Sequence stratigraphy of (?)Pliocene-Quaternary synrift, Gilbert-type fan deltas, northern Peloponnesos, Greece

• Published in: Marine and petroleum geology 1994-10, Vol.11 (5), p.545-560
• Main Authors: Dart, Chris J., Collier, Richard E.Ll, Gawthorpe, Rob L., Keller, João V.A., Nichols, Gary
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Gilbert-type fan deltas; Gulf of Corinth, Greece; sequence stratigraphy; Stratigraphy; Tectonics. Structural geology. Plate tectonics
• ISSN: 0264-8172; 1873-4073
• DOI: 10.1016/0264-8172(94)90067-1

Seismic-scale cliff section exposures of exhumed (?)Pliocene-Quaternary, footwall-derived, Gilbert-type fan deltas are located along the faulted southern margin of the Gulf of Corinth rift. The location of these Gilbert-type fan deltas is controlled by antecedent drainage systems and relay zones. Each Gilbert-type fan delta body is made of depositional sequences and systems tracts that can be interpreted within a sequence stratigraphic framework. Sequence architectures were developed against a backdrop of rapid basin deepening due to tectonic subsidence. Sequences are bounded by composite downlap/truncation and toplap surfaces and are dominated by highstand and shelf margin systems tracts. The architecture of systems tracts and key stratal surfaces are interpreted in terms of hangingwall subsidence, sea/lake level changes, hinterland uplift and climatically induced variations in surface runoff. Gross Gilbert-type fan delta architecture is interpreted as the response to a background relative base level rise which was presumably dominated by rates of hangingwall subsidence that generally exceeded other base level control mechanisms.