Experimental and Theoretical Study of Strata Formation in Sedimentary Basins

Abstract : A major goal of our stratigraphy project is to obtain experimental evidence and to develop quantitative models of the formation of strata on continental margins. Experiments and analytical models can greatly contribute to bridge the gap between variation in forcing functions such as sediment supply, sea-level changes and subsidence, and the resulting stratigraphy in depositional basins, and therefore allow for (1) inferring the history of external forcing from preserved strata (inversion problem) or (2) predicting the nature of preserved strata in areas where the forcing history is known. By applying techniques from geophysics and engineering to stratigraphic problems, we are also helping to convert stratigraphy from a purely descriptive to a more quantitative, analytical science.