SEMINAR: Geotopics-Monday-February 4

[Deniz Atasoy <datasoy@rsmas.miami.edu>]

 

**02.04.2013**

Dr. Andre Droxler

Rice University

Deglacial origin of barrier reefs along low latitude mixed siliciclastic and carbonate continental shelf edges

Monday, February 4, 2013
3:15, SLAB Seminar Room, S/A 103
Refreshments at 3:15 PM

Abstract:

Because the initial phase of barrier reef evolution is often buried under
more recent phases of coralgal growth, the origins of modern barrier reefs
have remained elusive. Direct observations on the nature of the substrate on
top of which barrier reefs have developed are lacking, and simple questions
about whether the substrate contributes to their overall linear morphology
have remained unanswered. We present here a review dedicated to
late-Quaternary shelf-edge deposition in tropical mixed
siliciclastic-carbonate systems. These modern analogs are used to develop an
understanding of shelf edge barrier reef formation during different segments
of relatively well-established sea-level cycles. The onset of rapid
sea-level rise during early deglaciations, when siliciclastics were
deposited along newly formed coasts at up-dip positions, provided opportune
time windows for coralgal communities to establish themselves on top of
maximum lowstand siliciclastic coastal deposits, such as beach ridges and
lowstand shelf-edge deltas.                 

                                                     Hope to see you all there!

Geotopics coordinator,

Deniz Atasoy and Paul Hagan