Platform Morphology in Shallow Shelf Carbonates

Platform morphology determines subtidal facies distribution. The facies architecture is used to interpret platform type due to poor exposure of ancient successions or the lack of seismic profiles. The four basic platform types are listed below.

 

Unrimmed Shelves

Rimmed Shelves

Epeiric Shelves

Banks

 

Note: On the following pages all black and white photos are from Facies Models

All color photos are linked to the webpages were they came from unless stated otherwise

Index to carbonate shelf sediments below or to link back to USC website on sequence stratigraphy click here

Evolution Lag time Antecedent Topography
Biology Climatic Zone Siliclastic Influx
Temperature & Salinity Sea Level Clastic Input
Tectonism Platform Morphology Stratigraphic Succession
Water Depth & Turbidity Subsidence Lithofacies
Circulation Carbonate Growth Potential Eustatic Response

Proceed on to the carbonate platform question set