Print this pageAAPG ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
Making the Next Giant Leap in Geosciences
April 10-13, 2011, Houston, Texas, USA
Seismic Geomorphology of a Tertiary-Aged Isolated Carbonate Platform System, Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf of Australia: The Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Carbonate Platform Environments II - The Upper Section
(1) Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX.
A series of well imaged isolated carbonate platforms from the Torosa Field 3D survey evolve from platform initiation to terminal drowning. The application of seismic geomorphology allows recognition of various carbonate geomorphic elements (depositional and diagenetic) including prograding margins, slope fan and gullied slope deposits, platform interior patch reefs, and karst fabrics. Mapping these features in successive horizon-slices and comparing the spatial changes with changes in seismic geometries (cross-sectional view) allow a more detailed understanding of platform response to relative changes in sea level and the relative complexity of the systems through time. This dataset provides an alternative growth model for platforms strongly influenced by currents, rather than the more common model of progradation with sediment flux dominated by windward-leeward sediment transport.
Platform growth initiates as a series of kilometer-scale buildups characterized by a circular to elliptical morphology (in plan view). These small-scale buildups quickly coalesce into a series of buildup complexes (2-6 km) with progradational margins. These complexes display either elliptical or rhombohedral shapes. Individual patch reefs can be observed in the platform interiors of the buildup complexes. A second phase of coalescence occurs and the buildup complexes combine into a larger platform (25 x 10 km). This large platform then backsteps and is characterized by a strongly elongate and elliptical shape. The backstepped platform progrades up to 3 km prior to final drowning and burial.
The growth of elliptical and rhombohedral buildup shapes appear to be influenced by focused currents between the platforms. A distinct windward-leeward asymmetry has not been recognized in the platforms. The rhombic platform complexes are characterized by a unique “pointed promontory” morphology that develops (perpendicular to the long dimension) as the elliptical complexes evolve into more rhombic shapes through time. The backstepped platforms display prograding seismic reflectors that terminate laterally and are confined to areas of the platform margin protected from influence of currents. Coalescence of the platforms followed the growth of small buildups in the mouths of the interplatform seaways, effectively blocking the seaways and allowing sediment to accumulate in the previously current swept passage.