Distributary channels in large deltas can form a channel pattern similar to braided fluvial system or anastomosed fluvial system that have multichannel systems. Although both systems are of generally comparable platforms, their geometry, sedimentology, and facies associations may exhibit unique characteristics. Many ancient multichannel systems have been interpreted as braided patterns, but some are certainly anastomosed patterns. A reevaluation of ancient multichannel architectures and sedimentology patterns is needed to improve discrimination of braided and anastomosed patterns of multichannel systems. This study examines the characteristics of two modern anastomosed pattern channel systems. Those modern systems are compared to ancient examples in the lower Yanchang Formation, southwest Ordos Basin. This comparison indicates that the multichannel systems of the delta, southwest Ordos Basin, exhibit greater similarity to modern anastomosed channel systems of shallow-water deltas. Systems of low-sinuosity distributary channels and interdistributary bays or swamp islands are developed mainly between the channels, and there are no mouth bar deposits. Both modern and ancient multichannel systems suggest that low gradient slope is a significant controlling factor in the formation of anastomosed pattern channels in river-dominated deltas. The identification of anastomosed patterns plays a significant role in reservoir characterization and hydrocarbon exploration and production in delta systems.
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Research Article|
April 09, 2019
Multichannel systems in an ancient river-dominated delta: case study of the lower Yanchang Formation, southwest Ordos Basin, China
Qinghai Xu;
Qinghai Xu
a
Key Laboratory of Exploration Technologies for Oil and Gas Resources (Yangtze University), Ministry of Education Wuhan, 430100, China.b
School of Geosciences, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 432043, China.c
Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
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Wanzhong Shi;
c
Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.Corresponding author: Wanzhong Shi (email: shiwz@cug.edu.cn).
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Xiangyang Xie;
Xiangyang Xie
d
School of Geology, Energy, and Environment, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA.
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Changmin Zhang;
Changmin Zhang
a
Key Laboratory of Exploration Technologies for Oil and Gas Resources (Yangtze University), Ministry of Education Wuhan, 430100, China.b
School of Geosciences, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 432043, China.
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Walter L. Manger;
Walter L. Manger
e
Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA.
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Jian Wang;
Jian Wang
a
Key Laboratory of Exploration Technologies for Oil and Gas Resources (Yangtze University), Ministry of Education Wuhan, 430100, China.
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Song Rao
Song Rao
a
Key Laboratory of Exploration Technologies for Oil and Gas Resources (Yangtze University), Ministry of Education Wuhan, 430100, China.
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Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences (2019) 56 (10): 1027–1040.
Article history
received:
04 Nov 2018
accepted:
28 Jan 2019
first online:
29 Oct 2019
Citation
Qinghai Xu, Wanzhong Shi, Xiangyang Xie, Changmin Zhang, Walter L. Manger, Jian Wang, Song Rao; Multichannel systems in an ancient river-dominated delta: case study of the lower Yanchang Formation, southwest Ordos Basin, China. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 2019;; 56 (10): 1027–1040. doi: https://doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2018-0277
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Index Terms/Descriptors
- Asia
- China
- deltaic environment
- Far East
- fluvial environment
- Gansu China
- geophysical methods
- geophysical profiles
- geophysical surveys
- lithofacies
- lithostratigraphy
- Mesozoic
- modern analogs
- Ordos Basin
- paleochannels
- paleoenvironment
- petroleum
- petroleum exploration
- reservoir rocks
- sedimentary structures
- seismic methods
- seismic profiles
- seismic stratigraphy
- surveys
- Triassic
- Upper Triassic
- Yanchang Formation
- Zhenyuan China
Latitude & Longitude
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