Page 50 - Introduction to Paleobiology and The Fossil Record

(a) MRS
LST Delta plain
LST Normal MRS
SU Offlap
HST Delta plain regression RST
MFS
HST Forced regression TR
Normal
R regression
DS TST Estuary TST FSST c.c.
GS
LST Delta plain
RST
IV

TST Fluvial Estuary
Shoreface
Shelf
Delta plain

Top delta front facies contact Shoreface to shelf facies change
Basal surface of forced regression Regressive surface of marine erosion

(b)
Time
Non-marine environment Marine environment
MRS MRS
LST f.u. NR LST
c.c. c.u.

Depositional sequence NR Depositional sequence HST BSFR
RST Time gap (SU) TR RST FR FSST

MFS HST MFS

TST TST (A) TST TST
MRS f.u. MRS f.u.
LST NR LST
c.c.
c.u.
Genetic
Base level
RST Time gap (SU) FR stratigraphic
curve sequence
Transgressive–regressive
curve BSFR
HST f.u. NR HST
MFS MFS
Rise/ Fall/
Transgressive facies
transgression regression
Regressive facies

Figure 2.10 Sequences, system tracts and stratigraphic surfaces defined in relation to base level and
transgression–regression curves: (a) stratal architecture across a non-marine to marine transect is related
to (b) sequence stratigraphies in the non-marine and marine parts of the transect. (A), positive
accommodation (base level rise); BSFR, basal surface of forced regression; c.c., correlative conformity;
c.u., coarsening upward; DS, depositional sequence; FR, forced regression; FSST, falling stage systems

tract; f.u., fining upward; GS, genetic stratigraphic sequence; HST, highstand systems tract; IV, incised

valley; LST, lowstand systems tract; MFS, maximum flooding surface; MRS, maximum regressive
surface; NR, normal regression; R, ravinement surface; RST, regressive systems tract; SU, subaerial
unconformity; TR, transgressive–regressive sequence; TST, transgressive systems tract. (Based on
Catuneanu, O. 2002. J. African Earth Sci. 35.)