Continental margin sedimentation: evolution of the seismic sequence stratigraphic model

Passive continental margin sedimentation in deep and ultra deep water consists of inter-twined complexities in processes that include sediment supply and tectonic and sea level forcing functions, as considered in conventional sequence stratigraphic models, but also processes such as sediment reworking by deep ocean currents and sediment mass-failures at scales that have heretofore not been accounted. Lack of recognition of these latter sedimentation processes led to development of sequence stratigraphic models, vital to offshore hydrocarbon exploration, that fail to accurately capture deep water sediment distribution patterns. Canyon formation and large scale erosional unconformities further complicate the predictive capability of these models. The Atlantic Canadian margin has an abundance of legacy and modern 2D and 3D industry seismic reflection data that are public domain, or have been provided to the principal investigator for research purposes. These data sets provide unparalleled opportunity to investigate regional continental margin sedimentary processes, particularly addressing Cenozoic to Recent processes. It is possible to refine continental margin sedimentation and stratigraphic models that will lead to greater awareness of continental margin processes and new sequence stratigraphic concepts. In turn, these concepts permit better understanding of margin development, better predictive models for resource exploration and exploitation, and identification of potential geohazards leading to more successful and safer offshore development. In addition, greater knowledge of deep water sedimentary processes will provide greater ability to estimate global sediment and carbon budgets for paleoceanographic and climate change studies.