A study of the distribution of source rocks in Phanerozoic based on Paleoplate reconstruction

Abstract: Based on the method of paleomagnetism, the authors reconstructed the tectonic framework of global paleo-plates in 11 different geological periods, and also added more elements such as current system, distribution of climate zone, lithofacies palaeogeography and distribution of source rocks to the maps of paleo-plates reconstruction. By comprehensively analyzing geological elements, the authors have concluded that the distribution of source rocks is heterogeneous in time and space. Temporally, source rocks in Mesozoic and Cenozoic were thicker and more widely distributed than those in Paleozoic. Spatially, global marine source rocks were mainly distributed in continental shell, continental slope and platform depression, while terrestrial source rocks were mainly distributed in the center of lake basin in Phanerozoic. Furthermore, the deposition and preservation of source rocks were controlled by the supercontinent cycle, and the decrease of sea shelf caused by assembling of supercontinent was unfavorable for the deposition and preservation of the source rock. The formation of the source rock was promoted by high sea level and upwelling. High-quality source rock was mostly deposited in transgressive systems tracts in the dense segment located on the top of the transgressive tract or at the bottom of the highstand systems tract.