The Relationship between Depositional Process and Strati- graphic Response: Development of Parasequences in Carbonate/Siliclastic Depositional Systems

沉积过程与地层反应之间的关系尚不清楚。因此，作为大多数沉积盆地的基本组成部分，地层准层序的起源仍然存在很大争议。我们将研究下至中寒武统卡拉拉组的准层序，这是一个规模较大的层序，横向范围从浅海碳酸盐到浅海（可能还有冲积）硅屑沉积物。我们将：1)识别和对比卡拉拉组及其等效层序中的准层序；2)表征结合副序列的表面，以获取对确定副序列起始和终止模式有用的信息；3)在已建立的准层序中绘制特定相图，获取其厚度、几何形状和空间分布信息；4)描述和解释准层序中的特定相，以提供有关沉积物产生和扩散过程、水深、古气候和更多当地古地理的信息。如果能描述准层序内相的多样性和几何形状，那么就能更准确地确定它们形成的机制，并在可能的情况下进行量化。这些信息可以极大地改进古地理、水深、海平面历史、沉降历史、古气候以及局部或区域构造事件的模型。

The relationship between sedimentary process and stratigraphic response is still poorly understood. As a result, the origin of stratigraphic parasequences, the fundamental building block of most sedimentary basins, is still highly controversial. We will examine the parasequences of the lower to Middle Cambrian Carrara Formation, a larger-scale sequence which ranges laterally from shallow marine carbonate to shallow marine (and possibly alluvial) siliciclastic sediments. We will: 1) identify and correlate parasequences within the Carrara Formation and its equivalents; 2) Characterize surfaces that bound parasequences for information useful in determining the mode(s) of parasequence initiation and termination; 3) Map specific facies within established parasequences to obtain information on their thickness, geometry, and spatial distribution; 4) Describe and interpret specific facies within parasequences to provide information on the processes of sediment production and dispersal, water depths, paleoclimate, and more local paleogeography. If the diversity and geometry of facies within parasequences are delineated, then the mechanisms responsible for their formation can be more accurately determined and, where possible, quantified. This information could greatly refine models for paleogeography, water depths, sea-level history, subsidence history, paleoclimate, and local or regional tectonic events.