Copyright by Nysha Chaderton 2009 - The University of Texas at ...
Copyright by Nysha Chaderton 2009 - The University of Texas at ...
Copyright by Nysha Chaderton 2009 - The University of Texas at ...
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<strong>The</strong> observ<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> channel geometries within the TFB along with the<br />
presence <strong>of</strong> a regional depocenter during Eocene to Oligocene times suggest a<br />
clastic sediment fairway within the broader proto-Tobago Forearc Basin. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
sediments would then have been incorpor<strong>at</strong>ed into the present day western BAP<br />
on the eastern margin <strong>of</strong> the TFB. As the TFB closed the sediments on the basin<br />
margin became uplifted and deformed. <strong>The</strong>se observ<strong>at</strong>ions helped us to expand<br />
upon the premise <strong>of</strong> the second hypothesis. Deepw<strong>at</strong>er background sediment<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
is pelagic mud and marl such as those th<strong>at</strong> comprise the Oceanic Form<strong>at</strong>ion (th<strong>at</strong><br />
appear layered in seismic reflection pr<strong>of</strong>iles). Upon initi<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> clastic<br />
sediment<strong>at</strong>ion within the basin, a mud-rich submarine fan system was deposited<br />
within the broader TFB (Scotland Form<strong>at</strong>ion). When clastic sediment<strong>at</strong>ion within<br />
the Tobago Forearc Basin ceased, pelagic sediment<strong>at</strong>ion domin<strong>at</strong>ed once more<br />
(Oceanic Form<strong>at</strong>ion) (Figure 4.11). Continued closure <strong>of</strong> the basin and<br />
underpl<strong>at</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> sediments uplifted the Scotland and Oceanic Members to their<br />
present day position onshore Barbados.<br />
Both <strong>of</strong> these sedimentary packages were l<strong>at</strong>er uplifted with the rest <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Barbados Ridge to form the newly defined margin <strong>of</strong> the shrinking Tobago Basin.<br />
CONCLUSIONS<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tobago Forearc Basin was broader prior to the Middle Miocene than<br />
it is in the present day. It has been segmented into smaller basins with the TFB<br />
being the largest.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Oceanic Form<strong>at</strong>ion was deposited in situ and not thrust into place<br />
over the Scotland Form<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
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