Synthetic seismic models of stacked Upper Carboniferous carbonate platforms in North Greenland; comparison to Barents Sea seismic data

Four synthetic seismic models have been generated for an Upper Carboniferous platform carbonate-siliciclastic-evaporite succession in North Greenland. They are based on a lithological model that allows recognition of units corresponding to third-order depositional sequences. The best seismic representation of the depositional geometry is obtained in synthetic models using velocity data from the Barents Sea. They clearly show the morphology of the carbonate platforms and the onlapping siliciclastic wedges. Furthermore the distribution of anhydrite and the absorption of energy below these layers is well documented. The models also show that velocity pull-ups should be expected below dolomitized platforms whereas velocity pull-downs may record siliciclastic lenses within the platforms. The seismic models help to a better understanding of the carbonate to evaporite transitions in the Upper Palaeozoic of the Barents Sea.