Sequence Stratigraphic Modeling of Pennsylvanian-Age Cyclothems
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Date
1995-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Computer simulations of Pennsylvanian strata in an Appalachian-type foreland basin, an Illinois-type cratonic basin, and a Forest City-type platform basin were generated in an effort to determine whether a unifying sea level pattern across North America could reproduce the stratigraphy of three different, but coeval, basins. One sea level curve was used to drive sedimentary deposition (in combination with other sedimentary and tectonic factors). One sea level curve can be successfully applied to produce stratigraphic results similar to the actual rock records of the Pennsylvanian in the Appalachian, Illinois, and Forest City basins. The resulting stratigraphic cyclicity, stratigraphic thicknesses, lithologies, and proportions of sand to shale to carbonate were compared to actual measurements for each basin, and a close match (with same thickness differences) exists. Problems with modeled thicknesses for the Morrowan/Atokan and Missourian stages compared to actual rock thicknesses may be due to overestimation and underestimation, respectively, of time represented by the sedimentary units.