Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 91-96)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2009. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed May 4, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 243-265).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Baylor University, 2007. / In the abstract "[delta]13C" the "13" and "[delta]18O" the "18" are superscript; "pCO2" the "2" is subscript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 107-118).

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2010. / "Graduate Program in Geological Sciences." Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-36).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Geology, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-189).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / Title from PDF file main screen (viewed on Mar. 18, 2010). A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2008. / "Graduate Program in Geological Sciences." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2003. / Bibliography: leaves 132-143. Also available online.

Traditionally, sedimentation at active plate margins is thought to be dominantly controlled by tectonism, with any climatic cyclicity being overprinted. Since the early Miocene, Cyprus has been situated above an active subduction zone, which has strongly influenced the regional tectonics. Global climate change also occurred during the Miocene marking a transition from relative global warmth of the early-Miocene to the Neogene 'icehouse world'. Cyprus has extensive outcrops of Miocene to Pleistocene deep water sediments and provides an ideal setting to test the magnitude of climatic signals in tectonically active areas, and thus deduce the relative roles of climate and tectonics on sedimentation. Detailed sedimentary logging and biostratigraphical dating of the Miocene-age pelagic Pakhna Formation reveals that the formation can be divided into depositional sequences,bounded by hard grounds or erosion surfaces, and contains a distinct pattern of marl-chalk couplets. These sequences correlate, within the constraints of biostratigraphy to European and New Jersey Margin sequence chronostratigraphy. Three smaller scales of cyclicity are identified by stratigraphic time series analysis, and are likely to correspond to the 100 kyr, 41ky and ~20 ky Milankovitch cycles. Stable oxygen and carbon isotope analysis on pelagicforaminifera indicate the following climatic influences; (1) chalk-marl couplets probably record climatically controlled supply of terrigenous material; (2) a strong link between 8¹⁸O maxima and sequence boundaries; and (3) the globally recognised 8¹³C Monterey ExcursionIS present. The increasing abundance of tectonically derived Troodos material partially masks the climatically controlled sedimentation in the Pakhna Formation south of the Troodos massif. Rapid Troodos uplift during the Pliocene-Pleistocene is demonstrated by the high abundance of ophiolite derived clasts in the Khirokitia-Psematismenos submarine fan-complex. Here,graphic logging, and biostratigraphy suggests that the six cycles observed are likely to correlate to cycles identified in European sequence chronostratigraphy, though higher frequency,climatic cyclicity is obscured by the overprint of tectonic activity.

This thesis investigates the utility of sequence stratigraphy on a regional scale and the control of eustacy on basin infill in unprecedented detail. To achieve this, the thesis utilises a wealth of data, including a continuous 3D seismic MegaSurvey dataset covering 55,000 sq. km, combined with state of the art seismic interpretation software to interpret the basin infill of the Late Cenozoic southern North Sea. The prograding shelf-prism clinoforms of the Late Cenozoic are calibrated to high density borehole penetrations, high resolution chronostratigraphy and climate proxies. The chronostratigraphic control enables a correlation of geomorphology, seismic architectures and seismic facies with full 3D control to the global sea level curve, which enables an evaluation of the impact of eustatic change on sequence development. The control of eustacy and the limitations of sequence stratigraphy are highlighted by: 1) Investigating the regional expression of chronostratigraphically calibrated seismic units, which are linked to the global sea level curve. This was carried out by mapping across the region, the dominance of oblique or sigmoidal clinoform types and seismic features such as iceberg scours, terrestrial channels and submarine fans in order to evaluate the lateral variation of depositional systems and accommodation. 2) Investigating sediment partitioning basinwards of the shelf edge and how deposition basinwards can be predicted via observations of seismic facies and architecture. This was achieved by focusing on specific seismic architectures of forced regressive slope clinoforms and deep water sedimentary systems and the link updip to the shelf within the highly constrained chronostratigraphic framework. The thesis results suggest that sequence stratigraphic models do not represent lateral variation well or integrate other allocyclic forcings on sequence development. A holistic and observation based approach to understanding basin infill and recognising the importance of sediment supply, pre-existing geomorphology, process type of the feeder system, differential subsidence, as well as eustacy, is imperative.