Bounding Surfaces



Four major bounding surfaces were identified in the study area: two maximum flooding surfaces, one sequence boundary, and one transgressive surface. Sediment core B-2 provides the link between the chronologic framework and the seismic sequence framework built with the bounding surfaces. The link between the chronologic framework and the seismic sequence framework provides good chronologic control for the bounding surfaces. Although seismic examples show normal and reverse faulting within the study area, the offsets associated with he faults are too small to be visible on the time structure maps.

Stage 5e Maximum Flooding Surface



Line 3a
Line 5






Stage 2 to 1 Transgressive Surface



Line 15

Line 16/116

Line 11a

Line 5

Line 3a


As the Stage 2 sequence boundary time structure map indicated, the transgressive surface is amalgamated with the Stage 2 sequence boundary except within a shore perpendicular incision and on the outer shelf. The depth of the transgressive surface ranges from 80 to 310 ms. Several interesting features are shown. Within the incision, the transgressive surface remains at a depth of 100 ms for approximately 35 km seaward from the head of the incision. In the north-central portion is a shallow platform ranging form 130 ms to 140 ms. The location of several carbonate mounds that grow on the transgressive surface is marked on the platform. South of the shallow platform is a topographic low that extends from 150 to 160 ms in depth. Also indicated on the map is a small topographic low that trends north-south and ranges from 120 to 130 ms in depth.





Stage 1 Maximum Flooding Surface

The modern sea floor is interpreted as the Stage 1 maximum flooding surface. This assumes that eustatic sea-level has reached its maximum height.
Gulf Bottom Imagemap


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