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- Volume 20, Issue 2, 2008
Basin Research - Volume 20, Issue 2, 2008
Volume 20, Issue 2, 2008
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Long‐term Callovian–Oxfordian sea‐level changes and sedimentation in the Iberian carbonate platform (Jurassic, Spain): possible eustatic implications
Authors Javier Ramajo and Marc AurellABSTRACTFacies analysis across the carbonate platform developed during the Callovian–Oxfordian in the northern Iberian basin (Jurassic, Northeast Spain) is used to characterize successive stages of sedimentary evolution, including palaeoenvironmental reconstructions showing the distribution of a wide spectrum of facies, from ferruginous oolitic, peloidal, spongiolithic to intraclastic. The studied successions consist of two long‐term transgressive–regressive cycles bounded by a major unconformity with a major gap, comprising at least the upper Lamberti (Callovian) and Mariae (Oxfordian) Zones. Major transgressive peaks of these two cycles occurred at the end of the Early Callovian (late Gracilis Zone) and at the end of the Middle Oxfordian. The Callovian and Oxfordian successions were further divided into three and seven higher frequency cycles, respectively. The modelling of two sections (i.e. Ricla and Tosos) located 40 km apart in the more subsident open platform areas, allows the reconstruction of two curves showing a similar evolution of long‐term sea‐level changes that are in theory eustatic, though subject to uncertainties derived form the assumptions required for their construction. The changes affecting the northern Iberian basin seem to reflect nearly homogeneous subsidence (rates around 2 cm kyr−1) combined with possible eustatic changes including an Early Callovian rise, a fall at the middle Callovian–earliest Oxfordian (i.e. the Anceps–Mariae Zones), with average long‐term rates around 2 cm kyr−1 (total fall of 40–60 m), a period of lowstand at the Early–Middle Oxfordian transition and a long‐term rise at the Middle–Late Oxfordian transition (Transversarium and Bifurcatus Zones). Facies distribution across the Iberian platform indicates a progressive Middle–Late Callovian relative sea‐level fall rather than a rapid relative sea‐level fall at the end of the Callovian. After this falling episode, the progressive onlap over the swell areas during the Early Oxfordian and at the beginning of the Middle Oxfordian indicates a period of accommodation gain, which is explained by the combined effects of continuous subsidence across the platform and reduced sedimentation rates in spite of the possible eustatic lowstand. Eustatic lowstand, combined with other factors (ocean water circulation, volcanism) could help to explain the loss of carbonate production during the latest Callovian–Early Oxfordian, previous to the widespread eustatic rise and warning recorded at the onset of the Transversarium Zone (Middle Oxfordian).
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Carbonate seismic stratigraphy of the Gulf of Papua mixed depositional system: Neogene stratigraphic signature and eustatic control
Authors Evgueni N. Tcherepanov, André W. Droxler, Philippe Lapointe and Kenneth MohnABSTRACTThe Eocene–Miocene carbonate deposition in the Gulf of Papua (GoP) corresponds to the carbonate evolution phase of this continental margin mixed depositional system. Global sea‐level (eustatic) fluctuations appear to have been the most important factor influencing the mixed depositional system development during its carbonate phase. Development of the major carbonate system in the Gulf was initiated during the Eocene. Subsequent to an early Oligocene hiatus, the carbonate system expanded its surface area, vertically aggraded, then systematically backstepped, and finally partially drowned during the late Oligocene–early part of the early Miocene. During the late early Miocene–early middle Miocene, the carbonate system continued its vertical growth in most platform areas, where it was able to keep up with sea‐level rise. At the early middle/late middle Miocene (Langhian/Serravallian) boundary, carbonate deposition shifted downward during a long‐term sea‐level regression, exposing most of the early middle Miocene platform tops. Following this downward shift, active carbonate production became restricted during the late middle Miocene to only the northeastern part of the study area, and carbonate accumulation was characterized by four systematically prograding units. At the very beginning of the late Miocene, the platform tops were re‐flooded. The carbonate system was partially drowned, systematically backstepped, and locally aggraded during part of the late Miocene, the early Pliocene, and the Quaternary. The overall organization of the carbonate sequence geometries, observed in the GoP, display a clear pattern, often referred to as the Oligocene–Neogene stratigraphic signature. This pattern is identical to contemporaneous sedimentary patterns observed in pure carbonate systems such as in the Maldives and in the Bahamas, and also in some siliciclastic systems. Because this pattern is observed in several globally distributed locations, the recognition of the Oligocene–Neogene stratigraphic signature in the GoP demonstrates that the depositional evolution during the late Oligocene–Miocene and the early Pliocene must have been dominantly controlled by eustatic fluctuations.
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Late Cretaceous to Miocene sea‐level estimates from the New Jersey and Delaware coastal plain coreholes: an error analysis
Authors M. A. Kominz, J. V. Browning, K. G. Miller, P. J. Sugarman, S. Mizintseva and C. R. ScoteseABSTRACTSea level has been estimated for the last 108 million years through backstripping of corehole data from the New Jersey and Delaware Coastal Plains. Inherent errors due to this method of calculating sea level are discussed, including uncertainties in ages, depth of deposition and the model used for tectonic subsidence. Problems arising from the two‐dimensional aspects of subsidence and response to sediment loads are also addressed. The rates and magnitudes of sea‐level change are consistent with at least ephemeral ice sheets throughout the studied interval. Million‐year sea‐level cycles are, for the most part, consistent within the study area suggesting that they may be eustatic in origin. This conclusion is corroborated by correlation between sequence boundaries and unconformities in New Zealand. The resulting long‐term curve suggests that sea level ranged from about 75–110 m in the Late Cretaceous, reached a maximum of about 150 m in the Early Eocene and fell to zero in the Miocene. The Late Cretaceous long‐term (107 years) magnitude is about 100–150 m less than sea level predicted from ocean volume. This discrepancy can be reconciled by assuming that dynamic topography in New Jersey was driven by North America overriding the subducted Farallon plate. However, geodynamic models of this effect do not resolve the problem in that they require Eocene sea level to be significantly higher in the New Jersey region than the global average.
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100 Myr record of sequences, sedimentary facies and sea level change from Ocean Drilling Program onshore coreholes, US Mid‐Atlantic coastal plain
ABSTRACTWe analyzed the latest Early Cretaceous to Miocene sections (∼110–7 Ma) in 11 New Jersey and Delaware onshore coreholes (Ocean Drilling Program Legs 150X and 174AX). Fifteen to seventeen Late Cretaceous and 39–40 Cenozoic sequence boundaries were identified on the basis of physical and temporal breaks. Within‐sequence changes follow predictable patterns with thin transgressive and thick regressive highstand systems tracts. The few lowstands encountered provide critical constraints on the range of sea‐level fall. We estimated paleowater depths by integrating lithofacies and biofacies analyses and determined ages using integrated biostratigraphy and strontium isotopic stratigraphy. These datasets were backstripped to provide a sea‐level estimate for the past ∼100 Myr. Large river systems affected New Jersey during the Cretaceous and latest Oligocene–Miocene. Facies evolved through eight depositional phases controlled by changes in accommodation, long‐term sea level, and sediment supply: (1) the Barremian–earliest Cenomanian consisted of anastomosing riverine environments associated with warm climates, high sediment supply, and high accommodation; (2) the Cenomanian–early Turonian was dominated by marine sediments with minor deltaic influence associated with long‐term (107 year) sea‐level rise; (3) the late Turonian through Coniacian was dominated by alluvial and delta plain systems associated with long‐term sea‐level fall; (4) the Santonian–Campanian consisted of marine deposition under the influence of a wave‐dominated delta associated with a long‐term sea‐level rise and increased sediment supply; (5) Maastrichtian–Eocene deposition consisted primarily of starved siliciclastic, carbonate ramp shelf environments associated with very high long‐term sea level and low sediment supply; (6) the late Eocene–Oligocene was a starved siliciclastic shelf associated with moderately high sea‐level and low sediment supply; (7) late early–middle Miocene consisted of a prograding shelf under a strong wave‐dominated deltaic influence associated with major increase in sediment supply and accommodation due to local sediment loading; and (8) over the past 10 Myr, low accommodation and eroded coastal systems were associated with low long‐term sea level and low rates of sediment supply due to bypassing.
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Early Miocene sequence development across the New Jersey margin
Authors Donald H. Monteverde, Gregory S. Mountain and Kenneth G. MillerABSTRACTSequence stratigraphy provides an understanding of the interplay between eustasy, sediment supply and accommodation in the sedimentary construction of passive margins. We used this approach to follow the early to middle Miocene growth of the New Jersey margin and analyse the connection between relative changes of sea level and variable sediment supply. Eleven candidate sequence boundaries were traced in high‐resolution multi‐channel seismic profiles across the inner margin and matched to geophysical log signatures and lithologic changes in ODP Leg 150X onshore coreholes. Chronologies at these drill sites were then used to assign ages to the intervening seismic sequences. We conclude that the regional and global correlation of early Miocene sequences suggests a dominant role of global sea‐level change but margin progradation was controlled by localized sediment contribution and that local conditions played a large role in sequence formation and preservation. Lowstand deposits were regionally restricted and their locations point to both single and multiple sediment sources. The distribution of highstand deposits, by contrast, documents redistribution by along shelf currents. We find no evidence that sea level fell below the elevation of the clinoform rollover, and the existence of extensive lowstand deposits seaward of this inflection point indicates efficient cross‐shelf sediment transport mechanisms despite the apparent lack of well‐developed fluvial drainage.
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Assessing the significance of along‐strike variations of middle to late Miocene prograding clinoformal sequence geometries beneath the New Jersey continental shelf
Authors Craig S. Fulthorpe and James A. Austin JrABSTRACTSeismic mapping of high‐resolution multichannel seismic profiles along the New Jersey margin illustrates how characteristics of middle–late Miocene clinoformal sequence boundaries (SBs) change markedly along strike in presumed response to local depositional and erosional processes. Most SBs converge from SW to NE, in part as a result of the influence of underlying basin morphology on accommodation space, but also in response to differential subsidence and presumed along‐strike variations in sediment supply from the adjacent margin. The curvature of clinoform breaks, historically viewed as marking palaeo‐shelf edges, is variable and such breaks are rarely sharp. Gently curved palaeo‐shelf/slope transitions cannot be assigned precise palaeobathymetric significance and probably instead reflect post‐depositional sediment reworking. The amount of erosional truncation landward of clinoform breaks varies significantly. Documented along‐strike variability in SB morphology occurs, even though middle–late Miocene palaeo‐shelf edges are nearly linear in plan view. Therefore, such linearity cannot be a product of uniform sedimentary processes and/or accumulation along strike, but instead reflects elongation of depocentres of originally variable cross‐sectional geometry, possibly with the assistance of along‐strike currents. The observed lateral geometric heterogeneity of Neogene sequences can exert profound and unwanted influences on the outcome of scientific drilling intended to calibrate seismic stratigraphic interpretations in the absence of sufficient three‐dimensional (3D) seismic control.
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Volumes & issues
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Volume 36 (2024)
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Volume 35 (2023)
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Volume 34 (2022)
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Volume 33 (2021)
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Volume 32 (2020)
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Volume 31 (2019)
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Volume 30 (2018)
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Volume 29 (2017)
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Volume 28 (2016)
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Volume 27 (2015)
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Volume 26 (2014)
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Volume 25 (2013)
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Volume 24 (2012)
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Volume 23 (2011)
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Volume 22 (2010)
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Volume 21 (2009)
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Volume 20 (2008)
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Volume 19 (2007)
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Volume 18 (2006)
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Volume 17 (2005)
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Volume 16 (2004)
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Volume 15 (2003)
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Volume 14 (2002)
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Volume 13 (2001)
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Volume 12 (2000)
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Volume 11 (1999)
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Volume 10 (1998)
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Volume 9 (1997)
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Volume 8 (1996)
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Volume 7 (1994)
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Volume 6 (1994)
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Volume 5 (1993)
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Volume 4 (1992)
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Volume 3 (1991)
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Volume 2 (1989)
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Volume 1 (1988)