High-resolution sequence stratigraphy of fluvio–deltaic systems: Prospects of system-wide chronostratigraphic correlation

Dalman, R.A.F.; Weltje, Gert Jan; Karamitopoulos, P.

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2014.12.030

Cited by 28 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The majority of preserved crevasse‐splay sediment consists of amalgamated splay lobes, fining up in grain size (e.g. Mjøs et al ., ; Bristow et al ., ; Fisher et al ., ; Burns et al ., ) and blanketed by floodplain fines (Bridge, ; McKie, ; Dalman et al ., ). Crevasse‐splay channels constitute a relatively small proportion of preserved sediment, decreasing in proportion from proximal to distal (e.g.…”

Section: Crevasse‐splay Life Cyclementioning

confidence: 97%

The life cycle of crevasse splays as a key mechanism in the aggradation of alluvial ridges and river avulsion

Toorenenburg

Donselaar

Weltje

2018

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Accommodation space in the unconfined distal part of low‐gradient fluvial fans facilitates abundant floodplain deposition. Here, the development of crevasse splays plays a key role in the aggradation of alluvial ridges and subsequent river avulsion. This study presents an analysis of different stages in the evolution of crevasse splays based on observations made in the modern‐day Río Colorado dryland fluvial fan fringing the endorheic Altiplano Basin in Bolivia. A generic life cycle is proposed in which crevasse‐splay channels adjust towards a graded equilibrium profile with their lower‐lying distal termini acting as a local base level. Initial development is dominantly controlled by the outflow of floodwater, promoting erosion near the crevasse apex and deposition towards the splay fringes. When proximal incision advances to below the maximum level of floodplain inundation, return flow occurs during the waning stage of flooding. This floodwater reflux leads to a temporary repositioning of the local base level to the deeper trunk‐channel thalweg at the apex of the crevasse‐splay channels. The resultant decrease in the floodplainward gradient of these channels ultimately leads to backfilling and abandonment of the crevasse splay, leaving a subtle local elevation of the floodplain. Consecutive splays form an alluvial ridge through lateral amalgamation and subsequent vertical stacking, which is mirrored by the aggradation of their parent channel floor. As this alluvial ridge becomes increasingly perched above the surrounding floodplain, splay equilibration may cause incision of the levee crevasse down to or below its trunk channel thalweg, leading to an avulsion. The mechanisms proposed in this study are relevant to fluvial settings promoting progradational avulsions. The relatively rapid accumulation rate and high preservation potential of crevasse splays in this setting makes them an important constituent of the resultant fluvial stratigraphy, amongst which are hydrocarbon‐bearing successions. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Crevasse‐splay Life Cyclementioning

confidence: 97%

The life cycle of crevasse splays as a key mechanism in the aggradation of alluvial ridges and river avulsion

Toorenenburg

Donselaar

Weltje

2018

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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“…High‐resolution morphodynamic models are too computationally expensive to explore parameter spaces with a large number of ensemble results. Rule‐based models typically take the form of cellular automata and route water and sediment flux between neighboring cells, based on rules abstracting governing physics [ Seybold et al , , ; Dalman et al , ; Liang et al , , ]. Although reproducing qualitatively correct emergent behavior such as channel avulsions is already a major advance in modeling deltaic systems, the credibility of these models as predictive tools or even quantitative exploratory tools needs to be addressed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying the patterns and dynamics of river deltas under conditions of steady forcing and relative sea level rise

2016

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Understanding deltaic channel dynamics is essential to acquiring knowledge on how deltas respond to environmental changes, as channels control the distribution of water, sediment, and nutrients. Channel-resolving morphodynamic models provide the basis for quantitative study of channel-scale dynamics, but they need to be properly assessed with a set of robust metrics able to quantitatively characterize delta patterns and dynamics before being used as predictive tools. In this work we use metrics developed in the context of delta formation, to assess the morphodynamic results of DeltaRCM, a parcel-based cellular model for delta formation and evolution. By comparing model results to theoretical predictions and field and experimental observations, we show that DeltaRCM captures the geometric growth characteristics of deltas such as fractality of channel network, spatial distribution of wet and dry surfaces, and temporal dynamics of channel-scale processes such as the decay of channel planform correlation. After evaluating the ability of DeltaRCM to produce delta patterns and dynamics at the scale of channel processes, we use the model to predict the deltaic response to relative sea level rise (RSLR). We show that uniform subsidence and absolute sea level rise have similar effects on delta evolution and cause intensified channel branching. Channel network fractality and channel mobility increase with higher-RSLR rates, while the spatial and temporal scales of avulsion events decrease, resulting in smaller sand bodies in the stratigraphy. Our modeling results provide the first set of quantitative predictions of the effects of RSLR on river deltas with a specific focus on the distributary channel network.

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“…The non‐uniqueness of stratigraphic interpretation arises from the presence of multiple controlling factors with external signals of various durations, frequencies and magnitudes (Burgess & Prince, ). Previous studies on sequence stratigraphy focused on the control of relative sea levels, sediment fluxes, or the magnitude of A/S (accommodation/sediment supply) on the development of stratigraphy (Csato, Catuneanu, & Granjeon, ; Dalman, Weltje, & Karamitopoulos, ; Neal & Abreu, ; Nicholas et al, ; Ritchie, Gawthorpe, & Hardy, ; Somme et al, ). More recent studies on auto‐stratigraphy explored autogenic behaviour by using experiments or geometric models, which are traditionally coupled with steady external forcing (Kim & Muto, ; Li et al, ; Muto, ; Muto & Steel, ; Muto & Swenson, ; Petter & Muto, ; Tomer, Muto, & Kim, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stratigraphic response to spatiotemporally varying tectonic forcing in rifted continental basin: Insight from a coupled tectonic‐stratigraphic numerical model

et al. 2018

Basin Research

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The role of spatiotemporally varying tectonic forcing in the development of stratigraphic patterns along passive margins and continental rift basins has been recognized for decades, but the exact nature of the stratigraphic response is still debated. This study develops a coupled tectonic‐stratigraphic numerical model with a fixed absolute lake level and constant climate conditions to quantify the signatures of spatiotemporally varying tectonic forcing on the stratigraphic record. This model consists of a three‐dimensional rift basin with a range of geomorphic features and produces a number of well‐recognized stratigraphic patterns, which are commonly interpreted to be caused by lake‐/sea‐level or climate fluctuations. This study demonstrates that the shoreline and grain‐size front are decoupled through the adjustment of the depositional slope and sediment dispersal under spatiotemporally varying tectonic forcing, especially in underfilled basins. Under such a decoupled situation, the pathway of the migrating subsidence centre correlates with the pathway of the grain‐size front, a result of competition between spatiotemporally varying tectonic forcing and autogenic sediment transport. The model results also highlight the significance of three‐dimensional variability in the stratigraphic response to tectonic forcing, which may be overlooked or misinterpreted and suggests a high degree of uncertainty in re‐establishing the base‐level cycles from the stratigraphic record alone. Moreover, spectral analysis of the modelled stratigraphy and tectonic forcing suggests that low‐frequency tectonic signals are more likely to be recorded in the stratigraphy with a lag time, whereas high‐frequency tectonic signals are likely to be shredded, mixed with autogenic signals, or buffered through sediment‐routing systems. Finally, quantitative measurements of the stratigraphic architecture of the Nanpu sag in the Bohai Bay Basin, China are used to tune the numerical model of this study to illustrate how to evaluate the role of tectonic forcing on the development of characteristic stratigraphic sequences.

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High-resolution sequence stratigraphy of fluvio–deltaic systems: Prospects of system-wide chronostratigraphic correlation

Cited by 28 publications

References 36 publications

The life cycle of crevasse splays as a key mechanism in the aggradation of alluvial ridges and river avulsion

The life cycle of crevasse splays as a key mechanism in the aggradation of alluvial ridges and river avulsion

Quantifying the patterns and dynamics of river deltas under conditions of steady forcing and relative sea level rise

Stratigraphic response to spatiotemporally varying tectonic forcing in rifted continental basin: Insight from a coupled tectonic‐stratigraphic numerical model

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