Evolution of the Destin Dome, offshore Florida, north-eastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Structural and stratigraphic relationships indicated by seismic reflection data suggest that uplift of the Destin Dome anticline resulted mainly from salt movement during Late Cretaceous to Early Cenozoic time. A thick succession of Lower Cretaceous sediment was deposited in the central part of the basin seaward of the present day Destin Dome. Sediment loading squeezed the salt both updip onto the shelf and downdip into the basin. A step in the pre-salt basement limited movement of salt and controlled the location of the dome. Vertical movement of salt was accommodated by extensional faulting. During the Early Cenozoic, sediment touchdown onto the pre-salt basement formed a salt weld between the anticline and the De Soto Canyon diapir field, cut off the supply of salt and stopped growth of the structure. The minimum accumulation thickness of the ‘mother’ salt is estimated to be 760 m and the original volume of salt deposited at the present day location of the Destin Dome anticline on the Florida shelf is estimated to be 1000 km 3. The volume of salt in place today is in excess of 2300 km 3.