High-Resolution Sequence Stratigraphy, Condensed Sections, and Flooding Events off the Great Barrier Reef: 0-1.5 Ma

Abstract

Examination of seismic reflection and core data between Sites 819 and 821 provides information about patterns of sedimentation that result from repetitive fluctuations in relative sea level and climatic perturbations. On the basis of sequencestratigraphic interpretations, we identify nine sequences bounded by sequence boundaries; each sequence contains lithologically distinct and relatively thin units that have been interpreted as condensed sections. Because of very high mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentation rates in this region, resolution of third-, fourth-, and fifth-order changes of sea level is recognized. One predominant condensed section is identified within each sequence and is associated with the maximum flooding surface of that sequence. These condensed sections are marked by increases in abundance of quartz, clay, and shallow-water bioclasts; increases in nonreworked pristine glauconites; decreases in total carbonate abundance; and increases in magnetic susceptibility. Increases in glauconite have been interpreted to indirectly reflect relative decreases in sedimentation rates, whereby sediment residence time is prolonged within suboxic bacterial degradation zones. Increases in bioclasts within transgressive systems tracts are attributed to relatively rapid buildups of shallow-water reefal communities that accompanied punctuated flooding events; during these times shallow-water carbonate growth accelerated as reefal communities built upward rapidly to keep up with rising sea level. Increases in quartz and clay contents during maximum flooding are thought to be tied to sediment starvation, whereby background clays and quartz contents are concentrated. Decreased accommodation potential during relative highstand phases promoted progressive highstand systems tract progradation and sedimentation of reworked glauconites and terrigenous sands, silts, and clays. These depositional phases also are marked by increases in bioclastic sands that accompanied the progradational, seaward building events.