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Similarities and differences in the dolomitization history of two coeval Middle Triassic carbonate platforms, Balaton Highland, Hungary

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Abstract

Dolomitization of platform carbonates is commonly the result of multiphase processes. Documentation of the complex dolomitization history is difficult if completely dolomitized sections are studied. Two Middle Anisian sections representing two coeval carbonate platforms were investigated and compared in the present study. Both sections are made up of meter-scale peritidal–lagoonal cycles with significant pedogenic overprint. One of the sections contains non-dolomitized, partially dolomitized, and completely dolomitized intervals, whereas the other is completely dolomitized. Based on investigations of the partially dolomitized section, penecontemporaneous dolomite formation and/or very early post-depositional dolomitization were identified in various lithofacies types. In shallow subtidal facies, porphyrotopic dolomite was found preferentially in microbial micritic fabrics. Microbially induced dolomite precipitation and/or progressive replacement of carbonate sediments could be interpreted for stromatolites. Cryptocrystalline to very finely crystalline dolomite, probably of pedogenic origin, was encountered in paleosoil horizons. Fabric-destructive dolomite commonly found below these horizons was likely formed via reflux of evaporated seawater. As a result of the different paleogeographic settings of the two platforms, their shallow-burial conditions were significantly different. One of the studied sections was located at the basinward platform margin where pervasive fabric-retentive dolomitization took place in a shallow-burial setting, probably via thermal convection. In contrast, in the area of the other, smaller platform shallow-water carbonates were covered by basinal deposits, preventing fluid circulation and accordingly pervasive shallow-burial dolomitization. In the intermediate to deep burial zone, recrystallization of partially dolomitized limestone and occlusion of newly opened fractures and pores by coarsely crystalline dolomite took place.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to Olga Piros for determination of the dasycladalean algae and to Henry Lieberman (Houston) for the linguistic correction of the paper. The editorial guidance of Maurice E. Tucker, furthermore the detailed comments and suggestions of the reviewers Jay M. Gregg and Paulo Boggiani improved the manuscript considerably. The present study was supported by the Hungarian National Science Fund (OTKA) grant K 81296 (J. Haas).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MTA-ELTE Geological, Geophysical and Space Science Research, Pázmány P. sétány 1/c, Budapest, 1117, Hungary

    János Haas & Orsolya Győri

  2. Geological and Geophysical Institute of Hungary, Stefánia út 14, Budapest, 1143, Hungary

    Tamás Budai

  3. Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budaörsi út 45, Budapest, 1112, Hungary

    Sándor Kele

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  1. János Haas
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Correspondence to János Haas.

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Haas, J., Budai, T., Győri, O. et al. Similarities and differences in the dolomitization history of two coeval Middle Triassic carbonate platforms, Balaton Highland, Hungary. Facies 60, 581–602 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-014-0397-1

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