A Process hierarchy and hydrodynamic control of sedimentary architecture in marine carbonate systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.9771/geocad.v21i0.72375Keywords:
Marine carbonate systems, Sedimentary architecture, Persistent and episodic processes, Stratigraphic preservation, HydrodynamicsAbstract
Marine carbonate systems are commonly interpreted through sediment production and facies organization. However, preserved sedimentary architecture often reflects hydrodynamic redistribution rather than in situ production patterns. This study proposes a conceptual framework in which sedimentary architecture results from the interaction between production, persistent hydrodynamics, episodic events and selective preservation in open systems. By explicitly distinguishing sediment production from stratigraphic construction, the paper emphasizes process hierarchy as a fundamental control on the sedimentary record. Persistent regimes establish the structural organization of the system, whereas episodic events only contribute architecturally when they induce lasting modifications in flow patterns or preservation conditions. Architectural criteria based on spatial continuity, geometric orientation, internal hierarchy and selective preservation are proposed to guide interpretation. This approach shifts the analytical focus from facies-based descriptions to system-scale organization, enhancing extrapolation between modern and ancient carbonate systems.
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