EP12A-03:
Upstream and downstream controls on sediment routing and deposition in a complete “source-to-sink” system
Monday, 15 December 2014: 10:50 AM
Tao Sun1, Rebecca L Caldwell2, Jacob A Covault3, Ashley Harris3, Kristy T Milliken1 and Kaitlin Elizabeth Moran4, (1)Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX, United States, (2)Indiana University - Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States, (3)Chevron Corporation Houston, Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX, United States, (4)Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
Abstract:
Filling of sedimentary basins involves the interplay of external and intrinsic controls, which operate over vastly different spatial and temporal scales. Here, we present computer simulations of complete, source-to-sink, sediment transfer from mountains to depositional basins. Simulations quantify the spatial and temporal effects of external and intrinsic controls on sediment erosion, transport, and deposition in four different sediment-routing scenarios defined by a combination of systems with large or small rivers flowing to wide or narrow continental shelves. These experiments inform predictions of stratigraphic preservation, architectural style, and lithologic variability across complete source-to-sink sedimentary systems.
