Changes

==Tectonic map==

==Tectonic map==

The figure below is a tectonic map of the GOM basin. It shows the following:

[[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-6.png|Figure 1]] is a tectonic map of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM; see [http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/about/facts.html General facts about the Gulf of Mexico]) basin. It shows the following:

* Generalized depth to basement (approximately the base of Jurassic sedimentary rock)

* Generalized depth to basement (approximately the base of Jurassic sedimentary rock)

==Salt tectonic map==

==Salt tectonic map==

<gallery>

<gallery>

file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-41.png|{{figure number|1}}See text for explanation.]]

file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-54.png|{{figure number|2}}Copyright: Hanor and Sassen (1990); courtesy Gulf Coast SEPM).

file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-41.png|{{figure number|2}}See text for explanation.

file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-55.png|{{figure number|3}}Based on data from Lovely and Ruggiero (1995, personal communication).

file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-54.png|{{figure number|3}}From Hanor and Sassen.<ref name=Hanorandsassen_1990>Hanor, J. S., and R. Sassen, 1990 Evidence for large-scale vertical and lateral migration of formation waters, dissolved salt, and crude oil in the Louisiana Gulf Coast: Proceedings, Gulf Coast Section SEPM 9th Annual Research Conference, p. 283-296.</ref> Courtesy Gulf Coast SEPM.

file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-7.png|{{figure number|4}}Modified.

file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-55.png|{{figure number|4}}Based on data from Lovely and Ruggiero (1995, personal communication).

file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-7.png|{{figure number|5}}Modified from Jackson and Galloway.<ref name=JacksonandGalloway_1984>Jackson, M. P. A., and W. E. Galloway, 1984, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/alt-browse/aapg-special-volumes/cn25.htm Structural and depositional styles of Gulf Coast Tertiary continental margins: Applications to hydrocarbon exploration]: AAPG Continuing Education Course Notes Series 25, 226 p.</ref>

</gallery>

</gallery>

The stratigraphic and tectonic history of the GOM basin is strongly affected by salt tectonics. As a consequence of differential loading of salt by sediment sourced from the North

The stratigraphic and tectonic history of the GOM basin is strongly affected by salt tectonics. As a consequence of differential loading of salt by sediment sourced from the North

Offshore beneath GOM waters, evacuation of salt structures is oldest in the north and is progressively younger toward the south. However, there are Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous salt-cored structures along the Sigsbee Escarpment. Pliocene and Pleistocene depositional loading has displaced salt basinward and differentially loaded detached salt sills into salt-cored massifs and salt-cored diapirs.

Offshore beneath GOM waters, evacuation of salt structures is oldest in the north and is progressively younger toward the south. However, there are Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous salt-cored structures along the Sigsbee Escarpment. Pliocene and Pleistocene depositional loading has displaced salt basinward and differentially loaded detached salt sills into salt-cored massifs and salt-cored diapirs.

The salt-withdrawal synclines formed by sediment loading result in bathymetric lows that serve as sediment transport pathways down the slope.<ref name=ch04r22>Bouma, A., H., 1982, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/history2/data/a110/a110/0001/0550/0567.htm Intraslope basins in northwest Gulf of Mexico: a key to ancient submarine canyons and fans], in Watkins, J. S. and C. L. Drake, Studies in Continental Margin Geology: AAPG Memoir 34, p. 567–581.</ref> The presentday sea-floor bathymetry of the northern Gulf of Mexico slope reflects this transport-pathway lineation of salt-withdrawal synclines bordered by salt-cored anticlines (see [[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-41.png|Figure 1]]). The distribution of the sediment-thick synclines and salt-core anticlines persists through time, resulting in predictability of sediment transport avenues, depositional areas of potential reservoir sands, and conduits from deeply buried [[source rock]]s upward to the hydrocarbon traps (see [[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-54.png|Figures 2]] and [[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-55.png|3]]).

The salt-withdrawal synclines formed by sediment loading result in bathymetric lows that serve as sediment transport pathways down the slope.<ref name=ch04r22>Bouma, A., H., 1982, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/history2/data/a110/a110/0001/0550/0567.htm Intraslope basins in northwest Gulf of Mexico: a key to ancient submarine canyons and fans], ''in'' Watkins, J. S. and C. L. Drake, Studies in Continental Margin Geology: AAPG Memoir 34, p. 567–581.</ref> The presentday sea-floor bathymetry of the northern Gulf of Mexico slope reflects this transport-pathway lineation of salt-withdrawal synclines bordered by salt-cored anticlines (see [[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-41.png|Figure 2]]). The distribution of the sediment-thick synclines and salt-core anticlines persists through time, resulting in predictability of sediment transport avenues, depositional areas of potential reservoir sands, and conduits from deeply buried [[source rock]]s upward to the hydrocarbon traps (see [[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-54.png|Figures 3]] and [[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-55.png|Figure 4]]).

McGuinness and Hossack<ref name=ch04r66>McGuinness, D., B., Hossack, J., R., 1993, The development of allochthonous salt sheets as controlled by the rates of extension, sedimentation, and salt supply: Proceedings, Gulf Coast Section SEPM 14th Annual Research conference, p. 127–139.</ref> present an excellent discussion of palinspastic reconstruction of the stratigraphic record disrupted by salt tectonics. Jackson et al.<ref name=ch04r48>Jackson, M., P., A., Roberts, D., G., Snelson, J., S., eds., 1995, Salt Tectonics: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=144 AAPG Memoir 65], 454 p.</ref> and Simmons et al.<ref name=ch04r90>Simmons, G., R., Bryant, W., R., Lee, G., Fiduk, C., 1996, Regional distribution of salt and basin architecture in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, in Jones, J., O., Freed, R., L., eds., Structural Framework of the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Gulf Coast Assoc. of Geological Societies Special Publication, p. 93–94.</ref> present a good discussion of salt distribution and tectonics.

McGuinness and Hossack<ref name=ch04r66>McGuinness, D. B., and J. R. Hossack, 1993, The development of allochthonous salt sheets as controlled by the rates of extension, sedimentation, and salt supply: Proceedings, Gulf Coast Section SEPM 14th Annual Research conference, p. 127–139.</ref> present an excellent discussion of palinspastic reconstruction of the stratigraphic record disrupted by salt tectonics. Jackson et al.<ref name=ch04r48>Jackson, M. P. A., D. G. Roberts, and J. S. Snelson, eds., 1995, Salt Tectonics: [http://store.aapg.org/detail.aspx?id=144 AAPG Memoir 65], 454 p.</ref> and Simmons et al.<ref name=ch04r90>Simmons, G. R., W. R. Bryant, G. Lee, and C. Fiduk, 1996, Regional distribution of salt and basin architecture in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, ''in'' J. O. Jones, and R. L. Freed, eds., Structural Framework of the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Gulf Coast Assoc. of Geological Societies Special Publication, p. 93–94. ''Presents a good discussion of salt distribution and tectonics.''</ref>

[[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-7.png|Figure 4]] salt structures in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and adjacent interior basins.

[[:file:sedimentary-basin-analysis_fig4-7.png|Figure 5]] salt structures in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and adjacent interior basins.

==See also==

==See also==