ABSTRACT: Gulf of Mexico Cenozoic Bio-, Litho-, and Sequence Stratigraphic Event Chronology
FILLON, RICHARD H., PAUL N. LAWLESS, and ROME G. LYTTON
A set of Gulf of Mexico
biostratigraphic and cycle charts has recently been completed for the Paleocene
and Eocene, the Oligocene and Miocene, and the Pliocene and Pleistocene.
The chart set includes: onlap curves of second, third and fourth order
cycles; key flooding surfaces; sequence boundaries; sequence stratigraphic
and lithostratigraphic units; important planktonic foraminiferal and nannofossil
first and last appearance data; traditional benthic
foraminiferal "tops"
and recently compiled last appearance data; foraminiferal and nannofossil
biochronozones; industry biochronozones; magneto- and stable isotope chronozones;
and WHCS and other codes. While much of the information presented in this
chart series is available from other published sources, many of the charted
third and fourth order sequences are newly defined and are based on the
recent integration of numerous offshore and onshore well and seismic record
studies. For example, within the Discoaster prepentaradiatus third order
sequence, we have identified an additional third order sequence and four
fourth order sequences. The inclusion of planktonic foraminiferal and nannofossil
first appearance, i.e., "evolution point" data in this chart series reflects
the newly recognized utility of fossil "first occurrences" as stratigraphic
markers in wells with high resolution digital micropaleo reports. Of particular
importance are the first appearance data (FADs) of Globorotalia truncatulinoides,
a marker event discernable in the great majority of Pliocene-Pleistocene
wells; the FAD of Orbulina spp., discernable in most Lower to Middle Miocene
wells; and the FAD of Hantkenina spp., a useful marker in Lower to Middle
Eocene wells.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90941©1997 GCAGS 47th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana