Heterogeneous distribution of trace fossils across initial transgressive deposits in rift basins: an example from the Springhill Formation, Argentina

In the Lago San Martín region (Santa Cruz Province, Argentina), the Springhill Formation (50–100 m thick) overlies the syn-rift El Quemado Complex, showing outcrops with wedge geometry. Four sedimentological sections were measured in the field, and three depositional palaeoenvironments were interpreted. The Springhill Formation starts with fluvial deposits, characterized by channel-fills and floodplains with palaeosol development, passing transitionally to a coastal plain and, finally, to marine sedimentation. The initial sandy transgressive deposits (Facies Association 9) are the main focus of this study, in which 10 ichnogenera (Arenicolites, Bergaueria, Cylindrichnus, Diplocraterion, Macaronichnus, Palaeophycus, Planolites, Ophiomorpha, Rosselia and Skolithos) are described. Two ichnoassociations (foreshore and shoreface) were defined, and their distribution was controlled by the local palaeoenvironmental conditions, mainly energy, bathymetry and grain size of sediments. A highly bioturbated surface (BI = 4) was recognized in Section 1 showing a limited occurrence and disappearing over short distances perpendicular to the palaeoshoreline. This surface shows a sharp sub-horizontal gently undulating top contact with a bioturbation thickness between 15 and 25 cm. This type of surface has limited usefulness as a key correlative surface, because it is spatially restricted in rift basins due to the tectonic activity, which creates high accommodation space rates. A more accurate characterization of the initial transgressive deposits of the Springhill Formation – which is the most important reservoir in southern Patagonia – could provide new ideas to solve problems in sub-surface studies.