Deciphering the Evolution of an Eocene Deep-Sea Fan using Novel Spatiotemporal Visualization Technique (Campos Basin)

A novel approach integrating stratal slicing with a multi-channel blended viewer was used to investigate an Eocene submarine fan in the southern Campos Basin. Leveraging 3D seismic data and a Relative Geological Time model, this technique offers a spatiotemporal view of depositional surfaces without relying on frequency-based methods. Because it uses only stratal slices as input, any attribute can be visualized with the same approach, enabling rapid identification of key geological features.

Our results indicate that the fan’s earliest stage is characterized by low-amplitude, continuous reflectors, while the second stage features chaotic, discontinuous reflectors associated with more energetic flows and mass transport. RMS amplitude maps reveal shifting depocenters from south to north. Over time, the southern canyon became inactive, and the fan was eventually buried by clinoforms.

The transition from smooth to chaotic reflectors is linked to a shift from mature to immature turbidites, suggesting a rejuvenation of the coastal region caused by uplift events. Meanwhile, sediment input migrated northward, implying a change in source areas. Compared with traditional spectral decomposition, this method offers greater flexibility and enables iterative mapping of sedimentary and structural features, providing deeper insights into reservoir distribution, geobody delineation, and broader depositional evolution.