University of Aberdeen

Dr Sophie Leleu

Geology and Petroleum Geology Dpt
Meston Building
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
AB24 3UE
Scotland
UK

Tel: +44 1224 273461
Fax: +44 1224 272785

Research interests

Continental sedimentology: characterization, correlation, and genetic stratigraphy
Tectonics and sedimentation : continental sedimentation as fingerprints for tectonic structures and basin development
Palaeomorphological evolution: using fluvial records as proxies for paleo-topographical and palaeo-drainage evolution
Early convergence phase of the Western Alpine System: role of the basement inheritance and the rifting structures on Late Cretaceous/ early Eocene contractional structures and basins
Continental rift system development and sedimentation

Research projects

Triassic Atlantic Project
Funded by Shell EPX Rijswijk

Palaeogeography and geodynamics of the Central Atlantic domain during the Triassic rift development
- Tectono-stratigraphic development of the continental Triassic rift basins
- Basin fill history, palaeo-environments and palaeo-geomorphology

Collaborative projects:

- Characterization of 3D fluvial architecture: statistical analysis and modeling (Xavier van Lanen, PhD, Manchester, UK)
- New models of fluvial sedimentation; examples in present-day rift systems
(Gary Weissmann, New Mexico, USA and Adrian Hartley, Aberdeen)
- Fluvio-marine interactions, Triassic of Libya to be started in collaboration with Strasbourg University (R Bibonne, PhD)
- Volcano-sedimentation relationships; examples of Scottish Devonian successions (David Jolley, Aberdeen)

Publications

Leleu S, Ghienne J-F, Manatschal G., 2005. Upper Cretaceous to Palaeocene alluvial-fans documenting interaction between tectonic and environmental processes (Provence, SE France). Alluvial fans: Geomorphology, Sedimentology, Dynamics. From: Harvey, A.M., Mather, A.E. & Stockes, M. (eds). Geological Society of London, Special Publications, 251, 217-239.
Leleu S, Ghienne J-F, Manatschal G., 2009a. Morpho-tectonic record and alluvial fan signature of a basement structure re-activation during the early stage of Alpine convergence. Basin Research, 21, 157-187.
Leleu S., Hartley A.J. & Williams B.P.J., 2009b. Large scale alluvial architecture and correlation within a Triassic pebbly braided river system, lower Wolfville Formation (Fundy Basin, Nova Scotia, Canada). Journal of Sedimentary research, 79, 292-313.
Tyrrell S., Leleu S., Souders A. K., Haughton P.D.W. & Daly J.S.,.K-feldspar sand-grain provenance in the Triassic, west of Shetland: a first-cycle sedimentary fingerprint? Geological Journal, 44, 692-710.
Leleu S. & Hartley A.J., 2010, Controls on the stratigraphic development of the Triassic Fundy basin, Nova Scotia: Implications for the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of Triassic Atlantic rift basins. Journal of Geological Society, London, 167, 1-18.
Leleu S., van Lanen X.M.T. & Hartley A.J., in press, Controls on the architecture of a Triassic sandy fluvial system, Wolfville Formation, Fundy Basin, Nova Scotia: Implications for the interpretation and correlation of ancient fluvial successions. Journal of Sedimentary Research
Redfern, J., Shannon, P.M., Tyrrell, S., Leleu, S., Fabuel Perez, I., Baudon, C., Haughton, P.D.W. , Daly, J.S., Van Lanen, X., Štolfová, K., Hodgetts, D., Williams, B. P.J., Speksnijder, A., in press, An integrated study of Permo -Triassic basins along the North Atlantic passive margin: implication for future exploration, Barbican, Special Publications of the Petroleum Geology Conference.

Selected Contributions in Conferences

Leleu S., Hartley A.J. 2009. North Atlantic Triassic rift basin fills: controls on the evolution from fluvial to playa stage. Abstract, 9th International Conference of Fluvial Sedimentology, Tucuman, Argentina.
Leleu S., van Lanen X., 2009. Braided rivers: a limit to depositional models. From river to Rock Record, Aberdeen, 12-14 January 2009.
Leleu S., Hartley A.J., Williams, B.P.J, 2009. Large-scale alluvial architecture and correlation within a Triassic pebbly braided river system (Fundy Basin, Canada). From river to Rock Record, Aberdeen, 12-14 January 2009.
Leleu S., 2008. Continental Rift basin fills: evolution from opened to closed stage (Wolfville/ Blomidon Fm, nova Scotia). Atlantic Conjuguate Margins, Halifax.
Leleu S., Hartley A. J., Jolley D. W., Williams B. P.J., 2008. The early infill of the Triassic Fundy Basin: architecture of the Wolfville Formation and fluvial evolution. Atlantic Conjuguate Margins, Halifax.
Leleu S., Ghienne J-F., Manatschal G., 2007. Morpho-tectonic record and alluvial fan signature of a basement structure re-activation during the early stage of Alpine convergence. IAS, Alluvial fan conference, Banff, 17-21 june.
Leleu S., Ghienne J-F., Manatschal G., 2007. Morpho-tectonic record and alluvial fan signature of a basement structure re-activation during the early stage of Alpine convergence. IAS, Alluvial fan conference, Banff, 17-21 june.
Leleu S., Ghienne J-F., Floquet M., 2007. Late Cretaceous-Palaeocene syn-tectonic alluvial fan development in response to carbonate drainage basin evolution: morphometry and denudation rate quantification. IAS, Alluvial fan conference, Banff, 17-21 june.
Leleu S., Hartley A.J., Williams, B.P.J, 2007. Early infill of the Triassic rift in the Fundy Basin (Nova Scotia): assessment of the stratigraphy by correlative surfaces in fluvial barren sequences. AAPG, Long Beach, 1-4 April.
Leleu S., McKie T., Williams, B.P.J., 2006. The North Atlantic Triassic rift system: basins evolution and large scale drainage pattern. BSRG, Aberdeen.
Leleu S., Ghienne J-F., Manatschal G., 2005. The morpho-tectonic evolution and sedimentary record of early convergence in a pre-structured foreland setting: the example of the Provence (SE France). Réunion Soc. Geol. France, Paris, IFP, 14-16 décembre 2005.
Leleu S., Ghienne J-F., Manatschal G., 2003. Interaction between syn-tectonic alluvial fan deposits and climatically dominated flood-plain sedimentation : the example of a Late Cretaceous-Palaeocene succession in Provence, SE France. IAS Alluvial Fans Special Meeting, p.18, Sorbas, Spain, 8-13 juin 2003.

PhD Thesis

Late Cretaceous/Palaeocene alluvial fans in Provence: proxies for morpho-tectonics evolution of incipient phases of collision.

Abstract: This study focuses on sedimentary architecture at different scales in Provence (SE France) during the compressive phase of the Alpine system, from Late Cretaceous to Mid-Eocene. Syn-tectonic alluvial fans have been studied and integrated in a basin scale analysis, which led to understand the modality of the deformation.
The analysis (distribution, sedimentology, geometries) of alluvial fan deposits allows to determine the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Ste-Victoire Range from the source (uplifted area) to the sink (Arc Basin). It allows to reconstruct the morpho-tectonic evolution and the compartmentalisation of the range. This study proposes that the evolution of the Ste-Victoire Range records the re-activation of the relay zone between two major basement faults (Aix and Durance Faults).
The basin analysis indicates that the Arc basin began to subside at Mid to Late Santonian and the depocentres migrated towards north until Mid-Eocene times. The compressive deformation and the associated topography have been localised on narrow areas, above inherited faults until Mid Paleocene times, before the nappe emplacement during Early to Mid-Eocene times.

In the Alpine system (s.l.), Provence accommodated the early (Late Santonian to Paleocene) compressive deformation by re-activating previous structures. The early stage of convergence corresponds to thick-skinned tectonics and flexural subsidence has not been recorded in Provence, compared to Pyrenees at that time. The lateral changes in the architecture of the Pyreneo-provençal system should be consider as a consequence of differences in re-activation of lithospheric and previous rifting structures between Pyrenees and Provence during the early stage of convergence.