DIEGEL, F. A., Shell Development Company, Houston, TX; J. F. KARLO, Pecten International Company, Houston, TX; D. C. SCHUSTER, Shell Offshore, Inc., New Orleans, LA; R. C. SHOUP, Pecten International Company, Houston, TX; P. R. TAUVERS, Shell Development Company, Houston, TX

ABSTRACT: Cenozoic Structural Evolution and Tectonostratigraphic Framework of the Northern Gulf Coast Continental Margin

Structural evolution of the northern Gulf Coast is controlled by progradation over deforming, largely allochthonous salt structures derived from a Jurassic salt section. The variety of structural styles is due to a range of Mesozoic salt structures, a variety of slope depositional styles, and the degree of salt withdrawal. Nongenetic tectonostratigraphic provinces describe regions of contrasting structural styles. Provinces include (1) autochthonous salt provinces around the salt basin margins, (2) detachment fault provinces onshore and on the shelf, (3) fault-bounded minibasin/peripheral salt provinces, (4) tabular salt provinces on the continental slope, and (5) fold and thrust provinces at the base of the continental slope. Shale-based detachment systems, dominated by lateral exten ion, and allochthonous salt-based detachment systems, dominated by subsidence, can be distinguished by geometry, reconstruction, and subsidence analysis. Many shale-based detachments are linked to deeper salt-based detachments. Large extensions above detachments are balanced by salt withdrawal. Salt withdrawal minibasins with associated salt bodies occur as isolated structural systems and as a component of salt-based detachment systems. With progressive salt withdrawal during progradation, minibasins evolve from slope basins above tabular salt to shelf basins bounded by arcuate growth faults. Associated salt bodies evolve from

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