中国地质大学

China University of Geosciences (Wuhan).

Submitted by: Nafees Ali (阿里)

Student ID: 1201790175
ALI NAFEES
Student I.D no# 1201790175

Introduction
Shoreline and shelf- edge trajectories describe the migration through time of sedimentary
systems, using geomorphological breaks-in- slope that are associatedwith key changes in
depositional processes and products. Analysis of these trajectories provides a simple descriptive
tool that complements and extends conventional sequence stratigraphic methods and models.
Trajectory analysis offers four advantages over a sequence stratigraphic interpretation based on
systems tracts: (1) each genetically related advance or retreat of a shoreline or shelf edge is
viewed in the context of a continuously evolving depositional system, rather than as several
discrete systems tracts; (2) subtle changes in depositional response (e.g. within systems tracts)
can be identi¢ed and honoured; (3) trajectory analysis does not anticipate the succession of
depositional events implied by systemstract models; and (4) the descriptive emphasis of
trajectory analysis does not involve any a priori assumptions about the type or nature of the
mechanisms that drive sequence development.These four points allow the level of detail in a
trajectory-based interpretation to be directly tailored to the available data, such that the
interpretation may be qualitative or quantitative in two or three dimensions. Four classes of
shoreline trajectory are recognized: ascending regressive, descending regressive, transgressive
and stationary (i.e. nonmigratory). Ascending regressive and high-angle (accretionary)
transgressive trajectories are associated with expanded facies belt thicknesses, the absence of
laterally extensive erosional surfaces, and relatively high preservation of the shoreline
depositional system. In contrast, descending regressive and low-angle (nonaccretionary)
transgressive trajectories are associated with foreshortened and/or missing facies belts, the
presence of laterally extensive erosional surfaces, and relatively low preservation of the shoreline
depositional system. Stationary trajectories record shorelines positioned at a steeply sloping shelf
edge, with accompanying bypass of sediment to the basin £oor. Shelf- edge trajectories represent
larger spatial and temporal scales than shoreline trajectories, and they can be subdivided into
ascending, descending and stationary (i.e. nonmigratory) classes. Ascending trajectories are
associated with a relatively large number and thickness of shoreline tongues (parasequences), the
absence of laterally extensive erosional surfaces on the shelf, and relatively low sediment supply
to the basin floor. Descending trajectories are associatedwith a few, thin shoreline tongues, the
presence of laterally extensive erosional surfaces on the shelf, and high sediment supply to basin-
floor fan systems. Stationary trajectories record near-total bypass of sediment across the shelf
and mass transfer to the basin floor. 
Material & Methods
This study uses high-quality subsurface data sets, Seismic data used in this study consist
of regional 2-D seismic lines and around 1700 km2 (1056 mi2) of 3-D seismic reflection data
Both 2-D and 3-D seismic data have a 4-ms vertical sampling rate and were processed to zero
phase. They were displayed as reversed polarity (SEG standard), where an increase in acoustic
impedance is represented by a negative (trough) reflection event. The 2-D seismic data have a
dominant frequency of ∼30 Hz, with a vertical resolution of about 15–20 m (49–66 ft). The 3-D
seismic data have an average frequency of 40 Hz in the study interval of interest, with a vertical
resolution of about 10–15 m (33–49 ft). Depth measurements were calculated using seismic
velocities of 2000 m/s (6562 ft/s) for the shallow subsurface sediment in the study interval of
interest and 1500 m/s (4921 ft/s) for the seawater. Both the 2-D and 3-D seismic data, coupled
with acoustic impedance and core data as discussed later in the text, are used both to characterize
trajectorial behaviors of shelf edges and to investigate process-product linkage associated with
different regimes of shelf-edge trajectories. Poststack seismic inversion, briefly defined, is the
use of acoustic information from seismic data like velocity, impedance, and amplitude, to extract
geological information of subsurface layers, such as lithology, density, porosity, compaction, etc.
Pendrel, 2006). This method yields more accurate interpretations of lithology distribution and
can be used to predict lithological properties away from well control (Pendrel, 2006). The sonic
and density logs, check shots, and formation markers obtained from well YC 35-1-2 (see Figure
1 for well location), together with a 2-D seismic transect through YC 35- 1-2, were carefully
processed and used for poststack seismic inversion. An acoustic impedance transect was
generated, using CONSEIS software developed by Handong Huang at China University of
Petroleum in Beijing. Approximately 80-m (262-ft) conventional cores were collected from well
YC 35- 1-2 at well depth of 4750–4828 m (15,584–b15,840 ft). These core data were examined
for sedimentary structures and grain-size variations and provide valuable signatures and
information for reading of deep-water sedimentation styles.
Results & Interpretation
We interpret MTDs (seismic facies 8) and slope gullies (seismic facies 9) to have been deposited
from the large-scale mud-rich mass-wasting processes and small-scale sand-rich gravity flows,
respectively. This interpretation is indicated by sheet-like low-amplitude reflection, indicative of
mud-rich properties, packages as seen in seismic facies 8 and localized, tortuous, high-
amplitude, indicative of sand-rich natures, bands as seen in seismic facies 9.
Conclusions& comments
This study used seismic, core, and acoustic impendence data from the Qiongdongnan margin to
investigate relationships between shelf-edge trajectory regimes, basin-scale stacking patterns,
and deepwater sedimentation styles. This study uses new and existing metrics to quantify aspects
of stratal stacking patterns from regional 2-D seismic lines: (1) shelfedge trajectory (Tse, dy∕dx),
(2) clinoform relief (Rc), and (3) differential sediment aggradation of the shelf and basin
(As∕Ab). These shelf-edge trajectory regimes (represented as Tse and dy∕dx) and characteristics
of basin-scale stacking patterns (represented as As∕Ab, Rc) are empirically related to distinctive
stylesb of deep-water sedimentation.
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