Deepwater quartz sandstones derived from mature cratons form reservoirs in many hydrocarbon provinces. The Numidian “flysch” is a clean quartz sand turbidite system derived from the African craton and deposited across its northern continental margin into the foredeep system of the ancestral Apennine orogen. The regional extent of these sands is well-established with the critical outcrops preserved within the Maghrebian-Apennine thrust belt of Sicily and southern Italy. The project consists in mapping the intra-Numidian stratigraphy in relationship to the underlying stratigraphy, to constrain local and regional basin architecture. Two areas were studied up to now – Mt. Salici and Pollina, Sicily – where key stratigraphic sections were logged and palaeocurrent data collected to establish facies schemes for the sandstones. Observations at outcrop and petrographic analysis are used to describe the facies. Modal analysis demonstrates that the Numidian sandstones are quartz-arenite type derived from craton interior. Four facies associations have been identified in these two areas: massive sandstones; conglomerates; interbedded mudstone–sandstone association; and mudstone facies association. Slide-slump units are present in more mud-rich associations. Samples for biostratigraphy (foraminifera and microfossils) were collected mainly from top and base of sandstones to establish chronostratigraphic context and correlation between the sections. Panoramic views were traced to follow lateral continuity and geometry of the beds. Palaeocurrent data support flow from SW (considering 100 clockwise rotation of Sicily).

Deepwater sandstone fairways and their interaction with substrate: analogues from the Numidian turbidites (Miocene) of Sicily

MANISCALCO, ROSANNA
2013-01-01

Abstract

Deepwater quartz sandstones derived from mature cratons form reservoirs in many hydrocarbon provinces. The Numidian “flysch” is a clean quartz sand turbidite system derived from the African craton and deposited across its northern continental margin into the foredeep system of the ancestral Apennine orogen. The regional extent of these sands is well-established with the critical outcrops preserved within the Maghrebian-Apennine thrust belt of Sicily and southern Italy. The project consists in mapping the intra-Numidian stratigraphy in relationship to the underlying stratigraphy, to constrain local and regional basin architecture. Two areas were studied up to now – Mt. Salici and Pollina, Sicily – where key stratigraphic sections were logged and palaeocurrent data collected to establish facies schemes for the sandstones. Observations at outcrop and petrographic analysis are used to describe the facies. Modal analysis demonstrates that the Numidian sandstones are quartz-arenite type derived from craton interior. Four facies associations have been identified in these two areas: massive sandstones; conglomerates; interbedded mudstone–sandstone association; and mudstone facies association. Slide-slump units are present in more mud-rich associations. Samples for biostratigraphy (foraminifera and microfossils) were collected mainly from top and base of sandstones to establish chronostratigraphic context and correlation between the sections. Panoramic views were traced to follow lateral continuity and geometry of the beds. Palaeocurrent data support flow from SW (considering 100 clockwise rotation of Sicily).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/104372
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