Abstract
The mid-Cretaceous El Abra Formation was studied along the eastern margin of the Valles—San Luis Potosi (SLP) platform to determine (1) environments and processes of platform-margin sedimentation, and (2) the diagenetic sequence and mechanisms of porosity evolution in carbonates subjected to extensive early diagenesis, including subaerial exposure and development of microkarst. Syndepositional, late eogenetic, and telogenetic episodes of karst formation are present.
Eight lithofacies are recognized from textural and faunal attributes and sedimentary structures. Platform-lagoon lithofacies include peloid-miliolid, requienid, and bioclastic limestones. Lime mudstone, laminated lime grainstone, cryptalgal laminites, and fenestral limestone record tidal-flat environments. Perireefal islands consisted of storm-deposited rudistid-skeletal limestones cemented by calcrete.
Numerous subaerial discontinuity surfaces marked by microkarst, calcrete, and penecontemporaneous dolomite horizons provide correlation surfaces for identification of laterally equivalent depositional environments. Islands graded bankward through a mosaic of coalescing tidal flats into the platform lagoon. Whereas islands persisted through time, tidal flats were episodically submerged during rapid relative rises in sealevel of less than 10 m net magnitude. Subsequently, tidal flats prograded into the platform lagoon, resulting in asymmetric, shoaling-upward sequences separated by subaerial discontinuity surfaces.
Early diagenetic environments on tidal flats were ephemeral; but comparable environments were recreated at comparable stages of each depositional cycle. Extensive penecontemporaneous meteoric diagenesis occurred as a consequence of enduring exposure of islands and repeated exposure of tidal flats. Dissolution below microkarst surfaces, calcrete formation, and mineralogic stabilization rapidly transformed the sediment to limestone. Upon submergence, marine cementation by radiaxial fibrous Mg-calcite and internal sedimentation were important porosity-reducing processes, further lithifying the limestone and precluding compaction.
The Valles—SLP platform was locally exposed and subjected to a second episode of karst development during latest Turonian to Santonian time. Major porosity occlusion by meteoric calcite cement occurred at this time. Limited burial diagenesis included precipitation of saddle dolomite, stylolitization, and fracturing during the Laramide Orogeny. Uplift and erosion during the Cenozoic resulted in a third episode of karst development, evident in the present landscape as subsurface drainage.
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Minero, C.J. (1988). Sedimentation and Diagenesis Along an Island-Sheltered Platform Margin, El Abra Formation, Cretaceous of Mexico. In: James, N.P., Choquette, P.W. (eds) Paleokarst. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3748-8_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3748-8_19
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