Sequence stratigraphy of the Albian to Cenomanian interval in the northwest Fars Area (Southwest Iran)

The Albian to Turonian sediments, are over 600 meters thick in the study area consisting mainly of shallow-water carbonates. In total five surface sections were measured in the Coastal and sub-Coastal Fars then correlated with eleven wells. The datasets are organised in 3 SE-NW and SW-NE oriented transects. Facies analysis let to recognise a range of tidal flat to open marine sedimentary environments. The sedimentary facies consists of stromatolite, rudist debris, oligosteginid and other planktonic foraminifera in mudstone to boundstone sedimentary textures. Six 3rd order sedimentary sequences were distinguished in this time interval. Lateral facies and thickness changes introduce local and regional controls on the sedimentation patterns. The regional factors could be related to the Cenomanian/Turonian uplift and erosion that creates patchy natures in these units, while the local factors are attributed to the salt movements and influence of the well known Kazerun and Nezam Abad faults. The overall thickness changes show that the depocentre locates between these two faults in the sub coastal Fars area.