Facies distribution and sequence stratigraphy of the Coniacian - Santonian succession of the Bangestan Palaeo-high in the Bangestan Anticline, SW Iran

Abstract

This study is focused on the sedimentary environments, facies distribution, and sequence stratigraphy of the Coniacian-Santonian sediments of the Bangestan Palaeo-high in the Bangestan Anticline (Zagros, Iran). These sediments are subdivided into nine microfacies types belonging to various sedimentary environments, ranging from continental lacustrine to very shallow and relatively deep-water (hemipelagic to pelagic) marine environments. The lower boundary of the studied sections is characterised by an unconformity. The lacustrine and very shallow marine sediments at the base of the studied sections are interpreted as a lowstand system tract. The establishment of an open shelf carbonate platform took place during the transgressive system tract. The maximum flooding zone of the Early Santonian is an important surface because it extends from the distal to the proximal part of the depositional environment. © Springer-Verlag 2008.