Examining Spatial and Temporal Variations in Neogene Carbonate Margin Development, Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf, Australia

Date
2019-02-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract

The Neogene Global Stratigraphic Signature (NGSS) is a late Oligocene to Pliocene depositional architecture thought to be controlled by eustatic variation; although the signature is defined geometrically by stratal relationships that exist in seemingly contemporaneous carbonate and siliciclastic systems worldwide, details of its presence have not been documented regionally. Here, we investigate the Neogene carbonate system of the Browse Basin (Northwest Shelf of Australia) to test for the presence of the NGSS; subsequent to its identification, we characterize accumulations in three dimensions, drawing particular attention to their variability. From our analysis, which is based on two- and three-dimensional seismic reflection surveys, drilled industry and research wells, and published datasets, we show that four carbonate platform phases (CPPs) display marked asymmetric growth through time. When compared to the NGSS, CPPs display a similar stratigraphic architecture, but variations exist that are attributed to non-eustatic controls (i.e., subsidence, oceanographic, and climatic-related phenomena). By characterizing the three-dimensional stratigraphic evolution of the CPPs, we provide a robust tool for predicting near-shore facies, which offer new insight into the role of global signals on the local development of Neogene carbonate architecture (NGSS).

Description
Degree
Master of Science
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf (NWS) of Australia, Neogene Global Stratigraphic Signature (NGSS), carbonate depositional systems, seismic stratigraphy, cyclicity
Citation

Sudhakar, Rahul. "Examining Spatial and Temporal Variations in Neogene Carbonate Margin Development, Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf, Australia." (2019) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/105391.

Has part(s)
Forms part of
Published Version
Rights
Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
Link to license
Citable link to this page