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    Volume 51 Issue 7
    Jul.  2026
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    Article Navigation >  Earth Science  > 2026  >  51(7): 2773-2790
    Song Jinmin, Shao Xingpeng, Liu Shugen, Li Zhiwu, Deng Bin, Yang Di, Feng Yuxiang, Ye Yuehao, Jin Xin, Li Zeqi, Ren Shan, Yang Shaohai, Li Luo, Luo Ping, 2026. Evolution Characteristics and Geological Significances of Paleo-Bay in Third Member of Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation, Sichuan Basin, SW China. Earth Science, 51(7): 2773-2790. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2026.151
    Citation: Song Jinmin, Shao Xingpeng, Liu Shugen, Li Zhiwu, Deng Bin, Yang Di, Feng Yuxiang, Ye Yuehao, Jin Xin, Li Zeqi, Ren Shan, Yang Shaohai, Li Luo, Luo Ping, 2026. Evolution Characteristics and Geological Significances of Paleo-Bay in Third Member of Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation, Sichuan Basin, SW China. Earth Science, 51(7): 2773-2790. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2026.151
    shu

    Evolution Characteristics and Geological Significances of Paleo-Bay in Third Member of Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation, Sichuan Basin, SW China

    doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2026.151
    • 1.

      State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China

    • 2.

      Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China

    • 3.

      PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company, Korla 841000, China

    • 4.

      PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, Beijing 100083, China

    • Received Date: 2026-01-22
    • Publish Date: 2026-07-25
      Abstract
    • To clarify the depositional pattern of the third member of the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation (referred to as Lei-3 Member), this study identifies the paleo-bay facies, delineates its distribution characteristics and evolution, and discusses its geological significances. The research integrates sedimentological, petrological, and well-logging analyses from over 450 boreholes and 11 outcrop sections in the Sichuan Basin, along with distinctive lithofacies indicators such as microbialites, gypsum-salt rocks, and tempestites.It is revealed that the 'ocean-bay-flat' pattern is presented during the period of the Lei-3 Member, with the evaporated tidal flat, restricted tidal flat, open tidal flat, and paleo-bay facies developing sequentially from east to west. The three subfacies of bay margin, subtidal bay and bay slope have been recognized within the paleo-bay, with microbial bank and grain bank microfacies along the bay margin, hydrostatic mudstone and microbial flat microfacies in the subtidal bay and upper slope microfacies in the bay slope.During the period of the first submember of Lei-3 Member (Lei-3-1 submember), the paleo- bay covers a larger area in the rapid transgressive phase, with the bay boundary along Wangcang-Peng'an-Jianyang-Chengdu-Danleng-Baoxing area. Into the period of the Lei-3-2 submember, the bay margin contracts westward into the Lixiyan-Jiange-Yanting-Wenjiang-Qionglai-Baoxing area related to the regression event. But the bay boundary expands along the Jiange-Cangxi-Yanting-Chengdu-Danleng-Tianquan area in the period of the Lei-3-3 submember resulting from a small-scale transgression.The paleo-bay facies of the period of Lei-3 Member could provide certain important evidences for the tectonic evolution process of 'scissor-like' collision between the North China Plate and the Upper Yangtze Plate during the Middle Triassic. It also constitutes such a unique type of carbonate platform never been reported before as the bay-margined platform with a depositional model of 'short-distance coexistence and narrow facies belt variation'. Moreover, the paleogeographic pattern of 'two highs and two lows' such as island chain (high)-bay slope to subtidal bay (low)-bay margin (high)-lagoon (low) occurred under the control of the paleo-bay, which promotes the 'source-reservoir-source' configuration both horizontally and vertically and facilitates the two efficient source-reservoir combination models, i.e. the side/lower-source-and-side/upper-reservoir and self-generating-and-self-storing, thus promoting the exploration process of conventional-non-conventional integration, stimulating the hydrocarbon exploration activities on both the conventional and unconventional resources.

       

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