Application of Milankovitch cycles in the restoration of high-resolution deposition velocity of Neogene strata in Kutei Basin, Indonesia

Abstract

Restoring the deposition velocity during evolution in basin analysis is an important aspect. The restoration of high-resolution deposition velocity—the deposition velocity over a short geological period—can improve the precision of basin analysis and research. However, the prerequisite for the restoration is to establish an accurate chronostratigraphic framework based on precise stratigraphic dating. Conventional methods for stratigraphic dating can only be used to determine the epochs of large stratigraphic intervals rather than accurate geological time. It is also difficult to establish a fine geological time scale with dating methods requiring sample testing such as isotopic dating due to their limitations in sample collection. In contrast, the Milankovich cycle-based dating possesses the advantages of high precision and high operability and can be used to restore high-resolution deposition velocity. Based on the identification and extraction of Milankovich cycles, this study restores the high-resolution deposition velocity of the Middle Miocene and later strata in the abyssal area of the Kutei Basin in Indonesia. The results show that the restored deposition velocity coincides well with lithological sections. This indicates that the Milankovitch cycle-based dating can be used to effectively restore reliable curves of high-resolution deposition velocity. Therefore, this study provides a methodological basis and data guarantee for studying the accumulation cycles and distribution patterns of oil and gas in the abyssal area of the Kutei Basin using wave analysis technology and can also serve as a reference for similar research in other basins.