Lithofacies cyclicity determination in the guaduas formation (Colombia) using Markov chains

• Published in: Earth sciences research journal 2016-09, Vol.20 (3), p.1-B9
• Main Authors: Mariño Martinez, Jorge Eliecer, Amaya, Erika
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambientes de Depósito; Formación Guaduas; GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; Lithology; Litofacies; Mapas de Facies; Mapas de litofacies; Markov analysis; Stratigraphy
• ISSN: 1794-6190; 2339-3459
• DOI: 10.15446/esrj.v20n3.44429

Statistical embedded Markov Chain processes were used to analyze facies transitions and to determine the stacking pattern of the lithofacies of the Guaduas Formation. Twelve Lithofacies were found and characterized based on lithology and sedimentary structures in four stratigraphic sections. The findings were compared with a previous assemblage of lithofacies, interpretations of sedimentary environments, and depositional systems.  As a result, four depositional Systems were established. Through the statistical analyses of facies transitions it was found that tidal facies are prevalent in the Socota section, especially in the upper part, whereas in the Sogamoso, Umbita and Peñas de Sutatausa sections, fluvial facies are prevalent in the upper part of the sections, and follow a regressive sequence with more continental deposits around the upper part of the sections. For each of these sections the Markov Chain transition matrices illustrates a strong interaction between tidal facies and fluvial facies, specially in the Peñas de Sutatausa matrix, where facies 6, made up of tidal deposits, appears several times. From the facies model and Markov Chain analyses, it is evident that the Guaduas Formation is a cyclic sequence in which the Markov facies repetitions are consistent with the lithofacies analyses conducted in previous stratigraphic studies. The results reveal that the Markov Chain statistical process can be used to predict stratigraphy in order to correlate contiguous geologically unexplored areas in the Guaduas Formation, where much work relating to correlation and the continuity of coal beds has yet to be done.  Determinacion de la ciclicidad de las facies en la formacion Guaduas (Colombia) usando las cadenas de MarkovResumenSe utilizaron los procesos estadísticos de las cadenas de Markov para analizar las transiciones de facies y para determinar el patrón de apilamiento de las litofacies de la formación Guaduas. Se encontraron y caracterizaron doce litofacies en cuatro secciones estratigráficas según litología y estructuras sedimentarias. Los resultados fueron comparados con un ensamblaje anterior de litofacies, interpretación de ambientes sedimentarios y sistemas deposicionales. Como resultado, se establecieron cuatro sistemas deposicionales. A través de los análisis estadísticos de las transiciones de la facies se encontró que la facies de marea son frecuentes en la sección de Socotá, más concretamente en la parte superior. Mientras que en las secci