In the stratigraphic scheme of the basin in the figure, it seems that there are no sedimentation interruptions or erosive surfaces. Nor does tectonics seem to have had an influence. Four sequences are observed and specifically in section A (in the third sequence) it seems that it corresponds to a transgressive phase.

Hi.

Not so easy.

But, seeing the strong retrogradation with "deep" sediments deposition, coupled with carbonate progradation during highstands;

- Cycle 1: carbonate platform is very thin, very large, and very deep, with a platform break at about 1.5 km depth (which seems improbable); I would argue for a pelagic carbonate factory.

- Cycle 2: carbonate platform is particularly large, relatively thin, horizontally architectured, with some low-angle sigmoids; platform break is about 1000m below platform interior; platform interior shows a relatively high angle; I would argue for a bioclastic carbonate shedding, with transport of probable foraminifers and algae from platform interior to slope. Kinds of prograding calciturbidites.

- Cycle 3: carbonate platform is thicker, and prograding sigmoids are less obvious; depth of platform break is about 500m below platform interior; Thus, I would argue for a microbially architectured thickening coupled with input of platform interior transported and redeposited bioclasts.

- Cycle 4: platform interior is not observed, but we could suppose that platform break is much less deep than in cycle 3; platform is much thicker and vertically shaped; I would argue for a shallow water bioconstructed architectured platform, probably with corals.

Nice exercise! Thank you.

If we take the facies diagram literally with actual slope deposits downdip from the platform, I will offer some alternative interpretations. In my experience, these are not large platforms and I suspect the stratal geometry is not purely depositional or the basin to shelf correlations are incorrect. Assuming, the correlations are correct, one could argue that the top of cycle 3 would have been flat at the time of deposition and that some uplift and subsidence occurred during the earlier cycles. The variation in facies patterns also argues for episodic changes in subsidence. Looking at the distribution of slope facies one can conclude that all the cycles are aggradational except cycle 2 which shows progradation due to slower subsidence. The overall stacking pattern of the cycles is also consistent with long-term creation of accommodation presumably driven by tectonics. This pattern is similar to the Pennsylvanian-Early Permian subsurface succession of the Midland Basin of Texas. During Ancestral Rockies deformation, middle Pennsylvanian shallow carbonate platforms evolved into the late Pennsylvanian/Early Permian Horseshoe Atoll capped by "pinnacle reefs" surrounded by organic-rich basinal sediments just like cycle 3. Within the Midland basin, direct indications of the adjacent basement tectonics are subtle except adjacent to uplifts. The huge volume of basinal deposits is also a clue that somewhere outside this basin there was an abundant sediment source terrain probably the result of tectonics.