Lowstand carbonates, highstand sandstones?

2003

The sedimentary facies, sediment dynamics and sequence architecture of modern high-energy shelves in the mid and high latitudes are largely governed by wave abrasion processes. Cool-water carbonates may form there, if the influx and/or net accretion of siliciclastics is kept at a minimum. Little dilution of the carbonate produced in situ is generally promoted by a wide "epicontinental" shelf, subdued topography of the adjacent mainland, the predominance of limestone outcrops, and an arid climate. The aforementioned requirements are rarely met, and thus will automatically lead to the formation of mixed siliciclastic-cool-water carbonates. Such an example is found in the Early to Mid-Miocene …