Sedimentary Processes, Environments and Basins

Nichols, Gary; Williams, Ed; Paola, Chris

doi:10.1002/9781444304411

Cited by 15 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 37 publications

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“…As they form at basin margins, they are often visible in the present day and in exhumed basins. As a result, they have been the focus of many field studies (e.g., Colella, 1988a,b;Dart et al, 1994;Fernandez & Guerra-Merchan, 1996;Ford, Williams, Malartre, & Popescu, 2007;Garcia-Garcia, Fernandez, Viseras, & Soria, 2006;Malartre et al, 2004; Figure 1b). The considerable research interest in Gilbert deltas is partly due to their economic significance as stratigraphic traps for hydrocarbons, but is also due to their sensitivity to relative base level changes, giving them an important role in basin analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel discrete element modelling of Gilbert‐type delta formation in an active tectonic setting—first results

Hardy

2018

Basin Research

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Gilbert deltas are now recognised as an important stratigraphic component of many extensional basins. They are remarkable due to their coarse‐grained nature, large size and steep foresets (up to 30–35°) and may exhibit a variety of slope instability features (faulting, slump scars, avalanching, etc.). They are also often closely related to major, basin‐margin normal faults. There has been considerable research interest in Gilbert deltas, partly due to their economic significance as stratigraphic traps for hydrocarbons but also due to their sensitivity to relative base level changes, giving them an important role in basin analysis. In addition to field studies, numerical modelling has also been used to simulate such deltas, with some success. However, until now, such studies have typically employed continuum numerical techniques where the basic data elements created by simulations are stratigraphic volumes or timelines and the sediments themselves have no internal properties per se and merely represent areas/volumes of introduced coarse‐grained, clastic and sedimentary material. Faulting or folding (if present) are imposed externally and do not develop (naturally) within the modelled delta body itself. Here, I present first results from a novel 2D numerical model which simulates coarse‐grained (Gilbert‐type) deltaic sedimentation in an active extensional tectonic setting undergoing a relative base level rise. Sediment is introduced as packages of discrete elements which are deposited beneath sea level, from the shoreline, upon a pre‐existing basin or delta. These elements are placed carefully and then allowed to settle onto the system. The elements representing the coarse‐grained, deltaic sediments can have an intrinsic coefficient of friction, cohesion or other material properties appropriate to the system being considered. The spatial resolution of the modelling is of the order of 15 m and topsets, foresets, bottomsets, faults, slumps and collapse structures all form naturally in the modelled system. Examples of deltas developing as a result of sediment supply from both the footwall and hanging‐wall of a normal fault, and subject to changes in fault slip rate are presented. Implications of the modelling approach, and its application and utility in basin research, are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel discrete element modelling of Gilbert‐type delta formation in an active tectonic setting—first results

Hardy

2018

Basin Research

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Endorheic Basins

Nichols¹

2011

Tectonics of Sedimentary Basins

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Basins of internal drainage occur in a wide variety of tectonic settings. The characteristics of the continental successions in them are to a large extent controlled by the absence of direct connection to the oceans, as well as by the tectonic setting. Climate plays a major role in determining the general nature of the facies, ranging from aeoliandominated environments in arid settings to lake basins in humid regions. Key features include a tendency to a strongly aggradational stratigraphic architecture with deep fluvial incision only occurring in lake basins that have climatically induced lake-level fluctuations. Fill of the basin can lead to substantial onlap onto the basin margins, including the back-filling of feeder valleys. Fluvial systems in endorheic basins are distributive and may deposit basin-scale fans of channel and overbank facies.

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