From marginal outcrops to basin interior: a new perspective on the sedimentary evolution of the eastern Pannonian Basin

Abstract Sedimentary successions exposed at basin margins as a result of late-stage inversion, uplift and erosion usually represent only limited portion the entire fill; thus, they are highly incomplete records evolution. Small satellite basins, however, might have potential recording more complete histories. The late Miocene sedimentary history Șimleu Basin, north-eastern vast Pannonian was investigated through study large outcrops correlative well-logs. A full transgressive–regressive cycle is reconstructed, which formed within ca. 1 million-year time frame (10.6–9.6 Ma). transgressive phase represented by coarse-grained deltas overlain deep-water lacustrine marls. Onset regressive indicated sandy turbidite lobes channels, followed slope shales, topped stacked deltaic fluvial deposits. deep- to shallow-water facies similar those deposited in central, deep part Basin. Basin thus close almost outcrop analogue Basin’s record known mainly from subsurface data, such well-logs, cores seismic sections interior. This demonstrates that deposits small basins may reflect whole sequence processes shaped major basin, although smaller spatial temporal scale.