Shelf and shelf-margin growth in scenarios of rising and falling sea level

Ronald John Steel, Cristian Carvajal, Andrew L. Petter, Carlos Uroza

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The topset and slope components of aggrading and accreting shelf-margin prisms, and the role of deltas in margin growth, are reviewed. Shelves are constructed by the repeated regressive-transgressive transits of deltas and other shoreline systems on the shelf platform, and when these sediment-delivery systems reach the edge of a preexisting shelf there may be significant accretion of the margin. Regressing deltas/strandplains and transgressing estuaries/barriers can be variably influenced by waves, tides, or river currents, and the presence/distribution of these processes can change in space and time on the shelf platform, and sometimes systematically in cross-shelf transits. The modeled transit time for modern deltas that are able to cross their shelves completely is surprisingly short, usually less than 100 ky. The separation between deltas that are unable or are able to make the entire transit when sea level is rising moderately (2.1 m/ky) allows accommodation-dominated delivery systems (those that require sea-level fall to force the cross-shelf transit) and supply-dominated systems (those that can cross the shelf even with rising sea level) to be distinguished. These end-member systems, in turn, become important in the rationale for arguing a distinction between the conventional falling (lowstand) relative sea-level model for shelf-margin growth and turbidite accumulations, and a model that delivers deepwater sands with normal regression and rising relative sea level at the shelf margin. The differing deepwater architectures for these two models are outlined.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRecent Advances in Models of Siliciclastic Shallow-Marine Stratigraphy
EditorsGary J. Hampson
Place of PublicationTulsa, OK, USA
PublisherSEPM
Pages47-71
Number of pages25
Volume90
ISBN (Print)1565761316, 978-1565761315
Publication statusPublished - 8 Dec 2008
EventResearch Conference of the Society for Sedimentary Geology - Grand Junction, Colorado, United States
Duration: 24 Aug 200428 Aug 2004

Publication series

NameSEPM Special Publications
PublisherSEPM (Society of Sedimentary Geology)
Volume90

Conference

ConferenceResearch Conference of the Society for Sedimentary Geology
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityGrand Junction, Colorado
Period24/08/0428/08/04

Bibliographical note

This volume arose from an SEPM research conference on shoreline-shelf stratigraphy that was held in Grand ]unction, Colorado, on August 24-28, 2004. The aim of the resulting volume is to high¬light the development over the last 15 years of the stratigraphic concepts and models that are used to interpret siliciclastic mar-ginal-marine, shallow-marine, and shelf deposits.

Keywords

  • shelf
  • shelf margin
  • clinoform
  • lowstand
  • highstand
  • Gulf-of-Mexico
  • deep-water sands
  • sequence stratigraphy
  • New-Jersey
  • Central Basin
  • depositional systems
  • turbidity currents
  • stacking patterns
  • coastal deltas
  • edge delta

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