shelf delta,

aggradation & progradation

2
1
downlap

rise fall rise hemipelagic and pelagic sedimentation

1. Highstand systems tract: low rate progradation and aggradation

(base-level rise at the shoreline and normal regression)

shelf-edge
fluvial erosion or bypass
delta with offlap
2

3
progradation of deep-water
lobes/splays (slope and basin floor)

rise fall rise

2. Falling-stage systems tract: high rate progradation and offlap high-density turbidites (l-FR)
(base-level fall at the shoreline and forced regression) debris flow deposits (e-FR)

shelf-edge
fluvial onlap
delta with topset
4
3
progradation of leveed
channels and splays (basin floor)

rise fall rise

3. Lowstand systems tract: low rate progradation and aggradation low-density turbidites
(base-level rise at the shoreline and normal regression)

fluvial onlap coastal onlap

5

4
retrogradation and marine onlap
(transgressive slope apron)
estuary
rise fall rise

4. Transgressive systems tract: retrogradation and aggradation low-density turbidites (e-T)

(base-level rise at the shoreline and transgression) debris flow deposits (l-T)

subaerial unconformity maximum regressive surface

correlative conformity maximum flooding surface
basal surface of forced regression within-trend normal regressive surface
transgressive ravinement surface lateral shifts of facies
FIGURE 5.4 Regional architecture of depositional systems, systems tracts, and stratigraphic surfaces
(modified from Catuneanu, 2002). The systems tract nomenclature follows the scheme of Hunt and Tucker
(1992). Systems tracts are defined by stratal stacking patterns and bounding surfaces, with an inferred timing
relative to the base-level curve at the shoreline. The formation of these systems tracts in a time/distance
framework is illustrated in Fig. 5.5. Note that on seismic lines, downlapping clinoforms are concave-up,
whereas transgressive ‘healing phase’ strata associated with coastal and marine onlap tend to be convex-up
(Fig. 3.22). Abbreviations: e-FR—early forced regression; l-FR—late forced regression; e-T—early transgres-
sion; l-T—late transgression.