Miall A.D. The Geology of Fluvial Deposits: Sedimentary Facies, Basin Analysis, and Petroleum Geology

4th corrected printing. — Springer, 2006. — 587 p. — ISBN: 978-3-662-03237-4.The Geology of Fluvial Deposits represents the first published synthesis of research on the sedimentary geology of fluvial deposits. It sets out in detail the methods for the field and subsurface study of these sediments, and provides geologists with detailed descriptions of the building blocks of fluvial stratigraphic units, from lithofacies through architectural elements and depositional systems to large-scale stratigraphic sequences and basin-fill complexes. This book also examines at length autogenic sedimentary controls and discusses the tectonic and climatic controls of fluvial sedimentation and the effects of base level change on sequence architecture. The book contains a new classification of oil and gas fields in fluvial reservoirs, with descriptions of selected case examples.
Profusely illustrated and with an extensive reference to the recent literature this textbook will be welcomed by the student and professional geologist alike.
The first part of the book, following a historical introduction, constructs the stratigraphic framework of fluvial deposits, step by step, starting with lithofacies, combining these into architectural elements and other facies associations, and then showing how these, in turn, combine to represent distinctive fluvial styles. Next, the discussion turns to problems of correlation and the building of large-scale stratigraphic frameworks. These basin-scale constructions form the basis for a discussion of causes and processes, including autogenic processes of channel shifting and cyclicity, and the larger questions of allogenic (tectonic, eustatic, and climatic) sedimentary controls and the development of our ideas about nonmarine sequence stratigraphy.
The final chapters address issues of concern to petroleum geologists. The geometry of reservoirs is discussed, and primary reservoir heterogeneities are evaluated from the point of view of facies architecture and porosity-permeability characteristics. Lastly, the stratigraphic and tectonic distribution of petroleum reservoirs is analyzed, leading to a strati
graphic-tectonic classification of oil and gas fields in fluvial deposits, and a description of selected case examples.
The book is intended for advanced students, researchers, and professionals. Extensive references have been made to the published literature, and hundreds of examples and diagrams have been provided. It is to be hoped that the methods and classifications proposed here will assist in future research work and resource production.