Triassic stratigraphic evolution of the Arabian-Greater India embayment ofthe southern Tethys margin

An exceptional, tectonically remarkably unaffected, nearly 200 m-thick cont inuous section of hemipelagic and turbiditic sediments, covering most of th e Triassic is described from the Batain Complex of north-eastern Oman. Acco rding to conodont and radiolarian data the sequence spans the late Scythian to the early Norian, a time period of nearly 30 M. Coupled with a high res olution stratigraphy, the lithostratigraphy, sedimentology, as well as sequ ence and isotope stratigraphy of the section are documented. For the Triassic of the Batain Plain we propose the new name Sal Formation, which replaces the formerly used Matbat Formation, and subdivide it into t hree new members. The Sal Formation was deposited on the proximal continent al margin of northeastern Arabia and records various depositional environme nts. The lower member is interpreted as the distal part of a homoclinal ram p which evolves to a distally steepened ramp during time of deposition of t he middle member. The upper member displays a toe of slope position which i s indicated by an increase of proximal turbidites. These sediments form par t of a segment of the Neo-Tethyan embayment between Arabia and India. The stratigraphic analysis indicates highly varying sedimentation rates fro m a minimum of 2 m/M gamma around the Anisian/Ladinian boundary up to 15 m/ M gamma during the Lower and Upper Triassic. Sequence-stratigraphically, th e Sal section is subdivided into six third order cycles which are biochrono logically well integrated into the global Triassic cycle chart. The mixed s iliciclastic-calcareous upper member of the Sal Formation typically shows h ighstand related carbonate shedding. It is, therefore, an important test ca se for sequence-stratigraphic controlled carbonate export to mixed basin fi lls. The well developed sequence stratigraphic cycles are mirrored in the i sotope patterns. Additionally, the carbon and oxygen isotope data from the Sal Formation record the same chemostratigraphic marker at the Spathian/Ani sian boundary known from other Tethyan sections.