Architectural Characterization and Three-Dimensional Modeling of a Carbonate Channel Levee Complex: Permian San Andres Formation, Last Chance Canyon, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Abstract

Complete understanding of outcrop-scale stratal architectures requires extrapolation of two-dimensional depositional cross sections into three dimensions. This study integrates a high-resolution digital outcrop model with outcrop observations to create a three-dimensional geologic model of distal outer-ramp carbonate stratigraphy. Data were taken from sinuous canyon-wall exposures of the Permian San Andres Formation of Last Chance Canyon, New Mexico. A series of laterally extensive carbonate benches previously interpreted as constructional sponge mud mounds are here modeled as a channel-levee complex that is characterized by an alternating history of aggradation punctuated by erosional sediment bypass. Levee mudstones have an erosional base, contain dolomitized peloidal thin beds, and have limited faunal constituents. Primary levees were initiated as a carbonate apron and transformed into a low-relief channel-levee system as a result of deposition by dilute turbidity currents. Subsequent sediment bypass incised through the pre-established channels and into the underlying facies. The fill consists of skeletal packstone lags and fine peloidal packstones, which are correlated to coral-and sponge-bearing secondary levee deposits that drape the primary levees. Debrites, also found within some channelized areas, are thought to represent channel-margin oversteepening and slumping. Channel widths range from approximately 300 to 800 m, and channel-to-levee relief reaches up to 40 m.Three-dimensional surface models representing architectural elements of the channel-levee complex confirm outcrop observations. Surfaces that were modeled as a best fit to the three-dimensional outcrop tracings reveal development of lowsinuosity channels in previously established bathymetric lows created by earlier phases of sediment bypass and erosion. Sequence stratigraphic interpretations suggest that the channel-levee complex developed during the highstand part of a longterm transgression. The overall transgressive setting led to generation of substantial quantities of carbonate mud in more proximal areas of the ramp. Accumulated mud in the source region was transported down depositional dip during highstand parts of high-frequency cycles and resulted in growth of the levees. Carbonate channel-levee complexes are not likely to form during highstand sequences in which the source sediment is grain-dominated. Leveed channels are a viable component of deepwater carbonate settings and may be more common than has been previously recognized. Complex stratal architectures found in this channel-levee complex could be analogous to apparently gullied slopes of muddy carbonate ramps, especially those developed in transgressive sequences.

Stratigraphy, sedimentology and structure of the Numidian Flysch thrust belt in northern Tunisia

“…Similar U-shaped back-filled channels cutting across similar lithofacies have been described by Mullins et al (1984), Phelps and Kerans, (2007), Noda andToshimitsu (2009), andSami et al (2010). Gully fills that cut into slope mudstone and are similarly plugged with coarser sediment are described from the Oligo-Miocene Numidian Flysch, Tunisia (Sami et al, 2010), the Devonian Prongs Creek Formation, Yukon (Mullins and Cook, 1986), This cliff is underlain and overlain by pack-grainstone packages and these packages are interbedded with wackepackstones.…”

3-D Reconstruction of Digital Outcrop Model Based on Multiple View Images and Terrestrial Laser Scanning

“…This technology has been used for this purpose for a decade (BELLIAN et al, 2002), but only in recent years has the number of scientific articles increased signifi cantly. However, the topics of interest are quite diverse, and include: methodological approaches (BELLIAN et al, 2005;ABELLAN et al 2006;ENGE et al, 2007;BUCKLEY et al, 2008;FERRARI et al, 2012), reservoirs (PRINGLE et al, 2004PHELPS & KERANS, 2007;KURTZMAN et al, 2009;ROTEVATN et al, 2009;ENGE & HOWELL, 2010;FABUEL-PEREZ et al, 2009, 2010, fractured rocks (BELLIAN et al, 2007;OLARIU et al, 2008;JONES et al, 2009;ZAHM & HENNINGS, 2009), erosion rates (WAWRZYNIEC et al, 2007), a synthetic seismic model (JANSON et al, 2007), orientation of basaltic lava fl ows (NELSON et al, 2011) and classifi cation of spectral patterns (INOCENCIO et al, 2014).…”

First Discovery of Channel-Levee Complexes In A Modern Deep-Water Carbonate Slope Environment

“…In mid and high latitudes, levees typically are asymmetrical because of the Coriolis effect and the preferential spilling on the righthand side in the northern hemisphere and the left-hand side in the southern hemisphere (Komar 1969;Piper et al 1984). In carbonate systems, channel-levee complexes are included in conceptual models either using examples in ancient environments (e.g., Pleistocene, Harwood andTowers 1988 or Permian, Phelps andKerans 2007), or by extrapolation of concepts defined on siliciclastic systems, but have never been described from present-day systems (Mullins et al 1984;Playton et al 2010). In this paper, we describe the first channel-levee complex observed along a modern carbonate slope.…”