Environmental analysis of basin and schwellen facies in the lower Zechstein of Germany

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Abstract
Summary: The Zechstein basin had a schwellen and basin topography, inherited from the late Variscan regime. The basinal facies of the lower Zechstein, mostly thin euxinic shales and limestones, are uniform throughout the basin. Different facies occur at the basin rim and on the schwellen. The schwellen facies of the Kupferschiefer varies from black and red shales to very fossiliferous dolomites. Reefs and other biogenic sediments dominate the shallow-water basin rim environments of the first- and second-cycle carbonates (Ca1 and Ca2). A regression during deposition of the upper part of the first-cycle carbonate led to emergence of the schwellen. This event can be recorded throughout the Zechstein basin. The deposition of great amounts of anhydrite upon the schwellen increased the relief between palaeohigh and basin. Subsequent sedimentation of thick halite blanketed the topography and filled the basin.

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