How to make a sequence stratigraphic interpretation of a seismic line and identify: Discontinuity surfaces Sequence boundaries Clinoform sequence geometries Origin of clinoforms. How to establish relationship to sea level of: Downslope slumps, basin floor fans, and slope fans Eroded or truncated clinoform margins
Access to the image containing the un-interpreted seismic section of the exercise by clicking on the image above. Download this complete seismic section to view it on a PC, Notebook, Tablet, or Pad and interpret it with Power Point. With the programs drawing tools, particularly the curve, you have an effective and easy way to handle the objectives of the exercise and collectively view the results in class. Click on the red box for more details. Follow the procedures outlined below to interpret the line. The output can also be printed and worked on in paper media too. If one needs to work with smaller paper copies the image can be divided in three and printed on regular 11" X 8.5" paper.
a. Identifying the termination of seismic reflectors at discontinuity surfaces. b. Establishing which of these surfaces form the sequence boundaries. c. Numbering the sequence boundaries (there are around 15 or so). d. Outlining and labeling the geometries of the sequences and the systems tracts they enclose The movies of the Sedpak simulation of a sequence stratigraphic interpretation of this line exhibits the potential relationship of these sequences.Movies below of a Sedpak simulation of the West Andros Line with and without a sequence stratigraphic interpretations provides more information towards a geometric interpretation .
2) Examine the sedimentary architecture of the clinoforms and infer the origins of these features. For instance do the clinoform geometries show evidence of shelf onlap and does the downlap show evidence of slumping related to the shifting base level? Was there a variable rate of sediment supply to the area of study? Is there evidence of widespread changes in base level? To answer these:
a. First track the varying thickness and widths of the clinoforms from one or sequence to the next. b. What is the cause of the clinoforms? High rates of sedimentation relative to lower rates of subsidence and periodic changes in base level, or some sort of point source switching? Is point source migration to be expected in carbonates just as in siliciclastics? c. Identify downslope slumps and see if they can be tied to any specific relative times on the Haq et al chart? Is there evidence that they were produced during changes in base level? d. Identify and locate basin floor fans, and slope fans. Is there evidence that they were produced during changes in base level? e. Identify and locate onlapping wedges of sediment (Figure). Is there evidence that they were produced during changes in base level? f. Identify the crests of clinoformed margins that have been eroded or truncated and see if they can be tied to changes in base level? g. Do the major eroded clinoform margins (i.e. basin crests) match the downslope slumps, and associated basin floor fans, and slope fans? If they do, how do you explain this relationship?
3) As indicated above poor biostratigraphic control means it is difficult to determine the ages of the individual clinoforms, never the less Sen and Kendall(1999) have been able to infer the ages of the progradational Neogene clinoforms using the Haq and others (1987) eustatic chart for the Neogene has some 14 major changes in sea level, at least some of which might be expected to produce major second order type 1 unconformities. There were marked sea level lows, particularly the major type 1 unconformities and associated lows, that suggest these may have been large enough to produce erosional events at the crests of the clinoforms displayed by the seismic sections. Below the exercise proposes examination of the erosional events on the seismic sections to see if these events can be tied to the changes in base level predicted on the Haq and others (1987) chart. If this can be done, is it possible to establish their relative timing? Is there a match between the onlapping and downlapping geometries of the clinoformed section and the Haq et al 1987 sea level curves:
a. Identify and count the 2nd and 3rd order "type one" unconformities and their related sequence boundaries on the seismic lines. b. Generate chronostratigraphic charts for each of the lines to separate and analyze the changes in base level responsible for the sequences. The chronostratigraphic charts can be created by using a spread sheet on which the widths each of the numbered sequences is recorded and then display these widths as a chronostratigraphic chart c. Can these be matched to a number of the 2nd and 3rd order events on the Haq et al 1987 sea level chart?
4) The tectonic setting of the Bahamas could be considered to be part of a foreland basin. To the south of the Bahamas the effect of subduction beneath Cuba might be expected to generate movement beside and beneath the Bahamas with resulting local changes in accommodation in the Neogene section displayed on the Western Geophysical Line. To this end the internal geometries of the clinoforms seen on the seismic line should be examined to see if a presence or an absence of small-scale tectonic control on the area can be detected. Similarly a sediment supply would be expected from the folded and thrust areas of Cuba to the South. A deepening just south of the Bahamas would suggest regional tectonic subsidence and the development of extensive accommodation, while reduced accommodation and thinning over the adjacent Cratonic fragment of the Bahamas would suggest more stable tectonic regime. To examine the magnitude of these tectonic effects measure the thickness of the updip carbonate shelf.
a. Are there any local variations in the thickness of onlapping shelf sediments that could be related to a local tectonic signal? b. Could a local tectonic signal have produced any of the downslope slumping? c. Are there any regional variations in the thickness of onlapping shelf sediments or downslope downlapping sediments that could be explained as a regional tectonic signal? Are these in phase with the 2nd and 3rd order events on the Haq et al 1987 sea level chart or are these separate events? d. Is any evidence of a regional tilt to the sedimentary fill penecontemperaneous with its deposition or is it post deposition? Seismic Sequence Analysis Exercise Three Class Solution
Seismic Sequence Analysis Exercise Three Class Solution