Late Cenozoic sedimentary evolution in northeastern Parل, Brazil, within the context of sea level changes

Facies and sequence stratigraphic studies carried out in northern Parل, Brazil, led to the recognition of three depositional sequences during the late Cenozoic. Three significant sea level falls are proposed: in the Paleogene, at the end of the early Miocene, and in the late Miocene. During these periods, the study area was subaerially exposed and underwent remarkable paleosol development. The sea level falls were successively followed by major sea level rises and transgressions, one in the late Oligocene to early Miocene and the other in the mid-Miocene. This history of sea level fluctuations is consistent with data documented from many other areas in South America and worldwide, reflecting eustasy, perhaps combined with regional tectonic events.