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Periplatform drift: The combined result of contour current and off-bank transport along carbonate platforms.
- Source :
-
Geology . Oct2014, Vol. 42 Issue 10, p871-874. 4p. 1 Black and White Photograph, 1 Diagram, 1 Map. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Hydroacoustic and sedimentological data from the western leeward flank of the Great Bahama Bank document the interplay of off-bank sediment export, along-slope transport, and erosion, which together shape facies and thickness distribution of slope carbonates. The integrated data set depicts the combined product of these processes and allows formulation of a comprehensive model of a periplatform drift that significantly amends established models of carbonate platform slope facies distribution and geometry. The basinward-thinning wedge of the periplatform drift at the foot of the bank escarpment displays along-slope and downslope variations in sedimentary architecture. Sediments are muddy carbonate sands that coarsen basinward. The drift wedge has a pervasive cover of cyclic steps. In zones of lower contour current speed, depth-related facies belts develop, whereas strike-discontinuous sediment lobes, scarps, and gullies characterize areas with higher current speed. This understanding of the impact of currents on carbonate-slope sedimentation has wider implications for seismic and sequence stratigraphic interpretation of carbonate platforms and for applied aspects such as hydrocarbon exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *GLACIAL drift
*SEDIMENT transport
*SLOPE stability
*CARBONATE minerals
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00917613
- Volume :
- 42
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Geology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 98590024
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1130/G35900.1