Abstract
An analysis of approximately 3500 km of multifold and 1000 km of singlefold seismic reflection data correlated with two exploration wells and other available geologic information records the morphologic development of the Early Cretaceous carbonate platform margin off northwest Florida. Early Cretaceous depositional patterns apparently controlled the concurrent formation of gently dipping (declivities < 10°) and steeply dipping (declivities > 10°) carbonate platform margin slopes in the vicinity of DeSoto Canyon, northeastern Gulf of Mexico. We suggest that the pronounced along-strike change in morphology reflects variations in platform width, input of terrestrial clastics and overall sediment availability to the platform's seaward margin slope. Southeast of the canyon, the Early Cretaceous slope bordered a relatively broad platform removed from terrigenous sediment input. Environmental conditions favored the uninterrupted development of skeletal and nonskeletal buildups along the paleo-shelf edge, which effectively prevented large quantities of shelf-derived clastic sediments from moving seaward. Consequently, as the carbonate platform grew and its height increased, the declivity of its seaward slope also increased, as predicted by models of long-term carbonate platform development. In contrast, northwest of the canyon, the slope bordered a narrower platform adjacent to a source of terrigenous clastics. More vigorous cross-platform transport of clastics and resultant adverse environmental conditions at the paleo-shelf edge inhibited consistent development of carbonate buildups, thereby creating only an intermittent sediment barrier to the adjacent slope. Resultant higher sedimentation rates on the slope caused it to aggrade and prograde along with the carbonate platform, allowing the margin slope to maintain its gentle morphology throughout the Early Cretaceous.
Published Version
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