This study provides a sequence stratigraphic framework within which to consider Brigantian Yoredale strata. The framework has been used to determine the relative effects of syn-depositional tectonics, eustasy and climate on Yoredale sequence stratigraphic architecture within the northern Britain study area. Seventeen high-frequency depositional sequences have been identified and correlated within Brigantian strata in northern England and the Midland Valley of Scotland. Examination of sequence thickness and lithofacies stacking patterns has allowed the spatial and temporal occurrence of syn-depositional tectonism to be constrained and the effects on sequence and lithofacies architecture defined. The overall effect of tectonics on Yoredale sedimentation and cyclicity are interpreted to have been minimal. The correlation of sequence boundaries between the two very different tectonic regimes of northern England and the Midland Valley of Scotland would suggest that tectonics was not the driving mechanism behind cyclicity as suggested by some workers. Correlation of sequences with coeval sequences in the Illinois Basin of mid-continent North America demonstrates a lack of correlation to a particular tectonic regime or depositional facies type. The close similarity of sequence architecture between the Illinois Basin and northern British basins is taken to indicate that the sequences were synchronous depositional events that resulted from high-frequency eustatic sea-level changes. Glacio-eustasy provides the most logical explanation for the observed sequence architecture and apparent synchronous development of sequences and sequence boundaries across the northern Britain study area and globally.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:540488 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Brightmore, Ian William |
| Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=165717 |
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