Submarine Channel Architecture Along a Slope to Basin Profile, Brushy Canyon Formation, West Texas

Gardner, Michael H.; Borer, James M.

doi:10.1306/m72703c19

Cited by 47 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Cross sections taken through submarine channels, either in outcrop or seismic reflection data, often show a complex array of erosional surfaces across multiple scales (Deptuck et al, 2003;Mayall et al, 2006;Sylvester et al, 2011;Deptuck & Sylvester, 2018). This has led to the development of numerous hierarchical classifications that attempt to give spatial and temporal order to sedimentary bodies based on the relationships between their erosional bounding surfaces (e.g., Gardner & Borer, 2000;Gardner et al, 2003;Sprague et al, 2002;Mayall et al, 2006;Cullis et al, 2018). Here, we follow the hierarchical classification of McHargue et al, (2011) which is appropriate and easy to apply for seismic-based studies.…”

Section: Terminologymentioning

confidence: 99%

New models for submarine channel deposits on structurally complex slopes: Examples from the Niger delta system

Mitchell

Whittaker

Mayall

et al. 2021

Marine and Petroleum Geology

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Section: Terminologymentioning

confidence: 99%

New models for submarine channel deposits on structurally complex slopes: Examples from the Niger delta system

Mitchell

Whittaker

Mayall

et al. 2021

Marine and Petroleum Geology

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“…Facies, geometry, and upward-coarsening and -thickening packages in the lower interval could represent the de-velopment of depositional lobes (Mutti and Normak 1991). Gardner and Borer (2000) and Eschard et al (2003) suggested that ''spill-over'' lobes may develop during the final stage of channel filling due to relatively unconfined flows. Similar flows are envisaged here, but in this case it appears that sedimentation occurred largely within the previous channelized relief with minor overspill.…”

Section: Channel-fill Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anatomy and Evolution of a Slope Channel-Complex Set (Neoproterozoic Isaac Formation, Windermere Supergroup, Southern Canadian Cordillera): Implications for Reservoir Characterization

Schwarz

Arnott

2007

Journal of Sedimentary Research

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A detailed architectural analysis was conducted in Isaac Unit 5 of the Isaac Formation in the Castle Creek area (east-central B.C., Canada). Isaac Unit 5 developed within a turbidite-dominated slope system on the Neoproterozoic passive margin of western North America where sediment gravity flows and mass movements were common.Isaac Unit 5 crops out over a 3.5-km-long section oriented oblique to mean paleoflow direction and represents a long-lived pathway for transport and deposition that accumulated , 100 m of mostly sand in a deep-marine slope setting. It consists of three stacked, high net-to-gross channel-complex fills (8-30 m thick) that correspond to shorter-term flow conduits, which, in turn, are capped by mudstone-rich units. Fine-grained conglomerate and sandstone beds deposited from high-concentration sediment flows constitute most of channel-complex fills. In addition, muddy debrite and slump deposits occur, but although laterally extensive, are volumetrically minor. Laterally persistent, thin-bedded strata (4-20 m thick) composed mostly of Bouma Tc-e turbidites occur at the top of each channel complex and indicate episodes of local complex abandonment (interchannel complex deposition).Different kinds of channel-fill elements were identified within Isaac Unit 5, each characterized by a unique combination of facies assemblage, internal geometry, and bounding surfaces. Most commonly, channel fills consist of amalgamated, thickbedded, normally graded sandstone (Bouma Ta and Tab divisions) associated with backfilling processes. Poorly stratified mudstone-clast breccia, associated with Ta beds and dune cross-stratified sandstones occur in channel fills that exhibit aggradational and laterally migrating stacking patterns. Inner-bend levee deposits are associated with this type of channel fill. Channel fills with inclined sandstone-and mudstone-rich strata, on the other hand, relate to non-aggradational, high-sinuosity channel conditions that developed during gradual abandonment of the pathways for coarse-sediment transport. In contrast, sudden deactivation of these pathways, most probably related to abrupt updip channel avulsion, led to accumulation of structureless sandstone passively filling the deactivated thalweg.In terms of hydrocarbon reservoir analogues, each of the five different channel-fill elements have unique reservoir attributes (connectivity and continuity), amalgamated and poorly stratified elements having the best (excellent to good) reservoir attributes. Due to high amalgamation at channel-fill scale, channel complexes would represent individual fluid-flow units where only laterally discontinuous permeability barriers (, 500 m long) are present. On the other hand, extensive thin-bedded elements and muddy debrites constitute kilometer-scale barrier-type facies that would effectively compartmentalize channel complexes within the channel-complex set. Strata of Isaac Unit 5 document the detailed stratigraphic complexity, evolution, and reservoir characterization that can be expected in turbidite-...

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“…6; cf . with ‘composite channel’ of Gardner & Borer, 2000 and ‘channel fill’ of Sprague et al ., 2005). The term complex is used to refer to a higher‐rank unit, bounded below and above by relatively thick packages of hemipelagic deposits, comprised of a stack of a few to several storey‐sets.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The role of sediment input variations was emphasized by McHargue et al (2011), who proposed that the stratigraphic heterogeneity of channelized turbidites is partly due to cyclic changes of gravity flow energy at multiple timescales (cf. with 'build-cut-fill-spill' sequences of Gardner & Borer, 2000). This results in alternation of phases of 'waxing', during which relatively large, highly concentrated and relatively coarse flows drive erosion of channel conduits bypassing most of their load, and 'waning' phases in which in-channel deposition dominates as smaller volume, less concentrated and finer-grained flows are delivered to the system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stratigraphic evolution of a spectacularly exposed turbidite channel belt from the Tachrift System (late Tortonian, north‐East Morocco)

et al. 2023

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The sedimentary architecture of channelized turbidites can be highly complex as it reflects the response of submarine channels to several interplaying factors. Although intensively investigated through seismic imaging, turbidite channel fills are not convincingly calibrated for sedimentary facies at a sub‐seismic scale. This contribution addresses the sedimentary architecture and the controls on the evolution of a ca 20 m thick channel‐levee complex of the Tachrift turbidite subunit (Upper Miocene, the Melloulou Formation), which accumulated along the southern slope of the Neogene Taza‐Guercif Basin (Rifian Corridor of north‐east Morocco). Facies and architectural analyses indicate that the studied channel‐levee complex is the result of three‐fold evolution. From base to top, it is comprised of: (i) a ca 7 m thick lower mud‐prone interval containing relatively small and vertically stacked channel fills with poorly developed muddy levees; (ii) a ca 4 m thick and >1 km wide sandstone‐rich middle interval made of lateral accretion packages that become progressively less amalgamated and fine‐grained and is overlain by ca 5 m of thin‐bedded mud‐rich turbidites intercalated with hemiplegic marlstones; and (iii) an up to ca 9 m thick upper interval constituted by aggradational channel fills with well‐developed levees and variously directed lateral accretion packages. This organization suggests that, following a phase of inception (lower interval), the channel underwent extensive meandering with very minor vertical aggradation, prior to being blanketed by ‘retrogressive’ muddy lobes (middle interval) during a phase of reduced sediment input. In turn, the uppermost interval records a late phase of channel re‐establishment and aggradation that likely terminated as a result of up‐dip avulsion. It is suggested that the observed change of architectural style reflected the feedback of changing sediment input, slope equilibrium profile and channel morphodynamics.

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Submarine Channel Architecture Along a Slope to Basin Profile, Brushy Canyon Formation, West Texas

Cited by 47 publications

References 0 publications

New models for submarine channel deposits on structurally complex slopes: Examples from the Niger delta system

New models for submarine channel deposits on structurally complex slopes: Examples from the Niger delta system

Anatomy and Evolution of a Slope Channel-Complex Set (Neoproterozoic Isaac Formation, Windermere Supergroup, Southern Canadian Cordillera): Implications for Reservoir Characterization

Stratigraphic evolution of a spectacularly exposed turbidite channel belt from the Tachrift System (late Tortonian, north‐East Morocco)

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