BB

STRATIGRAPHY (ES 532)

CLASS 8

SEQUENCE
Q STRATIGRAPHY

Dr. Biplab Bhattacharya

Dept. of Earth Sciences, IIT Roorkee
 Sequence Stratigraphy
Analysis of cyclic patterns in sedimentary successions,
developed through time, in response to:

variations in
sediment supply
and

space
p available for
sediment
accumulation

Used to explain and predict stratal geometry.

Original Sequence Stratigraphic Approach (seismic
stratigraphy)
g p y) was based on recognition g of
unconformity-bound sequences using geometry
and termination p
patterns of seismic reflectors.

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Reflection Configuration: Gross
stratification
t tifi ti pattern
tt
Stratal terminations
Toplap: termination of inclined strata (clinoforms) against an
overlying lower angle surface mainly as a result of nondeposition
(sediment bypass). Result of normal regression

Onlap:
p termination of low-angle g strata against
g a steeper
p
stratigraphic surface
marine onlap: develops on continental slopes during transgressions
coastal
t l onlap:
l refers
f t transgressive
to t i coastal
t l to
t shallow-water
h ll t strata
t t

Truncation: termination of strata against an overlying erosional

surface.
f T l
Toplap may develop
d l i t truncation,
into t ti b t truncation
but t ti i more
is
extreme than toplap and implies either the development of erosional
relief or the development of an angular unconformity.
 Downlap:
termination of inclined strata against a lower-angle surface.
D
Downlapl i commonly
is l seen at the
h base
b off prograding
di clinoforms,
li f
either in shallow-marine or deep-marine environments. Downlap
represents a change from marine (or lacustrine) slope deposition to
marine (or lacustrine) condensation or nondeposition.
It is produced as a result of normal or forced regression.
Offlap:
Offl
Progressive offshore shift of the updip terminations of the
sedimentary
di units
i within
i hi a conformable
f bl sequence off rocks
k ini which
hi h
each successively younger unit leaves exposed a portion of the older
unit on which it lies. Offlap is the product of base-level fall, so it is
diagnostic for forced regressions.
1. Onset off fforced regression
g ((onset off base-level ffall at the
shoreline): this is accompanied by a change from
sedimentation to erosion/bypass in the fluvial
t shallow-marine
to h ll i environments;
i t

2. End of forced regression (end of base

2 base-level
level fall at the
shoreline): this marks a change from degradation to
aggradation in the fluvial to shallow-marine environments;

3. End of regression (during base-level rise at the shoreline):

thi marks
this k the
th turnaround
t d point
i t from
f shoreline
h li regression
i
to subsequent transgression;

4. End of transgression (during base-level rise at the

shoreline): this marks a change in the direction of shoreline
shift from transgression to subsequent regression.
A sequence is a succession of genetically related strata
that can be delineated chronologically
g y and spatially,
p y, and
which possesses some characteristic property that defines
the sequence as a particular product of the total geological
history, with respect to events and processes.

.genetically related strata

Succession of strata deposited during one set of external (extrinsic,
allogenic) and internal (intrinsic, autogenic) factors, like:
Constant, rising or falling base level
Same type of sediment availability
Same range and type of transporting and depositional energy
conditions
Same type of depositional environment
A sequence is a succession of genetically related strata
that can be delineated chronologically
g y and spatially,
p y, and
which possesses some characteristic property that defines
the sequence as a particular product of the total geological
history, with respect to events and processes.

can be delineated chronologically and

spatially
p y

Means that we need some kind of surface that is of the same age, or
approximately of the same age,
age through the whole area.
area
Biostratigraphically defined surface
Stratigraphic
St ti hi surface
f off same depositional
d iti l age
Seismic surface supposed to represent adepositional surface
A sequence is a succession of genetically related strata
that can be delineated chronologically
g y and spatially,
p y, and
which possesses some characteristic property that defines
the sequence as a particular product of the total geological
history, with respect to events and processes.

........some characteristic property..

Similar sedimentary facies association

Similar
Si il bibiofacies
f i association
i ti
Bounded by same type of stratigraphic surface below as above:
- Subaerial erosional unconformity
- Transgressive surface
- Maximum flooding surface
- Ravinement surface
A sequence is a succession of genetically related strata
that can be delineated chronologically
g y and spatially,
p y, and
which possesses some characteristic property that defines
the sequence as a particular product of the total geological
history, with respect to events and processes.

..particular product of the total geological

history
y with respect
p to events and p
processes.
Means that the sequence tells us about an event or episode in the infill
history
y of a basin,, as:
An episode of fall-and-rise of base level
A tectonic episode
A climatic episode
A period of change in sediment accumulation,
accumulation or other
environmental characteristics
 Sequence Boundary
The unconformity or correlative conformity that
bounds a sequence
Not
N t always
l a major
j physical
h i l feature
f t
Not ever exposure surface is a sequence boundary!
Commonly (but not always) represents a significant
change in stratal arrangements and therefore
reservoir properties

Parasequence: a relatively conformable succession of

genetically related beds or bedsets bounded by flooding
surfaces
f
Flooding surface: a surface across which there is an
abrupt shift of facies that may indicate an increase in
water depth or a decrease in sediment supply 17
 Sequence Stratigraphic Principles
Sequence stratigraphy is a science used to subdivide
the sedimentary section into chronostratigraphic
packages.
packages
A sequence is a relatively conformable succession of
strata bounded by y unconformities.
Parasequences & parasequence sets are relatively
conformable succession of genetically related beds or
b d t identified
bedsets id tifi d by
b transgressive
t i surfaces,
f maximum
i
flooding surfaces & unconformities within a sequence.
These surfaces & the associated strata form in
response to changes in accommodation (relative sea
level) & rates of sedimentation.
This approach enables the prediction of the continuity
& identification & character of sedimentary bodies
using seismic crosscross-sections
sections, well logs & outcrop
studies of sedimentary rocks.
S
Sequence stratigaphy
i h stratigraphic
i hi surfaces
f

Subaerial unconformity sequence boundary (SB)

Flooding surface (FS) surface representing abrupt change in

the water depth

Maximum flooding surface (MFS) surface of maximum

relative sea level (sequence boundary in genetic stratigraphic
sequences)

Transgressive
g surface ((TS)) maximum surface of regression
g
(sequence boundary in transgressive-regressive sequences, T-R)

Marine ravinement surface (MRS) Erosional surface formed

by marine processes during transgression or regression
Maximum Flooding Surface

Surface that marks the turn-around from landward-

stepping to seaward stepping strata

Farther out on platform coincides with the downlap

surface (depending on the degree of condensation of
clinoform toes)

Recognition of the MFS is important for separating

TST and HST, which in turn is important for other
stratigraphic analysis,
analysis but on the platform top
(where 99% of carbonate reservoir facies occur) this
can be difficult to pin down precisely.
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 Highstand Systems Tracts

Bounded below by maximum flooding surface and

above by overlying sequence boundary

Generally shingled or offlapping (clinoformal) stratal

geometry

Sets of high-frequency cycles show upward thinning

and upward
p shallowing
g trends

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Highstand Systems Tract (HST)

Shelf break
 FALLING STAGE
SYSTEMS TRACT

First two FSST para-

Sequences deposited
Shelf break on continental shelf

Ramp
 Lowstand Systems Tract (LST)

Shelf break

Ramp
 Transgressive Systems Tracts

Bounded below by underlying sequence boundary

and above by maximum flooding surface

Generally more mounded in geometry

Sets of high-frequency cycles show upward

thickening and upward deepening trends

Typically less grainstone prone, more diverse

skeletal assemblages

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TST

Shelf break

Ramp
Kendall, USC
Sequence Stratigraphy www site
A critical assumptionp of the
seismic stratigraphic approach,
illustrated in this diagram
f
from V
Vail
il ett all (1977),
(1977) is
i that
th t
seismic reflectors follow time
surfaces rather than facies
impedance boundaries.

Note the regional scale of this

ill t ti
illustration.

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SB sequence boundary
LST lowstand systems tract
TST transgressive systems
t
tract
t
HST highstand systems tract
SMW shelf
shelf-margin
margin wedge
Mfs maximum flooding surface
Lsw lowstand wedge
g
Sf slope fan 32

Bf basin-floor fan
33
34
How is Facies Used In Sequence Stratigraphy

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Aggradational
parasequence
Parasequence on
a beach setting
g
 Parasequences on
a tidal flat setting
Parasequences on
a deltaic setting
g
BB

Thank You ..