Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270 – 280

www.elsevier.com/locate/palaeo

Facies architecture of an isolated carbonate platform in the

Hawasina Basin: The Late Triassic Jebel Kawr of Oman
Michaela Bernecker
Institute of Paleontology, University Erlangen, Loewenichstrasse 28, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
Accepted 30 November 2006

Abstract

In the oceanic realm of the southern Tethys, carbonate production of isolated platforms ceased after the end-Permian mass
extinction and did not recover until the Late Triassic.
The Misfah Formation (MF) at Jebel Kawr in the Oman Mountains is interpreted as a relic of such an isolated Late Triassic
platform of the Hawasina Ocean, a part of the Neo-Tethys. Correlation of three sections at Jebel Kawr points to a sequence
architecture with four third-order sequences (MF1–MF4). The maximum flooding surface (mfs) of MF3 can be correlated to the
attached Arabian platform.
The shallow-water carbonates of Jebel Kawr comprise a platform rim reef facies and bedded inner-platform facies characterized
by stacked high-frequency cycles with subtidal to intertidal carbonate sequences.
The depositional profile of this Late Triassic isolated platform evolved during Carnian and Norian time from a low-relief
carbonate bank to a high-relief platform rimmed by reefs. The onset of the carbonate sedimentation is characterized by an initial
phase with volcaniclastic interruptions, followed by a carbonate bank stage with a shallow subtidal to peritidal interior and
marginal oolite shoals. In the Norian vertical accumulation caused an increase of the platform height and developed a relief along
the margins that progressively increased through the aggrading reef stage. The possibility that a reef rim existed and was later
removed by erosion is suggested by the Sint reef and olistoliths of similar reef limestones in the surrounding areas.
© 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Late Triassic; Isolated platform; Reef development; Neo-Tethys; Oman Mountains

1. Introduction platforms have rarely been reviewed (e.g., South China,

The recovery period of marine ecosystems following
the Permian mass extinctions was extraordinarily pro-
longed. For metazoan reefs it extended from the end of
Lopingian to early Middle Triassic (Flügel, 2002; Flügel
and Kiessling, 2002; Weidlich, 2002a,b). The impact of
extinctions on biodiversity has been analysed in detail
(Erwin et al., 2002) but the influence on carbonate
E-mail address: bernecker@pal.uni-erlangen.de.
0031-0182/$ - see front matter © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.11.054
Lehrmann et al., 2001, 2003).
On the Arabian plate, tropical carbonate production
collapsed after the end-Permian mass extinction and was
replaced by microbialites and sea-floor cements during
the earliest Triassic. Tropical shallow-water carbonate
production resumed in the Middle Triassic (Weidlich
and Bernecker, 2007). Absence of shallow-water
limestone from the Hawasina basin suggests that
carbonate production of isolated platforms ceased here
for about 30 million years and Neo-Tethyan isolated
platforms did not recover before the Late Triassic.
 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280 271

The aim of this paper is to analyse the facies
architecture of such an isolated Late Triassic carbonate
platform from the southern Tethys (Hawasina Ocean)
based on integrated facies analyses with biostrati-
graphic and sequence stratigraphic data. The main
objectives of this study are (i) to describe the reef and
platform deposits preserved as relics in the Hawasina
nappes of the Oman Mountains, (ii) to document
changes in architectural style of the Kawr platform,
and (iii) to reconstruct the evolution of this isolated
platform in the Neo-Tethys.
2. Geological setting and study area
Triassic shelf deposits crop out along the eastern rim of
the Arabian Shield. Tectonic nappes of the Oman
Mountains containing relics of Middle-Permian to Late-
Triassic carbonate platforms include the Arabian plate
(Saiq and Mahil Formations) and Hawasina basin (Neo-
Tethys: Bai'id and Misfah Formations). According to
palinspastic reconstructions, the isolated Permian Ba'id
and Triassic Kawr platforms of the Hawasina basin were
situated north to northeast of Arabian plate in Neo-Tethys

Fig. 1. (1) Location map of the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. (2) Simplified geological map of the Oman Mountains. (3) Location of
measured sections at Jebel Kawr, the isolated platform of the Neo-Tethys. Section Sint (23°09′50ʺN, 57°03′10ʺE), section Ala (23°05′30ʺN, 57°07′30ʺ),
and section Amqah (23°04′30ʺN, 57°07′30ʺE).
272 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280

(Béchennec et al., 1990). Biostratigraphic and sequence the large scale stratigraphic architecture and regional sea-
stratigraphic correlation between the attached Arabian level curve (Weidlich and Bernecker, 2003). The nappes
platform and the isolated platforms allowed to reconstruct of the Hawasina complex (Fig. 1) document the evolution

Fig. 2. Stratigraphic logs of Kawr platform with lithofacies, biota and sequence stratigraphy of the Misfah Formation. Section Sint (1) represents the
rim of the isolated Kawr platform, section Ala (2) and Amqah (3) the inner platform.
 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280
of Neo-Tethys. Relics of Middle and Late Triassic
shallow-water carbonates have been preserved as breccias
or enormous mega-blocks attaining a size of several
kilometers are exposed at Jibal Kawr, Misht, Misfah, and
Ghul (Kawr Group: Misfah Formation: Beurrier et al.,
1986; Minoux and Janjou, 1986).
The Subayb Formation of Jebel Misfah comprises a
succession of mafic volcanics and dark nodular lime-
stones dated as Ladinian and Carnian (Pillevuit, 1993;
Pillevuit et al., 1997). It is the precursor of the Misfah
Formation and is regarded as the lowermost unit of this
Neo-Tethyan isolated carbonate platform. The Misfah
Formation, exposed at Jibal Misfah, Misht, and Kawr
(Beurrier et al., 1986, ‘Oman Exotics’ sensu Glennie et al.,
1974) consists of 700–900 m bedded shallow-water
platform carbonates of Late Triassic age. The termination
of shallow-water platform sedimentation at Jebel Kawr is
indicated by platform drowning during the Lower Jurassic
(Fatah Formation, section Ma'Wa; Pillevuit, 1993).
Misfah Formation exposures at Jebel Misfah, Misht,
and Kawr (Fig. 1) are 700–900 m thick and located in
the Western Oman Mountains in the area SW of Jebel
Akhdar (Beurrier et al., 1986; Minoux and Janjou,
1986). Three sections (Fig. 2) from Jebel Kawr were
studied and cover positions of the Misfah Formation
extending from Carnian to Rhaetian. The size of the
Kawr platform is about 15 × 20 km (300 km2). Section
Sint (Fig. 3) represents the rim of the platform, section
Ala (Fig. 4) and Amqah the platform interior.
3. Facies description and depositional environments
The base of the Misfah Formation at Jebel Kawr
represents the onset of shallow-water carbonate deposi-
tion in the Carnian. Volcaniclastic extraclasts prove per-
turbations caused by volcanic activity.
The upper part of the Misfah Formation at Jebel
Kawr consists of shallow-water carbonates up to 800 m
thick and represents the development of the Kawr plat-
form with reefs during the Norian/Rhaetian.
3.1. Facies types of the base of the Misfah Formation at
Jebel Kawr
Bedded wackestone facies with peloids and bioclasts
(porostromates, dasycladacean algae and foraminifera)
dominate in the interior, oolithic grainstones at the
margin (Fig. 2(1), base of section Sint).
3.1.1. Mudstone, locally bioturbated
This light grey monotonous facies type forms beds
20 to 50 cm thick. The mudstone contains only a few
273
components (pellets, bioclasts, intraclasts and locally
porostromate algae). Distinct mottling due to bioturba-
tion can be observed in some beds.
3.1.2. Bioclastic and peloidal wackestone to grainstone
Banks of this grey facies type are 20 to 40 cm thick
and contain varying amounts of bioclasts and peloids.
The microflora and fauna, consisting of dasycladacean
algae (Clypeina besici, Poikiloporella duplicata) and
foraminifera (e.g. Aulotortus praegaschei), are age
diagnostic for the Carnian.
3.1.3. Volcanoclastic wackestone
The reddish to yellow medium thick-bedded (ca. 30 cm)
volcanoclastic wackestone is located in the basal part of
the sequence. The mudstone and wackestone contain elon-
gated millimeter-size volcanic extraclasts. These extra-
clasts are indicators of ongoing volcanic eruptions in the
Hawasina basin, which may have hampered carbonate
production on the isolated platform at the beginning of its
development.
3.1.4. Oolitic grainstone
The light grey thick-bedded medium-sorted oolitic
grainstone occurs in the sequence prior to reef growth.
The marine ooids with a partly micritized tangential
microfabric probably formed in high-energy shoals.
3.1.5. Crinoid floatstone and rudstone
This grey massive to thick-bedded bioclastic float-
stone and rudstone is composed largely of crinoid
ossicles. The fabric varies from loose and disperse
packing to grain-support fabric. The crinoid stems are
disarticulated, but the ossicles show no signs of sig-
nificant lateral transportation or abrasion. Some crinoids
exhibit syntaxial cement rims. Only a Carnian-to-Norian
age can be assigned to this facies types, as fossils of
biostratigraphic relevance are absent.
3.2. Facies types of the upper part of the Misfah
Formation at Jebel Kawr
The main part of the isolated Kawr platform includes
reef facies (section Sint, 59–113 m), inferred to re-
present the platform rim as well as bedded inner plat-
form facies (Fig. 2), section Ala and Amqah.
3.2.1. Coral bafflestone with solenoporacean algae
and/or chaetetid sponges
The light grey massive bafflestone consists of dendroid
coral colonies together with large solenoporacean algae
(diameter 2–5 cm) forming bioherms up to 20 m thick.
274 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280

Fig. 3. (1) Platform-rim facies at the northern escarpment of Jebel Kawr. Section Sint with sequences MF2 to 4. Reef-to-platform transition during
MF4 indicates strong platform progradation. (2) Biostratigraphic important foraminifer Triassina hantkeni, Rhaetian, and (3) dasycladacean alga
Poikiloporella duplicata, Carnian. Fauna of the Kawr reef. (4) Solenoporacean algae, (5) scleractinian corals: Gablonzeria and (6) Retiophyllia
(scale bars 1 mm in 2 and 3; 1 cm in 4, 2 cm in 5 and 6).

Common coral taxa are Retiophyllia norica, Cyclophyllia
cyclica, and Margarosmilia charlyana. The sediment
between the colonies is a wackestone yielding bioclasts
and small foraminifera. The reef organisms indicate a
Norian age. Corals (R. norica) and chaetetid sponges
(Blastochaetetes dolomiticus, Bauneia annosciai) also
occur as isolated colonies in biostromal beds 30 to 50 cm
thick.
3.2.2. Coral and sponge framestone
The grey massive framestone contain cerioid and
thamnasteroid coral colonies as dominant reef builders.
Common corals are Gablonzeria profunda, Pamiroseris
rectilamellosa, and Seriastrea multiphylla. Sponges
such as Cryptocoelia siziliana, Cryptocoelia tenupar-
ietalis, and Weltheria sp. are less abundant and build
clusters within the reef framework. This framestone also
includes encrusting organisms like Spongiostromata
crusts, the microproblematicum Microtubus communis,
foraminifera (e.g. Alpinophragmium perforatum), and
small sponges (Uvanella norica). These framestones
yield a fauna of Norian age dated and described by
Bernecker (1996, 2005).
3.2.3. Coral floatstone and rudstone
The grey floatstone and rudstone up to 2 m thick
contain angular to subangular reef derived bioclasts up to
10 cm in diameter. This facies occurs above the reef facies
and represents erosion at the end of reef development.
3.2.4. Bioturbated mudstone and wackestone
The beds of this light grey mudstone and wackestone
with dark grey dots are 40 to 70 cm thick. Bioturbation
is recorded by cylindrical tubes about 1 cm in diameter
that differ in color and fabric from the surrounding
mudstone. Burrow fill are wackestone containing re-
crystallized bioclasts, peloids, and fecal pellets of
decapod crustaceans (Favreina).
 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280 275

Fig. 4. (1) Inner-platform facies at the eastern escarpment of Jebel Kawr-section Ala. The breccia in front is a younger debris flow deposit. (2 and 3)
Bedded platform facies with sequences of MF2 and MF3. (4) Subtidal facies with megalodontid bivalves (lens cap is 5.5 cm) and (5) intertidal facies
with microbialites.

3.2.5. Bioclastic wackestone (and rare grainstone)
The light grey wackestone has a varying bed thickness
between 20 and 40 cm. The components are recrystallized
bioclasts and peloids. Bioturbation is rare, but it is obvious
from the grainstone texture of the burrow fills.
3.2.6. Megalodont floatstone
The grey well-bedded floatstone has bed thicknesses
between 80 and 150 cm. Bivalves (e.g. Megalodon,
Neomegalodon) up to 60 cm in diameter occur in
clusters or beds. The largest forms are common in the
Norian. The sediment between the megalodont clams
and other large bivalves is a mudstone or wackestone.
Most of the abundant molds are of articulated bivalves
in life position. Megalodontids lived on shallow muddy
substrates in low-energy lagoonal environments.
3.2.7. Molluscan floatstone
The dark grey molluscan floatstone forms beds 40 to
60 cm thick beds that show local horizontal orientation of
the shells. Single beds consist of several layers which differ
with respect to packing density and shape of the shells.
3.2.8. Laminated bindstone
The grey laminated bindstone forms beds varying
from 5 to 20 cm thick. This facies is ‘loferite’ (Fischer,
1964) and consists microbialites locally with fenestral
fabric. The microbialites are typically associated with
fenestrae and desiccation cracks, and pointing to a supra-
to intertidal environment. The laminated sediment is
partly reworked at the top of the bank.
3.2.9. Irregular unconformity surfaces
Red or green argillaceous micrite, carbonate silt, or
marl contain millimeter- to centimeter sized intraclasts of
microbialites and scattered fenestral pores with geopetal
fills. Redcoated grains and aggregates with Fe-oxide
staining and cement are probably of pedogenic origin.
The inner platform facies is characterized by subtidal
megalodont-rich floatstone, shallow-subtidal to intertidal
276 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280
fenestral mudstone, and laminated stromatolite. 5 to 20 m
cycles occur in inner platform sections with internal facies
successions similar to the Lofer cyclothems (e.g. Fischer,
1964, 1975; Goldhammer et al., 1990; Satterley, 1996;
Enos and Samankassou, 1998).
4. Sequence architecture of the isolated platform
The sequence stratigraphic interpretation follows
classic concepts (e.g., Haq et al., 1988; Van Wagoner
et al., 1988; Vail et al., 1991; Handford and Loucks, 1993)
with emphasis on carbonate systems. Long-term trans-
gressive–regressive cycles developed over periods of ap-
proximately 5–20 my and represent second-order
supersequences. They are composed of stacked composite
third-order sequences with a duration of 0.5–5 my (Sarg
et al., 1999). High frequency cycles (4th order and higher)
were observed but not correlated in detail. The sequence
stratigraphic interpretation of the carbonate platforms is
based on the (1) investigation of key sections with bed-by-
bed analysis and description of representative samples/
thin-sections with respect to facies and depositional envi-
ronment, (2) determination of depositional sequences
using photomosaics, (3) identification of sequence bound-
aries and maximum flooding surfaces (mfs) for correla-
tion within the Arabian platform supersequences
(Sharland et al., 2001). The maximum flooding surfaces
provide a framework of timelines, which allow the dis-
parate lithostratigraphic units across the plate to be placed
within a unifying chronostratigraphic framework. Max-
imum flooding surfaces, or better maximum flooding
zones (Lehrmann and Goldhammer, 1999), were recog-
nized either by a change from monotonous, light grey
carbonates to thin-bedded, dark-colored limestones or
(more frequently) by diverse, fully marine faunas (e.g., the
occurrence of corals, bivalves and aulotortid foraminifera
within a thick sequence of monotonous carbonates).
Permian and Triassic carbonate platforms of the Ara-
bian Peninsula and Neo-Tethys are characterized by dis-
tinctive second order supersequences (P1–4 and Tr1–4,
duration 5–20 million years) and composite third order
sequences (duration 0.5–5 my) (Weidlich and Bernecker,
2003). Triassic supersequence Tr4 can be correlated from
the attached Arabian platform to the isolated Kawr
platform. Composite sequences of the Misfah Formation
(designated MF) are represented at Jebel Kawr.
4.1. Facies and variation of transgressive systems tract
(TST)
Patterns and lithologies of TST facies at the platform
margin can be best described using the data of the Sint
section (Fig. 3). Composite sequence MF1 is not ex-
posed near Sint, but dominance of stromatolites of the
inner platform facies (see sections Ala and Amqah, Fig. 4
(5)) suggests moderate lateral depth gradients during this
phase. During MF2-TST, the inner-platform facies of Jebel
Kawr passes laterally from subtidal megalodont floatstone
near the rim into bioturbated bioclastic wackestone,
bivalve floatstone, and rare grainstone with dasycladacean
algae or oncoids. MF3-TST, dominated by crinoid float-
and rudstone, differs in its biotic composition significantly
from MF2-TST. Crinoid ossicles are increasingly dis-
articulated toward the top, but are not transported. These
crinoid-rich sediments correlate with a dark coral/chaetetid
floatstone of the platform interior. This coral bio-
strome facies yields chaetetids (B. dolomiticus) and corals
(R. norica) and is unique in its composition throughout the
isolated Kawr platform. This facies represents the only
occurrence of coral/chaetetid level-bottom communities
on the inner platform and is conspicuously dark and
bituminous. It is the maximum flooding surface of the
platform and can be correlated with a similar zone of the
Mahil Formation of the Gondwana shelf (Weidlich and
Bernecker, 2003). MF4-TST is characterized by fully
marine, bedded platform-interior facies with megalodonts
(Fig. 4(4)). As in composite sequence MF1, a differenti-
ation between TST and HST would be arbitrary, owing to
the absence of significant facies changes, and is therefore
not practiced.
Tempestites are a ubiquitous phenomenon of Jebel
Kawr platform and are striking in the prograding plat-
form facies above the coral reef (section Sint).
4.2. Facies variation of highstand systems tract (HST)
and platform drowning
The inner platform facies of the highstand systems
tracts is dominated by bedded Lofer cyclothems in
which sub- to intertidal algal stromatolite as well as
mudstone are more common than subtidal megalo-
dont-rich floatstone. Subaerial exposure horizons are
common. The greatest facies variation of the isolated
Kawr platform occurs at the platform rim (Fig. 3). The
HST commenced with coral reef facies evolving from
boundstone to floatstone and finally to lithoclastic
rudstone due to decreasing water depth and increasing
turbulence. Composite sequence MF3 is terminated by
prograding platform facies with heterogeneous com-
position including abundant bivalve floatstones,
oolites, and wacke/packstone. Several subaerial expo-
sure horizons point to short-lived, punctuated sea-level
lowstands as a result of decreasing accommodation
space.
 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280
The youngest platform sediments have been eroded
and platform termination remains therefore enigmatic.
Matrix-rich debris-flow deposits with onlapping geom-
etries at section Ala (Fig. 4(1)) point either to a lowstand
wedge with long-lasting platform exposure at the end of
Triassic or to a rifting event related to extension of the
Neo-Tethys (e.g., Glennie et al., 1974; Robertson and
Searle, 1990; Loosveld et al., 1996). The youngest
carbonates of the isolated Kawr platform are thin-
bedded deep-water limestones, which record platform
drowning subsequent to erosion.
4.3. Interpretation
Correlation of three measured sections of the Misfah
Formation from Jebel Kawr points to a platform archi-
tecture with composite sequences MF1–MF4 (Fig. 5).
Basal sequence MF1 is exposed only at Wadi Amqah
and lacks biostratigraphic microfossils. The occurrence
of P. duplicata (Fig. 3(3)), C. besici (both calcareous
algae), and A. praegaschei (foraminifer) at the base of
sequence MF2 at Sint section points to a Carnian age.
Sequence MF4 at the top of Wadi Ala yields Triassina
hantkeni (foraminifer) (Fig. 3(2)) indicative of a
Rhaetian age. The termination of Jebel Kawr shallow-
water platform sedimentation is indicated by platform
drowning during the Lower Jurassic. A debris flow
deposit at section Ala is separated from the bedded facies
by normal faults (Fig. 4(1)). It is obviously younger than
the bedded facies of the Misfah Formation because the
breccia contains clasts of the Misfah Formation and older
than post-drowning sediments, which are not represented
in the debris flows. Summarizing these data, a Carnian-to-
Rhaetian age for platform development is indicated by my
biostratigraphic determinations. A Ladinian-to-Early-
Jurassic age has been postulated in the literature (Pillevuit,
1993; Baud et al., 2001) and cannot be ruled out.
All sequences MF1 to MF4 are characterized by
variations of internal architecture. Differentiation of
TST and HST units is only possible near the platform
rim (section Sint) due to a pronounced facies differen-
tiation in ooid shoal, reef, and bedded platform facies. In
addition, only MF3 can be correlated on a platform-wide
scale, owing to a significant facies changes in other
sequences (Weidlich and Bernecker, 2003). The other
TSTs and HSTs platform sequences are indistinct and,
therefore, their differentiation would be too arbitrary.
An apparent change in the architectural style from a
low-relief bank to a platform rimmed by reefs took place
during MF2. Until MF2-TST, the depositional system
corresponds to a low-relief bank with indistinct lateral
gradients. Facies differentiation is obvious during MF2-
277
HST comprising ooid shoals at the platform rim and
megalodont mudstones within the platform. At the end
of MF3-HST, coral reefs aggraded to near sea level, but
show no evidence for subaerial exposure. When the
reefs approached sea level, percentages of floatstone and
rudstone increased and platform aggradation becomes
dominant. Reef development therefore reflects shallow-
ing with changes in biotic composition and preservation
of framework. The debris flow deposit at section Ala
may indicate either subaerial exposure of the isolated
platform prior to drowning or drowning of the plat-
form related to rifting and opening of the Neo-Tethys.
Drowning of carbonate platform may be associated with
debris flows (Zempolich, 1993) and it is known from the
southeast Bahamas that platform drowning may be
caused by downfaulting and platform collapse (Mullins
et al., 1991). At present, subaerial exposure as control
mechanism is favored. A karst erosion surface, where the
cavities are filled by a breccia with a red-brown matrix
(e.g., Bernecker et al., 1999), is described by Beurrier
et al. (1986) from the top of the Misfah Formation at
Jebel Ghul. Subaerial exposure is also supported by
evidence for long-lasting exposure of the Arabian plat-
form during the Rhaetian (Weidlich and Bernecker,
2003).
5. Conclusion and discussion
Jebel Kawr of Oman is interpreted as an isolated Late
Triassic platform, composed of four third-order se-
quences (MF1–MF4). The maximum flooding surface
(mfs) of MF3 can be correlated to the attached Ara-
bic platform. The shallow-water carbonates of Jebel
Kawr belong to the Misfah Formation and comprise
platform-rim as well as bedded inner-platform facies.
Although platform-rim facies has been found only in the
section near Sint, a margin with varying amounts of reef
and cross-bedded oolite is preserved analogous to other
Triassic isolated platforms known from the Dolomites
(e.g., Gaetani et al., 1981; Bosellini, 1984; Blendinger,
1986; Blendinger and Blendinger, 1989; Harris, 1993,
1994). The inner platform is characterized by stacked
high-frequency cycles with subtidal to intertidal car-
bonate sequences (e.g., Fischer, 1964; Goldhammer
et al., 1990; Enos and Samankassou, 1998; Haas, 2004).
Two stages of development are postulated for Jebel
Kawr (Fig. 5) reflecting changes in the depositional
profile of this Late Triassic isolated platform from low
relief to high relief. Carbonate deposition commenced on
a bank based on the following observations: (1) The lack
of depositional relief is indicated by the absence of talus
breccias close to the margin of the bank. (2) Oolites and
278 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280

Fig. 5. Model for the isolated platform development in the Neo-Tethys: depositional architecture, sea-level reconstruction, and stratigraphic log
correlation for Jebel Kawr, Oman Mountains.

crinoid floatstone, interpreted as rim of the bank, lack the generally evolve from a low-relief bank to a rimmed
capability to create a high-relief slope. (3) Published platform (Cenozoic: Bahama Bank, Betzler et al., 1999;
studies show that new carbonate depositional systems Triassic: Great Bank of Guizhou, Lehrmann et al., 1998;
 M. Bernecker / Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252 (2007) 270–280
Late Paleozoic: Capitan Reef Complex, southwestern US,
Saller et al., 1999). Shallow-water sedimentation at Jebel
Kawr started with a phase of carbonate production
interrupted by volcanic episodes. The bank consisted of
a shallow subtidal to peritidal interior and oolite shoals at
the margin. The change in architectural style to a rimmed
platform occurred during Carnian and Norian as
evidenced by the presence of a reef at the margin. In the
Norian vertical accumulation caused an increase of the
platform height and developed a relief along the margins
that progressively increased through the aggrading reef
stage. The possibility that a reef rim existed and was later
removed by erosion is suggested by the (1) Sint reef and
(2) breccia intervals with clasts of reef limestone and (3)
olistoliths of similar reef limestones in the surrounding
areas. The reef clasts contain a diverse fauna of
scleractinian corals, sponges, and several different
encrusting organisms forming a boundstone fabric.
These boundstone clasts could have been derived from
diverse platform margin reefs that were partly eroded from
the margin and preserved only in the Sint reef.
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the German Research
Foundation (Fl 42/62) and supported by Erik Flügel,
Erlangen University, Germany. The help of the Director
General of Minerals, Dr. Hilal Al-Azri, for several visits to
the Sultanate of Oman is gratefully acknowledged. I thank
my colleague Oliver Weidlich (Royal Holloway Univer-
sity, UK) for joint fieldwork and helpful discussions. Paul
Enos and Mark Harris are gratefully acknowledged for
comments and suggestions that substantially improved
the manuscript.
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