Garland, J., Tucker, M.E., and Scrutton, C. T. 1996. Microfacies analysis and metre-scale cyclicity in the Givetian back-reef sediments of south-east Devon. Proceedings of the Ussher Society, 9, 031-036 The Givetian (Middle Devonian) of south-east Devon consists of reef and back-reef facies (Tor Bay Reef-Complex) developed on a shelf-edge rise. Three sections in the Newton Abbot area have recently been studied with emphasis on detailed logging, sampling and thin section analysis of the back-reef sediments. Eight microfacies have been identified ranging from shallow subtidal to exposed supratidal deposits, forming four groups. 1. Semi-restricted subtidal -stromatoporoid floatstones, low-energy accumulations, least restricted facies -Stachyodes rudstones, high-energy back-reef talus 2. Restricted subtidal -Amphipora floatstones, low-energy accumulations -gastropod packstones, back-reef sedimentation with temporary agitation -fossil-poor peloidal and fenestral wackestones, calm water deposition 3. Restricted intertidal -peloidal grainstones with micritised grains, deposition in channels ripping up subtidal facies. Restricted supratidal -microbial laminites -immature palaeosols A small-scale cyclicity can be identified by the arrangement of microfacies vertically. Typical cycles show a stromatoporoid-rich base, followed by an Amphipora floatstone, capped by a fenestral fossil-poor micrite. Locally emergence is indicated by juvenile soil development or laminite deposition. Cycles are on average 2 to 3 m thick. Fischer plots have been produced to show the pattern of cycle development through time, and comparisons between sections is attempted. The mechanism causing cyclicity is as yet still unclear, with an intricate balance between autocyclic and allocyclic factors being probable
