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Facies distribution and sequence stratigraphy of the Coniacian–Santonian succession of the Bangestan Palaeo-high in the Bangestan Anticline, SW Iran

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Abstract

This study is focused on the sedimentary environments, facies distribution, and sequence stratigraphy of the Coniacian–Santonian sediments of the Bangestan Palaeo-high in the Bangestan Anticline (Zagros, Iran). These sediments are subdivided into nine microfacies types belonging to various sedimentary environments, ranging from continental lacustrine to very shallow and relatively deep-water (hemipelagic to pelagic) marine environments. The lower boundary of the studied sections is characterised by an unconformity. The lacustrine and very shallow marine sediments at the base of the studied sections are interpreted as a lowstand system tract. The establishment of an open shelf carbonate platform took place during the transgressive system tract. The maximum flooding zone of the Early Santonian is an important surface because it extends from the distal to the proximal part of the depositional environment.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Prof. Dr Markus Willmsen and Prof. Dr Jens Herrle for their helpful and constructive comments. The manuscript has been significantly improved by comments from Prof. Dr André Freiwald. We also would like to thank the Esfahan University for providing financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC), Ahwaz, 61735-1333, Iran

    Ali Ghabeishavi

  2. Geology Department, Faculty of Earth Science, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

    Azizolah Taheri

  3. Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Esfahan University, Esfahan, 81746-73441, Iran

    Hossein Vaziri-Moghaddam

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  1. Ali Ghabeishavi
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Correspondence to Hossein Vaziri-Moghaddam.

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Ghabeishavi, A., Vaziri-Moghaddam, H. & Taheri, A. Facies distribution and sequence stratigraphy of the Coniacian–Santonian succession of the Bangestan Palaeo-high in the Bangestan Anticline, SW Iran. Facies 55, 243–257 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-008-0171-3

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