Lower-order transgressive–regressive cycles within a higher-order transgression at the basin margin: an aberrant intercalation of palaeosol and biostromal ichnofabrics from the early Miocene Kutch Basin, India

The Chhasra Formation (CF) of Kutch Basin exemplifies a typical mixed siliciclastic-carbonate system with alternations of biostromal carbonate and fine-grained siliciclastic beds. The CF is subdivided into two members: the lower Claystone (CM) and the upper Siltstone (SM) member. Three CM outcrops (P1-P3) comprising buried palaeosols that formed under a specific environmental set-up involving imperfectly to poorly drained conditions, are exposed along the Berwali River. The biostromal carbonate beds, alternating with the palaeosols, contain invertebrate bioclasts (bivalves, gastropods, echinoids, etc.) and are characterized by a paucispecific firmground Thalassinoides ichnofabric. At section P1, below the contact between the underlying palaeosol and overlying carbonate, Thalassinoides transforms into firmground Gyrolithes inside the palaeosol forming a compound ichnotaxon. The palaeosol intervals of sections P1 and P2 consist of a Vondrichnus‒Termitichnus‒root trace ichnofabric defining the Termitichnus ichnofacies. At section P3, lenses of fully bioturbated siltstones with a monospecific firmground Thalassinoides ichnofabric can be observed within an overall silty palaeosol horizon, thereby, locally cross-cutting the pedogenic features. The ichnofabrics of section P3 indicate polyphase pedogenesis with three stages: (1) initial stage: pedogenesis in siltstone of undefined depositional affinity which was obscured by pedogenic processes, (2) transient stage: recurring marine incursions and colonization by crustaceans within the lens-shaped palaeotopographic depressions overprinting the palaeosol, and (3) final stage: subaerial exposure and another preserved phase of pedogenesis. The CM shows an apparent low-order T–R (transgressive-regressive) cyclicity within a 3rd-order TST (transgressive systems tract) that is supported by pedogenic intensity, ichnofabrics, and reciprocal sedimentation near the Miocene basin margin, though the cyclicity can be the result of both autogenic and/or lower-order allogenic changes.