FIELD COURSE (GEO4230) TO AINSA BASIN

(Report of Last Day- 2 October 2009)

AGUS FITRIYANTO
OCTOBER 2009

Field Course (Geo 4230) to Ainsa Basin report of the

last day (2 Oct 2009)
Introduction
At 3-10 October 2009, University of Oslo arranged a field course of Geo4230
course (sequence stratigraphy and basin formation) to Ainsa basin. The purpose
of this field course was to study basin infill dynamics and structural framework of
Ainsa basin. In the last day (2 october 09) of the field course, the course was
focused on Arro turbidite system, Escanilla formation and deltaic-Sorbrarbe
formation. These formations will be discussed in this report.
Location #1: Rio Nata
31T UTM 0212859 E
4698787 N
600m-elev
Arro turbidite system
It is the oldest turbidite system in ainsa basin. In this area, the strata had been
deformed and overturned, indicated by presence of flute cast and load deformedflute cast at the top of strata (supposes it locates at bottom of strata) as shown
as below:

Overturned
strata
Load deformed-flute
cast

60

Figure 1. Canyon channel turbidite sandstone of Arra sytem. Strata are

overturned to the west (right) with load deformed-flute cast at the top.

This turbidite system was sourced from prograding delta in Tremp-Graus basin in
Paleocene to early Eocene. Base of Arro turbidite system, which is indicated
submarine canyon, is characterized by presence of conglomerate followed by
stacks of channels in submarine canyon and levees which reflected infill
sedimentation in submarine canyon. Above it, submarine fan with channels fan
lobe to mudstone of submarine canyons distal part were deposited and underlie
by open marine- basin sediments (Figure 3). These sequences were observed in
Rio Nata area (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Sketch of Rio Nata area, showing overturned strata of Arro submarine
canyon.

Figure 3. Sketch Log of Arro submarine canyon in Rio Nata area.

Location #2: Buil-castillo
31T UTM 0260294 E
4694948 N
975m-elev
Remnant of bottom part of Escanilla formation.
Escanilla formation is deposited at top of deltaic-sobrarbe formation. It is
consisted of fluvial sandstone bodies and floodplain red mudstone. A regional
erosional unconformity terminates Escanilla formation, with conglomerate of the
Collegate formation on top which represent proximal part of Ebro basin infill
succession.

Figure 4. Sketch of cross section showing distribution of Escanilla formation and

its relationship with other formations.

Boltana
anticline

Pena
montenesa
Ainsa
turbidite

Mudstone
Floodplain of
Escailla Fm.

Guaso
turbidite

Figure 5. Photograph showing morphology of Ainsa basin from top of Castillo area (Escanilla fm.), looking toward north.

Location #3: Castellazo

31T UTM 0260024 E
4695406 N
985m-elev
Clinoforms of deltaic-Sobrarbe formation. It is a northward prograding delta.

NW

SE

Unconformit

Clinoform

Figure 6. Deltaic-Sobrarbe formation expressed by thick clinoforms with internal

unconformity.