This work has been supported by the Fluvial Systems Research Group Consortium Phase 1, supported by BG, Chevron, Conoco Philips and Total. Discussions with John Howell on prograding sequences are greatly appreciated. The authors would also like to thank Anna Kulikova, Guy Prince, Kelsey McNamara and Karen Oud for assistance in the ﬁeld. We thank reviewer Brian Willis, an anonymous reviewer and Editor Sebastien Castelltort for constructive comments that improved this manuscript.Peer reviewedPostprin

Hartley, Adrian J

Nichols, Gary J

Owen, Amanda

Weissmann, Gary S

Basin Research

This work has been supported by the Fluvial Systems Research Group Consortium Phase 1, supported by BG, Chevron, Conoco Philips and Total. Discussions with John Howell on prograding sequences are greatly appreciated. The authors would also like to thank Anna Kulikova, Guy Prince, Kelsey McNamara and Karen Oud for assistance in the ﬁeld. We thank reviewer Brian Willis, an anonymous reviewer and Editor Sebastien Castelltort for constructive comments that improved this manuscript.Peer reviewe

Aberdeen University Research

English

Vertical trends within the prograding Salt Wash distributive fluvial system, SW USA

Amanda Owen

Gary J. Nichols

Adrian J. Hartley

Gary S. Weissmann

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Vertical trends within the prograding Salt Wash distributive fluvial system, SW United States

Progradation is an important mechanism through which sedimentary systems fill sedimentary basins. Although a general progradational pattern is recognized in many basins, few studies have quantified system scale spatial changes in vertical trends that record fluvial system progradation. Here, we provide an assessment of the spatial distribution of vertical trends across the Salt Wash distributive fluvial system (DFS), in the Morrison Formation SW, USA. The vertical distribution of proximal, medial and distal facies, and channel belt proportion and thickness, are analysed at 25 sections across approximately 80 000 km2 of a DFS that spanned approximately 100 000 km2. The stratigraphic signature of facies stacking patterns that record progradation varies depending on location within the basin. An abrupt and incomplete progradation succession dominates the proximal region, whereby proximal deposits directly overlie distal deposits. A more complete succession is preserved in the medial region of the DFS. The medial to distal region of the DFS are either simple aggradational successions, or display progradation of medial over distal facies. Spatial variations in facies successions patterns reflects preservation changes down the DFS. A spatial change in vertical trends of channel belt thickness and proportion is not observed. Vertical trends in channel belt proportion and thickness are locally highly variable, such that systematic up-section increases in these properties are observed only at a few select sites. Progradation can only be inferred once local trends are averaged out across the entire succession. Possible key controls on trends are discussed at both allocyclic and autocyclic scales including climate, tectonics, eustasy and avulsion. Eustatic controls are discounted, and it is suggested that progradation of the Salt Wash DFS is driven by upstream controls within the catchment

Vertical trends within the prograding Salt Wash distributive fluvial system, SW USA

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