AN INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
1 Introduction 1 11 Overview of sequence stratigraphy 1 111 Scope of sequence stratigraphy 1 112 Sequence stratigraphyda revolution in sedimentary geology 3 113 Sequence stratigraphydan integrated approach 5 114 Sequence stratigraphy vs other types of stratigraphy 6 12 Development of sequence stratigraphy 14 121 Unconformities 16 122 Unconformity-bounded units 16 123 Concept of “sequence” 17 124 Sequence models 20 125 Standardization of sequence stratigraphy 21 2 Data in sequence stratigraphy 23 21 Geological data 23 211 Sedimentology 23 212 Pedology 30 213 Body fossils 34 214 Trace fossils 44 215 Geochemistry 66 216 Age dating 68 22 Well-log data 72 221 Introduction 72 222 Geological uncertainties 73 223 Well-log interpretations 76 23 Seismic data 80 231 Introduction 80 232 Physical attributes of seismic data 81 233 Workflow of seismic data analysis 83 3 Controls on sequence development 93 31 Allogenic processes 95 311 Eustasy 95 312 Tectonism 96 313 Climate 97 32 Autogenic processes 100 33 Accommodation vs sedimentation 101 331 Accommodation 102 332 Sedimentation 108 34 Concept of “base level” 110 35 Allogenic vs autogenic controls 115 4 Stratal stacking patterns 117 41 Stratal terminations 119 42 Stacking patterns in downstreamcontrolled settings 125 421 Controls on stratal stacking patterns 127 422 Geometrical vs depositional trends 129 423 Diagnostic vs non-diagnostic stacking patterns 131 424 Shoreline trajectories 135 425 Stratigraphic scales in downstream-controlled settings 155 43 Stacking patterns in upstreamcontrolled settings 158 431 Controls on stratal stacking patterns 158 432 Depositional trends in upstream-controlled settings 161 433 Types of stacking patterns 165 434 Stratigraphic scales in upstream-controlled settings 166 5 Stratal units 169 51 Depositional systems 169 511 Definition 169 512 Scale of depositional systems 170 52 Systems tracts 176 521 Definition 176 522 Scale of systems tracts 177 523 Systems tracts in downstreamcontrolled settings 177 524 Systems tracts in upstreamcontrolled settings 221 525 Nomenclature of systems tracts 224 53 Stratigraphic sequences 228 531 Definition 228 532 Scale of sequences 228 533 Types of sequences 231 54 Parasequences 236 541 Definition 237 542 Scale of parasequences 240 543 Parasequence architecture 243 544 Sequences vs parasequences 246 6 Stratigraphic surfaces 249 61 Surfaces of sequence stratigraphy 250 611 Subaerial unconformity 253 612 Basal surface of forced regression 259 613 Correlative conformity 261 614 Maximum regressive surface 265 615 Maximum flooding surface 270 616 Transgressive surface of erosion 274 617 Regressive surface of marine erosion 279 618 Other surfaces of sequence stratigraphy 283 62 Within-trend facies contacts 285 621 Within-trend normal regressive surface 286 622 Within-trend forced regressive surface 287 623 Within-trend flooding surface 289 624 Other within-trend facies contacts 291 7 Sequence stratigraphic framework 295 71 Scale in sequence stratigraphy 295 711 Stratigraphic resolution 297 712 Sedimentological vs stratigraphic scales 303 72 Hierarchy in sequence stratigraphy 306 721 Criteria for stratigraphic classification 307 722 Absolute vs relative stratigraphic scales 310 723 Approaches to stratigraphic nomenclature 312 724 Orderly vs variable stratigraphic patterns 312 725 Basin-specific stratigraphic frameworks 313 73 Time in sequence stratigraphy 316 731 Reference curve for stratigraphic surfaces 317 732 Stratal stacking patterns vs bathymetric trends 320 733 Diachroneity of stratigraphic surfaces 329 734 Three-dimensional stratigraphic architecture 333 8 Variability of stratigraphic sequences 337 81 Variability with the tectonic setting 337 811 Sequences in tectonically “passive” basins 338 812 Sequences in tectonically “active” basins 340 82 Variability with the depositional setting 342 821 Sequences in continental settings 344 822 Sequences in coastal to shallow-water settings 350 823 Sequences in deep-water settings 371 83 Variability with the climatic regime 385 831 Sequences in non-glaciated settings 386 832 Sequences in glaciated settings 386 9 Discussion 389 91 Architecture of the stratigraphic record 389 911 Scale-independent stacking patterns 389 912 Classification of stratigraphic cycles 391 92 Sequence stratigraphy and geological time 392 921 Precambrian vs Phanerozoic sequence stratigraphy 393 922 Sequence stratigraphy of the Precambrian 394 93 Methodology and nomenclature 396 931 From seismic to sub-seismic scales 397 932 Methodology vs modeling in sequence stratigraphy 400 933 Standard methodology and nomenclature 402 94 Workflow of sequence stratigraphy 405 941 Step 1: Tectonic setting 407 942 Step 2: Depositional setting 408 943 Step 3: Sequence stratigraphic framework 409 10 Conclusions 413 101 Stratigraphic framework 413 1011 Sequences, systems tracts, and depositional systems 414 1012 Parasequences 415 102 Standard approach to sequence stratigraphy 417 1021 Guidelines for a standard nomenclature 417 1022 Guidelines for a standard methodology 419 103 Summary of key points 420 1031 Stratigraphic architecture 421 1032 Stratigraphic scales 425 1033 Methodology and nomenclature 427 References 429