Sedimentology of the Early Jurassic terrestrial Steierdorf Formation in Anina, Colonia Cehă Quarry, South Carpathians, Romania
Authors
Artur Kędzior
Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geological Sciences, Krakow Research Centre, Senacka 1 str; PL-31-002, Kraków
Michai E. Popa
University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, Laboratory of Palaeontology, 1, N. Bălcescu Ave., R-010041, Bucharest
Keywords:
Sedimentology, Hettangian – Sinemurian, Alluvial and fluvial systems, Fossil flora and fauna, Steierdorf Formation, South Carpathians, Romania. Acta Geologica Po
Abstract
The continental, coal bearing Steierdorf Formation, Hettangian – Sinemurian in age, is included in the Mesozoic cover of the Reşiţa Basin, Getic Nappe, South Carpathians, Romania. The Steierdorf Formation can be studied in Anina, a coal mining center and an exceptional locality for Early Jurassic flora and fauna, occurring in the middle of the Reşiţa Basin. This paper presents the results of sedimentological, stratigraphical and paleobotanical researches undertaken in Colonia Cehă open cast mine in Anina, where the Steierdorf Formation outcrops widely. Several sedimentary facies associations have been described, these associations permitting the reconstruction of various depositional systems such as alluvial fans, braided and meandering river systems, as well as lacustrine and coal generating marsh systems of the Steierdorf Formation. The sedimentary associations recorded within the Steierdorf Formation show a gradual fining upward trend, pointing to a rising marine water table and a decreasing relief within the source area.
