Stratigraphic evolution and karstification of a Cretaceous Mid-Pacific atoll (Resolution Guyot) resolved from core-log-seismic integration and comparison with modern and ancient analogues
Author(s)
El-Yamani, Mahmoud S
John, Cedric M
Bell, Rebecca
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Atolls are faithful recorders helping us understand eustatic variations, the evolution of carbonate production through time, and changes in magmatic hotspots activity. Several early Cretaceous Mid-Pacific atolls were previously investigated through ocean drilling, but due to the low quality of vintage seismic data available, few spatial constraints exist on their stratigraphic evolution and large-scale diagenesis. Here, we present results from an integrated core-log-seismic study at Resolution Guyot and comparison with modern and ancient analogues. We identify six seismic-stratigraphic units: (1) platform initiation with aggradation and backstepping through the Hauterivian which ended by platform emersion; (2) reflooding of the platform with progradation and aggradation through the Barremian till the early-Aptian when ocean anoxic event 1a resulted in incipient drowning; (3) platform backstepping till the mid-Aptian when the platform shifted to progradation and aggradation till the mid-Albian; (4) platform emersion; (5) reflooding with backstepping ending at the latest-Albian by platform emersion; and (6) final drowning. The stratigraphic surfaces bounding these units are coeval with some of the Cretaceous eustatic events, which suggest an eustatic control on the evolution of this atoll and confirm that several previously reported sea-level variations in the early Cretaceous are driven by eustasy. Changes in subsidence and carbonate production rates and suspected later magmatism have also impacted the stratigraphic evolution. The suspected later magmatism could lead to environmental perturbations and potentially platform demise. Contrary to previous studies, we identify two emersion events during the mid- and late-Albian which resulted in intensive meteoric dissolution and karstification. The platform margin syndepositional fractures interacted with the subaerial exposure events by focusing the dissolution which formed vertically stacked flank-margin fracture-cave system. The study gives a unique insight into the interplay between eustasy, subsidence, and volcanic activity(ies) on long-term evolution of early Cretaceous shallow-marine carbonates. It also documents the impact and distribution of hypogenic and epigenic fluid-flow in atolls serving as an analogue for isolated carbonate platforms.
Date Issued
2022-10-01
Date Acceptance
2022-04-06
Citation
Basin Research, 2022, 34 (5), pp.1536-1566
ISSN
0950-091X
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
1536
End Page
1566
Journal / Book Title
Basin Research
Volume
34
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Authors. Basin Research published by International Association of Sedimentologists and European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
License URL
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000795965800001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Geology
carbonate
carbonate seismic facies
cave
Cretaceous eustasy
fluid flow vents
karst
seismic sequence stratigraphy
ISOLATED CARBONATE PLATFORMS
FLUID ESCAPE PIPES
ACTIVE COLD SEEP
SOUTH CHINA SEA
XISHA ARCHIPELAGO
FAULT SYSTEMS
VORING BASIN
INDIAN-OCEAN
TARIM BASIN
PATTERNS
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-04-16