ABSTRACT: Integration of Sequence Stratigraphy and Process Sedimentology: Miocene Rincon and Topanga Formations, Santa Barbara Basin Near Point Mugu, California

Douglas W. Jordan, Randall S. Marquard

The Miocene Rincon and Topanga formations exposed at Point Mugu comprise over 1200 ft of interbedded sandstones, siltstones, claystones, and clay shales that were deposited in a tectonically active marine basin adjacent to the present Santa Monica Mountains. Integration of sequence stratigraphic interpretation techniques and process sedimentology demonstrates that this section originated as shelfal deposits during sea level rise that were cut by a submarine canyon during subsequent sea level lowstand.

The base of the sequence contains a bioturbated silty sandstone indicative of a transgressive deposit within the sequence stratigraphic framework. Upsection, dark clay shales of a condensed section contain fish fragments and sponge progradational highstand shelf sandstones.

An erosional surface flooring a deep-water canyon cuts the highstand deposits and marks a sequence boundary. Within the submarine canyon fill, deep-water deposits represent at least two episodes of sediment gravity flows. A predominantly deformed lower section is cut by an erosional surface (another sequence boundary?) overlain by undeformed strata. The deformed section was caused by slumping of a canyon wall within a slope environment and deposition of high-density turbidites and debris flows. The undeformed section contains Bouma sequences, graded beds, dish structures, and biogenic structures. Interstratified bed-thinning and bed-thickening sequences suggest minor progradational events and small feeder channels within the undeformed section. These relationships demonstrate that not all sequences comprising deep-water deposits can be easily assigned to facies, such as channels and lobes, based on vertical and lateral profiles.

This integration of sequence stratigraphy and sedimentology has assisted in understanding the vertical and lateral heterogeneities present within exploration and production areas in the adjacent Santa Barbara Channel.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91003©1990 AAPG Annual Convention, San Francisco, California, June 3-6, 1990