Terrace inundation as an autocyclic mechanism for parasequence formation: Galveston Estuary, Texas, USA

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dc.acquisition-srcen_US
dc.call-noen_US
dc.contract-noen_US
dc.contributor.authorRodriguez, ABen_US
dc.contributor.authorAnderson, JBen_US
dc.contributor.authorSimms, ARen_US
dc.contributor.otherJournal of Sedimentary Research Section A: Sedimentary Petrology and Processesen_US
dc.date.accessioned2010-02-15T16:46:06Z
dc.date.available2010-02-15T16:46:06Z
dc.date.issuedJul. 2005en_US
dc.degreeen_US
dc.description[vp]en_US
dc.description-otheren_US
dc.description.abstractArchitecture of late Quaternary incised-valley fills is commonly attributed to the interplay between sea-level rise, sediment supply, and hydrodynamic processes. Inundation of fluvial terraces is commonly overlooked as an autocyclic mechanism for formation of parasequences. If the rate of sea-level rise and sediment supply is constant, architecture of terraced incised-valley fills will likely show backstepping parasequences. The control that variable antecedent topography has on architecture of incised-valley fills is examined in the Trinity incised valley, Texas. The Trinity valley is characterized by a series of downward-stepping terraces, and the Galveston Estuary formed above this irregular antecedent topography. Flooding surfaces, recognized in core by a decrease in sedimentation rates and a change from delta-plain to central-basin facies, formed at similar to --14 m, 8,200 cal. yr BP and similar to --10 m, 7,700 cal. yr BP, matching depths of the relatively flat fluvial terraces. Flooding surfaces formed rapidly and represent entire reorganization of the estuarine complex. Across the --10 m flooding surface, the river mouth and bay-head delta shifted landward at a rate of similar to 6.5 km per century and the associated barrier shoreline was stranded on the inner continental shelf, forming Heald Bank. Flooding surfaces formed as the rate of sea-level rise was decreasing, and are not associated with a decrease in sediment delivery to the estuary. As sea level inundates relatively flat fluvial terraces, rates of transgression rapidly increase, resulting in a sudden increase in accommodation space and an associated landward shift in coastal facies. Backstepping parasequences are inherent to the architecture of terraced incised-valley fills.en_US
dc.description.urihttp://gbic.tamug.edu/request.htmen_US
dc.geo-codeGalveston Estuaryen_US
dc.geo-codeTrinity Riveren_US
dc.history1-15-09 kswen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/18522
dc.latitudeen_US
dc.locationNot available in house - Please contact GBIC for assistanceen_US
dc.longitudeen_US
dc.notesen_US
dc.placeen_US
dc.publisheren_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries10046.00en_US
dc.relation.urien_US
dc.scaleen_US
dc.seriesen_US
dc.subjectbrackish wateren_US
dc.subjectestuariesen_US
dc.subjectfloodingen_US
dc.subjectsea level changesen_US
dc.subjectsediment transporten_US
dc.subjectsedimentary structuresen_US
dc.subjectsedimentationen_US
dc.subjecttransgressionsen_US
dc.titleTerrace inundation as an autocyclic mechanism for parasequence formation: Galveston Estuary, Texas, USAen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.universityen_US
dc.vol-issue75(4)en_US

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