is now possible, however, to provide a backstory for the settlement’s violent end and also a more complicated––if still preliminary––account of exactly how the urbanisation process played out at the site. This article presents a summary of the Early Bronze Age stratigraphic sequence in the lower town at Hamoukar and, at the same time, a description of new evidence for the evolution of social, economic, and ritual practice across three phases of urban development. A brief comparison with urban trajectories at two other contemporary sites highlights the heterogeneity of cities and urban dynamics in Early Bronze Age northern Mesopotamia.

This article presents an overview of 25 years of research conducted by the Adam Mickiewicz University team at Çatalhöyük, Türkiye, focusing on the period from 2014 to 2025. The authors highlight the Polish mission’s significant contributions to understanding both the Neolithic and post-Neolithic occupation of one of the most extensively studied prehistoric sites in Anatolia. The research, carried out in multiple excavation areas – including the TP, TPC, and East Areas – has enabled the construction of a complete stratigraphic sequence for the East Mound, revealing complex architectural developments, burial practices, and material culture spanning from 7100 to 5950 BCE. Significant discoveries include large, multiphase Neolithic buildings, richly decorated interiors, and exceptional anthropomorphic figurines. The Polish mission has also uncovered evidence of later, post-Neolithic occupation, offering new insights into the longterm settlement history of the Konya Plain. The article situates these findings within the broader context of recent advances in Anatolian archaeology, emphasizing the interconnectivity of Çatalhöyük with neighboring sites and regions. The Polish mission’s work has not only deepened scholarly understanding of Çatalhöyük’s local dynamics but also contributed to regional and methodological developments in the study of Anatolia’s prehistoric and early historic periods.

ABSTRACT The Rio del Rey Basin, situated at the easternmost extension of the Niger Delta in the Gulf of Guinea, remains one of the least explored deep‐water provinces, despite its proven petroleum system and structural affinity with the prolific neighboring basins. This study integrates well‐log interpretation, petrophysical evaluation, and seismic stratigraphy to assess the depositional architecture and hydrocarbon prospectivity of slope‐to‐basin‐floor turbidite systems within two exploratory wells (Idabato and Ifiari East) and regional 2D seismic profiles. Petrophysical analysis using Interactive Petrophysics software indicates that middle Miocene sand‐rich intervals exhibit favorable reservoir properties, with effective porosity ranging from 20% to 35% and permeability locally exceeding 400 mD. Total organic carbon (TOC) values derived from log‐based ΔlogR modeling range between 1.6 and 8.4 wt%, confirming the presence of organic‐rich shales capable of sourcing hydrocarbons. Cross‐plot analyses (neutron–density and sonic–density) reveal three dominant lithofacies: clean turbiditic sands, shaly sands, and marine shales organized into low‐stand and high‐stand system tracts within fault‐bounded mini‐basins. Seismic interpretation identifies growth faults, rollover anticlines, and shale diapirs as key structural controls on sand distribution and trapping geometry. These findings confirm the presence of a fully functional petroleum system comprising source, reservoir, and seal elements within deep‐water turbidite complexes. Exploration potential remains high in stratigraphic traps at channel‐lobe transitions and in structural closures adjacent to shale diapirs. This study provides a predictive framework for hydrocarbon exploration in the Rio del Rey Basin and analogous Atlantic passive margins globally.

OIL Terminal Constanța is one of the largest petroleum terminals in Eastern Europe, playing a strategic role in the transportation and storage of petroleum products for the European market. Its economic and operational importance is increasing, particularly in the context of the upcoming exploitation of the Neptun Deep gas field in the Black Sea, which will transform the terminal into a key logistics hub for exports and the distribution of natural gas and its derivatives. This development underscores the need for enhanced pollution prevention measures to protect the region's soil and water resources. This study develops an integrated hydrogeophysical model for characterizing the subsurface extent of pollution by correlating advanced geophysical methods with pre-existing hydrogeological and geological data. Based on the geomorphological analysis of the area, magnetometry, electrometry, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and photogrammetry are applied, alongside seismic refraction, which is used for the first time in this region. The studied area features a coastal landscape dominated by recent sedimentary deposits and complex aquifer structures that influence the dynamics of subsurface pollution. Natural coastal erosion and fluctuations in the water table contribute to increased vulnerability to contamination, necessitating close monitoring of interactions between industrial activities and the geological environment. Magnetometry is employed to detect buried metallic structures, such as historical pipelines that may be fractured and serve as potential pollution sources. Electrometry assesses variations in soil resistivity, enabling the identification of the water table level and sedimentary succession, both critical factors in evaluating pollutant migration potential. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) provides high-resolution imaging of contaminated areas, while seismic refraction helps identify geological discontinuities that may influence contaminant spread. Aerial photogrammetry supports detailed terrain mapping and long-term pollution monitoring. The correlation of geophysical data with historical borehole records in the area allows for the reconstruction of geological structures and stratigraphic sequences. These data are integrated into the hydrogeophysical model, which estimates the migration pathways of the pollution plume and identifies essential measures for protecting soil and groundwater resources. The study results offer a comprehensive understanding of hydrocarbon dispersion mechanisms in the subsurface and support authorities and industrial operators in making informed decisions regarding pollution risk management. This research demonstrates the applicability of modern geophysical methods in environmental protection and proposes a replicable methodological framework for other industrial areas exposed to contamination risks.

The Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation was deposited precisely during the Cambrian Explosion period, a short-lived interval marked by drastic shifts in oceanic chemistry and climate. This stratigraphic sequence preserves a comprehensive record of early-ocean evolution and constitutes a world-class reservoir for rare and precious metals, widely termed the “poly-metallic enrichment layer”. Despite its metallogenic prominence, the genetic model for metal enrichment in the Niutitang Formation remains contentious. In this study, we employed inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), carbon and sulfur analyzer, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) to quantify trace-metal abundances, redox-sensitive element distribution patterns, rare-earth element signatures, and total organic carbon contents. Results reveal that metal enrichment in the Niutitang Formation was governed by temporally distinct mechanisms. Member I records extreme enrichment in As, Ag, V, Re, Ba, Cr, Cs, Ga, Ge, Se and In. This anomaly was driven by the Great Oxidation Event and intensified upwelling that oxidized surface waters, elevated primary productivity and delivered abundant organic matter. Subsequent microbial sulfate reduction generated high H2S concentrations, converting the water column to euxinic conditions. Basin restriction imposed persistent anoxia in bottom waters, establishing a pronounced redox stratification. Concurrent vigorous hydrothermal activity injected large metal fluxes, leading to efficient scavenging of the above metals at the sulfidic–anoxic interface. In Members II and III, basin restriction waned, permitting enhanced water-mass exchange and a concomitant shift from euxinic to anoxic–suboxic conditions. Hydrothermal metal fluxes declined, yet elevated organic-matter fluxes continued to sequester Ag, Mo, Ni, Sb, Re, Th, Ga, and Tl via carboxyl- and thiol-complexation. Thus, “organic ligand shuttling” superseded “sulfide precipitation” as the dominant enrichment mechanism. Collectively, the polymetallic enrichment in the Niutitang Formation reflects a hybrid model controlled by seawater redox gradients, episodic hydrothermal metal supply, and organic-complexation processes. Consequently, metal enrichment in Member I was primarily governed by the interplay between vigorous hydrothermal flux and a persistently sulfidic water column, whereas enrichment in Members II and III was dominated by organic-ligand complexation and fluctuations in the marine redox interface. This study clarifies the stage-dependent metal enrichment model of the Niutitang Formation and provides a theoretical basis for accurate prediction and efficient exploration of polymetallic resources in the region.

During the early Jurassic, arid and thermally intense greenhouse climate conditions led to dominantly oxidizing environments, resulting in the widespread development of purple-red mudstone. However, under this climatic backdrop, a lacustrine transgression occurred in the Sichuan Basin, China, leading to the formation of a distinctive lithological assemblage comprising purple-red mudstone interbedded with grey sandstone. The sedimentary facies and origin of sandbodies from this period remain insufficiently understood. This study focuses on the Zhenzhuchong Member of the Lower Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in the Guanyin–Data area, located in the southern Sichuan Basin. Due to the absence of drilling cores, samples were collected from four field outcrop sections. A combination of lithological description, petrographic identification, cathodoluminescence measurement, geochemical profiling, X-ray diffraction were employed to interpret the depositional environment of the Zhenzhuchong Member. The results reveal that the Zhenzhuchong Member is primarily composed of lithic quartz sandstones, with quartz content ranging from 80.7% to 93.4%. Geochemical proxies (e.g., Sr/Cu, Sr/Ba, Ni/Co ratios) indicate a warm to hot, freshwater-influenced, oxic setting. Sedimentary structures and stratigraphic sequences suggest deposition in a delta front to shallow lacustrine environment, including features such as distributary channels, mouth bars, shallow lake deposits. With ongoing lake transgression, distributary channels gradually retreated, giving way to an expansion of shallow lacustrine conditions. Sedimentation patterns during this phase were mainly driven by localized variations in water level. The characteristics purple-red coloration of mudstone is attributed to oxidizing conditions under the prevailing greenhouse climate. Subsurface data from well logs and seismic interpretation identify three sandbody units, with the 1# and 2# sandbodies displaying good lateral continuity, with branch shape. Favorable hydrocarbon shows within these sandstones suggest promising potential for natural gas exploration.

Sequence stratigraphy in fine-grained successions is often challenging with traditional datasets, and in such intervals, chemostratigraphy is increasingly used to facilitate interpretations. In this study, we present an example from mudstone units of the Horn River Group (Northwest Territories, Canada), which provide a local record of Middle to Late Devonian marine conditions. The dataset comprises geochemical composition data from X-ray fluorescence (XRF), mineralogical data from X-ray diffraction (XRD), wireline logs, total organic carbon (TOC) profiles, and lithological core and thin section descriptions. We first focus on a mudstone core with high-resolution thin-section and geochemical results, enabling the evaluation of chemostratigraphic signatures associated with surfaces and systems tracts in the Horn River Group. By employing chemostratigraphic proxies for terrigenous sediment supply and proportion of biogenic silica, sequence stratigraphic analysis is extended to three cores and five outcrops lacking extensive thin section coverage. Six complete transgressive–regressive (T–R) sequences are identified and correlated in the Horn River Group, comprising higher-resolution cycles in relative sea-level and sediment supply, which are superimposed on previously identified larger-scale sequences. The sequence stratigraphic framework presented illustrates the local balance between relative sea-level rise and sediment supply along the northwestern margin of Laurentia during the Eifelian to the Frasnian. Moreover, this study demonstrates the utility of integrating chemostratigraphic proxies with sedimentological results as a means of sequence stratigraphic interpretation and correlation in mudstone intervals.

ABSTRACT A sequence stratigraphic analysis was conducted in the Srikail Gas Field, situated within the Tripura Uplift in the east-central Bengal Basin, near the Surma Sub-Basin. This study aimed to understand the sedimentary infill behaviour and the distribution of producing and non-producing sands by interpreting Mud Log and Wireline Log Data. Deltaic sands of the Miocene Surma Group were analysed, defining surfaces and systems tracts using Maximum Flooding Surfaces (MFS) as sequence boundaries. Four MFS and five third-order sequences (a to e) were identified. The stratigraphic relationship between this scheme and traditional Surma Group stratigraphy revealed that the Bhuban Formation corresponds to sequences a and b, while the Bokabil Formation correlates with sequences c to e. Producing sands A, B, and C were found in the transition from early to late Lowstand Systems Tract (LST), whereas non-producing sands, including the prominent D sand, were located in the Transgressive Systems Tract (TST). The sequence stratigraphic framework of the Surma Group succession offers valuable guidance for hydrocarbon exploration in the Bengal Basin, particularly in and around the Srikail field, with significant implications for both conventional and unconventional reservoirs.

The relationship between sedimentary facies and sequence stratigraphy of SaihanTala Formation and sandstone-type mineralization in the Luhai uranium deposit of Erlian Basin

Integrated 3D seismic and high-resolution sequence stratigraphy for the Silurian Acacus A succession and stratigraphic traps arrangement in the Ghadames Basin, southern Tunisia

A sequence boundary related aeolian sand record in a continental basin: The Cretaceous-Paleogene White Sandstone Member, Tabei Uplift, Tarim Basin, NW China

The Dalazi Formation in the Yanji Basin is primarily composed of fan delta and lacustrine facies, with local development of alluvial fan deposits. The second member of the Dalazi Formation (Da₂) serves as the key oil-bearing interval for exploration and development. Based on logging data, lithological observations, and maximum entropy spectral analysis (MESA), Da₂ is interpreted to mainly represent a continental fan delta system. Due to the complex depositional environment, significant variations exist in sedimentary types, resulting in notable differences in both lithology and logging curves, which hinders regional correlation using conventional logging marker bed pairings. In order to solve this problem, based on the theory of high resolution sequence stratigraphy and astronomical cycle theory, this paper uses the maximum entropy spectrum analysis, spectrum analysis and wavelet time–frequency analysis technology to process and analyze the natural gamma curve (GR) data, and combines the logging lithology information to identify the sequence interface. According to the prediction error trend (INPEFA) curve in MESA, it is identified that Da2 contains 1 long-term base level rise half-cycle and 1 long-term base level fall half-cycle. On this basis, the mid-term base level cycle and short-term base level cycle are identified by combining spectrum analysis technology and wavelet time–frequency technology. Finally, The Da2 sequence is subdivided into 1 long-term, 6 mid-term, and 16 short-term base level cycles, based on which a sequence stratigraphic division scheme is proposed. Based on this, a high-resolution stratigraphic framework is established, which provides accurate geological basis for subsequent comprehensive reservoir evaluation and sand body prediction.

The Singhbhum Craton, eastern India, bears a supracrustal record from the Paleoarchean to Neoproterozoic and provides a rare opportunity to infer early Earth surface processes and crust–mantle interactions. An ambiguous stratigraphic relationship and lack of adequate geochronological data from the Dhanjori and Chaibasa formations is the major impediment to inferring the geological evolution across the Archean–Proterozoic transition. Herein we present new U–Pb detrital zircon ages from the Dhanjori and Chaibasa formations. Our data clearly indicate that the lower part of the Dhanjori succession was deposited during the Mesoarchean (∼2990 Ma). In contrast, Chaibasa sedimentation took place during the Paleoproterozoic (∼1870–1830 Ma). Our geochronological data confirm that (1) the Dhanjori–Chaibasa succession represents a normal stratigraphic sequence, and (2) the provenances for the Dhanjori and Chaibasa formations were distinctly different. The occurrence of much older zircon populations in the upper compared to the lower Chaibasa Member sandstones indicates progressive unroofing of older lithologies as a result of plume uplift. Terrestrial sedimentation in Singhbhum was initiated on a tectonically stable ∼3300 Ma granitoid basement. In contrast to other cratonic blocks like the Dharwar, Pilbara and Kaapvaal, terrestrial sedimentation on the northern margin of the Singhbhum Craton probably continued throughout the Neoarchean. Precise U–Pb zircon ages from the upper Dhanjori Member will bracket the age of Dhanjori sedimentation and will help in global stratigraphic correlation during the Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic.