Sedimentology (1997) 44,17-46

Internal architecture and sedimentary evolution of

coarse-grained, turbidite channel-levee complexes, Early
Eocene Regencia Canyon, Espirito Santo Basin, Brazil
CARLOS H. L. B R U H N * a n d ROGER G. W A L K E R t
*Petrobras, Av. Chile 65, sala 1782, 20.035-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
tDepartment of Geology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada

ABSTRACT
Successions of Early Eocene coarse-grained turbidites up to 400 m thick fill
fault-controlled canyons along the eastern Brazilian continental margin. They form
part of a Late Albian to Early Eocene transgressive succession characterized by
onlapping, deepening-upward sedimentation. In the Lagoa Parda oil field (Regencia
Canyon, Espirito Santo Basin) the turbidite facies consist mostly of unstratified
conglomerate and sandstone, with interbedded bioturbated mudstone and
thin-bedded, stratified sandstone. Within the main Regencia Canyon, the coarser
grained facies occur within 38 deeply incised channels. The fills are 9 to >50 m
thick, 2 1 0 to > l o 5 0 m wide and >1km long. The finer grained facies build
asymmetrical levees that are higher and thicker on the left side (looking
downstream) of their channels, probably as an effect of the Coriolis force (to the left
in the Southern Hemisphere). Nine levee successions up to 50 m thick are
associated with the 20 youngest channels. The deposits filling the low-sinuosity
Lagoa Parda channels record successive channel abandonment through relatively
rapid avulsions. Avulsions of unleveed channels took place randomly, but channels
with well-developed levees show preferential avulsion to the right (looking
downstream), opposite to the direction of preferential levee growth.
Lagoa Parda channels can be grouped into three complexes 20-100 m thick.
These complexes have an estimated duration of about 140 000 years. It is suggested
that control of the development of individual channel complexes was related to
variation in sediment supply, in turn probably related to climatic changes. The
deposition of each channel complex would have followed an increase in sediment
supply into the Regencia Canyon through deltdfan-delta and littoral drift systems,
which in turn would have responded to phases of higher denudation rates in the
high-relief, ancestral coastal ranges of south-eastern Brazil.
Overall, the three Lagoa Parda channel complexes form a turbidite succession
characterized by channel fills that become narrower, thinner and finer grained
upward. These trends were induced mostly by a longer term (>400 000 years)
decrease in sediment supply, which in turn resulted from the combined effects of a
long-term (second-order) trend of sea-level rise, and the decreasing fault activity at
the basin margin and source area.

INTRODUCTION geometry and sedimentary evolution of a coarse-

grained, turbidite channel-levee complex. The
This paper presents a detailed description turbidites and associated facies of the channel-
and interpretation of the stratigraphy, sandbody levee complex form part of the fill of the much
( 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists 17
18 C. H. L. Bruhn a n d R. G. Walker

MEGASEQUENCES:
0shales
and m h
siltstone,

carbonate
PR - Continental pre-rift megasequence
(Late Jurassic to Early Neocomian) evaporite

R - Continental rift megasequence @J coquina

(Early Neocornian to Early Aptian)
T - Transitional evaporitic megasequence
0metamorphic
. and
igneous basement
(Middle Aptian to Late Aptian) sd = shale diapir
SC - Shallow carbonate platform megasequence
(Early - to Middle Albian)
MT - Marine transgressive megasequence
IC CENOZOIC BAS1
(Late Albian to Early Tertiary)
MR - Marine regressive megasequence
(Early Tertiary to present)

Fig. 1. (A) Location of the Espirito Santo Basin, and other important Brazilian sedimentary basins. Note the location
of the Early Eocene Regencia Canyon area (RC). which is shown in detail in Fig. 2. (B) Generalized geological section
for the eastern Brazilian basins.

larger Early Eocene Reggncia Canyon, on the
western side of the immature passive margin
basin of Espirito Santo, eastern Brazil (Fig. 1A).
The turbidites form oil reservoirs in the Lagoa
Parda (LP) oil-field, located near the mouth of the
Doce River (Fig. 2).
Turbidites form major petroleum reservoirs in
more than 80 sedimentary basins worldwide, and
the combined volume of recoverable oil from
fields in the North Sea, California and eastern
Brazil exceeds 4 x 109m3 (25 billion barrels;
Weimer & Link, 1991). Passive margin basins, like
those on the eastern margin of Brazil, represent
one of the most important frontiers For oil explo-
ration in turbidite reservoirs, and future discover-
ies are anticipated in synrift lacustrine or marine
1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Ssdimentology, 44, 17-46
turbidites, or in turbidites deposited in post-rift,
intracratonic sags or passive margins. The Lagoa
Parda field requires detailed description so that it
can be used as a case history, or model, in future
exploration.
Immature passive margin basins with good
core and well-log control make good examples
for studying the effects of various allocyclic con-
trols on turbidite sedimentation. These basins
commonly have proximal sediment sources,
narrow and steep coastal plains and shelves, and
intense tectonic activity contemporaneous with
sedimentation. Here, turbidite sedimentation is
very sensitive not only to sea-level fluctuations
but also to variations in tectonics and sediment
supply.
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, Reggncia Canyon, Brazil
Fig. 2. Location of the Lagoa Parda
field and boundaries of Reggncia
Canyon (see Fig. 1A).
Immature passive margin basins also contain
examples of turbidite settings that have received
little attention in the literature, particularly
coarse-grained channel-levee complexes, and
coarse-grained canyon fills. Mud-rich channel-
levee complexes have been extensively studied in
many modern submarine fans (Damuth et al.,
1988; Weimer, 1989). In ancient rocks they have
been termed type I11 systems (Mutti, 1985) or
slope fans (Van Wagoner et al., 1990; Vail et al.,
1991). The few coarse-grained channel-levee
complexes described in the literature occur in the
ancient rock record (Walker, 1985; Bruhn &
Moraes, 1989; Morris & Busby-Spera, 1990)
and have not been described from modern
fans. Although many submarine channels are
filled dominantly with fine-grained sediments
(Goodwin & Prior, 1989; Galloway et al., 1991),
there are others that include a thick succession
of coarse, commonly conglomeratic turbidites
(Morris & Busby-Spera, 1988; Bruhn & Walker,
1995) or have gravel on the canyon floor
(Malinverno et al., 1988; Hughes Clark et al.,
1990). Despite the economic importance of
coarse-grained channel fills as petroleum reser-
voirs (Weimer & Link, 1991), these deposits have
not been incorporated in channel-feeding-lobe
models (Mutti & Ricci-Lucchi, 1972; Walker,
1978), nor in the eustatically driven models of
Mutti (1985) nor in the sequence-stratigraphic
schemes of Van Wagoner et al. (1990) and
Posamentier et al. (1991).
( 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44,17-46
19
Turbidite systems tend to be only partially
preserved in outcrop (especially the mud-rich
levee successions), making their internal
geometries very difficult to reconstruct. Many
recent submarine fans provide entire systems that
can be characterized seismically, but have poor
core and chronological control. There is conse-
quently a need for sedimentological description
and interpretation of channel-levee complexes
using subsurface data, especially if developed at
the oil-field scale. Oil fields such as Lagoa Parda
that have a large number of closely spaced wells,
a comprehensive production/pressure history,
and extensive coring of the reservoirs permit a
detailed geometry and facies characterization of
the turbidite reservoirs.
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
Brazilian continental margin
The basins lie beneath the present-day coastal
plain, continental shelf and slope of eastern Brazil
(Fig. 1A). Their tectonic and sedimentary evol-
ution is linked to the Neocomian breakup of
Gondwanaland and the subsequent opening of the
South Atlantic Ocean. The Late Jurassic to Recent
stratigraphy of the basins can be subdivided into
six megasequences, as shown by arrows and dated
in Fig. 1(B) (Bruhn, 1993). The basins are typical
of those on passive margins (McKenzie, 1978),
20 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker

Fig. 3. Geological cross-section of Regencia Canyon, located in Fig. 2. Dashed lines indicate position of the succession
studied. The canyon margins are controlled mainly by listric faults soling out on anhydrite beds of the transitional
evaporitic megasequence. Six major unconformities numbered 1-6 occur in the marine transgressive and marine
regressive megasequences (Late Turonian(?) to Middle Eocene). The marine transgressive megasequence is bounded
by unconformities 2 (or very locally by 1) and 5 . Early and Middle Eocene calcareous nannofossils zones are
indicated by lower-case letters, (a) Neochiastozygus chiastus, (b) Tribrachiatus orthostylus, ( c )Discoaster lodoensis,
(d) Discoaster kuepperi, (e) Chiasmolithus staurion and (f) Chiasmolithus grandis (Antunes, 1990). Combined
thickness of conglomerate and sandstone in the Early Eocene Neochiastozygus chiasfus zone is indicated (in
parentheses) for each well in the cross-section. Lithological symbols are explained in Fig. 4. Gamma-ray and
resistivity well logs for well A-1 are shown in Fig. 5. Vertical exaggeration x 3.

and result from a succession of thermomechanical
processes including continental rifting, crustal
extension and rupture, and subsequent sea-floor
spreading. Accommodation space for Mesozoic-
Cenozoic successions over 10 km thick was
created by Neocomian to Barremian mechanical
(rift) subsidence, followed by Aptian to recent
thermal-contraction subsidence (enhanced by
flexural loading of sediments; Chang et al., 1988,
1992).
Stratigraphy of Lagoa Parda (LP) turbidites
LP reservoirs consist of sandy and conglomeratic
turbidites that form part of the marine transgres-
sive megasequence (Fig. 1B). This megasequence
is characterized by onlapping, deepening-upward
sedimentation in all of the eastern Brazilian
basins (Chang et al., 1988). LP reservoirs are
contained within a thick succession of Early
Eocene coarse-grained turbidites deposited in
Regencia Canyon (Fig. 2). This NE-orientated
canyon is up to 6 km wide and 15 km long (Figs 2
and 3), with a fill up to 1 km thick.
c) 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
It is one of several large submarine canyons (up
to 25 km wide and 100 km long) excavated along
the eastern Brazilian margin after the Middle
Albian. It was filled by deep-water sediments up
to 1000 m thick, of mostly Early Maastrichtian,
Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene age (Figs 3
and 4).
Antunes (1990) recognized nine major phases
of erosion and filling in the Late Cretaceous to
Middle Eocene section of the Regencia Canyon,
mostly based on missing calcareous nannofossil
zones. The six most important and extensive of
the unconformities are shown in Figs 3 and 4.
LP reservoirs occur within the thickest (up to
650 m) and coarsest (up to 400 m of conglomerate
and sandstone) part of the Early Eocene Regencia
Canyon fill (Figs 3 and 5). These rocks were
deposited in deep neritic to upper bathyal depths
(200-500 m; Azevedo, 1985). They are included
in the Neochiastozygus chiastus nannofossil
zone (Antunes, 1990), which has been tied to
the chronostratigraphic chart of Berggren et al.
(1985), and has a time span between 57.8 and
56.5 Ma (1.3 Myr).
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, Regencia Canyon, Brazil 21

W A-I E
(2:) (ltl) (400) (3036) (707) (36)
0

- 1,000

- 1,500

MARINE REGRESSIVE
MEGASEQUENCE

SHALLOW CARBONATE
PLATFORM MEGASEQUENCE (?)
.2,000

DOMINANT LITHOLOGY Late Paleocene

MARINE TRANSGRESSIVE
Mudstone (marine)/ MEGASEQUENCE
SandstonelConglomerate
CONTINENTAL RIFT
MEGASEQUENCE
Carbonate
.2,500
AnhydritelDolomite

r l SandstonelConglomerate
Sandstonel
Mudstone (lacustrine)

+ .+
High-degree metamorphic . 3,000
rock (m)

Fig. 4. Longitudinal cross-section of Regencia Canyon, located in Fig. 2. Dashed lines indicate the succession studied.
The reactivation (up to Early Eocene] of a fault transverse to the canyon allowed the exposure of Precambrian rocks
along the western canyon floor. Six major unconformities numbered 1-6 occur in the Late Turonian(?) to Middle
Eocene marine transgressive and marine regressive megasequences, but in this cross-section only unconformities 2-6
can be observed. The marine transgressive megasequence is bounded by unconformities 2 and 5. Lower-case letters
refer to calcareous nannofossils zones defined in Fig. 3 . Combined thickness of conglomerate and sandstone in the
Early Eocene Neochiastozygus chiastus zone is indicated (in parentheses] for each well in the cross-section. Vertical
exaggeration x 6.

Very little is known about Early Eocene tur-
bidites further down Regencia Canyon from the
LP field. The two wells offshore contain some
coarse-grained turbidites, but the overall succes-
sion is thinner (Figs 2 and 4).
Tectonics and magmatism
The structural framework of the Reghcia Canyon
area is characterized by two sets of normal faults
orientated N-S and NE-SW. Reactivation of the
NE-SW-orientated faults induced the develop-
ment of listric normal faults that sole out on the
transitional evaporitic megasequence (southern
side of Fig. 3). The basement-detached faults, in
turn, controlled the evolution of the Reghcia
Canyon boundaries (Fig. 3 ) , and the development
of smaller tributary troughs along its northern
margin (Fig. 2). The N-S-orientated fault system
( 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedhentology, 44, 17-46
was reactivated up to the early Eocene, when
Precambrian high-grade metamorphic rocks were
exposed along the western floor of the canyon
(Fig. 4).
Recurrent Coniacian to Eocene magmatic
activity was very important in the Espirito Santo
Basin. Basaltic lava flows are found in many
offshore and onshore wells, and the large
Abrolhos volcanic complex about 85 km north-
east of the LP field was built by Late Cretaceous to
Eocene volcanic rocks and sediments derived
from a pre-existing narrow continental shelf
(Ponte & Asmus, 1978).
Data base
The LP field (Fig. 2) is about 2.8 km long and
2.5 km wide. There are 70 wells with an average
spacing of 200-250m (Fig. 6). Each well has a
22 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. C. Walker
Well A-1
t MARINE REGRESSIVE
MEGASEQUENCE
P
5 L
L [Late] Early Eocene:
Discoaster lodoensis zone
MARINE TRANSGRESSIVE [Middle] Early Eocene:
1MEGASEQUENCE Tribrachiatus orthostylus zone
cc3 +@
cc1*@
[Early] Early Eocene:
Neochiasfozygus chiastus zone
0 coarse- to coarse-grained sandstone (Fig. 8). These
200
rn
Early Maastrlchtian:
Broinsonia parca zone
Fig. 5. Typical gamma-ray and resistivity logs for the
Lagoa Parda turbidite system, as illustrated by well A-1
from the thalweg of Reg6ncia Canyon (Fig. 3). There are
at least nine channel-complexes in the early Eocene
Neochiastozygus chiastus zone, of which the three
uppermost complexes (CC1-CC3) were studied in
detail. CC3 is poorly developed in well A-1 but may
comprise u p to 27 m of sandstone in the south-eastern
part of the Lagoa Parda field. The resistivity curve is
shown in amplified scale for the mud-rich successions
of the Neochiastozygus chiastus (upper part), Tribra-
chiatus orthostylus and Discoaster lodoensis zones.
High-resistivity horizons located below the oil/water
contact are composed of boulder- to pebble-rich con-
glomerate. D is a high-resistivity mudstone containing
siderite, rhodochrosite and pyrite. It forms a well log
marker that can be widely correlated across the Lagoa
Parda field, and was used as datum for the cross-
sections of Figs 9 and 13.
comprehensive suite of high-quality well logs,
including gamma-ray, SP, resistivity, density,
neutron, caliper, sonic and dipmeter logs. There
are seven cored wells (Fig. 6), and a total of 324 m
of core was measured. The facies defined in core
1: 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
were calibrated with well-log responses, in an
attempt to characterize facies in uncored wells.
FACIES DESCRIPTIONS
Four major facies have been distinguished on the
basis of texture, physical sedimentary structures,
bed thickness and bioturbation. A typical core is
shown in Fig. 7, in which the various beds are
related to gamma-ray and resistivity logs.
Facies 1: unstratified, bouldery to pebbly
conglomerate and very coarse-grained
sandstone
Description
Facies 1 includes unstratified, bouldery to pebbly
conglomerate, granular sandstone and very
typically occur in normally graded beds 0.6-
6.4 m thick (Fig. 7). A few graded beds are capped
by 0.1-1.2-m-thick, parallel-stratified, medium- to
fine-grained sandstone, similar to the stratified
sandstone described in Facies 2 below (Fig. 7).
Inverse grading is rare but, where present, there is
a gradation from very coarse-grained sandstone
or granular sandstone to pebbly and bouldery
conglomerate, in a basal zone up to 60 cm thick.
The coarsest portion of Facies 1 is composed of
pebbles to boulders (up to 40 cm in diameter) of
quartzofeldspathic high-grade metamorphic rocks
(Fig. 8), mud intraclasts (Fig. 8) and carbonaceous
plant fragments. The exogenic, gravel-sized com-
ponents tend to be concentrated at the base of
individual beds (Fig. 7 ) , and their upward
decrease in size and proportion defines the
coarse-tail grading commonly found in this facies.
The gravel-sized intraformational clasts are com-
monly concentrated at the base of the graded beds
(Fig. 7 ) , but they may also be randomly distrib-
uted throughout some beds (Fig. 8). The upper-
most portion of the graded beds is formed mainly
by very coarse- to coarse-grained sandstone, with
less than 5% gravel, and distribution graded
bedding. Beds in Facies 1 are poorly sorted and
have less than 5% muddy matrix. The sandstone
and the sandy matrix of the conglomerate are
composed of subangular to angular grains, con-
trasting with the exogenic, boulder- to pebble-
sized components of the conglomerate, which are
subrounded to rounded (Fig. 8). Average porosi-
ties and permeabilities for Facies 1 conglomerate
are 21% and 242 mD. For the Facies 1 sandstone,
they are 25% and 427 mD.
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, RegGncia Canyon, Brazil
Fig. 6. Location map of wells
drilled in the Lagoa Parda field.
Dashed line indicates the
maximum areal extent of the oil
accumulation. Well logs of A-1, B-1
to B-9, C-1 to c-8 and D-1 to D-4
are shown in Figs 5 and 13. Core
description from well C-7 is shown
in Fig. 7. The area shown in this
figure is located in Fig. 2.
Amalgamation of individual beds is common,
forming sandstone packages up to 55 m thick.
Within these packages, the contacts between indi-
vidual graded beds are typically sharp and in
places clearly indicate erosion of the underlying
bed. Facies 1 successions typically have sharp
contacts with underlying or overlying succes-
sions of finer grained sandstone and mudstone of
Facies 2-4. Some Facies 1beds grade upward and
laterally to the finer grained sandstone of Facies 2.
Interpretation
In the deep neritic to upper bathyal (200-500 m)
environment suggested by the benthic foramini-
fera (Azevedo, 1985), the thick, unstratified,
coarse-grained graded beds of Facies 1 are
best interpreted as turbidites, deposited rapidly
from suspension by high-density turbidity cur-
rents (Lowe, 1982). The common occurrence of
boulder- to pebble-sized clasts suggests that many
clasts were supported by the combined effects of
fluid turbulence and dispersive pressure resulting
from grain collisions (Lowe, 1982). The large
intraclasts were probably derived from the ero-
sion and collapse of channel margins, and were
deposited within a very short distance of their
origin. These large intraclasts were probably
91997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedirnentology, 44, 17-46
23
NORTHERN MARGIN
0 r
OF REGENCIA CANYON
LAGOA PARDA FIELD
0 Fir
0 500 m 0
incorporated into the deposits of the same tur-
bidity current that induced channel-wall col-
lapse. Closely spaced well control and detailed
correlations (described below) show that the
coarse beds of Facies 1 always form channel-fill
deposits in the LP field (Fig. 9).
Facies 2: unstratified coarse-grained
sandstone and parallel-stratified medium- to
fine-grained sandstone
Description
Facies 2 consists of graded sandstone beds 0.3-
3.8 m thick, interbedded with bioturbated mud-
stone beds thinner than 0.3m. The sandstone
beds are sharp-based and normally graded, with
unstratified, very coarse- to (mostly) coarse-
grained sandstone at the base, grading up into
parallel-stratified, medium- to fine-grained sand-
stone (Tab,Bouma, 1962; Figs 7 and 10). A few of
the graded beds are capped by thin m),
ripple cross-laminated, fine-grained sandstone
(Tabc;Fig. 10, turbidite b l ) . The stratified sand-
stone beds may also show a pervasive bioturba-
tion in their uppermost parts, with traces of
Thalassin oides, Ophiom orph a, Plan olites and
Helminthopsis. The sandstone is characterized by
24 C. H. L. Bruhn a n d R. G. Walker
WELL C-7
Gamma-ray log Resistivity log
-.
C
Fig. 7. Typical facies and well-log responses illustrated
from well C-7 (located in Fig. G ) . Th=Thalassinoides;
Op= Ophiomorpha; Pl=Planolites; He=Helminthopsis.
TO the right of the stratigraphic column, symbols indi-
cate ripples, parallel lamination and bioturbation.
Within the column, black indicates mudstone beds and
ripped-up mudstone clasts. Dots and circles indicate
grain size, as shown at the bottom of the column
(pebbles, granules, very coarse to very fine sand, silt
and clay).
$; 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44,17-46
poor to moderate sorting, subangular to angular
grains, and low mud matrix content (<5%). The
contacts between superimposed graded beds, or
between graded beds and underlying mudstone,
are typically sharp (Fig. 7 ) , but they may be
deformed by loading, injection structures and
centimetre-sized ball-and-pillow structures. The
interbedded bioturbated mudstone is similar to
that described below in Facies 3. Facies 2 succes-
sions, typically 5-25 m thick, may grade upward
or laterally into Facies 3 , or be sharply underlain
or overlain by Facies 1 or 3 successions.
The lack of conglomerate with exogenic clasts
and the abundance of stratified sandstone distin-
guish Facies 2 from Facies 1. However, boulder-
to granule-sized mud intraclasts are common in
Facies 2 and locally form unstratified, intraclastic
sandstones (Fig. 7) or intraformational conglom-
erate beds. The clasts are concentrated at the base
of beds, or can be widely and randomly distrib-
uted through the graded beds of Facies 2. Average
porosities and permeabilities for the unstratified
sandstone are 25% and 290 mD. For the stratified
sandstone they are 23% and 84 mD.
Interpretation
The Tab and Tabc sandstones of Facies 2 are
interpreted as turbidites. The finer grain size in
the unstratified sandstones and the presence of
lamination and cross-lamination in Facies 2 sug-
gest that it was deposited by turbidity currents of
lower density than those which deposited Facies
1, Slower deceleration permitted the transfer of
sediment from suspended to bed load, followed
by traction sedimentation in Facies 2. The
boulder- to granule-sized mud intraclasts were
probably derived from the erosion and collapse of
channel margins, with very little transport of the
clasts. Detailed correlation between the closely
spaced wells shows that Facies 2, like Facies 1,
forms channel-fill deposits in LP field (Fig. 9).
Facies 3: interbedded bioturbated mudstone
and thin-bedded sandstone
Description
Facies 3 consists of interbedded dark grey mud-
stone, and thin-bedded, parallel- to ripple cross-
laminated, fine- to very fine-grained sandstone
(Fig. ll). Both mudstone and sandstone beds
show a pervasive bioturbation (Figs 11 and 12),
with the degree of bioturbation ranging between
30 and 90 VOl.o/o. Facies 3 forms successions UP to
120 m thick, with a sand-to-mud ratio of 0.2-043.
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, RegEncia Canyon, Brazil
Fig. 8. Facies 1: unstratified,
bouldery to pebbly conglomerate
and very coarse-grained sandstone;
m=boulder of high-grade
metamorphic rock; i=boulder-sized
intraclast of contorted mudstone.
Most of the sandstone beds are 2-8cm thick,
but a few thicker (up to 1m) sandy successions
also can be recognized (Fig. 11).Individual beds
contain Bouma's (1962) divisions, mainly Tbc,T,
and T,. Thicker sandy successions ( > l o cm) are
composed of amalgamated T,, beds (Fig. 11).The
ripples are commonly climbing, and convolute
lamination is also abundant. In some cores, the
thin-bedded sandstone beds dip as much as 10".
The successions containing dipping beds may
overlie subhorizontal successions of Facies 1,2 or
3. Because there was no fault activity during depo-
sition of the turbidites in the LP field, and because
the wells are vertical, the dips are interpreted as
original depositional dips. The most common
trace fossil within the sandstone is Ophiomorpha.
Average porosities and permeabilities for Facies 3
sandstone are 23% and 72 mD.
C) 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, S d m e n t o l o g y , 44, 17-46
25
In the interbedded bioturbated mudstone, the
trace fossil assemblage is largely dominated
by Thalassinoides (Fig. 11). Planolites and
Helminthopsis are widespread but less common
(Fig. 1 2 ) . Thin (<5 cm), reddish-brown concre-
tionary horizons containing siderite, rhodo-
chrosite and pyrite are commonly found in Facies
3 mudstone (Fig. 1 2 ) , and can be correlated over
large areas of the LP field.
Mudstone-rich successions of Facies 3 also
show gentle depositional dips. The dipping beds
may contain horizons of deformed mudstone up
to 50 cm thick, and disorganized, intraformational
conglomerate beds. The conglomerate contains
contorted, cobble- to granule-sized mud intra-
clasts dispersed in a poorly sorted matrix
composed of variable proportions of mud and
sand.
26 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
LAGOA PARDA CHANNEL COMPLEXES
NW Tribmchmtusorfhosfyluszone + SE
Neochiastozygus ChiasNs zone + v.

loom-

50 -

0-

CHANNEL FILL FACIES: LEVEE FACIES: BACKGROUND

FACIES:

Facies 1 0 Facies 2 Facies 3 Facies 3 Facies 4

Fig. 9. Schematic cross-section showing the stratigraphic relationships between the levee successions and the most
important channel-fills of the Lagoa Parda turbidite system. This section was constructed by projecting 25
channel-fills into a single cross-section at a position and orientation similar to that of Fig. 13(A).The section
overestimates the sand-to-mud ratio present in the Lagoa Parda turbidite system because it contains a larger number
of channel-fills than any other section (compare with Fig. 13), and also because the channel-fills are represented by
their maximum width and thickness. Note the levee asymmetry and the overall tendency for channel-fills to become
narrower, thinner and finer grained upward. Datum is a high-resistivity mudstone horizon rich in siderite,
rhodochrosite and pyrite, which is subparallel to the contact between the Early Eocene Neochiastozygus chiastus and
Tribrachiatus orthostylus biozones. Vertical exaggeration x 5.

In terpreta tion (probably triggered by instability on the levee

slopes).
The thin-bedded Tbc, T, and T, sandstone beds
were probably deposited by low-density turbidity
currents (Lowe, 1982). The common occurrence Facies 4:mudstone
of climbing ripples and convolute lamination Description
suggest high rates of deposition from suspension
Facies 4 comprises a monotonous succession of
(CCC turbidites; Walker, 1985). The thin horizons
dark grey mudstone, with a few interbedded
of contorted mudstone, surrounded by undis-
parallel-stratified to rippled, very fine-grained
turbed mudstone, probably originated as slumps.
sandstone beds thinner than 10 cm. There are also
The thin (<50 cm) intraformational conglomerate
reddish-brown concretion horizons thinner than
beds (contorted, cobble- to granule-sized mud
5 cm, containing siderite, rhodochrosite and
intraclasts randomly dispersed in a poorly sorted
pyrite. Some of these horizons can be correlated
muddy and sandy matrix) were probably
over large parts of the LP field (markers a, p, y and
deposited from debris flows, in which the
6; Fig. 9). Facies 4 is less bioturbated than Facies
strength and buoyancy of the matrix would have
3; Helminthopsis is the commonest trace, with
supported the larger clasts during a mostly lami-
some Thalassinoides and Planolites.
nar flow, with very little fluid mixing (Middleton
& Hampton, 1973).
Detailed correlation between the closely spaced In terpretation
wells shows that Facies 3 mostly occurs as levees The fine-grained mudstone of Facies 4 represents
related to the channel-fills of Facies 1 and 2 (Fig. background sedimentation in Regencia Canyon;
9). Facies 3 less commonly occurs as channel-fills alternatively, some of the mudstone may have
(e.g. channel-fills 34 and 35 in Fig. 9). The levee been deposited by muddy turbidity currents.
interpretation is supported by the depositional This latter explanation might also explain the
dips observed in cores, the presence of CCC tur- relatively low degree of bioturbation. These
bidites, and the slump and debris-flow deposits conditions were periodically interrupted by
1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 1 7 4 6
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, RegGncia Canyon, Brazil 27

Fig. 10. Facies 2: graded beds of

unstratified, very coarse- to
coarse-grained sandstone and
parallel-stratified, medium- to
fine-grained sandstone. Five graded
beds are illustrated, with bases
labelled b l to b5 from bottom to
top. Turbidite (bl) also shows
ripple cross-laminated, fine-grained
sandstone in its upper part, which
is overlain by bioturbated
mudstone. Turbidite b3 contains
cobble-sized mud intraclasts (i).
Most of the very coarse- to
coarse-grained sandstone beds are
friable because of their low cement
content, little mechanical and
chemical compaction, and related
high porosities and permeabilities.

sandy and/or gravelly turbidity currents capable
of deeply eroding the canyon substrate and
depositing coarser grained sediment.
GEOMETRY OF CHANNEL-FILL A N D
LEVEE DEPOSITS
Stratigraphic relationships within LP reservoirs
are shown in the cross-sections (Figs 9 and 13).
The datum is a high-resistivity mudstone horizon,
containing concretions of siderite, rhodochrosite
and pyrite (Fig. 12). This datum overlies the
channellized sandstone and is subparallel to the
contact between two early Eocene calcareous
nannofossil zones (Neochiastozygus chiastus and
Tribrachiatus orthostylus; Figs 5 and 13). The
sections (Figs 9 and 13) illustrate detailed corre-
lations within the uppermost 230m of the
f, 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedirnentology, 44, 17-46
Neochiastozygus chiastus zone, which is up to
650 m thick (Fig. 3).
Definition and mapping of individual
channel-fill deposits
LP channels filled with Facies 1-3 were incised
up to about 50 m into mudstone-rich successions
(Facies 3 and 4) or into older channel-fill deposits
(mostly Facies 1 and 2; Figs 9 and 13). At least 38
channel-fills can be mapped in the study area
(Figs 9 and 13, and Table 1). The definition and
mapping of individual channel-fills (Figs 14-16)
is easier where coarser-grained turbidites (Facies
1 and 2) are laterally and vertically bounded by
mud-rich facies (Facies 3 and 4). This can be seen
in channel-fills 5, 9, 18 and 33 (Fig. 13A), and 30,
33, 37 and 38 (Fig. 13C). Where coarse-grained
channel fills are partially amalgamated, their
28 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
separation is more difficult and involves three-
dimensional correlations using all available wells
(Fig. 6). The most important criteria for the differ-
entiation and mapping of amalgamated channel-
fills include: (i] abrupt facies changes; (ii)
different stratigraphic positions of their upper-
most sediments; and (iii) diverse sand-body
orientations. These three criteria, almost always
used in combination, are illustrated in the
following examples.
Abrupt facies changes
Although channel-fills 5, 6, 9 and 1 0 all have
blocky SP log patterns in wells B-7 and D-3 (Fig.
13C), the core-calibrated well logs show different
facies. Channel-fills 6 and 10 contain many hori-
zons of high-resistivity, boulder- to pebble-rich
?) 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
Fig. 11. Facies 3: interbedded
bioturbated mudstone and
thin-bedded sandstone. Sandstone
beds are mostly fine to very fine
grained, and show parallel- and
ripple cross-lamination.
Bioturbation is pervasive,
particularly in the mudstone. The
trace fossil assemblage is largely
dominated by Thalassinoides,
followed by Ophiomorpha (in the
sandstone), Planolites and
Helmin thopsis.
conglomerate, whereas channel-fills 5 and 9 are
mostly composed of lower resistivity, very coarse-
to coarse-grained sandstone. Thus, channel-fills
6 and 1 0 (with the very coarse-grained facies)
are thought to be separate from, and truncate,
channel-fills 5 and 9, respectively. Their lateral
separation is suggested in Fig. 13(C) by an abrupt
facies change between wells B-7 and D-3.
Different stratigraphic positions of their
uppermost sediments
The effects of differential compaction in LP
appear to be minimal, as indicated by the flat
tops of channel-fills 5, 9, 10, 1 7 , 30, 33 and 37
(Fig. 13C), which are subparallel to the datum and
to the high-resistivity markers a , p, y , and 6
(Fig. 13A). We therefore suggest that the different
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, Reg&ncia Canyon, Brazil
Fig. 12. Facies 3: bioturbated mudstone. Core shows
rhodochrosite (r) concretion overlain by mudstone con-
taining Helminthopsis (He) and Thalassinoides (Th).
This core interval forms part of a high-resistivity
marker bed that was used as datum in the cross-
sections of Figs 9 and 13.
positions of the uppermost sediments within
channels can help in the separation of the chan-
nels. This can be seen in Fig. 13(A) (channel-fills
22, 23, 26, 30 and 31), Fig. 13(B) (channel-fills 28,
29, 32 and 33) and Fig. 13(C) (channel-fills 5, 6, 9
and 10).
Diverse sand-body orientations
The orientations of channel-fills that have been
tentatively distinguished using the two criteria
above can be used as a further test of how distinct
the fills really are. For example, channel-fills 1
and 3 are characterized by similar well-log
responses, and seem to be composed of the same
facies (Fig. 13A,B). However, the net sand maps
for these rocks indicate two very different sand-
body orientations, making an angle of 78" between
( 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
29
them (compare Fig. 14A and B). It is therefore
unlikely that the rocks included in channel-fills 1
and 3 were deposited in the same channel.
The separation of channels 5, 6, 9 and 1 0 is
based on facies, and is also supported by their
different orientations (Table 1).
Channel mapping
Net sand maps for 20 channel-fills composed of
Facies 1-3 are presented in Figs 14-16. Many
of these channel-fills were partially eroded by
younger channels. Most of the channels were
mapped by isopaching their coarser grained fills
(Facies 1 and 2), which have different well-log
responses from levee deposits (Facies 3) or back-
ground facies (Facies 4). However, the portions
of these channels filled with Facies 3 cannot
be differentiated from nonchannellized, laterally
associated mud-rich facies, except in unusual
cases. For example, in channel-fills 34 and 35
(Figs 13A and 15C), the well logs show
decreasing-upward resistivities, contrasting with
the increasing-upward resistivities shown by
laterally associated levee succession F (Fig. 13A).
Description and interpretation of levee
successions
Facies 3 typically builds asymmetrical levees,
associated with channels 19-38 (Fig. 9 and Table
2). Nine levee successions (A-I; Fig. 9 and Table
2) were differentiated by distinct patterns in resis-
tivity logs. Levee successions A, B, C, D, G and H
typically display decreasing-upward resistivities,
but successions E, F and I show increasing-
upward trends (wells B-2, B-3, B-8 and B-9 in
Fig. 13A). Higher resistivities are due to coarser
grained and thicker sandstone beds, or to concen-
trations of siderite, rhodochrosite and pyrite in
Facies 3 mudstone.
Isopach maps for two of the levee successions
(Figs 15D and 16B) show thinner successions
in the areas where contemporaneous, coarser
grained channel-fills are located. Some of the
levee successions are partially eroded by younger
channels.
The preservation of some thin (<0.3 m) beds of
bioturbated mudstone and fine-grained sandstone
within successions composed mostly of coarser
grained sediments of Facies 2 (Fig. 7) suggests
that overspilling of fine-grained sediments and
levee growth may have taken place during the
filling of some channels. There is almost no
deposition and/or preservation of mudstone and
30 C. H. L. Bruhn a n d R. G. Walker

1-3 L-

......(
4 1
SP IES 0

.. . . . . , ,
., . . . ....

'IES 0 200m

Fig. 13. Geological cross-sections of the Lagoa Parda turbidite system (channel complexes CC1 to CC3). Datum is a
high-resistivity mudstone enriched in siderite, rhodochrosite and/or pyrite, which is subparallel to the contact
between the Early Eocene Neochiastozygus chiastus and Tribrachiatus orthostylus biozones (Fig. 12). Thicker lines
indicate boundaries of individual channel-fills. High-resistivity well log markers u, /j', y and 6 are subparallel to the
datum. Spontaneous potential (SP) and resistivity (IES) well logs were used to construct the sections (see wells B-1,
C-1 and D-1). A resistivity curve in amplified scale is provided for the uppermost, mud-rich successions (levee
successions A to I). Small arrows indicate trends of resistivity variations (i indicates increasing upward resistivities;
d indicates decreasing upward resistivities). Vertical and horizontal scales are the same. Location of sections is
shown in Fig. 6. (A) Typical cross-section of the central part of the Lagoa Parda field, which shows the entire width
of CC1, and most of the lateral extent of CC2 and CC3. Section also illustrates deep channel incision and the
uppermost mostly mud-filled channels of CC2 (34 and 35). Note also the tendency of CC3 levee successions (G-I) to
smooth the topography inherited from CC2 levee successions (A-F), (B) Section illustrates levee asymmetry [higher
and thicker levee successions on the left side (looking downstream) of associated channels] in CC2, and also a
possibly related trend of systematic channel shifting to the right (channel fills 28-33). Note also the tendency of CC3
levee successions ( G I ) to smooth the topography inherited from CC2 levee successions (A-F). This section also
shows deeper incision of lowermost CC2 channels into the uppermost CC1 channel-fills; this situation is typical of
the north-eastern part of Lagoa Parda field. (C) Section showing the maximum lateral extent of CC3; it provides a
transverse view of CC3 levee successions ( G I ) , and a mostly longitudinal view of CC2 levee successions (A-F).

0 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46

 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, RegEncia Canyon, Brazil 31

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . a.. ., . . , _ ,....

CHANNEL COMPLEX CC1:

Channel fills 1 to 12

CHANNEL COMPLEX CC2:

Channel fills 13 to 35
Levee successions A to F

CHANNEL COMPLEX CC3:

Channel fills 36 to 38
Levee successions G to I

1 CHANNEL FILL FACIES:

I LEVEE FACIES: BACKGROUND FACIES :

I
I
Facies 3 @ Facies 4 @
Fig. 13. Continued.

fine-grained sandstone within very coarse-grained
successions of Facies 1 (Fig. 7). Two types
of stratigraphic relationships between coarser
grained channel-fills and laterally associated finer
grained levees are proposed, in which (i) channels
erode levee successions, and the fill is therefore
younger: or (ii) some channels filled simul-
taneously with the growth of laterally associated
levees.
Levee successions may have been built by finer-
grained sediments spilled out from more than one
of the mapped channels. For example, levee
succession C may have accumulated during the
cutting and filling of channel-fills 29 and 30 (Fig.
9). Alternatively, fine-grained sediments spilled
f>1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
out from one single channel may have contributed
to the formation of more than one of the mapped
levee successions. For example, sediments spilled
out of channel 30 may have formed part of levee
successions C and D (Fig. 9). Table 2 gives tenta-
tive correlations between levee successions and
possibly contemporaneous channels.
Description and interpretation of channel
complexes
The 38 channels recognized in the study area can
be grouped into three channel complexes (CC1 to
CC3; Table 1; Figs 9 and 13). Overall, the channel-
fills become narrower, thinner and finer-grained
32 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
Table 1. Channel fills of the Lagoa Parda turbidite Complexes CC1 to CC3 represent the youngest
system. of at least nine channel complexes (Fig. 5)
Max. Max. Sand-body included in the Early Eocene Neochiastozygus
Channel- thickness width orientation Dominant chiastus zone (time span of 1.3Myr; Antunes,
fill (m) (m) (azimuth) facies 1990). The older complexes do not form reser-
voirs; only two wells penetrate all nine com-
Channel complex CC3 plexes, and there is no core control. However, if it
38 13 230 128" 2 is assumed that each of the nine channel com-
37 14 270 110" 2 plexes had a similar duration, the average would
36 15 280 134" 2 be about 140 000 years.
Channel complex CC2
35 28 210 093" 3
34 25 220 106" 3 Channel complex CCl
33 16 430 090" 2
32 23 250 098" 2 Description. CC1 comprises the lowermost 1 2
31 9 240 100" 2
channel-fills, including the thickest (average
30 17 560 118" 2
29 25 400 095" 1-2 33 m) and widest (average 690 m) in the LP field
28 20 350 081" 1-2 (Table 1 and Fig. 9). The channels are deeply
27 26 380 040" 2-3 incised, mostly into mudstone of Facies 4, and
26 14 440 133" 1-2 have no laterally associated levees (Figs 9 and 13).
25 15 260 ? 3
Several high-resistivity horizons (markers a, /I, y
24 26 600 094" 1-2
23 16 270 083" 2 and 6; Figs 9 and 13) can be widely correlated in
22 14 470 098" 1-2 the muddy succession eroded by channels. These
21 15 >300 ? 1-2 markers appear to be planar and parallel to the
20 13 290 108" 2 datum located above the LP turbidite succession.
19 27 430 148" 1-2
The best developed CC1 channel-fills are 1,3 , 4 ,
ia 35 450 132" 1-2
17 9 240 081" 2 6, 7 , 9, 10 and 11 (Fig. 9). Channel-fills 2, 5, 8 and
16 9 390 080" 1 1 2 are smaller and/or poorly defined in the study
15 48 600 loan 1-2 area. Channels 1, 4, 6, 9 and 10 have mean
14 26 430 111" 1 sand-body orientations of 93-156", with palaeo-
13 42 660 112" 1
flow mostly from NW to SE (Fig. 14A,C,D).
Channel complex CC1
12 13 a40 066" 1 Channel-fills 3, 7 and 11 have different orienta-
11 40 780 038" 1-2 tions that range between 30" and 41", with palaeo-
10 31 >750 126" 1 flow from SW to NE (Fig. 14B,C,D).
9 43 >750 156" 1-2 CC1 channels were mostly filled with Facies 1
a 21 350 0850 1
(Fig. 9). Very high-resistivity horizons composed
7 35 650 030" 1-2
6 43 >lo50 110" 1 of conglomerate with boulders to pebbles of
5 24 >5ao 090" 1 high-grade metamorphic rocks are typical (e.g.
4 36 5 70 093" 1-2 channel-fills 3 and 9 in Fig. 13A). Facies 1 grades
3 >50 aoo 041" 1-2 to Facies 2 at the top and margins of a few
2 >30 >300 ? 1
119"
channel-fills (e.g. channel-fill 3 in Fig. 13A). The
1 35 870 1
fills of CC1 channels pinch out relatively abruptly
upstream and downstream, where Facies 1 can be
interbedded with Facies 4.
from CC1 to CC3 (Table 1 and Fig. 9). In the
terminology of Damuth et al. (1983), an individ- Interpretation. The orientations in the 93-156"
ual channel and its associated levee deposits form range suggest that most of the turbidity currents
a channel-levee system, and the overlapping, responsible for channel erosion and filling origi-
coalescing or lateral interfingering of channel- nated from the smaller tributary troughs at the
levee systems form a channel-levee complex. northern margin of Regencia Canyon (Fig. 2). In
Because only the youngest LP channels have contrast, the orientations in the 30- 41" range
levees, the abbreviated designation channel com- indicate turbidity current flow along the main
plex is used here. Palaeoflow directions along the thalweg of Regencia Canyon. These two distinct
LP channels were interpreted from sand-body channel orientations, and the stratigraphic rela-
orientations (Table l), assuming eastward (sea- tionships exhibited by their channel-fills, suggest
ward) flow down Regencia Canyon (Fig. 2). that only one major channel was active at any
1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, Regencia Canyon, Brazil 33

1 CHANNEL FILL 1 -
0
CHANNEL - FILL 3

0
0 i
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0 0
0

o o o o A 0
0 0 0
0 0
o o
0 0
0 0
0
0
0
0

0 Well control

-
A Cored well

-
0
-c Paleoflow orientation 0

-
A , Erosion by younger channels

, 0 500m oo 0 500m

ri
0
C.I. = 20m C.I. = 20m
~~~ ~

CHANNEL - FILLS 4,6, AND 7 O

i -
CHANNEL FILLS 10 AND 11 O

0
0 0

0 0
0

0 .

A-1 o 0
A

0
0

- -
0

0 500m 0
0 500m 0
C.I. = 20m C.I. = 20m

Fig. 14.Isopach maps for CC1 channel-fills. Average palaeoflow orientations are indicated by arrows, and are
interpreted on the basis of sand-body orientations and generalized turbidity current flow down canyon (eastward).
Legend shown in Fig. 14(A).

given time in the LP field. The orientation of from CC1 by a mud-rich succession up to 4 8 m
the active channel switched irregularly from thick, which can be traced over most of the LP
the 93-156" to the 30-41" trends, suggesting field. However, in the north-eastern part of the
intermittent activity in the two major source field, some of the CC1 channel fills (6, 9 and 10)
areas. are partially truncated by CC2 channel-fills (13
and 14; Fig. 13B), with no preservation of the
Channel complex CC2 mud-rich succession.
The CC2 channel-fills have relatively constant
Description. CC2 comprises 2 3 channel-fills (nos. sand-body orientations, mostly clustering be-
13-35; Table l),with an average thickness of 22 m tween 80" and 118" (palaeoflow from west to
and an average width of 390 m. CC2 is separated east; Fig. 15A-C). The channel-fill deposits
(2 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists,Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
34 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker

-
CHANNEL FILLS 13,15,18, AND 19

0
i -
CHANNEL FILLS 28,29,32, AND 33

0
r
0

0
0 0
0

o o o o o o o 0
0 0
0 0 0
0 0 33
0 0 -L
0 0
0

0 Well control 0
A Cored well 0 0 0
+ Paleoflow orientation

-
0
-.t Axis of associated channe
0
w Erosion by younger channe

0 0 500rn
0
C I =20m C.I. = 10m E

CHANNEL - FILLS 34 AND 35

0
r LEVEE SUCCESSION D

0
0 0
0
0 0
0 0
0 0 A
0

-
0

0
35

-
0
C.I. = 10m
500m
0

Fig. 15.Isopach maps for channel-fills and a levee succession of CC2. Palaeoflow arrows explained in Fig. 14. Note
- C.I. = 5rn

thicker levee deposits on the northern side (left, looking downstream) of the associated channels (Fig. 15D; channels
29-32). Legend shown in Fig. 15(A).

commonly begin with Facies 1 and grade upward coarse-grained facies (Facies 1 and 2 ) , which are
into Facies 2 (e.g. channel-fills 1 5 and 18 in Fig. replaced upstream by Facies 3. Channels 34 and
13A). However, in some channels the fill is exclu- 35 were filled with Facies 3 (Figs 13A and 15C);
sively Facies 2 (e.g. channel 33 in Fig. 1 3 c ) or however, they can be distinguished from the lat-
Facies 3 (e.g. channels 34 and 35 in Fig. 13A). The erally associated levee succession F by different
downstream terminations of CC2 channel-fills are trends in resistivity logs. The channel-fills show
rarely drilled and cored in the study area, but in upward-decreasing resistivities and levee succes-
one example (channel 33 in Fig. 15B), Facies 2 is sion F shows an upward-increasing resistivity
replaced downstream by Facies 3. The upstream (compare wells B-5, B-6, B-7, B-8 and B-9 in Fig.
terminations of most of the CCZ channel-fills are 13A). The origin of these well-log trends and the
characterized by a relatively abrupt pinch out of filling of channels 34 and 35 is discussed below.
'$2 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedirnentology, 44,17-46
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, Regencia Canyon, Brazil 35

-
CHANNEL FILLS 36,37,AND 38 i LEVEE SUCCESSION H 0

0 0

0
0 0
0
0 0
0 0
0 0 A
0
0
0
0 0 ' A - l o o
-
A
0 0
o o o o A 0 o o o o
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
0
Well control
0 0
A Cored well

-
+ Paleoflow orientation 0

-\Axis of associated channel 0

0 500m
0
C.I. = 10m rz C I.= 10m \ \

Fig. 16. Isopach maps for channel-fills and a levee succession of CC3. Palaeoflow arrows are explained in Fig. 14.
Note thicker levee deposits on the north-eastern side (left, looking downstream) of the associated channel (38) (Fig.
16B). Legend shown in Fig. 16(A).

Table 2. Levee successions of the Lagoa Parda turbidite system.

Max. thickness (m) Max. levee slope (")
Levee Left Right Associated
succession Left* Right* (FA-FC)t (FC-FA)t channels

Channel complex CC3

I 50*
H 26 24 1.5-2 2-1.5 38
G 15 13 2-4 4-2 36, 37
Channel complex CC2
F 24 19 2-8 4-2 33
E 145 32
D 22 18 2- 10 5-2 30, 31, 32
C 27 15 2-8 5-2 29, 30
B 12 9 1.5-5 5-1.5 21-28
A 14 11 1.5-4 4-1.5 19-2 1
~~

*Side of channel looking downstream. Channel palaeoflow direction is inter-

preted on the basis of the average sand-body orientation with turbidity currents
flowing seaward (eastward) along Regencia Canyon. tFA=facing away from
channel; FC=facing channel. *Levee succession I is probably related to chan-
nels that lie in unknown locations outside the study area; only the maximum
thickness recorded in the study area is indicated. Levee succession E
includes part of the levees related to channel 32, and also the passive filling
by Facies 3 of a NE-orientated, abandoned channel. Its original geometry is
poorly preserved; thus, only its maximum preserved thickiiess is shown.

CC2 also differs from CC1 by the development Levee slopes are up to lo", with the slopes
of levees, which are prominent during and after facing the channels being typically steeper than
the filling of channel 1 9 (Fig. 9). The levees are those facing away from the channel (Table 2).
higher and thicker on the northern side (left side Levee asymmetry is also manifest by steeper
looking downstream) of associated channels slopes facing the channels on the left-side levees
(Table 2 and Figs 9, 13A,B and 15D). (Table 2).
c 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
36 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
Interpretation. The channel-fill deposits range in
orientation from 80 to 118". This suggests that
(unlike CC1) CC2 was built almost exclusively by
channels originating from the smaller tributary
troughs located along the northern margin of
Regencia Canyon (Fig. 2). The flows were prob-
ably muddier than those that built CC1, and
overspill of channel banks led to the construc-
tion of levees, as well as the passive filling of
abandoned channels (e.g. channel fills 34 and 35;
Fig. 13A).
Channel complex CC3
Description. CC3 comprises only three channel-
fills (36-38), which are the narrowest and thin-
nest channel fills in the LP field (Table 1 and Fig.
9). Average thickness is 1 4 m, and average width
is 260m. CC3 channel-fills are almost always
separated from the CC2 coarse-grained channel
fills by a mud-rich succession up to 24 m thick
(Fig. 13A,C). The lowermost channel of CC3
truncates levee succession F and the essentially
mud-filled channel 34 (Fig. 9).
Channel orientations vary from 128" to 134"
(palaeoflow from NW to SE; Fig. 16A), and the
fills are composed mostly of Facies 2. The
upstream terminations are characterized by a rela-
tively abrupt pinch out of Facies 2, which is
replaced upstream by Facies 3. The downstream
terminations of CC3 channels cannot be observed
in the study area.
CC3 also includes asymmetrical levees, which
are slightly higher and thicker on the north-
eastern side (left side looking downstream) of
associated channels (Table 2, and Figs 9 and 16B).
CC3 levees show gentler maximum slopes ( 5 4 " )
and a less pronounced asymmetry than CC2
levees (Table 2). The two lowermost levee succes-
sions of CC3 (G and H) tend to smooth the levee
topography inherited from CCZ (Figs 9 and
13A,B).
Interpretation. The channel orientations are in
the range 128-134", which differs from those of
the uppermost channel fills of CC2 (80-118").
However, CC3 also appears to have been built
by turbidity currents that originated from the
smaller tributary troughs located at the northern
margin of Regencia Canyon (Fig. 2). The detailed
cross-sections (Fig. 13A,C) show that only one
channel was excavated and filled in the study
area at any given time during the growth of
cc3.
$) 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44,17-46
GROWTH OF ASYMMETRICAL LEVEES
AND CHANNEL AVULSION
Levee development
The levees are discussed before the channels
because asymmetrical levee growth appears to
have influenced channel switching. Levee top-
ography is systematically related to channel
topography and the nature of the channel-fill.
Most of the deeper channels filled with coarser
sediment do not have associated levees (Facies 1;
CC1 and lowermost CC2 channel-fills; Fig. 9),
whereas the narrower, thinner and finer-grained
channel-fills (Facies 2 and 3; uppermost CC2 and
CC3; Fig. 9) have prominent, higher levees. In
modern systems, levee development is at least
in part related to the grain size and velocity of the
turbidity currents. For example, on Navy fan
(Piper & Normark, 1983; Bowen et al., 1984) and
Laurentian fan (Stow & Bowen, 1980; Piper et al.,
1988) the turbidity currents that carry a high
proportion of mud are slower and thicker than
those that are predominantly sandy. Turbidity
currents with high proportions of coarse-grained
sediments tend to be faster and more erosive,
particularly if moving on relatively steep slopes
(Normark & Piper, 1991).
These examples suggest that CC1 and the lower
part of CC2 were characterized by strongly erosive
turbidity currents enriched in coarser-grained
sediments. The flows were probably relatively
thin, and only small volumes of sediment spilled
out of the channel to build levees. Levees are first
preserved in the LP area where they are associ-
ated with thinner and finer grained channel-fills.
At this time, the turbidity currents were probably
thicker, slower and enriched in finer grained
sediments. They had less power to erode the
substrate, and hence the channels tended to be
narrower and shallower. Initially, levee relief was
very subtle (levee successions A and B; Fig. 9),
but following the development of channel 2 8
(uppermost part of CC2 and CC3), a more promi-
nent levee topography was established (levee suc-
cessions C-I; Fig. 9). In general, the narrower,
thinner and finer grained (Facies 2 and 3)
channel-fills are related to higher levees (Fig. 9).
The lowermost levee successions of CC2 (A-D)
and CC3 (G,H; Fig. 13) typically show upward-
decreasing resistivities, owing to fining- and
thinning-upward successions of sandstone beds
and/or an overall muddier-upward succession.
Smaller-scale trends of upward-decreasing resis-
tivities can be recognized within some of the
levee successions, and are probably related to
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, Regencia Canyon, Brazil
fluctuations in flow energy, flow thickness and
grain-size of the sediment in the turbidity current.
The presence of thinner, muddier-upward succes-
sions may also result from the building of many of
the levee successions by sediments spilling out of
more than one channel (Table 2).
The uppermost levee successions of CC2 (E,F)
and CC3 (I; Fig. 13) are mostly mud-rich. They
have upward-increasing resistivities owing
largely to upward-increasing concentrations of
siderite, rhodochrosite and pyrite in Facies 3
mudstone (Fig. 12). The origin of these minerals is
related to the degradation of organic matter in the
sediments by sulphate-reducing bacteria, which
takes place preferentially in suboxic environ-
ments (Coleman, 1985; Curtis, 1987). The sul-
phate reduction zone is overlain by the
oxygenated (respiration) zone, which is rarely
thicker than the uppermost 10 cm of accumulated
sediment. Therefore, slower rates of sedimen-
tation favour more extensive degradation of
organic matter and the generation of larger
amounts of CO, and H,S, which in turn favours
the precipitation of sideritehhodochrosite and
pyrite, respectively (Curtis, 1987). The prov-
enance of the iron and manganese is probably
related to the intense Early Eocene volcanic
activity, particularly in the Abrolhos volcanic
complex (85 km north-east of the LP field).
The muddier-upward character and the pres-
ence of early diagenetic minerals within the
uppermost deposits of CC2 and CC3 suggest that
the terminal stages of sedimentation in these two
channel complexes were characterized by lower
rates of sedimentation and progressive abandon-
ment of channel complexes. The youngest sedi-
ments of CC2 fill channels 34 and 35, which were
cut after the accumulation of levee succession F
(Figs 9 and 13A). Their fine-grained filling facies
(Facies 3) and higher sinuosity (Fig. 15C) suggest
cutting and filling by lower energy, quasisteady
flows of longer duration (Damuth et al., 1988,
pp. 904-909), although they also may have
received sediments overspilled from channels
located outside the study area. The end of the
growth of CC3 is characterized in the LP area by
levee succession I, but this succession is probably
related to channel(s) located outside the LP field
area.
Levee asymmetry
The levee successions in the LP turbidite system
are typically asymmetrical, being higher and
thicker on the left side (looking downstream) of
C 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimenfology, 44, 17-46
37
associated channels (Table 2 ; Figs 9, 15D and
16B). This asymmetry is probably due to the
Coriolis force, deflecting flows to the left in
the Southern Hemisphere, and hence favouring
deposition on the left levee.
The Coriolis force (F) is given by
F =2muR sin Q,
where m is the mass of the sedimentlwater mix-
ture in the turbidity current, u is the velocity of
the main body of the turbidity current, R is the
Earth's angular velocity (= 7.29 x 10 rad s '),
and @ is the latitude. The Coriolis force decreases
toward the Equator and becomes zero as Q,
reaches zero.
Asymmetrical levees associated with modern
submarine channels have been recognized both in
the Northern Hemisphere (Chough & Hesse, 1976,
p. 530; O'Connell et al., 1991, p. 266) and in the
Southern Hemisphere (Droz & Mougenot, 1987,
p. 1358; Carter & Carter, 1988, p. 190; Viana eta).,
1990, p. 322). Palaeogeographical reconstructions
(Scotese et al., 1988) suggest a palaeolatitude of
only 20-25"s for the Early Eocene LP turbidite
system, suggesting that Coriolis deflection of
flows might be minor. However, levee successions
with well-developed asymmetry have been recog-
nized in present latitudes as low as 19"s(Droz &
Mougenot, 1987) and 2 2 " s (Viana et al., 1990).
Bowen et al. (1984) expressed the difference in
levee height due to the Coriolis effect ( V hcoriolis)
as
Vhcoriolis=Wh . 2R sin @lu
where W is the channel width and h is the
thickness of the main body of the flow. This
equation is valid only for the straight portions of
channels, where centrifugal effects are absent. It
follows that thicker, slower and finer-grained tur-
bidity currents could give rise to levees with more
prominent asymmetry than thinner and faster,
coarser-grained turbidity currents, even at lower
latitudes.
Channel avulsion
The change from one low-sinuosity LP channel-
fill to the next indicates channel abandonment,
probably due to relatively rapid avulsions that
may have involved levee breaching. LP channel-
fills do not appear to have the lateral accretion
surfaces or mega-foreset bedding that has been
described from other meandering channel-fill tur-
bidite sandstones (Bouma & Coleman, 1985; Mutti
& Normark, 1991).
38 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
Most of the Facies 1 channel-fills do not show
any trend of systematic channel shifting (Fig. 9).
However, channel-fills 28-33 (CC2, mostly Facies
2) shift progressively and systematically to the
right (looking downstream; Figs 9, 1 3 B and 15B).
CC3 channel-fills 36-38 (Facies 2) also show a
systematic shift to the right (looking downstream;
Figs 9, 13C and 16A). Both trends of systematic
channel shifting are opposite to the directions of
preferential levee growth (the left side of the
channels), suggesting that channel shifting takes
place more easily on the right-hand side where
the levees are lower.
In the LP channel complexes, most of the indi-
vidual channel-fills are at least partially eroded by
younger channel-fills. This high degree of canni-
balization is probably related to the combined
effects of the large sediment supply, the erosive
power of high-density turbidity currents moving
on relatively steep slopes and the narrow width
(<6 km) of the Early Eocene Regencia Canyon.
LARGE-SCALE CONTROLS O F
REGENCIA CANYON FILLING
This section discusses some of the larger scale
external controls that may have influenced sedi-
mentation in Reggncia Canyon, particularly
eustatic sea-level changes, tectonics and sediment
supply. Since the pioneering work of Mutti &
Ghibaudo (1972), interpretations of depositional
environments in ancient turbidite systems have
commonly been based on the nature of turbidite
successions: fining- and thinning-upward (chan-
nel filling), or coarsening- and thickening-upward
(lobe progradation). These interpretations would
now be considered autocyclic and not subject to
external controls. However, the development of
turbidite successions also can be controlled by the
complex interaction of allocyclic factors, includ-
ing sea-level fluctuations (Mutti, 1985), tectonic
setting and activity, and type and rate of sediment
supply (Stow et al., 1985; Mutti & Normark,
1987).
Recent work has emphasized the preferential
accumulation of turbidite successions during
global or regional sea-level falls (Feeley et al.,
1990; Nelson & Maldonado, 1990). At this time
coastal depositional systems tend to prograde
across the shelf, moving sediment depocentres
closer to the shelf/slope break. The higher rates of
sedimentation at this location stimulate slope
failures (Coleman et nl., 1983), and also may
increase the amount of sediment that can be
:cJ 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44,17-46
remobilized by earthquakes (Piper et al., 1988)
and storm waves (Dengler et al., 1984). All of
these processes may generate turbidity currents.
Canyon initiation and development by retrogres-
sive slumping (Coleman et al., 1983; Goodwin &
Prior, 1989) may also occur preferentially during
lowstands (Suter & Berryhill, 1985), although this
is not necessarily always the case (Galloway et al.,
1991). In the case of pre-existing canyons, the
seaward shift of coastal depocentres would favour
sediment capture by the canyons. Increased sedi-
ment supply in the canyon heads would result in
turbidity currents, canyon enlargement and con-
struction of submarine fans on the basin floor
(Posamentier et al., 1991).
Tectonics influence turbidite sedimentation
mainly by controlling basin size and shape,
bottom gradients, type and rate of sediment
supply, and local relative sea-level changes (Stow
et al., 1985; Mutti & Normark, 1987). Tectonics
may increase sediment supply by increasing rates
of uplift and denudation in the hinterland, by
establishing fault-controlled, narrower coastal
plains and shelves, and by steepening continen-
tal margin gradients. Also important are the
earthquake-induced faults, which may almost
instantaneously modify relief by several metres
and trigger large turbidity currents (Piper et al.,
1988).
Large-scale eustatic controls
Deposition of the LP turbidite system took
place during the widespread transgression that
occurred along most of the eastern Brazilian mar-
gin during the late Cretaceous and early Tertiary
(Chang et al., 1988). The turbidite-bearing
Neochiastozygus chiastus zone is overlain by the
mud-rich Tribrachiatus orthostylus zone (also
Early Eocene in age; Figs 5 and 17), which prob-
ably records, in the Espirito Santo basin, the
culmination and maximum coastal onlap of this
long-term, eustatic sea-level rise.
The calcareous nannofossil zones defined for
the Late Palaeocene to Early Eocene channel fill-
ing sections of Regencia Canyon (Antunes, 1990)
have been tied to the chronostratigraphic chart
of Berggren et al. (1985), and have durations of
between 1.0 and 3.2 Myr (Fig. 17). Global short-
term eustatic curves (Haq et a]., 1988) imply 10
sea-level falls during the Late Palaeocene and
Early Eocene (Fig. 17). These, in turn, bound nine
third-order sea-level cycles with durations of 0.5-
2.5 Myr, which punctuate an overall transgres-
sive, second-order cycle (TA2; Haq et al., 1988,
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, Reggncia Canyon, Brazil 39

CHRONO- CHRO NO- EUSTAT1C

BIOSTRATIGRAPHY~ LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY STRATIGRAPHY3 CURVES3
STRATIGRAPHY'
39.4
40.C -40.0-
Chiasrnolithus
grandis
-43.0-

Chiasmolithus
Mid Eocene
staurion
Mid Eocene
47.0-
Chiasmolithus
gigas 49.0
50.0-
Discoasteroides
kuepperi Early Eocene
52.0 52.0-
Discoaster
lodoensis
-53.7-
54.0
Early Eocene Tribrachiatus
orthostylus

Late
57.8 Paleocene

Late
Heliolithus 60.2.
Paleocene kleinpellii Ma
62.0 la I 6 2 . d Ma

' Berggren et al. (1985) DOMINANT LITHOLOGY

' Antunes (1990) k--q Mudstone

Haq et at. (1988) 1.' ., . :I

_' Sandstone/Conglornerate

Fig. 17. Comparison between the global sea-level curve of Haq ef ul. (1988) and the chronostratigraphy, biostratigra-
phy and simplified lithostratigraphy of the Late Palaeocene to Middle Eocene successions in the Regencia Canyon
area. Unconformities 4-6 are also shown in Figs 3 and 4. Biozones recognized in the Cenozoic successions of the
eastern Brazilian basins are traditionally tied to the chronostratigraphic column proposed by Berggren ef al. (1985).
The chronostratigraphic schemes of Berggren et al. (1985) and Haq et al. (1988) show differences of 0.6-3.8 Myr in
the time boundaries assigned for the various Early Tertiary successions.

p. 95). Correlations between the Late Palaeocene
to Early Eocene biozones (Antunes, 1990) and the
global, third-order sea-level cycles (Haq et al.,
1988) are very difficult, and involve two prob-
lems: (i) different time boundaries have been
assigned for the same biozones in the widely used
chronostratigraphic charts published by Berggren
et al. (1985) and Haq et al. (1988) (Fig. 17); and
(ii) the time spacing of third-order sea-level
falls in the curves of Haq et al. (1988) is less than
the potential error involved in dating these
events.
The Late Palaeocene to Early Eocene third-
order sea level falls identified by Haq et al. (1988)
may have been responsible for some of the uncon-
formities recognized i n the RegGncia Canyon
deposits (Figs 3 and 4), including the unconform-
ity placed at the base of the Neochiastozygus
chiastus zone. However, any attempt to correlate
these unconformities and overlying turbidites to
C 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedirnentology, 44, 17-46
the (claimed) eustatic, third-order sea-level falls
should consider the uncertainties involved. For
instance, the curves of Haq et al. (1988) provide at
least three closely spaced ( I 0.5 Myr.) sea-level
falls in the transition from Palaeocene to Eocene
that could be correlated with the unconformity at
the base of the Neochiastozygus chiastus zone
(Fig. 17).
The major contribution of global sea-level
curves is to show that the Late Palaeocene to Early
Eocene overall transgressive trend was punctu-
ated by shorter-term sea-level falls (Fig. 17),
which may have induced seaward shifting of
coastal depocentres, followed by submarine ero-
sion (by turbidity currents) along the Reghcia
Canyon. One important phase of erosion took
place in the transition from Palaeocene to Eocene,
allowing the Early Eocene, Neochiastozygus
chiastus zone to unconformably overlie Late
Maastrichtian sediments (Fig. 3).
40 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
Source of sediments
The sandstone and the sandy matrix in the con-
glomerate beds of the LP turbidite system are
characterized by poorly sorted, subangular to
angular grains, composed largely of feldspar (35-
40%) and feldspar-rich rock fragments (Bagnoli,
1984). The source rocks are mostly Late Protero-
zoic granites, granulites and migmatites. These
rocks form most of the subparallel, coastal moun-
tain ranges of the Serra do Mar and Serra da
Mantiqueira (Fig. 1A).
The climate along the eastern Brazilian coastal
areas was humid and warm during the Early
Eocene, as suggested by (i)the high content (up to
35%) of carbonaceous plant fragments in Facies 2
and 3 , (ii) the small number of individuals in the
calcareous nannofossil assemblage (Antunes,
1990) and (iii) global palaeogeographical recon-
structions (Parrish & Curtis, 1982). Chemical
weathering under such conditions would elim-
inate most feldspathic grains, unless the bedrock
topography was steep (Folk, 1974; Basu, 1985). In
a source area characterized by rugged topography,
the commonly vigorous and erosive streams
would decrease the residence time of feldspathic
grains in soil profiles, and also cut more deeply
through fresh bedrock. Consequently, a large
amount of feldspar-rich, coarse-grained, angular
material would be available for sedimentation.
Steep slopes in the cratonic area adjacent to the
Espirito Santo Basin or along its margin were
maintained by continued fault reactivation and
relative uplift of Precambrian rocks during the
Early Eocene. This tectonic scenario is suggested
by reactivation of NE-SW- and N-S-orientated,
basement-attached, normal faults in the Regencia
Canyon area (Fig. 4). The N-S-orientated fault
system allowed important tectonic subsidence
along the basin margin, and its successive re-
activation up to the Early Eocene exposed Pre-
cambrian high-grade metamorphic rocks along
the westernmost floor of Regsncia Canyon (Fig. 4).
The compositional and textural immaturity of
the LP turbidite system also implies that the
sediments derived from rapidly uplifted, faulted
highlands were not submitted to prolonged abra-
sion (if any) in a transitional, high-energy deposi-
tional setting such as a beach, shoreface or wave-
dominated delta. We therefore suggest that deltas/
fan deltas fed directly onto a relatively narrow,
faulted shelf. Evidence for shelf sedimentation
was removed by (later) Early Eocene erosion of
possible shallower-water deposits time-equivalent
to the (earlier) Early Eocene LP turbidites.
( 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedmentology, 44, 17-46
The Early Eocene Reghcia Canyon represents a
very proximal depositional setting, as suggested
by its very coarse turbidite facies. The LP tur-
bidite system is characterized by deeply incised
channels, filled in large proportion by boulder- to
pebble-rich conglomerate. The proximal part of
Regencia Canyon was probably incised into the
shelf, and could capture large amounts of coarser
grained sediment. This was probably introduced
rather directly into the canyon head from deltas
(or possibly fan deltas), as indicated by the high
proportions of plant material.
Tectonics and sediment supply
During the long-term, eustatic sea-level rise of the
Late Cretaceous and Early Tertiary, the Espirito
Santo Basin experienced a generalized eastward
(seaward) tilting in response to the combined
effects of thermal-contraction subsidence and
sedimentary loading (Costa, 1988). The Early
Eocene Neochiastozygus chiastus zone (57.8-
56.5 Ma) reaches a maximum thickness of 650 m
in the thalweg of the Regencia Canyon (well A-1;
Figs 3 and 5). This suggests an average undecom-
pacted sedimentation rate of 65-70 cm per 1000
years for this turbidite-rich succession, one of the
highest sedimentation rates recognized in marine
successions in the eastern Brazilian basins.
Similar or higher sedimentation rates have been
proposed only for the last stages of lacustrine rift
sedimentation (Barremian, 122-119 Ma; Chang
et al., 1992). The high sedimentation rates indi-
cated for the Neochiastozygus chiastus zone sug-
gest a vigorous sediment supply from a relatively
close and rapidly uplifting source area. This is
also suggested by the very coarse-grained, and
compositionally and texturally immature LP
turbidites. Rapid continental runoff, probably
induced by the mostly warm and humid Early
Eocene palaeoclimate, is suggested by the high
content of carbonaceous plant fragments (up to
35%) in LP finer-grained sandstones (Bagnoli,
1984), the high content of kaolinite (up to 35%)
in the interbedded mudstones, and also by the
small number of individuals in the calcareous
nannofossil assemblage (Antunes, 1990).
Despite the high sediment supply, no
shallower-water facies were developed and/or
preserved in the Early Eocene deposits of
Reg6ncia Canyon. This results from high rates of
tectonic subsidence along the faulted, canyon
boundaries (Fig. 3), and the generalized trend of
sea-level rise that did not allow the progradation
of coastal depositional systems. Tectonics not
 Coarse-grained furbidite channel-levee complexes, RegEncia Canyon, Brazil
only increased the sediment supply to Regencia
Canyon, but also provided accommodation space
for sediment deposition and preservation. In the
Espirito Santo Basin, sediment input overcame
the effects of tectonic subsidence and long-term
sea-level rise only from the latest Early Eocene
onwards, giving rise to the marine regressive
megasequence (Figs 3 and 4).
DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL LP
CHANNEL COMPLEXES
During the early Eocene, Espirito Santo was still
an immature passive margin basin, with active
uplift in the adjacent hinterland and along
its faulted margin, probably characterized by a
narrow, steep shelf. In this setting, the movement
of clastic depocentres landward and seaward
across the shelf in response to fluctuations of sea
level would be minor. Coastal depocentres would
remain close to the shelf/slope break, even during
highstands.
It has been estimated that each of the nine
channel complexes has an average duration of
about 140 000 years; there is no way of estimating
the variability of this duration for individual
channel complexes. Growth and melting of conti-
nental ice masses is the only well-known mech-
anism that can induce eustatic sea level to change
at this frequency (Revelle, 1990). However, the
early Eocene has been considered the warmest
part of the Tertiary (Shackleton & Boersma, 1981),
and most palaeoclimatic studies based on the
fossil record and oxygen isotopes suggest that
important development of continental ice sheets
did not take place before about 40Ma (Eocene/
Oligocene transition; Prentice & Matthews, 1988).
It therefore seems unlikely that the channel com-
plexes are controlled by global eustatic sea-level
changes.
Tectonic activity in the Early Eocene Espirito
Santo Basin may have exerted an important con-
trol on sediment supply and local changes in
relative sea level. However, tectonic reactivations
are typically spaced at larger time intervals than
the average duration of the channel complexes
included in the Neochiasfozygus chiastus zone
(Vail et al., 1991). Therefore, the effects of tec-
tonic activity are better recognized in larger scale
successions composed of more than one channel
complex (CCl-CC3), developed over a larger time
span (>400 000 years).
Variations in sediment supply along the
Espirito Santo Basin margin could also have
(, 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimmtology, 44, 17-46
41
been influenced by short-term climatic changes
(Milankovitch cycles; Imbrie & Imbrie, 1980).
Interaction of various astronomical cycles defines
climatic cycles by influencing the seasonal distri-
bution of incoming solar radiation on Earth. A
mostly warm and humid palaeoclimate is inter-
preted for the eastern Brazilian coast during the
Early Eocene (Parrish & Curtis, 1982), but it is
very probable that climatic fluctuations took place
during the sedimentation of the Neochiastozygus
chiastus zone (time span of 1.3 Myr). The average
duration of the LP channel complexes (140000
years) is possibly related to changes in the Earths
orbital eccentricity (100 000-year cycle; Imbrie &
Imbrie, 1980). Milankovitch cycles probably did
not induce eustatic sea-level fluctuations in the
Early Eocene because of the absence of continen-
tal ice sheets (Prentice & Matthews, 1988), but
cyclic periods of higher seasonal precipitation
may have led to higher denudation rates in the
source area, and hence higher rates of sediment
supply at the basin margin. The greatest mechan-
ical denudation rates occur in temperate humid
zones when seasonal or annual rainfalls surpass
their average levels. Here, denudation is even
higher than that shown by poorly forested semi-
arid areas. Rivers with the highest sediment yield
are in high-relief, tropical regions (e.g. Taiwan,
New Guinea and Hawaii), owing to the combi-
nation of rapid weathering and abundant running
water (Einsele, 1992). In areas with high seasonal
precipitation the erosion rates may be twice those
in semi-arid areas with the same relief (Stow
et a]., 1985).
We suggest that changes in the rate of climati-
cally controlled sediment supply at the basin
margin were probably the most important control
on the development of the individual LP channel
complexes. The initiation of each channel com-
plex would have followed an increase in sedi-
ment supply through delta/fan delta systems,
which in turn would have responded to higher
denudation rates in the high-relief source areas
(ancestral Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira;
Fig. 1A). These pulses of increasing sediment
supply would have been able to shift coastal
depocentres seaward, thus influencing the
number and size of turbidity currents generated at
the canyon margins. These pulses of increasing
sediment supply could have induced short-term
falls of relative sea level. However, the lack of
regional unconformities or local erosion surfaces
bounding the LP channel complexes suggests
that the falls of relative sea level were small.
Some of the eustatic sea-level falls resulted in the
42 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
development of widespread unconformities not
only in Regencia Canyon but also in large parts of
the Espirito Santo Basin (e.g. unconformities 2, 4
and 5 in Figs 3 and 4).
Despite proposed changes in the rate of sedi-
ment supply, ongoing fault-controlled subsidence
and the long-term trend of sea-level rise kept
coarse-grained turbidites confined to the canyon.
The Espirito Santo Basin did not change from
overall transgressive to overall regressive con-
ditions until the latest Early Eocene. Deposition
from the turbidity currents within the canyon and
close to the canyon head must have required a
reduction in gradient of the canyon floor. This
would first have taken place where the slopes of
the canyon head and walls flattened in the axial
region of the canyon. The reduction of axial slope
may also have been fault influenced.
Decreasing grain size, thickness and width of
channel fills
The stack of channel complexes CC1-CC3 forms a
turbidite succession in which individual channel-
fills become narrower, thinner and finer-grained
upward (Table 1 and Fig. 9). These trends devel-
oped during a period of more than 400 000 years,
a time span longer than the climatically induced
fluctuations in sediment supply that may have
controlled the development of individual channel
complexes.
The faults that define the margins of the
Regencia Canyon (Fig. 3) and the fault responsible
for exhuming Precambrian basement along its
western floor (Fig. 4) suggest a gradually decreas-
ing tectonic activity during the deposition of the
uppermost part of the Early Eocene Neochiasto-
zygus chiastus zone. This biozone is very thin
in the westernmost part of the Regencia Canyon
(Fig. 4) and beyond the fault-controlled northern
margin of the canyon (Fig. 3). To the south, the
turbidite-bearing Neochiastozygus chiastus zone
is confined to Reg6ncia Canyon, and is truncated
by uppermost Early Eocene sediments of the
marine regressive megasequence (Fig. 3).
The decreasing tectonic activity in the Reg6ncia
Canyon area suggests a similar decrease in tec-
tonic activity in the source area to the west. This
would have influenced turbidite sedimentation
by reducing the longer-range sediment supply.
The progressive erosion of uplifted continental
blocks and the decreasing slope in the source area
would decrease the amount and rate of accumu-
lation of coarser grained sediments in areas more
susceptible to failure. As a result, slope failures
1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
into the Regencia Canyon would gradually
become smaller, less frequent and finer grained,
giving rise to finer grained turbidity currents with
longer recurrence interval and decreasing ero-
sional power. Such a decreasing capability in
eroding the substrate would favour a gradual
reduction in channel cross-sectional area. With
decreasing fault activity and sediment supply
there would also be less coarse-grained sediment
to be incorporated into the littoral drift systems
and intercepted by Regencia Canyon.
The long-term (second-order) eustatic sea-level
rise of the Late Palaeocene/Early Eocene (Fig. 17)
may also have influenced the development of
successively narrower, thinner and finer grained
channel-fills, by moving coastal depocentres
landward and contributing to the reduction in
sediment input. The very proximal LP turbidite
system does not display retrogradational stacking,
probably due to structural confinement and lack
of available space for retrogradation. During the
Early Eocene the LP field was always close to the
head of Regencia Canyon (<8km; Fig. 2) and to its
northern margin (<1km; Fig. 6). The study area
also lay about 2 km from a N-S-orientated, very
active fault that established an important step
within the canyon (Fig. 4).
The shorter-term, climatically induced in-
creases in sediment supply would have been able
to re-establish channel complexes in the LP field,
but these changes are merely overprinted on the
overall trends of narrower, thinner and finer
grained channel-fills (CC1-CC3; Fig. 9) controlled
by the longer-term decreasing fault activity and
rising sea level.
SUMMARY A N D CONCLUSIONS
1 The Early Eocene Lagoa Parda (LP) turbidite
system fills a canyon that was shaped by the
combined effects of subsidence along listric faults
and erosion by high-density turbidity currents. It
forms part of a Late Albian to Early Tertiary
transgressive succession, which is characterized
by onlapping, deepening-upward sedimentation
throughout the eastern Brazilian continental
margin.
2 The turbidite succession studied comprises the
uppermost 230 m of the up to 650-m-thick, Early
Eocene (Neochiastozygus chiastus zone) succes-
sion of conglomerate, sandstone and mudstone
deposited in deep neritic to upper bathyal depths.
3 LP turbidites consist of (i) graded beds up to
6 m thick of unstratified, bouldery to pebbly
 Coarse-grained turbidite ch ann el-levee complexes, Reg&ncia Canyon, Brazil
conglomerate and very coarse- to coarse-grained
sandstone, and parallel-stratified, medium- to
fine-grained sandstone beds; and (ii) interbedded
bioturbated mudstone and thin-bedded (<1m),
parallel- to ripple cross-laminated, fine- to very
fine-grainedsandstone.
4 The coarser grained facies fill at least 38 deeply
incised channels; the channel-fill deposits are 9 to
>50m thick, 210 to > l o 5 0 m wide and >1km
long.
5 The finer grained facies typically build asym-
metrical levees, which are higher and thicker on
the left side (looking downstream) of their associ-
ated channels. Levee asymmetry probably results
from Coriolis deflection of turbidity currents.
Nine levee successions (up to 5 0 m thick) are
associated with the 20 youngest channels.
6 The low-sinuosity channel-fill deposits record
successive channel abandonment, probably
through relatively rapid avulsions. Avulsions of
unleveed channels took place randomly, whereas
leveed channels show preferential avulsion to the
right (looking downstream). This is opposite to
the direction of preferential levee growth. Levee
topography was therefore an important control on
channel avulsion.
7 Individual channel-fills can be grouped into
three channel complexes (20-100 m thick with an
estimated average duration of 140 000 years) on
the basis of thicker interbedded mudstone succes-
sions, different filling facies and changes in chan-
nel orientation. Individual channel complexes are
interpreted to have been formed in response to
climatically controlled phases of increasing sedi-
ment supply via deltdfan-delta and littoral drift
systems. These in turn responded to higher denu-
dation rates in the high-relief, ancestral coastal
ranges of Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira.
These pulses of increasing sediment supply
shifted coastal depocentres seaward across a
narrow and steep shelf, resulting in short-term
falls of relative sea level. These relative sea-level
falls would have had a smaller magnitude, as
suggested by the lack of regional unconformities
or local erosion surfaces bounding the channel
complexes.
8 Overall, the three LP channel complexes form a
succession characterized by channel-fill deposits
that become narrower, thinner and finer grained
upward. This succession is associated with pro-
gressively finer grained, less frequent and less
erosive turbidity currents. These trends were
induced mostly by a longer-term (>400 000 years)
decrease in sediment supply that resulted from
the combined effects of a long-term (second-
f 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
43
order) trend of sea-level rise, and decreasing fault
activity at the basin margin and source area.
9 The channel orientations cluster into two major
groups: 30-41" (palaeoflow from SW to NE),
and 80-156" (palaeoflow mostly from NW to
SE). These orientations suggest that LP channel
complexes were built by turbidity currents devel-
oped along the main thalweg of Regencia Canyon
(from SW to NE), or by turbidity currents that
originated from smaller tributary troughs at the
northern margin of the canyon (mostly from NW
to SE).
10 Most channel-fills are at least partially trun-
cated by younger channel-fills, and the channel
complexes are characterized by extensive amalga-
mation of conglomerate/sandstone bodies. This
high degree of cannibalization seems to be related
to the combined effects of the large sediment
supply, the erosional power of high-density tur-
bidity currents moving on relatively steep slopes,
and the reduced width (<6 km) of the Early
Eocene Regencia Canyon.
11 The relatively restricted channel-fill deposits
have variable width, thickness and sand-body
orientation; these sand bodies now act as reser-
voirs. As a result of the common amalgamation
of many channel-fills and the partial preserva-
tion of levee deposits between channel-fills, the
channel complexes show a complicated, multi-
storied sand-body geometry. A detailed three-
dimensional representation of this type of reser-
voir can be obtained only from oil fields which
have a large number of closely spaced wells.
12 Comparison of the LP turbidite system with
the channel-feeding-lobe models of the 1970s
(Mutti & Kicci Lucchi, 1972; Walker, 1978) and
1980s (Mutti, 1985), and with models derived
from studies of modern submarine fans (Damuth
et al., 1988; Weimer, 1989), shows that none of
these models can explain the geometrical charac-
teristics and stratigraphic relationships displayed
in the LP field.
13 Influential schemes such as Exxon's sequence
stratigraphy have emphasized the importance of
lowstand basin floor fans as major petroleum
exploration targets (Van Wagoner et al., 1990;
Posamentier et al., 1991). However, this study
shows that coarse-grained canyon-filling tur-
bidites may comprise thick successions of poten-
tially high-quality reservoirs. It also shows that
thick successions of coarse-grained turbidites can
accumulate in passive margin basins even during
long-term trends of sea-level rise, as long as large
amounts of sediment are available at the basin
margin and adjacent hinterland.
44 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
C.H.L.B. is grateful to PetrobrAs for sponsoring his
doctoral programme at McMaster University, and
for releasing most of the data used in this
research. R.G.W. thanks the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada for
continuing support of his research.
REFERENCES
Antunes, R.L. (1990) Contribuigdo ao conhecimento
geoldgico do Paleoccinion de RegGncia (Bacia d o
Espirito Santo, Brasill: urn estudo com base na bio-
estratigrafia dos RaROfdssejS cdcarjos. MSc thesis,
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Azevedo, R.L.M. (1985) Estudos paleoecologicos da
Bacia do Espirito Santo, Brasil, com base em
foraminiferos. In: Coletiinea de Trabalhos Paleon-
tolbgicos, Departamento Nacional de Produpio
Mineral, Brazil, pp. 261-271.
Bagnoli, E. (1984) Petrografia, modelo deposicional e
diagenese dos reservatbrios eocknicos do Carnpo de
Lagoa Parda, Bacia do Espirito Santo. MSc thesis,
Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Brazil.
Basu, A. (1985) Influence of climate and relief on
compositions of sands released at source areas. In:
Provenance ofArenites (Ed. by G. G. Zuffa), pp. 1-18.
D. Reidel, Dordrecht.
Berggren, W.A., Kent, D.V., Flynn, J.J. and Van
Couvering, J.A. (1985) Cenozoic geochronology. Bull.
Geol. SOC.Am., 96, 1407-1418.
Bouma, A.H. (1962) Sedimentology of Some Flysch
Deposits: A Graphic Approach to Facies Interpret-
ation. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Bouma, A.H. and Coleman, J.M. (1985) Peira-Cava tur-
bidite system, France. In: Submarine Fans and
Related Turbidite Systems (Ed. by A. H. Bouma,
W. R. Normark and N. E. Barnes), pp. 217-222.
Springer-Verlag, New York.
Bowen, A.J., Normark, W.R. and Piper, D.J.W. (1984)
Modelling of turbidity currents on Navy submarine
fan, California continental borderland. Sedimentol-
Ogy, 31, 169-185.
Bruhn, C.H.L. (199 3) High -resolution stratigraphy,
reservoir geometry, and facies characterization of
Cretaceous and Tertiary turbidites from Brazilian
passive margin basins. PhD thesis, MacMaster
University, Canada.
Bruhn, C.H.L. and Moraes, M.A.S. (1989) Turbiditos da
FormaCBo Urucutuca na Bacia de Almada, Bahia: um
laboratorio de campo para estudo de reservatorios
canalizados. Bol. Geociencias da PETROBRAS, 3,
235-267.
Bruhn, C.H.L. and Walker, R.G. (1995) High-resolution
stratigraphy and sedimentary evolution of coarse-
grained canyon-filling turbidites from the Upper
Cretaceous transgressive megasequence, Campos
Basin, offshore Brazil. J. sedim. Res., B65, 426-442.
(c 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
Carter, L. and Carter, R.M. (1988) Late Quaternary
development of left-bank-dominant levees in the
Bounty trough, New Zealand. Mar. Geol., 78, 185-
197.
Chang, H.K., Kowsmann, R.O. and Figueiredo, A.M.F.
(1988) New concepts on the development of East
Brazilian marginal basins. Episodes, 11, 194-202.
Chang, H.K., Kowsmann, R.O., Figueiredo, A.M.F. and
Bender, A.A. (1992) Tectonics and stratigraphy of the
east Brazil rift system: an overview. Tectonophysics,
213, 97-138.
Chough, S. and Hesse, R. (1976) Submarine meandering
thalweg and turbidity currents flowing for 4,000 km
in the Northwest Atlantic Mid-Ocean Channel,
Labrador Sea. Geology, 4, 529-533.
Coleman, J.M., Prior, D.B. and Lindsay, J.F. (1983)
Deltaic influences on shelfedge instability processes.
In: The Shelfbreak: Critical interface on Continental
Margins (Ed. by D. J. Stanley and G. T. Moore), Spec.
Publ. Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner., 33, 121-137.
Coleman, M.L. (1985) Geochemistry of diagenetic non-
silicate: kinetic considerations. Phil. Trans. Roy. Sac.
London, A315, 39-56.
Costa, L.A.R. (1988) Analise termonieciinica da por@o
offshore da Bacia do Espirito Santo. MSc thesis,
Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Brazil.
Curtis, C. (1987)Mineralogical consequences of organic
matter degradation in sediments: inorganidorganic
diagenesis. In: Marine Clastic Sedimentology:
Concepts and Case Studies (Ed. by J. K. Leggett and
G. G. Zuffa), pp. 108-123. Graham and Trotnian,
Dordrecht.
Damuth, J.E., Flood, R.D., Kowsmann, R.O., Belderson,
R.H. and Gorini, M.A. (1988) Anatomy and growth
pattern of Amazon deep-sea fan as revealed by long-
range side-scan sonar (GLORIA) and high-resolution
seismic studies. Bull. A m . Ass. Petrol. Geol., 72,
885-91 1.
Damuth, J.E., Kowsmann, R.O., Flood, R.D., Belderson,
R.H. and Gorini, M.A. (1983) Age relationships of
distributary channels on Amazon deep-sea fan:
implications for fan growth pattern. Geology, 11,
4 7 0-4 73.
Dengler, A.T., Wilde, P., Noda, E.K. and Normark, W.R.
(1984) Turbidity currents generated by Hurricane
Iwa. Geo-Mar. Lett., 4,5-11.
Droz, L. and Mougenot, D. (1987) Mozambique upper
fan: origin of depositional units. Bull. A m . Ass.
Petrol. Geol., 71, 1355-1365.
Einsele, G. (1992) Sedimentary Basins: Evolution,
Facies, and Sediment Budget. Springer-Verlag,
Berlin.
Feeley, M.H., Moore, T.C., Loutit, T.S. and Bryant, W.R.
(1990) Sequence stratigraphy of Mississippi fan
related to oxygen isotope sea level index. Bull. Am.
Ass. Petrol. Geol., 74, 407-424.
Folk, R.L. (1974) Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks.
Hemphill, Austin.
Galloway, W.E., Dingus, W.F. and Paige, R.E. (1991)
Seismic and depositional facies of Paleocene-Eocene
Wilcox Group submarine canyon fills, northwest Gulf
Coast, U.S.A. In: Seismic Facies and Sedimentary
 Coarse-grained turbidite channel-levee complexes, Regencia Canyon, Brazil
Processes of Submarine Fans and Turbidite Systems
(Ed. by P. Weimer and M. H. Link), pp. 247-271.
Springer-Verlag,New York.
Goodwin, R.H. and Prior, D.B. (1989) Geometry and
depositional sequences of the Mississippi canyon,
Gulf of Mexico. J. sedim. Petrol., 59, 318-329.
Haq, B.U., Hardenbol, J. and Vail, P.R. (1988) Mesozoic
and Cenozoic chronostratigraphy and cycles of sea-
level change. In: Sea-Level Changes: a n Integrated
Approach (Ed. by C. K. Wilgus, B. S. Hasting, C. G.
St. C. Kendall, H. W. Posamentier, C. A. Ross and J. C.
Van Wagoner). Spec. Publ. SOC. Econ. Paleont.
Miner., 42, 71-108.
Hughes Clark, J.E., Shor, A.N., Piper, D.J. W. and Meyer,
L. (1990) Large-scale current-induced erosion and
deposition in the path of the 1929 Grand Banks
turbidity current. Sedimentology, 37, 613-629.
Imbrie, J. and Imbrie, J.Z. (1980) Modelling the climatic
response to orbital variations. Science, 207, 943-953.
Lowe, D.R. (1982) Sediment gravity flows: 11. Deposi-
tional models with special reference to the deposits
of high-density turbidity currents. J. sedim. Petrol.,
52, 279-297.
Malinverno, A,, Ryan, W.B.F., Auffret, G. and Pautot, G.
(1988) Sonar images of the path of recent failure
events on the continental margin off Nice, France. In:
Sedimentologic Consequences of Convulsive Geo-
logic Events (Ed. by H. E. Clifton), Spec. Pap. Geol.
SOC.Am., 229, 59-75.
McKenzie, D.P. (1978) Some remarks on the develop-
ment of sedimentary basins. Earth planet. Sci. Lett.,
40, 25-32.
Middleton, G.V. and Hampton, M.A. (1973) Sediment
gravity flows: mechanics of flow and deposition. In:
Turbidites and Deep Water Sedimentation (Ed. by
G. V. Middleton and A. H. Bouma), pp. 1-38. Pacific
Section Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner.
Morris, W. and Busby-Spera, C. (1988) Sedimentologic
evolution of a submarine canyon in a forearc basin,
Upper Cretaceous Rosario Formation, San Carlos
Mexico. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol., 72, 717-737.
Morris, W. and Busby-Spera, C. (1990)A submarine-fan
valley-levee complex in the Upper Cretaceous
Rosario Formation: implications for turbidite facies
models. Bull. Geol. SOC.A m . , 102, 900-914.
Mutti, E. (1985) Turbidite systems and their relations to
depositional sequences. In: Provenance of Arenites
(Ed. by G. G. Zuffa), pp. 65-93. D. Reidel Publishing
Company, Dordrecht.
Mutti, E. and Ghibaudo, G. (1972) Un esempio di
torbiditi di conoide sottomarina esterna: le arenarie
di San Salvatore (Formazione di Bobbio, Micene)
nellAppennino di Piacenza. Mem. Accad. Sc.
Torino, Classe di Scienze Fisiche, Matematiche e
Naturali, 4, 1-40.
Mutti, E. and Normark, W.R. (1987) Comparing exam-
ples of modern and ancient turbidite systems: prob-
lems and concepts. In: Marine Clastic Sedimentology
(Ed. by J. R. Leggett and G. G. Zuffa), pp. 1-38.
Graham and Trotman, London.
Mutti, E. and Normark, W.R. (1991) An integrated
approach to the study of turbidite systems. In:
t 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
45
Seismic Facies and Sedimentary Processes of Sub-
marine Fans and Turbidite Systems (Ed. by P.
Weimer and M. H. Link), pp. 75-106. Springer-
Verlag, New York.
Mutti, E. and Ricci Lucchi, F. (1972) Le torbiditi dell
Appennino settentrionale: introduzione all analisi di
facies. M e m . SOC.Geol. Ital., 11, 161-199.
Nelson, C.H. and Maldonado, A. (1990)Factors control-
ling late Cenozoic continental margin growth from
the Ebro Delta to the western Mediterranean deep
sea. Mar. Geol., 95, 419-440.
Normark, W.R. and Piper, D.J. (1991) Initiation pro-
cesses and flow evolution of turbidity currents:
implications for the depositional record. In: From
Shoreline to Abyss: Contributions in Marine Geology
in Honor of Francis Parker Shepard (Ed. by R. H.
Osborne), Spec. Publ. SOC.Econ. Paleont. Miner., 46,
2 07-2 30.
OConnell, S., Normark, W.R., Ryan, W.B.F. and
Kenyon, N.H. (1991) An entrenched thalweg channel
on the Rhone fan: interpretation from a SeaMARC I
survey. In: From Shoreline to Abyss: Contributions in
Marine Geology in Honor of Francis Parker Shepard
(Ed. by R. H. Osborne), Spec. Publ. SOC. Econ.
Paleont. Miner., 46, 259-270.
Parrish, J.T. and Curtis, R.L. (1982) Atmospheric circu-
lation, upwelling and organic-rich rocks in the
Mezosoic and Cenozoic eras. Palaeogeogr. Palaeo-
c h n . Palaeoecol., 40, 31-66.
Piper, D.J.W. and Normark, W.R. (1983) Turbidite
depositional patterns and flow characteristics, Navy
submarine fan, California borderland. Sedimen-
tology, 30, 681-694.
Piper, D.J.W., Shor, A.N. and Hughes Clarke, J.E. (1988)
The 1929 Grand Banks earthquake, slump, and
turbidity current. In: Sedimentological Consequences
of Convulsive Geological Events (Ed. by H. E. Clifton),
Spec. Pap. Geol. SOC.A m . , 229, 77-92.
Ponte, F.C. and Asmus, H.E. (1978) Geological frame-
work of the Brazilian continental margin. Geol.
Rdsch., 67, 201-235.
Posamentier, H.W., Erskine, R.D. and Mitchum, R.M.
(1991) Models for submarine-fan deposition within a
sequence-stratigraphic framework. In: Seismic Facies
and Sedimentary Processes of Submarine Fans and
Turbidite Systems (Ed. by P. Weimer and M. H. Link),
pp. 127-136. Springer-Verlag, New York.
Prentice, M.L. and Matthews, R.K. (1988) Cenozoic
ice-volume history: development of a composite oxy-
gen isotope record. Geology, 16, 963-966.
Revelle, R. (Ed.) (1990) Sea-Level Change. National
Academy Press, Washington, DC.
Scotese, C.R., Gahagan, L.M. and Larson, R.L. (1988)
Plate tectonic reconstructions of the Cretaceous
and Cenozoic ocean basins. Tectonophysics, 155,
27-48.
Shackleton, N. and Boersma, A. (1981) The climate
of the Eocene ocean. J. Geol. SOC.Lond., 138, 153-
157.
Stow, D.A.V. and Bowen, A.J. (1980) A physical model
for the transport and sorting of fine grained sediment
by turbidity currents. Sedimentology, 27, 31-46.
46 C. H. L. Bruhn and R. G. Walker
Stow, D.A.V., Howell, D.G. and Nelson, C.H. (1985)
Sedimentary, tectonic, and sea-level controls. In:
Submarine Fans and Related Turbidite Systems (Ed.
by A. H. Bouma, W. R. Normark and N. E. Barnes),
pp. 15-22. Springer-Verlag, New York.
Suter, J.R. and Berryhill, H.L. Jr (1985) Late Quaternary
shelf-margin deltas, northwest Gulf of Mexico. Bull.
A m . Ass. petrol. Geol., 69, 77-91.
Vail, P.R., Audemard, F., Bowman, S.A., Eisner, P.N.
and Perez-Cruz, C. (1991) The stratigraphic signa-
tures of tectonics, eustasy and sedimentology-an
overview. In: Cycles and Events in Stratigraphy (Ed.
by G. Einsele, W. Ricken and A. Seilacher), pp. 617-
659. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Van Wagoner, J.C., Mitchum, R.M., Campion, K.M. and
Rahmanian, V.D. (1990) Siliciclastic Sequence
Stratigraphy in Well Logs, Cores, and Outcrops. A m .
Ass. petrol. Geol. Methods in Exploration Series 7.
AAPG, Tulsa.
Viana, A.R., Castro, D.D. and Kowsmann, R.O. (1990) A
discord2ncia do Mioceno MBdio Superior: urn marco
regional no talude da Bacia de Campos. In: Proceed-
ings for the 36th Brazilian Geological Congress, Vol.
V) 1997 International Association of Sedimentologists, Sedimentology, 44, 17-46
1, pp. 313-323. Sociedade Brasileira de Geologia,
Natal, Brazil.
Walker, R.G. (1978) Deep-water sandstone facies and
ancient submarine fans: models for exploration for
stratigraphic traps. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol., 62,
932-966.
Walker, R.G. (1985) Mudstones and thin-bedded
turbidites associated with the Upper Cretaceous
Wheeler Gorge conglomerates, California: a possible
channel-levee complex. 1. sedim. Petrol., 5 5 , 279-
290.
Weimer, P. (1989) Sequence stratigraphy of the
Mississippi fan (Plio-Pleistocene), Gulf of Mexico.
Geo-Mar. Lett., 9, 185-272.
Weimer, P. and Link, M.H. (1991) Global petroleum
occurrences in submarine fans and turbidite systems.
In: Seismic Facies and Sedimentary Processes of
Submarine Fans and Turbidite Systems (Ed. by P.
Weimer and M. H. Link), pp. 9-67. Springer-Verlag,
New York.
Manuscript received 30 June 1995; revision accepted
30 March 1996.