Abstract
Research Article| July 01, 2001 Origin of atoll lagoons Edward G. Purdy; Edward G. Purdy 1PetroQuest International Inc., “Foxbourne,” Hamm Court, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8YA, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Edward L. Winterer Edward L. Winterer 2Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California 92093, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Edward G. Purdy 1PetroQuest International Inc., “Foxbourne,” Hamm Court, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8YA, UK Edward L. Winterer 2Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California 92093, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 09 Nov 1999 Revision Received: 04 Aug 2000 Accepted: 12 Aug 2000 First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2001) 113 (7): 837–854. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<0837:OOAL>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 09 Nov 1999 Revision Received: 04 Aug 2000 Accepted: 12 Aug 2000 First Online: 01 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 Edward G. Purdy, Edward L. Winterer; Origin of atoll lagoons. GSA Bulletin 2001;; 113 (7): 837–854. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<0837:OOAL>2.0.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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A database of 301 atolls from the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans has been analyzed with respect to factors governing maximum atoll lagoon depth. Statistically significant correlations between maximum atoll lagoon depth and both atoll area and present-day rainfall are viewed as the combined effect of paleorainfall precipitation and catchment area in contributing to overall atoll morphology.This interpretation is supported by the gross saucer-shaped morphology of several of the Lau group of the Fiji Islands, and the subsurface Cretaceous Golden Lane atoll of Mexico, where evidence of reef rim construction is lacking but evidence for significant solution relief is compelling. The contribution of reefs to atoll rim construction appears to be limited generally to ∼10 m, leaving more than 20 m of relief to be explained at most atolls. At a number of these, the last interglacial highstand surface is ∼15−20 m beneath Holocene rim sediments. Subsidence rates of even 5 cm/ k.y. do not suffice to explain the subsea depth of this unconformity, suggesting the dominating influence of solution on relief expression.Calculations of solution rates relative to the residence time of sea level below given depths during the past 700 k.y. suggest that the observed atoll relief is in part inherited from more than one Pleistocene, or perhaps earlier, glacial stage. Whatever the precise time of origin, the data available strongly suggest that atoll morphology is solution determined rather than growth predicated. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.
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