--> Pliocene-Pleistocene Integrated Sequence Stratigraphy and its Prediction Role to Sand Distribution, Outer Shelf and Upper Slope, Central Offshore Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico, by J. Zhang, J. S. Watkins, and J-P. Shyu; #90986 (1994).

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Abstract: Pliocene-Pleistocene Integrated Sequence Stratigraphy and its Prediction Role to Sand Distribution, Outer Shelf and Upper Slope, Central Offshore Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico

Jie Zhang, Joel S. Watkins, Jih-Ping Shyu

In the area, we identified over ten fourth-order sequences in the Pliocene-Pleistocene section by integration of seismic, well log, and biostratigraphic data. Sequence boundaries are mainly onlapping surfaces in the intraslope basins. The reflection termination and configuration show better on instantaneous phase and instantaneous amplitude sections. These sequences have maximum flooding surfaces respectively characterized by tops of D. tamalis, D. surculus, D. brouweri, C. macintyrei, small Gephyrocapsa, P. lacunosa D, P. lacunosa C, P. lacunosa B, P. lacunosa A, Sangamon assemblage, and bottom of E. huxleyi. Abundance peaks correspond well with condensed sections. A succession of four different facies on well logs and seismic data characterizes each sequence. Different systems tract formed at different water depth are identified from benthic Foraminifera data.

Lowstand systems tracts are sand-prone and sand isopach maxima usually correspond to intraslope basins. Corresponding seismic reflections are characterized by one or more high-amplitude continuous reflectors, and channel-levee complexes or chaotic facies by high-energy levels on instantaneous amplitude sections. On well logs they are characterized usually by blocky or crescent-shaped patterns. These characteristics indicate that they are either intraslope basinal fan or lowstand channel-levee complex deposits.

In intraslope basin and growth fault dominated paleoslope environments, highstand systems tracts, transgressive systems tracts, and lowstand prograding wedges consist of relatively thin pelagic or hemipelagic shale-prone sediments locally draped over tops of salt structures, whereas lowstand channel-levee complexes and intraslope basinal fans are relatively thick and sand prone.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994