Soran University Faculty of Science Department of Petroleum Geosciences Course Book Introduction to Sequence Stratigraphy Third Class Second Semester – Academic Year 2014 / 2015 Assistant Professor Dr. Ali Ashoor Abid Email: aliashoor60@yahoo.com Mobile: 07504133741 07702989125 Office Hours: by appointment Class: Wednesday (8.30-10.30)am Course Objectives The sequence stratigraphy approach to the analysis of sedimentary successions has taken some time to become widely accepted and widely used. There were two issues in the earlier of its development which caused problems. First, the concept was initially linked with the idea that a global eustatic sea-level curve could be established and used as a means of correlating strata : doubts about the curve led to doubts about the methodology, but in fact the principles underlying sequence stratigraphy are sound and valid whether there is a global sea-level curve or not.A second barrier to acceptance was the plethora of new terms that were introduced as the concepts were developed. To some extent these served to make the subject appear more complicated than it actually is, because sequence stratigraphy is really quite a straightforward and elegant approach to the analysis of sedimentary successions. It is now applied very extensively,especially in the hydrocarbon exploration industry, and several texts are now available that provide comprehensive accounts of the principles and applications of sequence stratigraphy. Forms of Teaching Before talking about this item it is worth to mention important notes or general instructions for students which include: * Always, be present in the hall before the instructor * You must close mobile before entering the hall * You must be ready to hear the lecture * You must sit down and don’t talk especially during explanation * You must discuss and ask about all informations that you can’t understand * Always, you must read the required or text books to compare with lecture that you receive Teaching includes different manners: * Power point presentations * Overhead presentations * Explanations on blackboard * Classroom discussions Grading Theoretical part equals 12.5%; this degree will be approached by at least two examinations in addition to quizzes plus the degree of the scientific trip. Sometimes the activity of the students within the classroom is evaluated and counted with the above-mentioned degree. Practical part takes 7.5% (details are shown in attached papers of practical part). Final Examination: 30% (20% theoretical plus 10 practical) Course Material Required references include several types namely the main text books, additional books , journals, bulletins, thesis of Master and Ph.D degree plus the more recent informations from internet. Main Text Books Boggs,S.Jr., 2006 : Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Fourth Edition. Pearson Education,Inc,662p. Nichols,G., 2009 : Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Second Edition. Wiley- Blackwell,419p. Additional References Catuneanu,O., 2006 : Principles of Sequence Stratigraphy. Elsevier, Amsterdam. Emery,D. And Myers,K.J.,(Eds.), 1996 : Sequence Stratigraphy. Blackwell Science, Oxford. Course Program Week-1 Definition Some Important Terms Depositional Sequence, Depositional System, System Tract, Parasequence Set, Parasequence, Marine Flooding Surface Week-2 Relationships between Strata Vertical Relationships A. Conformable Relationships : 1.Abrupt Contacts 2.Gradational Contacts Mixed Gradation Continuous Gradation 3.Intercalated Contacts Week-3 B. Unconformable Relationships : 1. Angular Unconformity 2. Paraconformity = Disconformity 3. Nonconformity Nature of Unconformable Surfaces Recognition of Unconformities Week-4 Lateral Relationships : 1. Pinch-out 2. Intertonguing 3. Lateral Gradation Mixed Contiuous Week-5 Combined Lateral and Vertical Relationships Instablility of Sedimentary Environments Transgression and Regression Overlap and Offlap Onlap and Overstep Week-6 Sediment Pattern and Geometry Sea-Level Changes and Sedimentation Changes to Shoreline Sea-Level and Sedimentation Transgression, Regression and Forced Regression The Concept of Accommodation Rates of Sea-Level Change and Sediment Supply Shoreline Trajectory Depositional Slope, Onshore and Offshore Progradation,Aggradation and Retrogradation Cycles of Sea-Level Change First Examination Week-7 Depositional Sequences and Systems Tracts Shelf-Break Margin Depositional Sequence High Stand, Sequence Boundary, Lowstand, Transgressive Surface, Transgressive Systems Tract, Maximum Flooding Surface, High Stand. Week-8 Ramp Margin Depositional Sequence High Stand, Sequence Boundary, Falling Stage Systems Tracts, Lowstand, Transgressive Surface, Transgressive Systems Tract, Maximum Flooding Surface, High Stand Week-9 Parasequences : Components of Systems Tracts Parasequences Parasequence Boundaries Parasequence Thickness Parasequence Sets and Systems Tracts Sequences and Parasequences : Scales and Variations Week-10 Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy Sequence Stratigraphy in Non-marine Basins Week-11 Applications of Sequence Stratigraphy Sequence Stratigraphy Analysis of Seismic Section Sequence Stratigraphy Analysis of Graphic Sedimentary Logs Sequence Stratigraphy Analysis of Geophysical Logs Correlation of Sections using Sequence Stratigraphic Principles Week-12 Causes of Sea-Level Fluctuations Local Changes in Sea-Level Glacio-Eustasy Thermo-Tectonic Causes of Sea-Level Change Cyclicity in Changes in Sea-Level First-order Cycles Second-order Cycles Third-order Cycles Short-Term Changes in Sea-Level Global Synchroneity of Sea-Level Fluctuations Second Examination