Poster Number 154
See more from this Division: General Discipline Sessions
See more from this Session: Structural Geology / Tectonics / Neotectonics/Paleoseismology (Posters)
Abstract:
Seismically indicated occurrence of two salt layers, one over another, is a phenomenon not reported before. Deposition of the Sigsbee Salt Layer (SSL) over the Gulf of Mexico rifting is at shelf water depths. This salt remains continuous until rifting emerges, as does basement within the Afar Triangle today. More basin subsidence equals sediment encroachment. Sediment accumulates, forcing semi-plastic salt basinward. Buoyant salt and regional tectonics, including earthquakes, may cause salt to rise within overlying sediments. This rising/migrating salt then advances over original salt deposited on basement, creating two salts that are migrating basinward. The upper salt becomes a lubricating horizon as sediment subsides and rotates basinward. Sediment motion forces salt to evacuate and migrate basinward, leaving a weld. As sediment progrades, several proto-SSL could appear, each for a period, ending when salt supply ends. The present SSL exists because of a continuing salt source.
See more from this Division: General Discipline Sessions
See more from this Session: Structural Geology / Tectonics / Neotectonics/Paleoseismology (Posters)