Sedimentary basin analysis
- Sedimentary basin analysis
Sedimentary basin analysis is a geologic method by which the history of a sedimentary basin is revealed, by analyzing the sediment fill itself. Aspects of the sediment, namely its composition, primary structures, and internal architecture, can be synthesized into a history of the basin fill. Such a synthesis can reveal how the basin formed, how the sediment fill was transported or precipitated, and reveal sources of the sediment fill. From such syntheses models can be developed to explain broad basin formation mechanisms. Examples of such basinal environments include backarc, forearc, passive margin, epicontinental, and extensional basins.
Sedimentary basin analysis is largely conducted by two types of geologists who have slightly different goals and approaches. The petroleum geologist, whose the ultimate goal is to determine the possible presence and extent of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon-bearing rocks in a basin, and the academic geologist, who may be concerned with any or all facets of a basin's evolution. Petroleum industry basin analysis is often conducted on subterrannean basins through the use of reflection seismology and data from well logging. Academic geologists study subterranean basins as well as those basins which have been exhumed and dissected by subsequent tectonic events. Thus academics sometimes use petroleum industry techniques, but in many cases they are able to study rocks at the surface. Techniques used to study surficial sedimentary rocks include: measuring stratigraphic sections, identifying sedimentary depositional environments and constructing a geologic map.
References
* Duppenbecker S. J. and Eliffe J. E., Basin Modelling: Practice and Progress, Geological Society Special Publication, (1998). ISBN 1862390088
* Yang X. S., Theoretical Basin Modelling, Exposure Publishing (2006). ISBN 1846851564
* Lerche I., Basin Analysis: Quantitative Methods v.2, Academic Press (1990). ISBN 0124441734
ee also
* Tectonic stratigraphy
* Basin modelling
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Sedimentary basin — The term sedimentary basin is used to refer to any geographical feature exhibiting subsidence and consequent infilling by sedimentation. As the sediments are buried, they are subjected to increasing pressure and begin the process of lithification … Wikipedia
sedimentary rock — Rock formed at or near the Earth s surface by the accumulation and lithification of fragments of preexisting rocks or by precipitation from solution at normal surface temperatures. Sedimentary rocks can be formed only where sediments are… … Universalium
sedimentary facies — Different, but contemporaneous and juxtaposed, sedimentary rocks. Terrigenous facies are accumulations of particles eroded from older rocks and transported to the depositional site. Biogenic facies are accumulations of whole or fragmented shells… … Universalium
Basin modelling — is the term broadly applied to a group of geological disciplines that can be used to analyse the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins, often but not exclusively to aid evaluation of potential hydrocarbon reserves.At its most basic, a… … Wikipedia
Foreland basin — basins, where accommodation space is generated by lithospheric extension. Types of Foreland BasinForeland basins can be divided into two categories: * Peripheral (Pro) foreland basins, which occur on the plate that is subducted or underthrust… … Wikipedia
Ogaden Basin — The Ogaden Basin is an area of Ogadkenya that may hold significant reserves of crude oil and natural gas.[1] The basin covers an area of some 350,000 square kilometres (135,000 square miles) and is formed from sedimentary rocks up to 10,000… … Wikipedia
Chad Basin — The Chad Basin, also known as the Lake Chad Basin, is a large lowland area in north central Africa. In all directions from the center of this area the elevation changes are gentle. The Chad Basin is an endorheic (closed) basin its water does not… … Wikipedia
Muglad Basin — Central African rifts: Muglad to the west The Muglad Basin is a large rift basin in Northern Africa. The basin is situated within southern Sudan and covers an area of approximately 120,000 km2. It contains a number of hydrocarbon accumulations of … Wikipedia
Melut Basin — Central African rifts: Melut Basin near center. The Melut Basin is a rift basin in South Sudan. It is situated in the states of Upper Nile and Jonglei, south of the capital Khartoum and east of the river Nile. The Basin contains several… … Wikipedia
Petroleum — For other uses, see Petroleum (disambiguation). Proven world oil reserves, 2009 … Wikipedia
