Seismic Stratigraphy and Global Changes of Sea Level, Part 10: Seismic Recognition of Carbonate Buildups

Abstract

Carbonate buildups, including reefs and banks, are ideally suited for stratigraphic interpretation from reflection seismic data because of pronounced differences in depositional or bedding characteristics between the buildups and enveloping strata. Geophysical criteria that allow recognition of buildups can be either direct--those seismic parameters that directly outline buildups such as reflections from the boundaries of the buildups, onlap of overlying cycles, or seismic facies changes between the buildups and enveloping beds; or indirect--those seismic parameters that indirectly outline or indicate the presence of buildups such as drape, velocity anomalies, and spurious events. Use of basin architecture is an additional indirect, but generally geologic, line of evidenc to infer locations of buildups. All available geologic and geophysical data should be used; the techniques of seismic stratigraphic and seismic facies analysis provide the framework for this interpretation.