Figure 4. Schematic cartoon to illustrate the large-scale (third-order) phases of shelf-margin progradation and slope-minibasin initiation, alternating with phases of shelf-margin retrogradation due to collapse and transport of sediment gravity flows to the lower slope and basin floor. The relative thickness of the collapse scar and the height of the water column is intended to emphasize the significance of the retrogradational events. Vertical height is lo-15,000 ft., horizontal distance is tens of miles.

Click here for sequence of the phases of progradation and minibasin initiation.