Tidal Rhythmites Depositional System of the Cretaceous Yolde Formation of the Gongola Sub-basin Northern Benue Trough N. E. Nigeria
B. Shettima *
Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
B. Shettima
Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
M. Bukar
Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
B. Shettima
Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
H. I. Kamale
Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
A. O. Umaru
Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
I. A. Yerima
Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Facies evaluation carried out on the Yolde Formation at Gabukka locality in the Gongola Sub-basin of the Northern Benue Trough was aimed at enacting its paleo-depositional environment. The formation at this locality revealed an intercalated succession of massive bedded sandstone facies (Sm), planar crossbedded sandstone facies (Sp), ripple laminated sandstone facies (Sr), parallel laminated sandstone facies (Sl) and mudstone facies (Fm). These successions developed a thinning and thickening stratigraphic profile depicting periodic rhythmic signatures indicating deposits of tidal rhythmites. Thickening rhythmic packages are reflective of a spring tide whereas thinning phases are indicative of neap tide. These depositional sequences are genetic to intense tides conditions, thus an indexing a tide dominated oceanographic within the course of development of the Cretaceous Yolde Formation.
Keywords: Tidal rhythmites, depositional system, Yolde Formation, Gongola Sub-basin, Benue trough