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A Deterministic Evaluation of eismic Fidelity using Velocity Modeling ...

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2.3 Stratigraphy<br />

Salt accumulated into the large Paleo-Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico basin during the Jurassic. Basin<br />

analysis suggests the region subsequently divided into two separate basinal features<br />

(Humphris, 1978) (Figure 3). By the end <strong>of</strong> the Jurassic, all <strong>of</strong> the structural and<br />

stratigraphic features seen today were in place, but accentuation and modification <strong>of</strong><br />

these features continued over time (Salvador, 1987).<br />

During the late Jurassic, the northern Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico Basin evolved from a dominantly<br />

progradational setting to late-stage aggradation. The complexity <strong>of</strong> the Mesozoic GOM<br />

basin has resulted in differing models to describe it. Some aspects <strong>of</strong> the early GOM<br />

development are still not fully understood as can be seen by the theoretical problem that<br />

exists in explaining the mechanisms for drowning carbonate margins and platforms<br />

(Schlager, 1981). Another issue <strong>of</strong> interest is the relationship between the carbonates and<br />

salt. Growth faulting and rapid subsidence <strong>of</strong> the shelf margin results from bathymetric<br />

relief over a mobile belt (Winker, 1982), yet Winker’s (1982) model appears to be<br />

incompatible with underlying sequences <strong>of</strong> mobile evaporates (Winker and Buffler,<br />

1988). Such issues illustrate the need for a more detailed understanding <strong>of</strong> the<br />

interrelationships <strong>of</strong> salt, stratigraphy and structure.<br />

Thick prograding depositional sequences deformed by gravity loading characterize the<br />

Cenozoic history <strong>of</strong> the northwestern Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico Basin. Stratigraphic sequences<br />

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