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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions
Vol. 43 (1993), Pages 219-230

Seismic Stratigraphy of the North Louisiana South Arkansas (NL-SA) Basin

A. Lowrie, N. M. Sullivan, M. A. Fogarty, C. J. Krotzer, J. Carter, I. Lerche

ABSTRACT

Analysis of electric log and seismic reflection data in the North Louisiana-South Arkansas (NL-SA) basin reveals that seismic and sequence stratigraphic techniques may be applied to this peripheral basin underlain by continental crust. Major interpretational difficulties result from the high rate of basin subsidence relative to low sedimentation rates, as contrasted with the more usual situation of passive continental margins, where sedimentation generally exceeds regional subsidence. Similarly, sediments along passive margins with a large fluvial drainage system, tend to be terrigenous clastics having low structural strength. Sediments along the shelves of peripheral basins in a tropical environment, such as NL-SA, characteristically include carbonates of high structural strength. These "strong" layers have served as barriers to the rise of buoyant salt pillows, inhibiting the growth of salt diapirs. In the deeper part of the basin there is sufficient salt accumulated to provide enough buoyancy to rupture the restraining carbonates; therefore some diapirs are present.

Salt pillows rose due to the progradational deposition of the Smackover through Cotton Valley sediments; deposition proceeded from north to south. Pronounced basement tectonics acted to separate the salt "pillow" area on the central basin slope from the deeper portion of the basin, which served as the base for the few salt diapirs present. Examples of onlap abound as deposition prograded up to and then engulfed the rising salt pillows. Water depth apparently increased into the basin, as evidenced by onlapping. Abundant channeling, both erosional and aggradational, as well as major deltas, are found.


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