SEDIMENTARY SEQUENCES, SEA LEVEL CHANGES

AND TRANSGRESSION REGRESSIONS

A depositional environment is a geomorphic unit is characterized by a
unique set of physical, biological, chemical processes to produce a
characteristic deposit.
Identification of depositional environment in ancient sediment record
is identification of palaeo-geomorphic unit.
In facies analysis (mostly lithofacies) grain size and bedding
structures are emphasized. The facies are grouped into facies
associations.
Facies models (summary of depositional environments and its
product) are very useful

The vertical sequences are built following the Walthers Law of

Facies, only those environments that are laterally associated
to each other geographically may become associated in a
vertical sequence.

In the study of present day environments distribution of

lithofacies in horizontal sequence is determined and a
hypothetical vertical sequence is proposed.

Walthers law of facies is valid in vertical packages

without any erosional surfaces. The erosional surfaces
in a stratigraphic succession usually separate
sediments of different depositional domains.

In shallow marine deposits, the vertical sequences are

produced in response to the transgression and regression.
Transgression is a process of migration of the shoreline of
the sea in a landward direction. It is usually related to rising
relative sea level. However, during excess erosion
transgression may occur during falling relative sea level.
Regression is migration of shoreline of the sea in the
seaward direction. It is usually related to falling relative sea
level. However, during excess net deposition regression may
occur during rising relative sea level.

During rapid falling sea level with little sediment supply,

negligible deposition takes place. Rapid rising sea level is
erosional and almost no deposition takes place.
In a sedimentary succession, one identifies lithofacies
sequences shallowing upward (Prograding), or deepening
upward (Retrograding).
In ancient sedimentary deposits most of the sequences are
prograding sequences formed under slowly rising sea level and
high sediment supply.

Frazier discusses that a stratigraphic succession is made up of

Depositional Events, which are facies sequences composed of
progradation, aggradation and transgression.
Several Depositional Events constitute a Depositional Episode,
which is terminated by a major transgression.
Building blocks of sequence stratigraphy (System Tracts) are
parasequences. A parasequence is usually a prograding
sequence bounded by flooding surfaces of transgressions.

Sequence stratigraphy generally helps in understanding

the succession in terms of sea level changes which also
affect the sediment supply and accommodation space.

Depositional sequence is made up of system tracts

namely Lowstand Systems Tract, Transgressive System
Tract, High Stand Systems Tract and Shelf Margin
System Tract.

The parasequence or facies sequence is composed of

following facies
Lignite sediments
Carbonaceous shale
Grey shale
Shell carbonate
It makes a shallowing upward progradational sequence

The building blocks of system tract are parasequences or

simple sequences. A parasequence is composed of a
succession of genetically related facies bounded by flooding
surfaces.
Generally several parasequences are stacked vertically to
produce a system tract.