The Supra-Salt Sedimentary Sequence of the North Caspian Depression: Stratigraphy and Sedimentary History

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. In the abstract, added some values

2. All the figures are bad quality

3. try to more indicate the consequence of this paleotethys (diapirism, salt, oil, gas, phosphate...) in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan (REF. Phosphate mining pollution in southern Tunisia: environmental, epidemiological, and socioeconomic investigation)

4. Weak references number

5. Added a flowshart of your methodology adopted in this study area

6. More detail the new data in this study (not only the biblio.)

7. More detail the impact of this subsidence period, the socio-economoc impact

8. Added some recommendations

Comments on the Quality of English Language

must be revised

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript entitled “Supra-salt sedimentary sequence of the North Caspian depression. Stratigraphy and sedimentary history” align well with the scope of the journal.

The references cover the subject in a satisfactory degree, however some new insight on salt tectonics could probably be included (e.g. G. Tari, J.F. Flinch, J.I. Soto, Chapter 6 - Petroleum Systems and Play Types Associated With Permo-Triassic Salt in Europe, North Africa and the Atlantic Region, Editor(s): Juan I. Soto, Joan F. Flinch, Gabor Tari,Permo-Triassic Salt Provinces of Europe, North Africa and the Atlantic Margins,Elsevier,2017,Pages 129-156; Rowan, M. G., Urai, J. L., Fiduk, J. C., and Kukla, P. A.: Deformation of intrasalt competent layers in different modes of salt tectonics, Solid Earth, 10, 987–1013, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-10-987-2019, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809417-4.00007-0).

The Introduction provides information regarding the geological context of the study area. Few question arise, for example in Figure 2 the geometry of salt diapirs resembles mostly salt stocks. The authors should provide more information regarding the styles of salt diapirs, which consequently control the geometry of the mini basins.

The next section of the manuscript addresses the stratigraphy of supra-salt successions. However, significant questions arise regarding the data supporting the extensive analysis presented between lines 90 and 1028. While the authors cite seismic and gravity data used to construct the cross-sections for the area, the origins of other datasets remain unclear. The section includes substantial biostratigraphic and sedimentological data, yet the methods of acquisition are not adequately addressed. Specifically, it is uncertain whether the data derive from well logs, fieldwork, outcrop studies, or other sources.

To improve clarity and rigor, it is recommended that the manuscript includes a detailed Materials and Methods section. This addition would provide transparency regarding the datasets underpinning the analysis and describe the methodologies employed. Furthermore, it is suggested that the scope of the analysis be reduced to enhance linguistic coherence and maintain the narrative flow of the manuscript. These adjustments would significantly strengthen the scientific presentation and accessibility of the study.

The figures in the manuscript require significant improvement. The modified maps sourced from the Atlas of Lithological and Paleogeographic Maps of the USSR as well as from the works of Demchuk et al. (1971) and Glumov I.F. et al. (2004) contain extensive information, making it challenging for readers to follow the analysis presented by the authors. To enhance clarity and accessibility, it is recommended that these maps be supplemented with simplified cross-sectional sketches (not necessarily to scale) for the different periods discussed. Such additions would facilitate the visualization of depositional environment evolution and provide a more coherent link between the figures and the narrative in the text.

The format of the references has to be also revised since it doesn’t follow the MDPI style.

Comments and suggestions for further improvements are included in the attached file.

The quality of the English in the manuscript is problematic in several instances and requires significant improvement. It is recommended that the manuscript undergo professional language editing or proofreading to enhance its readability and eliminate grammatical and syntactical errors.

In conclusion, the submitted manuscript requires substantial revisions to address several weaknesses. While the core of the research, focusing on the geodynamic evolution of the Caspian Basin, is both valuable and scientifically relevant, the current structure of the paper undermines its impact. Given the extensive scope of the study and its potential to attract significant scientific interest, the manuscript could be considered for publication following major revisions aimed at improving its organization, clarity, and overall coherence.

 

 

 

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The quality of the English in the manuscript is problematic in several instances and requires significant improvement. It is recommended that the manuscript undergo professional language editing or proofreading to enhance its readability and eliminate grammatical and syntactical errors.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript studies the Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Paleocene sedimentary sequences in the North Caspian Basin and the influence on salt tectonics of the underlying Permian salts. The study subject includes a long-time span and a large area size, which displays a general description of the supra-salt sequences in the North Caspian Basin, which is valuable for new studiers to know the general evolution of this place. There are some minor issues that need further revision. I suggest minor revision before accept.

(1) Abstract: “The North Caspian Basin, known for its oil and gas potential”, in which strata? Mesozoic?

(2) Abstract: “ which  led to clastic material in the Triassic and Jurassic” replace “led to” by “supplied”

(3) Abstract: “As a result of diapirism of salt bodies, mini-basins were formed”. during which time? Cenozoic?

(4) Line 25, delete which

(5) Line 29, The basin turns out east, what does it mean?

(6) Line 34-36, It is inappropriate to set one sentence as a paragraph

(7) Line 39: still requires serious work on the revision, this sentence have no subject

(8) Fig. 1 the figure caption does not correspond to the legend. For example, there is no 2 in the figure, but it explained in the caption.

(9) Fig. 2 put the location of the two profiles in the Fig. 1

(10) Line 102-104: It is unclear in this sentence that the "which" is for the Upper Permian strata or for "" Triassic deposits?

(11) Fig. 4: It is unclear in this sentence that the "which" is for the Upper Permian strata or for "" Triassic deposits?

(12) Fig. 4: no 12, 13, 14 legends, which are explained in the figure caption. Besides, which does the different colors represent?

(13) Lines 139-142: You should describe the Aalenian deposits first.

(14) Lines 214-215: A relatively large freshwater basin? It does not exist in the Fig.   5A, instead a marine basin exists.

(15) Fig. 5B: what environment does the white color represent?

(16) Lines 227-240: where does the Ural Mountain Range, the Dnieper-Donets lowland, the Bashkir and Orenburg Uralian regions, the Aral Sea region? Main mentioned structures should be marked in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 5A. For readers who unfamiliar with the studied area will have no idea the place

(17) Fig. 6: It should be added that legends of environment and lithological facies are referred to Fig. 5. The same for the following figures.

(18) Fig. 7: what environment does the white color represent?

(19) Line 507: Callovian is Middle Jurassic

(20) Line 1014: Campanian belongs to Late Cretaceous

(21) Conclusions: It is not appropriate to cite so many references in the conclusions. Conclusions should be what your own conclusions.