Page 293 - Carbonate Facies in Geologic History

280 Reef Trends and Basin Deposits in Late Jurassic Facies

over, are also noted for oolite development. This facies is discussed in the follow-
ing Chapter. Of equal interest is the wide latitudinal spread of Jurassic evapo-
rites-from more than 50° North to less than 20° North. This is true in both
European and the Middle East and in North America. The European reef belt falls
within this 30 degree wide evaporite area. Coals are known in Portugal and in
the Caucasus indicating more humid climate north and west of the major evapo-
rite and limestone belt. In addition, in the European and Middle East Tethys, as
well as in the basinal Smackover facies of the Gulf of Mexico coast, some of the
most distinctive types of deep water carbonates are present. The microfacies part
of this Chapter lists six varieties including the radiolarites. Other generalizations
about basinal carbonates are found in Chapter XII.