Abstract
Summary: Nodular anhydrite rocks of Middle Carboniferous age of Central Vestspitsbergen exhibit a wide variety of fabrics which give evidence for both secondary anhydrite (after primary gypsum) and primary anhydrite. A diagenetic sequence is suggested, in which penecontemporaneous formation of secondary anhydrite from primary gypsum was accompanied by growth of primary anhydrite; large scale replacement of host dolomitic sediment by anhydrite occurred simultaneously. This sequence is thought to be a necessary consequence of the diachronous nature of early diagenesis in a sabkha-like environment. It is suggested that primary anhydrite may have been mistakenly identified as secondary by some previous authors.

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