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Isolated Previous HitCarbonateNext Hit Platforms – Lessons Learned from Great Bahama Bank*

By

Gregor P. Eberli1, Paul M. (Mitch) Harris2, and G. Michael Grammer3

 

Search and Discovery Article #50084 (2008)

Posted August 1, 2008

 

*Adapted from oral presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, Houston Texas, March 10-13, 2002.

Click to view list of articles adapted from presentations by P.M. (Mitch) Harris or by his co-workers and him at AAPG meetings from 2000 to 2008.

 

1 University of Miami, Comparative Sedimentology Laboratory, Florida ([email protected])

2 Chevron Petroleum Technology Company, Houston, Texas; currently ETC, Chevron, San Ramon, CA, USA ([email protected])

3 Texaco Upstream Technology, Houston, Texas; currently Department of Geosciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA ([email protected])

 

Abstract

Studies of Previous HitcarbonateNext Hit platforms in the Bahamas continue to refine stratigraphic, depositional, and diagenetic models. Stratigraphic insights include understanding how isolated platforms may coalesce through progradation along leeward margins by highstand shedding of bank-top derived sediment; also, that seismic reflectors in pure Previous HitcarbonateNext Hit systems have been shown to be the result of lithologic and diagenetic change, and many regionally correlatable seismic sequence boundaries are indeed chronostratigraphic horizons. The failure of platform margins and slopes and subsequent deposition of megabreccias may occur during both lowstands and highstands of Previous HitseaNext Hit Previous HitlevelNext Hit.

Lithofacies, which are relatively consistent across platforms, are dependent upon paleogeography and paleoceanography. The role of antecedent topography in initiating development of both reefal and sand bodies is strongly coupled to a windward margin location, and the sedimentary make-up (grain vs. mud dominated) of proximal slope facies is also dependent on the windward/leeward orientation of the margin. In addition, details of the genesis of shallowing-upward Previous HitcyclesNext Hit in different environments, coupled with the realization that unfilled accommodation space is common, adds to our understanding of ancient platform equivalents and suggest limitations inherent to cyclostratigraphic correlation.

Syndepositional marine cementation takes place in shallow subtidal and intertidal environments, but also to much greater depths, suggesting that paradigms associated with slope stabilization and the formation of submarine hardgrounds and seismic reflector horizons need to be revisited. Other recent work has focused on the role of microbial communities in cementation and documenting the presence of “meteoric-like” moldic porosity fabrics in the deep marine phreatic environment.

 

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Summary of Lessons from Previous HitSeaNext Hit Previous HitLevelNext Hit and Architecture

  • Isolated platforms have enormous lateral growth potential.
  • Progradation occurs in Previous HitseaNext Hit Previous HitlevelNext Hit controlled pulses.
  • Platforms have unfilled accommodation space.
  • Facies dependent filling of accommodation space creates topography on platform, which controls facies distribution during next Previous HitseaNext Hit Previous HitlevelNext Hit cycle.

 

Summary of Diagenetic Lessons

  • Cementation is occurring within months.
  • Dolomitization is episodic and by Previous HitseaNext Hit water.
  • Porosity can be created in marine burial environment.

 

Conclusions

  • Architecture
    • Lateral growth potential.
    • Previous HitSeaNext Hit Previous HitlevelNext Hit controls growth and Previous HitdiagenesisNext Hit.
    • Unfilled accommodation space creates facies heterogeneities.
  • Previous HitDiagenesisNext Hit
    • Cementation within months.
    • Episodic dolomitization by Previous HitseaNext Hit water.
    • Marine burial Previous HitdiagenesisNext Hit is equal to meteoric Previous HitdiagenesisNext Hit.

 

References

Anselmetti, F.S., G.P. Eberli, and Z.D. Ding, 2000, From the Great Bahama Bank into the Straits of Florida; a margin architecture controlled by Previous HitseaNext Hit-Previous HitlevelNext Hit fluctuations and ocean currents: GSA Bulletin, v. 112/6, p. 829-844.

Grammer, G.M., and R.N. Ginsburg, 1992, Highstand versus lowstand deposition on Previous HitcarbonateNext Hit platform margins; insight from Quaternary foreslopes in the Bahamas: Marine Geology, v. 103/1-3, p. 125-136.

Haddad, G.A., A.W. Droxler, D. Kroon, and D.W. Mueller, 1993, Quaternary CaCO3 input and preservation within Antarctic intermediate water; mineralogic and isotopic results from holes 818B and 817A, Townsville Trough (northeastern Australia margin): Proceedings of Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, v. 133, p.203-233.

Melim, L.A., P.K. Swart, and R.G. Maliva, 1995, Meteoric-like fabrics forming in marine waters; implications for the use of petrography to identify diagenetic environments: Geology, v. 23/8, p. 755-758.

Melim, L.A., F.S. Anselmetti, and G.P. Eberli, 2001, The importance of pore type on permeability of Neogene carbonates, Great Bahama Bank: Society for Sedimentary Geology, Special Publication No. 70, Subsurface Geology of a Prograding Previous HitCarbonateNext Hit Platform Margin, Great Bahama Bank, p. 217-238.

Schlager, W., 1980, The paradox of drowned reefs and Previous HitcarbonateTop platforms: GSA Bulletin, v. 92/4, p. 197-211.

 

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