Late quaternary sequence stratigraphy, South Florida margin
- Univ. of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL (United States). Dept. of Marine Science
Late Quaternary sea-level change and the Florida Current have combined to produce a progradational shelf-slope margin along the western portion of the south Florida Platform facing the Straits of Florida. Analysis of high resolution seismic reflection profiles suggest at least eight 5th order late Quaternary sequences downlap onto the Pourtales Terrace at 250 m water depth. Along most of the south Florida margin, this Late Quaternary section is very thin, and only where significant accumulations occur can the stratigraphic patterns produced by sea-level change be clearly observed. Recognition of systems tracts and their boundaries from high-resolution seismic data is important for prediction of sedimentary facies and stratigraphic development of margins. Many south Florida seismic boundaries can be fit to the Exxon sequence stratigraphy model. Others appear to reflect the added effect of bottom-current erosion that complicates the signal produced by sea-level change. Overall, the sea-level signal appears to dominate the stratigraphic record, especially from the 2-dimensional perspective of dip-oriented seismic profiles. However, the 3-dimensional geometry of deposits are strongly influenced by along slope accumulation patterns controlled by the Florida Current. This study provides new insight on the importance of both geostrophic boundary currents and sea-level change in controlling stratigraphic development of a carbonate platform margin. Similar anomalously thick slope deposits in ancient sequences may indicate similar controls on accumulation and could lend to predictions of related paleo-platform configurations.
- OSTI ID:
- 136638
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950501-; TRN: IM9552%%180
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 27. offshore technology conference, Houston, TX (United States), 1-4 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of 27. Annual Offshore Technology Conference: 1995 Proceedings. Volume 1: Geology, earth sciences and environmental factors; PB: 541 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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