Outcrops with Seismic-scale Geometries – An Aptian Example from the Western Maestrat Basin, E Iberia

Abstract

The analysis of seismic-scale geometries and facies heterogeneity, together with the identification and correlation of five surfaces with sequence stratigraphic significance in the platform to basin transition area of Aptian age exposed in the western Maestrat Basin (E Iberian Chain), permitted a successful characterization of a ‘four-systems-tract’ sequence. A subaerial unconformity, a basal surface of forced regression, a correlative conformity, a transgressive surface and a maximum flooding surface bound five differentiated systems tracts within two depositional sequences: the Highstand Systems Tract and Forced Regressive Systems Tract of Depositional Sequence A; and the Lowstand Prograding Wedge Systems Tract, Transgressive Systems Tract and subsequent highstand of relative sea level of Depositional Sequence B. This case study has the potential to become a reference, for both academia and industry, of the applicability of the four systems tract-based sequence stratigraphic method to carbonate systems.