--> ABSTRACT: Transgressive Shelf Sand Bodies of the East Texas Continental Shelf, by Antonio B. Rodriguez, John B. Anderson, and Fernando P. Siringan; #91019 (1996)

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Transgressive Shelf Sand Bodies of the East Texas Continental Shelf

Antonio B. Rodriguez, John B. Anderson, and Fernando P. Siringan

Transgressive shelf sand bodies on the East Texas continental shelf are the product of ravinement associated with shoreface erosion of coastal lithosomes and fluvial/deltaic deposits. The Trinity and Sabine rivers are relatively low sediment supply fluvial systems, while the Brazos and Colorado rivers are relatively high sediment supply systems. The shelf sand bodies associated with these different fluvial systems differ in terms of their origin, shape, size and facies character. Strike-elongate transgressive sand banks occur along the flanks of the Trinity/Sabine valley. Cores and seismic data from these banks indicate they were sourced from tidal-inlet and tidal-delta deposits that were reworked within and along the flanks of the valley. Seismic profiles through the Col rado and Brazos River incised valleys show that chaotic seismic facies associated with these fluvial valleys and distributary mouth bars are truncated by the ravinement surface. This indicates that during transgression shoreface erosion removed sand from these valleys and deltas, and transported this sand up dip and to the west. The sand was deposited as widespread lobate sand bodies. Ongoing work focuses on characterizing the sedimentological character of these sand bodies and at mapping their distribution on the shelf.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #91019©1996 AAPG Convention and Exhibition 19-22 May 1996, San Diego, California