Flexural response of passive margins to deep-sea erosion and slope retreat: Implications for relative sea-level change

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 1993 Flexural response of passive margins to deep-sea erosion and slope retreat: Implications for relative sea-level change John P. McGinnis; John P. McGinnis 1Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Department of Geological Sciences, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Neal W. Driscoll; Neal W. Driscoll 1Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Department of Geological Sciences, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Garry D. Karner; Garry D. Karner 1Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Department of Geological Sciences, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar William D. Brumbaugh; William D. Brumbaugh 2Conoco, Worldwide Exploration Services, Houston, Texas 77252 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nick Cameron Nick Cameron 3Conoco (U.K.) Ltd., London W1Y 4NN, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1993) 21 (10): 893–896. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0893:FROPMT>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation John P. McGinnis, Neal W. Driscoll, Garry D. Karner, William D. Brumbaugh, Nick Cameron; Flexural response of passive margins to deep-sea erosion and slope retreat: Implications for relative sea-level change. Geology 1993;; 21 (10): 893–896. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0893:FROPMT>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We suggest that the magnitude of the early-late Oligocene eustatic fall, as predicted from sequence stratigraphy, has been overestimated because of flexural rebound along margins that was induced by late Eocene to early Oligocene erosional unloading. The unloading of sediments from a continental margin during periods of deep-sea erosion and slope retreat will be accompanied by some form of flexural rebound. The magnitude and form of this rebound are controlled by (1) the amount of sediment removed from the margin and (2) the strength of the lithosphere at the time of sediment removal. Along margins with narrow continental shelves, this rebound will induce a relative sea-level fall resulting in a basinward shift in the shoreline, and the predicted systems tracts will be similar to those expected for a eustatic fall. In contrast, rebound along wide continental shelves will not alter the position of the shoreline, even though a relative sea-level fall may be recorded across the outer shelf. Deep-sea drilling and seismic reflection data from many margins support the interpretation of a late Eocene to early Oligocene (∼38-34 Ma) deep-sea erosional event best developed along the continental slope and rise. Seismic reflection and drilling data also document a prominent canyon-cutting event across the shelf during the early-late Oligocene (∼32-29 Ma). This event has been interpreted in terms of a large eustatic fall (>150 m). Nevertheless, there appears to be a correlation between late Eocene to early Oligocene deep-sea erosion and the development, or at least enhancement, of unconformities across the shelf during the early-late Oligocene. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.