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Abstract

Paim, P. S. G., E. L. C. Lavina, U. F. Faccini, A. S. da Silveira, H. Leanza, and R. S. F. d'Avila, 2011, Fluvial-derived turbidites in the Los Molles Formation (Jurassic of the Neuquen Basin): Initiation, transport, and deposition, in R. M. Slatt and C. Zavala, eds., Sediment transfer from shelf to deep water—Revisiting the delivery system: AAPG Studies in Geology 61, p. 95–116.

DOI:10.1306/13271352St613437

Copyright copy2011 by The American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Fluvial-derived Turbidites in the Los Molles Formation (Jurassic of the Neuquen Basin): Initiation, Transport, and Deposition

Paulo Sergio Gomes Paim,1 Ernesto Luiz Correa Lavina,2 Ubiratan Ferrucio Faccini,3 Ariane Santos da Silveira,4 Hector Leanza,5 Roberto Salvador Francisco d'Avila6

1Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS)-Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Geologia (Brazil), Sao Leopoldo, Brazil
2Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS)-Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Geologia (Brazil), Sao Leopoldo, Brazil
3Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS)-Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Geologia (Brazil), Sao Leopoldo, Brazil
4Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Sao Leopoldo, Brazil
5Servicio Geologico Minero Argentino-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (SEGEMAR-CONICET) and Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
6Petroleo Brasileiro S. A. (Petrobras), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by Petroleo Brasileiro S. A. (Petrobras) and conducted within the terms of the Agreement for Cooperation and Technical Assistance signed by the Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS-Brazil) and the Secretaria de Estado de Energia y Mineria de la Provincia del Neuquen (Argentina). Special thanks to M. Carminatti, J. E. Faccion, A. J. Andrade Ramos, O. C. Carbone (Petrobras), H. M. Palacios, C. E. Portilla, A. C. Garrido, J. C. Danieli, and Sergio Cocca (Secretaria de Estado de Energia y Mineria de la Provincia del Neuquen).

ABSTRACT

This chapter is about an almost uninterrupted exposure of the Jurassic Los Molles Formation in the Arroyo La Jardinera region in the southern Neuquen Basin (western Argentina). It is based on the analysis of high-resolution satellite images linked with extensive field data. Its main goal is to present a conceptual model for the studied turbidite system capable of explaining how sand and gravel were brought onto and removed from the shelf margin and how these coarse-grained sediments were transported along and deposited on the slope and basin plain. The facies tract ascribed to this turbidite system represents high-frequency lowstand system tracts. From proximal to distal, it includes the record of fluvial channels incised into mid- to outer-shelf deposits, turbidite channels scoured on slope strata, turbidite lobes resting on slope rise facies, and poorly developed turbidite lobe fringes enclosed within basin-plain strata. These gravity flow strata were assigned to short-lived (surges) moderately efficient turbidity currents derived from the almost continuous failure of delta-front deposits (sand and gravel) during ordinary fluvial floods.

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