Abstract
The late Miocene beds of the Puerto Madryn Formation (Provincia del Chubut, Argentina) are formed by shallow marine and estuarine sediments. The latter include several tidal-channel infills well exposed on the cliffy coast of the Peninsula Valdés. The Bahía Punta Fósil and Cerro Olazábal paleochannels are end members of these tidal channels and show a fining-upward infilling starting with intraformational channel lag conglomerates above deeply erosional surfaces interpreted as fluvial ravinement surfaces (the erosion surface formed in the purely fluvial or the fluvially dominated part of the estuary, where erosion is driven by fluvial processes). These are overlain and eventually truncated (and suppressed) by the tidal ravinement surface (TRS), in turn covered with high-energy, bioclastic conglomerates mostly formed in the “tidally dominated/fluvially influenced” part of an estuary. Above, large straight or arcuate point bars with alternatively sandy/muddy seasonal beds and varying trace and body fossil contents were deposited from the freshwater fluvially dominated to saline-water tidally dominated part of the estuary. The upper channel infill is formed by cross-bedded sands with mud drapes and seaward-directed paleocurrents, together with barren, volcaniclastic sandy to muddy heterolithic seasonal rhythmites, both deposited in the fluvially dominated part of the estuary. Volcanic ash driven by the rivers after large explosive volcanic eruptions on land resulted in sedimentation rates as high as 0.9 m per year, preserving (through burial) the morphology of tidal channels and TRSs. The channel deposits were formed in a tide-dominated, macrotidal to hypertidal open estuary with well-developed TRSs resulting from strong tidal currents deeply scouring into the transgressive filling of the channels and eventually cutting the fluvial ravinement surface. The TRSs extended upstream to the inner part of the estuary during long periods of low sedimentation rates, extended channel migration and sediment bypass, interrupted by transient, high volcaniclastic input. The tidal channels of the Puerto Madryn Formation constitute a unique example of estuary sedimentation with pulsed sediment supply in a macrotidal to hypertidal estuary.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahokas JM, Nystuen JP, Martinius AW (2014) Depositional dynamics and sequence development in a tidally influenced marginal marine basin: Early Jurassic Neill Klinter Group, Jameson Land Basin, East Greenland. In: Martinius AW, Ravnås R, Howell JA, Steel RJ, Wonham JP (eds) From depositional systems to sedimentary successions on the Norwegian Continental Margin. Int Assoc Sedimentol Spec Publ 46:291–338
Allen GP, Posamentier HW (1993) Sequence-stratigraphy and facies model of an incised valley fill: the Gironde Estuary, France. J Sed Petrol 63:378–391
Allen GP, Posamentier HW (1994) Transgressive facies and sequence architecture in mixed tide- and wave-dominated incised valleys: example from the Gironde Estuary, France. In: Dalrymple RW, Boyd R, Zaitlin BA (eds) Incised valley systems: Origin and sedimentary sequences. SEPM Spec Publ 51:225–240
Archer AW (1995) Modeling of cyclic tidal rhythmites based on a range of diurnal to semidiurnal tidal-station data. Mar Geol 123:1–10
Archer AW (2013) World’s highest tides: Hypertidal coastal systems in North America, South America and Europe. Sed Geol 284–285:1–25
Archer AW, Greb SF (2012) Hypertidal facies from the Pennsylvanian Period: Eastern and Western Interior Coal Basins, USA. In: Davis RA Jr, Dalrymple RW (eds) Principles of tidal sedimentology. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 421–436
Ashley GM, Sheridan RE (1994) Depositional model for valley fills on a passive continental margin. In: Dalrymple RW, Boyd R, Zaitlin BA (eds) Incised valley systems: Origin and sedimentary sequences. SEPM Spec Publ 51:285–301
Boyd R, Dalrymple RW, Zaitlin BA (1992) Classification of coastal sedimentary environments. Sed Geol 80:139–150
Brenon I, Le Hir P (1999) Modelling the turbidity maximum in the Seine estuary (France): identification of formation processes. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 49:525–544
Caramés A, Malumián N, Náñez C (2004) Foraminíferos del Paleógeno del Pozo Península Valdés (PV. es-1), Patagonia septentrional, Argentina. Ameghiniana 41(3):461–474
Chaumillon E, Tessier B, Reynaud J-Y (2010) Stratigraphic records and variability of incised valleys and estuaries along French coasts. Bull Soc géol Fr 181(2):75–85
Choi KS, Dalrymple RW, Chun SS, Kim SP (2004) Sedimentology of modern, inclined heterolithic stratification (IHS) in the macrotidal Han River delta, Korea. J Sed Res 74:677–689
Cuevas Gonzalo M, de Boer PL (1991) Tide-influenced fluvial deposits; examples from Eocene of the southern Pyrenees. In: Marzo M, Puigdefàbregas C (eds) Guidebook to the 4th International Conference on Fluvial Sedimentology. Publicacions del Servei Geològic de Catalunya
Cuitiño JI, Scasso RA (2013) Reworked pyroclastic beds in the early Miocene of Patagonia: reaction in response to high sediment supply during explosive volcanic events. Sed Geol 289:194–209
Dalrymple RW, Makino Y, Zaitlin BA (1991) Temporal and spatial patterns of rhythmite deposition on mud flats in the macrotidal, Cobequid Bay–Salmon River estuary, Bay of Fundy, Canada. In: Smith DG, Reinson GE, Zaitlin BA, Rahmani RA (eds) Clastic tidal sedimentology. Can Soc Petrol Geol Memoir 16:137–160
Dalrymple RW, Zaitlin BA, Boyd R (1992) Estuarine facies models: conceptual basis and stratigraphic implications. J Sed Petrol 62:1130–1146
Dalrymple RW, Mackay DA, Ichaso AA, Choi KS (2012) Processes, morphodynamics, and facies of tide-dominated estuaries. In: Davis RA Jr, Dalrymple RW (eds) Principles of tidal sedimentology. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 79–107
del Río CJ (2004) Tertiary marine molluscan assemblages of eastern Patagonia (Argentina): a biostratigraphic analysis. J Paleontol 78(6):1097–1122
del Río CJ, Martínez SA, Scasso RA (2001) Nature and origin of spectacular marine Miocene shell beds of Northeastern Patagonia (Argentina): paleoecological and bathymetric significance. Palaios 16:3–25
Dozo MT, Bouza P, Monti A, Palazzesi L, Barreda V, Massaferro G, Scasso RA, Tambussi CP (2010) Late Miocene continental biota in Northeastern Patagonia (Península Valdés, Chubut, Argentina). Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 297:100–109
Feruglio E (1949) Descripción Geológica de la Patagonia. Dirección General de Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales, Buenos Aires
Flemming BW, Davies RA Jr (1994) Holocene evolution, morphodynamics and sedimentology of the Spiekeroog barrier island system (southern North Sea). Senckenberg marit 24:117–155
Flemming BW, Schubert H, Hertweck G, Müller K (1992) Bioclastic tidal channel lag deposits: a genetic model. Senckenberg marit 22:109–129
Greb SF, Archer AW (1998) Annual sedimentation cycles in rhythmites of carboniferous tidal-channels. In: Alexander CR, Davies RA, Henry VJ (eds) Tidalites, processes and products. SEPM Spec Publ 61:75–83
Haller MJ (1979) Estratigrafía de la región al poniente de Puerto Madryn, provincia del Chubut, República Argentina. In: 7 Congreso Geológico Argentino Actas 1, pp 285–297, Neuquén
Jablonski BVJ, Dalrymple RW (2016) Recognition of strong seasonality and climatic cyclicity in an ancient, fluvially dominated, tidally influenced point bar: Middle McMurray Formation, Lower Steepbank River, north-eastern Alberta. Canada Sedimentology. doi:10.1111/sed.12228
La Croix AD, Dashtgard S (2014) Of sand and mud: sedimentological criteria for identifying the turbidity maximum zone in a tidally influence river. Sedimentology 61:1961–1981
Marengo H (2015) Neogene micropaleontology and stratigraphy of Argentina. The Chaco-Paranense basin and the Península de Valdés. Springer Briefs in Earth System Sciences. South America and the Southern Hemisphere. Springer, Heidelberg
Marinelli RV, Franzín HJ (1996) Cuencas de Rawson y Península de Valdés. In: Ramos VA, Turic MA (eds) Geología y recursos de la Plataforma Continental Argentina. 13 Congreso Geológico Argentino y 3 Congreso de Exploración de Hidrocarburos. Relatorio 9:159–169
Martínez S, del Río CJ (2002) Las provincias malacológicas miocenas y recientes del Atlántico sudoccidental. Anales Biología 24:121–130
Martinius AW (2012) Contrasting styles of siliciclastic tidal deposits in a developing thrust-sheet-top basins – The Lower Eocene of the Central Pyrenees (Spain). In: Davis RA Jr, Dalrymple RW (eds) Principles of tidal sedimentology. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 473–506. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0123-6_18
Masiuk V, Becker D, García Espiasse A (1976) Micropaleontología y sedimentología del Pozo YPF Ch. PV es-1 (Península de Valdez) Provincia del Chubut, República Argentina. Importancia y correlaciones. ARPEL 24, Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales
Maynard JR, Feldman HR, Alway R (2010) From bars to valleys: the sedimentology and seismic geomorphology of fluvial to estuarine incised-valley fills of the Grand Rapids Formation (Lower Cretaceous) Iron River Field, Alberta, Canada. J Sed Res 80:611–638
Menier D, Reynaud J-Y, Proust J-N, Guillocheau F, Guennoc P, Bonnet S, Tessier B, Goubert E (2006) Basement control on shaping and infilling of valleys incised at the southern coast of Brittany, France. In: Dalrymple RW, Leckier DA, Tillman RW (eds) Incised valleys in time space. SEPM Spec Publ 85:37–96
Palazzesi L, Barreda V (2004) Primer registro palinológico de la Formación Puerto Madryn, Mioceno de la provincia del Chubut, Argentina. Ameghiniana 41:355–362
Pufahl PK, James NP (2006) Monospecific Pliocene oyster buildups, Murray Basin, South Australia: brackish water end member of the reef spectrum. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 233:11–33
Scasso RA, del Río CJ (1987) Ambiente de sedimentación, estratigrafía y proveniencia de la secuencia marina del Terciario superior de la región de península de Valdés. Rev Asoc Geol Arg 42(3-4):291–321
Scasso RA, McArthur JM, del Río CJ, Martínez S, Thirlwall MF (2001) 87Sr/86Sr Late Miocene age of fossil molluscs in the “Entrerriense” of the Valdés Peninsula (Chubut, Argentina). J South Am Earth Sci 14:319–329
Scasso RA, Cuitiño JI, Escapa I (2010) Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins of Central Patagonia with emphasis in their tidal systems. In: del Papa C, Astini R (eds) Field Excursion Guidebook, 18th Int Sedimentological Congr, Mendoza, Argentina, FE-C9, pp 1–43
Scasso RA, Dozo MT, Cuitiño JI, Bouza P (2012) Meandering tidal-fluvial channels and lag concentration of terrestrial vertebrates in the fluvial-tidal transition of an ancient estuary in Patagonia. Latin Am J Sed Basin Analysis 19(1):27–45
Scasso RA, Cuitiño JI, Dozo T, Vrba AV (2014) Análisis de discontinuidades en el Rionegrense de la Península Valdés. Abstracts 14 Reunión Argentina de Sedimentología, Puerto Madryn, Chubut
Scasso RA, Cuitiño JI, Bouza PJ (2015a) Miocene and modern tidal deposits of the Valdes Peninsula. Field Guide, Field Trip 3, 9th Int Conf Tidal Sedimentology, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Scasso RA, Cuitiño JI, Dozo MT (2015b) Incised valleys and channel fills in the Puerto Madryn Formation (Miocene) of Peninsula Valdés, Patagonia, Argentina. In: 9th Int Conf Tidal Sedimentology, Actas, pp 156–159. Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Shanley KW, McCabe PJ, Hattinger RD (1992) Tidal influence in Cretaceous fluvial strata from Utah, USA: a key to sequence stratigraphic interpretation. Sedimentology 39:905–930
Smith GA (1991) Facies sequences and geometries in continental volcaniclastic sediments. In: Fisher RV, Smith GA (eds) Sedimentation in volcanic settings. SEPM Spec Publ 45:109–121
Tessier B (2012) Stratigraphy of tide-dominated estuaries. In: Davis RA Jr, Dalrymple RW (eds) Principles of tidal sedimentology. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 109–128. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0123-6_6
Tessier B, Gigot P (1989) A vertical record of different tidal cyclicities - an example from the Miocene marine molasse of Digne. Sedimentology 36:767–776
Tessier B, Billeaud I, Sorrel P, Delsinne N, Lesueur P (2012) Infilling stratigraphy of macrotidal tide-dominated estuaries. Controlling mechanisms: Sea-level fluctuations, bedrock morphology, sediment supply and climate changes (The examples of the Seine estuary and the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, English Channel, NW France). Sed Geol 279:62–73
Thomas RG, Smith DG, Wood JM, Visser J, Calverley-Range EA, Koster EH (1987) Inclined heterolithic stratification – Terminology, description and significance. Sed Geol 53:123–179
Van den Berg JH, Boersma JR, van Gelder A (2007) Diagnostic sedimentary structures of the fluvial-tidal transition zone – Evidence from deposits of the Rhine and Meuse. Neth J Geosci Geol Mijnb 86:287–306
Van Wagoner JC, Mitchum RM, Campion KM, Rahmanian VD (1990) Siliciclastic sequence stratigraphy in well logs, cores and outcrops. AAPG Methods in Exploration Series, vol 7
Zaitlin BA, Dalrymple RW, Boyd R (1994) The stratigraphic organization of incised valley systems associate with relative sea level changes. In: Dalrymple RW, Boyd R, Zaitlin BA (eds) Incised valley systems: Origin and sedimentary sequences. SEPM Spec Publ 51:45–60
Zinsmeister W, Marshall LG, Drake R, Curtis G (1981) First radioisotope (potassium-argon) age of marine Neogene Río Negro Beds in northeastern Patagonia, Argentina. Science 212:440
Acknowledgments
Thanks go to the owners and workers of many Estancias and touristic settlements of the Península Valdés. Special thanks are extended to Claudia Villegas from the Punta Delgada Hotel, Teresa Dozo and Julio César (Bocha) Rúa (CENPAT-CONICET) for field support, and the Administración del Área Natural Protegida Península Valdés for permission to work in the area. Funding by CONICET, ANPCYT and UBACYT is greatly acknowledged. Two anonymous reviewers substantially contributed to the improvement of this paper.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest with third parties.
Additional information
Responsible editor: B.W. Flemming
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Scasso, R.A., Cuitiño, J.I. Sequential development of tidal ravinement surfaces in macro- to hypertidal estuaries with high volcaniclastic input: the Miocene Puerto Madryn Formation (Patagonia, Argentina). Geo-Mar Lett 37, 427–440 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-016-0481-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-016-0481-3