Mass-transport complexes and associated processes in the offshore area of Trinidad and Venezuela

Moscardelli, Lorena; Wood, Lesli J.; Mann, Paul

doi:10.1306/02210605052

Cited by 289 publications

(320 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Other compressive structures, such as open folds (Fig. 10), are observed both in 2D seismic lines and in the 3D seismic volume, being comparable to examples reported in the literature (e.g., Martinez et al, 2005;Moscardelli et al, 2006;Alfaro & Holz, 2014). Sylvester et al (2012) in the Pleistocene of the Gulf of Mexico.…”

Section: Seismic Facies Esupporting

confidence: 86%

Seismic expression of depositional elements associated with a strongly progradational shelf margin: northern Santos Basin, southeastern Brazil

Berton

Vesely

2016

Braz. J. Geol.

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Seismic facies analysis and seismic geomorphology are important tools for the analysis of depositional elements in subsurface. This paper aimed to investigate the character and genesis of depositional elements and erosive features associated with an Eocene progradational shelf margin in northern Santos Basin. Identified seismic facies are interpreted as shelf-margin deltas/shoreface deposits, tangential (oblique) clinoforms, sigmoidal clinoforms, topset reflectors, mass-transport deposits and turbidites. These facies are grouped into four associations representing periods of relatively constant environmental conditions. Association 1 is composed of shelf-margin deltas/shoreface deposits, tangential clinoforms and extensive sand--rich turbidites disposed as submarine channels and frontal splays. A progressive increase in clinoform angle within this association has been identified, culminating in high-relief sigmoidal clinoforms with less voluminous turbidites of facies association 2. Association 3 is composed by subparallel to divergent topset reflectors, interpreted as continental to shelfal deposits placed during base-level rises. These are always truncated basinward by slump scars, formed as a consequence of sediment overload at the shelf margin during aggradations. Association 4 is composed of sigmoidal clinoforms, mass-transport deposits and turbidites. Early clinoforms are steeper as a consequence of the topography of the slump scars. Subsequently, dip angles become progressively gentler as the system approach to the equilibrium profile. The steep physiography was favorable for canyon incision, which played an important role in turbidite deposition. Mass-transport deposits, formed subsequent to slope collapse, are composed of mud-rich diamictites, and show strong internal deformation.KEYWORDS: Seismic facies; Seismic geomorphology; Deep-marine deposition; Mass-transport deposits; Turbidite systems. RESUMO: A análise de fácies sísmicas e a geomorfologia sísmica são ferramentas importantes para o estudo de elementos deposicionais em subsuperfície. Neste trabalho foram avaliadas as características e a gênese de elementos deposicionais e de feições erosivas associadas a uma margem progradante desenvolvida no Eoceno no norte da bacia de

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Section: Seismic Facies Esupporting

confidence: 86%

Seismic expression of depositional elements associated with a strongly progradational shelf margin: northern Santos Basin, southeastern Brazil

Berton

Vesely

2016

Braz. J. Geol.

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“…The irregular top surfaces of MTDs can create local ponded accommodation space for subsequent turbidites (e.g., Moscardelli et al 2006;Moscardelli and Wood 2008;Alves 2010;Armitage et al 2009;Jackson and Johnson 2009;Olafiranye et al 2013). Armitage et al (2009) further classified three tiers of topographic relief based on the vertical and lateral scales of irregularities on MTDs' top-surfaces: Tier 1 (meters to several meters), Tier 2 (10 m to several tens of meters) and Tier 3 (100 m to several hundreds of meters).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Mass Wasting In the Progressive Development Of Submarine Channels (Espírito Santo Basin, Se Brazil)

Qin

Alves

Constantine

et al. 2017

Journal of Sedimentary Research

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ABSTRACT:A Pliocene-Quaternary submarine channel system, influenced by a localized mass wasting, is investigated in this work using high-resolution 3D seismic data from offshore Espírito Santo Basin, SE Brazil. Three abandoned channels, a channel belt and an mass-transport deposit (MTD) are recognized in the channel system within a confluence region confined by salt diapirs. In this confluence region, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the channel system can be up to 1.2 km 2 , i.e., 4 to 10 times larger than CSA in other parts of the channel system. Such significant changes in the architecture and morphology of the channel system resulted from the interaction between mass-wasting processes and turbidity flows. We postulate that a basal erosional scar was created by mass-wasting processes and was filled with an MTD. This basal scar was then used as a preferential pathway for turbidity flows, which were captured by its headwall and lateral margins. The interpreted data shows that the captured turbidity flows greatly widened the basal scar, but caused only small modifications in scar height. Part of the MTD within the basal scar was removed downslope by turbidity flows, and was replaced by channel-fill deposits. This paper shows a flow-capture process occurred in a confluence region on continental slope. Basal scars can capture turbidity flows and facilitate flow channelization, which is a key process for submarine-channel initiation. The replacement of MTD by channel-fill deposits has profound implications for reservoir volumes and net-to-gross ratios in channel systems and partly depends on the turbidity-flows properties, such as their erosive ability and frequency. The more erosive and frequent flows are captured by the basal scar, the larger is the accommodation space created for succeeding sand-prone turbidites.

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“…13b). Erosional scours at the bases of mass flows are indeed a recognised feature of MTDs (Posamentier and Kolla 2003;Moscardelli et al 2006;Lee et al 2007;Posamentier and Martinsen 2011). Scours observed are located above the Turonian-Santonian slumps and are interpreted to represent remnants of strata removed by erosive, possibly highenergy SW-NE-oriented turbidity currents that transported the bulk of their sediment farther downslope.…”

Section: Seismic Observationsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Mass-transport deposits and reservoir quality of Upper Cretaceous Chalk within the German Central Graben, North Sea

Arfai

Lutz

Franke

et al. 2015

Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch)

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Mass-transport complexes and associated processes in the offshore area of Trinidad and Venezuela

Cited by 289 publications

References 57 publications

Seismic expression of depositional elements associated with a strongly progradational shelf margin: northern Santos Basin, southeastern Brazil

Seismic expression of depositional elements associated with a strongly progradational shelf margin: northern Santos Basin, southeastern Brazil

The Role of Mass Wasting In the Progressive Development Of Submarine Channels (Espírito Santo Basin, Se Brazil)

Mass-transport deposits and reservoir quality of Upper Cretaceous Chalk within the German Central Graben, North Sea

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