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3D GPR reveals complex internal structure of Pleistocene oolitic sandbar

University of Miami, Florida, U.S.

Corresponding author: mgrasmueck@rsmas.miami.edu

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

Active oolitic sandbars like those in the Bahamas (Figure 1) exhibit complex internal architecture with a multitude of stacked sedimentary structures. Ooids are round, carbonate-coated grains that form in tropical climates. The internal anatomy of carbonate sandbars is often too complex to be captured in one- and two-dimensional data. Outcrops, cores, and 2D geophysical profiles provide a limited vertical view of the geologic record. Depositional processes are confined to the momentary subhorizontal boundary surface between sediment and water or air. Vertical 2D views limit the visibility of features developed on subhorizontal surfaces, making interpretation of 3D internal anatomy and reconstruction of related depositional parameters difficult. Closely spaced 3D data are needed to accurately map sedimentary structures and improve fluid flow modeling used in water and hydro-carbon resource management. 3D reflection seismic imaging has successfully been used to delineate oolitic bars in sub-surface oil fields. Unfortunately, seismic resolution that resolves beds in the order of 10 m thick, fails to image the detailed internal anatomy of oolitic sand bodies.

View larger version (117K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Oblique aerial photograph of complex and very dynamic oolite tidal bars and channels on the western edge of Great Bahama Bank. Light colors = white oolitic sand bars just under the water surface. Darker areas = tidal channels 2–4 m deep. Zoomed in is a spillover lobe (Ball, 1967) of oolitic sands created by tidal flood currents. Sandwaves with 20–50 cm height are superimposed on the tidal bars. (Photograph courtesy SEPM, Marine Carbonates I: Models, seismic response and Quaternary of Florida-Bahamas, CD No. 1.)

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