Overbank sediment waves in the southern Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

Abstract

In the southern Taranaki Basin, a thick stratigraphic sequence of late Miocene age is well imaged by modern 3D seismic data. Within this sediment package, the evolution of multiple deepwater channel systems are preserved and interpreted. Anomalous features located between channel complexes are identified in both map-view and vertical sections. Extracting selected seismic attributes along interpreted horizons and using in context geologic knowledge suggests these anomalous features are overbank sediment waves resulting from overbank sedimentation. Alternate interpretations are also presented, such as slump scarps and progradational clinoforms. The evidence aims at improving our identification of these deepwater depositional elements. Geological feature: Overbank sediment waves in the southern Taranaki Basin, New Zealand Seismic appearance: Shingled, undulating, downlapping reflectors Alternative interpretations: Prograding clinoforms; slump scarps Features with similar appearance: Prograding clinoforms Formation: Mount Messenger Formation, Taranaki Basin Age: Late Miocene Location: Taranaki Basin, New Zealand Seismic data: Hector-3D Contributors: Clayton Silver and Dr. Heather Bedle Analysis tools: Schlumberger’s Petrel software was used for seismic interpretation and visualization; Attribute-Assisted Seismic Processing & Interpretation (AASPI) was utilized for computation of seismic attributes.