Conceptual Models for Sequence Stratigraphy of Continental Rift Successions

Holz, Michael; Vilas-Boas, Daniel Bono; Troccoli, Edric Brasileiro; Santana, Vinicius Carneiro; Vidigal-Souza, Paulo Augusto

Abstract

Due to the basins asymmetry and the subsidence controlled by one major fault zone, the accommodation space within a rift basin is variable, and the popular passive margin-based sequence stratigraphic scheme, where depositional systems tracts develop following a predictable order during a complete cycle of base-level change, is not applicable. For a practical and useful stratigraphic analysis of rift basins, conceptual and methodological adaptations are required. This chapter discusses some main aspects of sequence stratigraphy of continental rift basins and the conceptual adaptation needed, and proposes an integrative sequence stratigraphic model, with two different scenarios (gradual and punctuated subsidence), defining three tectonostratigraphic phases: (1) the rift initiation phase, which is characterized by isolated and restricted faults that create incipient half-grabens, infilled with fluvial and deltaic facies, (2) the rift development phase, during which the initial rift faults tend to link and to form a larger and deeper depositional area, recording lacustrine facies with an overall retrogradational trend, and (3) rift termination phase, when the accommodation decreases, the sedimentation regime is progradational, and the rift basin is filled with fluvial–deltaic and eolian facies. The chapter closes illustrating those models with examples from selected Brazilian rift basins.

Citation

Holz, M., Vilas-Boas, D. B., Troccoli, E. B., Santana, V. C., & Vidigal-Souza, P. A. (2017). Conceptual Models for Sequence Stratigraphy of Continental Rift Successions. In M. Montenari (Ed.), Stratigraphy & Timescales (119-186). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.sats.2017.07.002

• Online Publication Date: Sep 11, 2017
• Publication Date: 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 5, 2023
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Pages: 119-186
• Series Title: Advances in Sequence Stratigraphy
• Series ISSN: 2468-5178
• Book Title: Stratigraphy & Timescales
• Chapter Number: 4
• ISBN: 978-0-12-813077-3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.sats.2017.07.002