BOWMAN, Scott A., Marco Polo Software 11767 Katy Freeway Suite 330 Houston, Texas; Peter R. Vail, Rice University Department of Geology and Geophysics 6100 S. Main St. Houston, Texas

ABSTRACT: Carbonate Sedimentation Processes in PHIL

The carbonate depositional profile configuration is a result of carbonate production and subsequent redistribution. PHIL represents the carbonate production system with four water-depth and turbidity-dependent components. These include a "shelf-margin factory" that is proximal to open circulation, a "shelf factory" that is unrestricted, a "periplatform" and a "oceanic" pelagic factory.

Carbonate deposition in PHIL transports sediment by traction and suspension processes, slumping, and gravity-flow sedimentation in marine settings. Sediments are redistributed by traction processes from regions of high productivity and low preservation potential, such as lagoons, to regions with high preservation potential, such as tidal flats. The periplatform pelagic sediments are transported by suspension and deposited in the basin.

Within the simulation, gravity-flow sedimentation to deep water occurs when either 1) space above a more stable substrate is exhausted, or 2) during a relative fall of sea-level at the offlap break and coastal onlap falls below the offlap break of the previous highstand on a margin with greater than 200 meters relief. This sediment is deposited as basin floor or channel-overbank fans in the distal portions of the basin. PHIL continuously removes sediment on slopes greater than a stable slopes and deposits it as slumps.

Carbonate lithologies are based upon the prescribed sediment supply and the location of each cell with respect to each depositional system.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.