The deposition of braided deltas: an example from the Zhujiatai Formation in the Minhe Basin, northwestern China

The present paper deals with the sedimentary characteristics of the braided deltas in the Zhujiatai Formation,Minhe Basin,northwestern China.Unlike fan deltas,the braided deltas in the study area are characterized by the tractional current deposits,especially the channel deposits with well-developed sorting,roundness and permeability,and thus believed to be excellent hydrocarbon reservoirs.Since the deposition of these braided deltas are generally controlled by both regional tectonics,climates and provenances and braided stream systems,this distinction is important to the research of basin evolution and petroleum exploration.