Coarse-grained submarine fan and slope apron deposits in a Cretaceous back-arc basin, Antarctica

The Cretaceous of west James Ross Island, Antarctica represents the proximal fill of a late Mesozoic back‐arc basin that was probably initiated by oblique extension during the early development of the Weddell Sea. The succession records sedimentation in two contrasting depositional systems: a laterally persistent slope apron flanking the faulted basin margin interrupted both spatially and temporally by coarse‐grained submarine fans. Slope apron deposits are dominated by thinly interbedded turbiditic sandstones and mudstones (mudstone association), interspersed with non‐channelized chaotic boulder beds, intraformational slump sheets and isolated exotic blocks representing a spectrum of mass‐flow processes from debris flow to submarine gliding. Localized sand‐rich sequences (sandstone‐breccia association) represent sandy debris lobes at the mouths of active slope chutes. The submarine fan sediments (conglomerate association) are typified by coarse conglomerates and pebbly sandstones, interpreted as the deposits of high‐density turbidity currents and non‐cohesive debris flows. Three assemblages are recognized and are suggested to represent components of the inner channelled zone of coarse‐grained submarine fans, from major fan channels through ephemeral, marginal channels or terraces to levee or interchannel environments. The occurrence of both slope apron and submarine fan depositional systems during the Early and Mid‐Cretaceous is attributed to localized input of coarse arc‐derived sediment along a tectonically active basin margin. Periods of extensive fan development were probably linked to regional tectonic uplift and rejuvenation of the arc source region; cyclicity within individual fan sequences is attributed to migration or switching of fan channels or canyons. Slope apron sedimentation was controlled largely by intrabasinal tectonics. Local unconformities and packets of amalgamated slide sheets and debris flow deposits probably reflect episodic movement on basin margin faults. Differential subsidence across the basin margin anchored the basin slope for at least 20 Myr and precluded basinward progradation of shallow marine environments

The Jurassic of Denmark and Greenland: key elements in the reconstruction of the North Atlantic Jurassic rift system

The Jurassic succession of Denmark is largely confined to the subsurface with the exception of exposures on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. In East Greenland, in contrast, the Jurassic is extensively exposed. Comparison of basin evolution in the two regions, which now occur on two separate plates, thus relies on highly different datasets. It is possible nevertheless to construct an integrated picture allowing testing of hypotheses concerning basin evolution, regional uplift, onset and climax of rifting, relative versus eustatic sea-level changes and sequence stratigraphic subdivision and correlation. On a smaller scale, it is possible to compare the signatures of sequence stratigraphic surfaces as seen on well logs, in cores and at outcrop and of sequences recognised and defined on the basis of very different data types. Breakdown of the successions into tectonostratigraphic megasequences highlights the high degree of similarity in overall basin evolution and tectonic style. An important difference, however, lies in the timing. Major events such as late Early – Middle Jurassic uplift, followed by onset of rifting, basin reorganisation and rift climax were delayed in East Greenland relative to the Danish region. This has important implications both for regional reconstructions of the rift system and for the understanding and testing of classical sequence stratigraphic concepts involving eustatic versus tectonic controls of basin evolution and stratigraphy

Lithostratigraphy of the Cretaceous strata of west James Ross Island, Antarctica

As a result of recent field work, a new lithostratigraphic group is defined on the west coast of James Ross Island, Antarctica. Characterised by comparatively coarse-grained sediments, the Gustav Group is 2300 m thick and has an approximate age range of Barremian-Santonian. Four formations are recognised within the group (the Lagrelius Point, Kotick Point, Whisky Bay and Hidden Lake Formations), and of these, the Whisky Bay Formation is further subdivided into six local members. Type sections are erected for each of these stratigraphic units and representative lithologies and faunas described