Flume tank experiment: An approach in replicating sequence stratigraphy in a laboratory scale

Abstract

Sequence stratigraphy was a study of layered rocks that form in some period of time. It was proven to be a useful tool in industry, especially oil industry. Yet, sequence stratigraphy most people have seen was the result, not the process. Of which, this study wanted to replicate the process that was taken place in sequence stratigraphy in a smaller scale of a laboratory. To replicate sequence stratigraphy, this study used a flume tank device filled with sand and water flowing with controlled rate. This study makes changes in water level in the flume tank to affect accommodation space, on which sedimentation happens, thus, making some morphological change known as progradation and retrogradation. Changes were recorded using time lapse camera and measured using laser distance meter to see how much the morphology had changed after some period of time. Result of this study showed that transgression and regression could be replicated inside the flume tank by changing the height of water level. Though the time scale could not be made close to real condition, but the process and the result could. This would help understanding sequence stratigraphy not only from the outcrop but also from the series of the process that made it.

Flume experiment study of the formation process and sedimentary characteristics of a shallow‐water delta

“…There are plenty of studies focusing on the evolvement of sequence stratigraphy, braided channels and fluvial fans. However, few papers emphasize shallow water sedimentary processes (Hertiansa et al, 2020; Olsen, 2020; Ruble et al, 2001; Taylor & Ritts, 2004; Wright, 1977; Zhu et al, 2021). Under shallow‐water circumstances, facies evolution was strongly influenced by water level and sediment volume.…”