South Africa - Inkaba.org

Lithostratigraphic correlation of the Ecca Palaeo-slope and
shelf-edge deltaic deposits: Phase 1
Andy Arnold 1 , Daniel Mikeš 2 , Willem Van Der Merwe 3
1. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, 15905845@sun.ac.za
2. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, mikes@sun.ac.za
3. STRATgroup, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, W.Van-Der-Merwe@liverpool.ac.uk
ABSTRACT
The Permian Ecca Group of the Karoo Basin, South Africa preserves an extensive well-exposed siliciclastic basin
floor, slope and shelf- edge deltaic succession. These subaqueous depositional systems form a major component of
most marine and many lacustrine basin fills, and constitute primary targets for hydrocarbon exploration and
development.
Detailed regional mapping and correlation of the upper Ecca Group, Kookfontein, Fort Brown and Waterford
Formations has never been undertaken before. The current study hopes to contribute to the new understanding of:
(1) the stratigraphic development of the Karoo Basin margin during the late Permian, (2) shelf-margin construction
and (3) the internal facies architecture of these sought after deposits.
The first phase of field work has recently been undertaken over a period of six weeks, during which vertical
profiles were measured at cm-scale in both strike and dip sections. These were then used to construct the first of
many correlation panels, on which the palaeogeographic interpretations will be based. Correlation of the upper
Ecca succession will be done across the Tanqua and Laingsburg depocentres.
Expected deliveries: The study will produce the first detailed regional mapping of the upper Ecca group across
both depocentres and contribute to the knowledge of the development of the basin margin.
KEYWORDS: Karoo Basin, Shelf-edge deltas, Sequence stratigraphy, Correlation, Lowstand deposits
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