Turbidite sequence located in SE Bangladesh

The basal part of the Miocene Surma Group as exposed at the Sundari Chara outcrop section at the axial part of Sitapahar anticline, Chittagong Hills, southeastern Bangladesh, shows facies associations indicative of a turbidite origin. A total of five turbidite cycles including a complete Bouma sequence have been recognized. The Surma Group was earlier interpreted to be of deltaic to shallow-marine origin. The recognition of the turbidite in the basal part of the Surma Group will require revision of the existing depositional and tectonic models of the Bengal basin. In addition, this will add to a better understanding on the hydrocarbon generation and accumulation potential in the basin.