Sedimentation Models
Compiled by Jeff Crabaugh at Carleton College (SERC) and the University of Wyoming
This section provides a diverse group of visualizations depicting sedimentation models. Visualizations range from photos and still image sequences to animations, and represent simple conceptual models, output from computer simulations, and physical experimental models.
General
This YouTube Video Playlist (more info) was created by Dr. Dawn Sumner of the University of California - Davis. This videos include short pieces from her lectures on sedimentology and stratigraphy as well as other videos she has found on YouTube about the subject.
Models of Clastic Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
Synthetic Seismic Modeling of Experimental Strata. (more info) From the website of
Lincoln Pratson at Duke University, annotated photos and still images are used to explain synthetic seismograms of strata that were created in an experimental basin at St. Anthony Falls Lab at the Univ. of Minnesota (see link below for movies of experimental modeling). By comparing synthetic seismic models to digital images of the experimental strata an assessment is made of the amount of stratigraphic information captured in seismic imaging.
Experimental Basin Modeling. (more info) The website of Paul Heller at the University of Wyoming contains stills and videos of experimental basin modeling conducted at St. Anthony Falls Lab, University of Minnesota; now part of the
National Center for Earth Surface Dynamics (NCED). Follow link, then click on
Experimental Basin Study.
Origins of Ocean Floor Sediments (more info) : This visualization shows three different sources of marine sedimentation from three different source areas; coastal, sea floor, and hydrothermal vent systems. Clicking on each image brings up particular examples how how terrigenous, biogenous, and inorganic or 'hydregenous' sediments are formed and delivered to the ocean floor.
Delta Evolution Models (more info) Animations of two delta complexes from the work of
Irina Overeem at
INSTAAR (more info) , CU- Boulder. An animation of Neogene basin fill of the North Sea Basin (Eridanos delta) is built from seismo-stratigraphic interpretations (with an accompanying pdf of the published journal article). A second animation, derived from numerical simulation, depicts Holocene evolution of the Volga delta. Short explanatory text and static images for the 'Eridanos Delta' and 'Volga Delta' can be found at
Irina Overeem's personal website.
Landscape Instability in an Experimental Drainage Basin. (more info) Animations of a physical model and associated numerical model investigating the stability of eroding drainage basins under conditions of constant climate and uplift. This work was conducted by Les Hasbargen at the
National Center for Earth Surface Dynamics (NCED), University of Minnesota.
Meander Migration Animations: Thames Valley, England. (more info) Sequential static diagrams and animations from computer simulations showing erosion, sedimentation, and river channel change through time in the Upper Thames Valley. From the research of
Greg Tucker (University of Colorado- Boulder), and
Gary Lock and Quintijn Clevis at The University of Oxford.
Models of Carbonate Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
- Carbonate3D. (more info) The website of Georg Warrlich at Royal Holloway, University of London, presents animations of 3D stratigraphic forward models depicting carbonate platform evolution.
Stratigraphic Modeling of Carbonate and Clastic Sedimentary Basins. (more info) Website of Christopher G. St. C. Kendall at the University of South Carolina, this website contains numerous still images and interactive animations of sedimentary basin filling, as well as a 'chalktalk' video lecture on the relation of stratigraphic geometry and sea-level change.
