Sedimentary evolution of debris avalanche deposits of the Lower Cretaceous Xiguayuan Formation, Luanping Basin, North China

Wang, Cheng ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8291-1419; Jiang, Zaixing; Kong, Xiangxin; Dodd, Thomas J.H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2257-6740; Meng, Jiayi; Xie, Huanyu; Yuan, Xiaodong; Liu, Xiaoning; Zhang, Yuanfu. 2025 Sedimentary evolution of debris avalanche deposits of the Lower Cretaceous Xiguayuan Formation, Luanping Basin, North China. Sedimentology. 10.1111/sed.70012

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Abstract/Summary

Debris avalanche or mass transport processes form sedimentologically and lithologically heterogeneous deposits that are commonly observed in lacustrine and marine basins. Debris avalanche and mass transport deposits have been recorded and extensively described in various marine settings, where they are well‐known for forming both reservoir and sealing lithologies. In comparison, there are far fewer studies that focus upon coarse‐grained debris avalanche deposits and mass transport deposits in semi‐deep to deep‐lacustrine settings, and in particular examples formed within small rift basins where their character and distribution remain relatively under‐explored. This study characterizes the Wangying Debris Avalanche Deposit, which is located on the northern margin of the Yanshan Orogenic Belt, within the North China Block. This study employs detailed analytical techniques, including core observations, thin section analysis, grain‐size analysis, detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and field outcrop studies. The studied interval is divided into 18 lithofacies, which together comprise eight separate facies associations, including the slope system (Facies Association 1), internal Wangying Debris Avalanche Deposit (Facies Association 2), fringe of the Wangying Debris Avalanche Deposit (Facies Association 3), distal fringe of the Wangying Debris Avalanche Deposit (Facies Association 4), jigsaw‐fractured conglomerate (Facies Association 5), deformed bedded gravelly sandstone (Facies Association 6), channelized gravity flow deposits (Facies Association 7) and pyroclastic deposits (Facies Association 8); the latter two facies associations comprise the substrate of the Wangying Debris Avalanche Deposit. Based on this, the Wangying Debris Avalanche Deposit is divided into four ‘depozones’, including the slope system, proximal zone, central zone and distal zone; the distal zone is subdivided into the inner distal zone and outer distal zone. Intermediate transitional belts exist between each zone, which display structural (kinematic) characteristics, including extension at the head of the proximal zone, compression in the front of the proximal zone, shearing in the central zone, compression in the inner distal zone and extension in the outer distal zone. The sedimentological products of multiple rheological transitions were identified and recorded within each debris avalanche deposit, including the evolution from debris avalanches to high‐density turbidity currents and debris flows. Overall, with increasing transport distance of the Wangying Debris Avalanche Deposit, the amount of preserved coarse debris decreased, while the matrix content increased. Based on maximum depositional ages estimated from new detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology data, the Wangying Debris Avalanche Deposit was formed between 124.9 ± 0.8 Ma and 127.6 ± 1.7 Ma. The findings contribute to the general understanding of flow processes of coarse‐grained sub‐aqueous debris avalanches and more specifically the development of debris avalanches in ancient deep‐lake settings. Such deposits are important to understand within deep‐lacustrine rift basin settings as they are increasingly important sedimentary systems for hydrocarbon exploration and other subsurface utilization purposes.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1111/sed.70012
ISSN:	0037-0746
Date made live:	23 Jun 2025 14:15 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/539665

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