The Westphalian C strata found in the northeastern part of the former Belgian coal district (Campine Basin), which is part of an extensive northwest European paralic coal basin, are considered. The thickness and lateral continuity of the Westphalian C coal seams vary considerably stratigraphicaUy and areaUy. Sedimentological facies analysis of borehole cores indicates that the deposition of Westphalian C coal-bearing strata was controlled by fluvial depositional systems whose architectures were ruled by local subsidence rates. The local subsidence rates may be related to major faults, which were intermittently reactivated during deposition. Lateral changes in coal seam groups are also reflected by marked variations of their seismic signatures. Westphalian C fluvial depositional systems include moderate to low sinuosity braided and anastomosed river systems. Stable tectonic conditions on upthrown, fault-bounded platforms favoured deposition by braided rivers and the associated development of relatively thick, laterally continuous coal seams in raised mires. In contrast, rapidly subsiding downthrown fault blocks favoured aggradation, probably by anastomosed rivers and the development of relatively thin, highly discontinuous coal seams in topogenous mires.
Detailed sedimentological, mineralogical and petrographical analysis of closely spaced cored boreholes has enabled the development of a revised depositional model for the early Eocene coal-bearing Produttivo Formation of the Sulcis Basin. The deposition of autochthonous-hypautochthonous palustrine-lacustrine coals and associated carbonates was interrupted episodically by sedimentation of allochthonous lithocalcirudites and lithocalcarenites. The latter clastics display characteristic upward shoaling tidal flat sequences related to marine incursions. This interpretation is in contrast to the previously accepted fluvial origin of the detrital episodes. The coarse basal transgressive lag deposits consist of various carbonate intraclasts, dolosparite, grains consisting of calcite cement and euhedral-subhedral evaporite-bearing quartz grains. Combined stable isotope and cathodoluminiscence analysis has revealed a complex diagenetic history for the clastic deposits. The potential extrabasinal or intrabasinal provenance of the clasts, in particular the origin of the evaporite relicts, is discussed. The subtropical-tropical coastal marshes of the Florida Everglades (USA) are proposed as a possible modern analogue for the subbituminous Sulcis coals.
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