Upper Permian Zechstein Supergroup carbonate-evaporite platform palaeomorphology in the UK Southern North Sea

摘要

Seismic interpretation, geological mapping and depth conversion of the Zechstein Supergroup (Z2 cycle), using high-quality well-calibrated three-dimensional (3-D) seismic, has revealed the complex palaeomorphology of a deeply-buried ancient carbonate shelf-margin on the southwestern margin of the Southern Permian Basin. The new mapping shows that the margin comprises a series of corrugated embayments and promontories which extend up to 5 km (3 mi) into the basin and locally have a palaeobathymetric relief of 200 m (650 ft). Well calibration across the margin demonstrates a strongly bipartite lateral thickness distribution between a high velocity anhydrite-dominated shelf and a lower velocity halite-dominated basin.