This document provides an overview of sedimentology and its applications in the petroleum industry. It discusses key concepts in sedimentology including sedimentary rocks, depositional environments, sediment transport processes, and sedimentary structures. These concepts are important for understanding reservoir heterogeneity, predicting texture, and informing exploration and production strategies. The document cautions against oversimplifying depositional environments and stresses the importance of analyzing sediment transport and depositional processes to avoid misinterpretation.

1. SEDIMENTOLOGY
APPLICATION
IN PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
Sedimentologist (Geologist)
Practical Use and Reference

2. CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION TO SEDIMENTOLOGY
2. HYDRODYNAMICS: SEDIMENTTRANSPORT
3. SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURE
4. FLUVIAL DELTAIC SEDIMENTATION

3. 1. INTRODUCTIONTO SEDIMENTOLOGY

4. Sedimentology :
Sedimentary rocks :
Rocks that are resulted from weathering, erosion, transportation,
deposition, and diagenesis/lithification processes
Weathering/erosion
Transportation
Deposition
Sedimentary Rocks
Lithification/diagenesis
one of the branches of geology that deals specifically with
sedimentary rocks or studies sedimentary rocks / sediments
with all its processes

5. Depositional environments on the earth surface control
how sediment is transported and deposited.
Continental
Environment
Shoreline
Environment
Marine
Environment

6. SEDIMENTOLOGYAPPLICATION IN OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION
Depositional Environment
Depositional environment  sediment body geometry 
reservoir heterogeneity  petrophysics  exploration and production strategy
sand isopach map of different delta types (Coleman andWright, 1975)
T I D E S
bars
channels
MIXED
TIDE WAVE
FLUVIAL
W A V E
FLUVIAL
W A V E
W A V E
T I D E S

7. Depositional environment tends to become a template,
no respect on processes-response analyses  mis-interpretation 
failure in exploration and production strategy
Typical Log Characters of Major Depositional Environment
SEDIMENTOLOGYAPPLICATION IN OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION
Depositional Environment

8. weathering and erosion processes  provenance climate & tectonic setting 
basin history  structural styles  petroleum system analyses 
exploration and production strategy
Provenance analyses from QFL triangular diagram (Dickinson, 1985)
SEDIMENTOLOGYAPPLICATION IN OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION
Weathering and Erosion Processes

9. transportation processes  hydrodynamics  forward prediction of texture
 reservoir quality & distribution  exploration and production strategy
II
IIII
IIIIII
IVIV
Rel. ConcentrationVelocity in cm/sec
SUSPENDEDLOAD
SUSPENDEDLOAD
NO TRANSPORTATION
NO TRANSPORTATION
BED LOAD TRANSPORTATION
BED LOAD TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
Critical erosion velocity
Cessation of movement
400
200
100
60
40
20
10
6
4
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.01
0.02
0.06
0.04
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
1.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
10.0
20.0
0.0010.010.10.50.9
Rel. Concentration Grain diameter in mm (and  )
o
(8.0) (7.0) (6.0) (5.0) (4.0) (3.0) (2.0) (1.0) (0.0) (-1.0) (-2.0) (-3.0) (-4.0)
II
IIII
IIIIII
IVIV
Rel. ConcentrationVelocity in cm/sec
SUSPENDEDLOAD
SUSPENDEDLOAD
NO TRANSPORTATION
NO TRANSPORTATION
BED LOAD TRANSPORTATION
BED LOAD TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
Critical erosion velocity
Cessation of movement
400
200
100
60
40
20
10
6
4
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.01
0.02
0.06
0.04
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
1.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
10.0
20.0
0.0010.010.10.50.9
Rel. Concentration Grain diameter in mm (and  )
o
(8.0) (7.0) (6.0) (5.0) (4.0) (3.0) (2.0) (1.0) (0.0) (-1.0) (-2.0) (-3.0) (-4.0)
The diagram is showing relationship between flow velocity, grain size, and state of
sediment movement for uniform material of density 2.56 (quartz and feldspar). (After
Sundborg, 1967; in Reineck & Singh, 1980).
SEDIMENTOLOGYAPPLICATION IN OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION
Transportation Processes

10. Diagenesis / lithification processes  basin fluid-flow & burial history 
petroleum system analyses  exploration and production strategy
Diagenetic and enviromentally significant fluid/rock interactions within the principal hyrologic
regimes in an actively filling sedimentary basin (Harrison, 1989 in Galloway, 1984)
Sea Level
COMPACTIONAL
HYDROSTATIC
COMPACTIONAL
GEOPRESSURED
THERMOBARIC
METEORIC
REGIME
- Dehydration reactions
- Smectite diagenesis
- Ferroan carboates
- Input of basement-
derived fluids
- Transition to
metamorphism
- Burial diagenesis
- Quartz cement
- Albitization of feldspar
calcite, kaolinite
- Reactions associated
with hydrocarbon
maturation, migration
- Early diagenesis
- Unconformity
diagenesis
- Dissolution of Mg-
calcite, aragonite
feldspar, chert
- Precipitation of
kaolinite, calcite,
smectite
Disposal of
contaminants,
mine waste, nuclear
waster, etc
Deep well injection
of brines
Deepest wells (7 km)
produce; origin of
some ore-forming
fluids
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Depth(km)
SEDIMENTOLOGYAPPLICATION IN OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION
Diagenesis / Lithification

11. Practical Flaws (1):
 Coarsening upward sequence = a bar or even a delta
 Barren sequence = fluvial deposit
 Channel-like feature = distributary channel
 Deltaic sands = channel/bars in delta-plain and/or delta-
front
 Coal = delta
 Mahakam Delta = model for all Indonesian deltas

12. Practical Flaws (2):
 Burrows/bioturbation = marine deposit
 Type of delta inferred from 2-D data
 Cross-bedding = channel
 Depositional environment = template
 No respect to process-response analyses
 Vertical thinking

13. 2. HYDRODYNAMICS: Sediment transport

14. Sediment
transport type
Gravity
Flow
Traction
current
Turbidity
current
Upper Flow
Regime
Debris flow or
mass flow
Lower Flow
Regime

15. Water surface
Stream bed
A
Water surface
Stream bed
B
Water surface
Stream bed
C
Schematic representation of laminar vs. turbulent fluid flow:
A. Laminar flow over a smooth stream bed.
B. Laminar flow over a spherical particle on a smooth bed.
C. Turbulent flow over a smooth bed. The arrows indicate flow
paths of the fluid
(Boggs, 1995)
TYPE OF FLOW:
LAMINAR VS TURBULENT FLOW

16. TRACTION CURRENT

17. Traction Current
Character: the movement of water which cause the
sediments to be carried at the bottom of the water.
Traction current  clear water, only shear stress
between H20 molecules so moving the sands below it.

18. TRANSPORTATION
Traction Current
Hjulstrom Diagram

19. Diagram of Median fall diameter-Stream Power T.V (Harms et al, 1982)
Chutes & pools
= sand waves

20. Traction Current
Bedforms – Ripple / DuneTerminology
Flow direction
Internal character of ripples. Note dominance of forset over single bottom set
laminae and a stoss side laminae
15o
34o

21. Bottom
set
Fore set
coset
Compositeset
Traction Current
CrossTerminology
coset

22. Ripple cross-lamination from Bayah Formation (Cihara Beach)

23. Traction Current
Bedforms – Antidune Genetic
A
B
C
Water surface
Water surface
Water surface
Scheme showing three
modes of deposition in
antidunes.
A. Poorly defined low-angled
laminae on the down-stream
slope;
B. Lamine draping over the
complete antidune;
C. low-angled inclined
laminae, dipping upstream.
Type C is most common &
originates when antidunes
move upstream & break.
(Kennedy, 1961)

24. Traction Current
Bedforms – Parallel Structure
Bayah Formation, Cihara Beach

25. GRAVITY FLOW

26. Gravity Flow
 Gravity flow is another type of sediment which due
primarily to the difference in density between water
with suspended sediments and clear water outside
the suspension.
 It can take place in otherwise still water.
 The water contain suspended grains  grains move
with water and deposited

27.  Turbidity current: sediment which is carried in
suspension by turbulent current is borne out onto a
slope  gain a gravitational component become
suspension is heavier than the surrounding clear
water  turn into a density current (turbidity
current)
 Turbidity current consist of suspensions of sediment
in water.
Gravity Flow
Turbidity current

28. Gravity Flow
Turbidity current
Postulated structure of head
& body of a turbidity current
advancing into deep water.
The tail is not shown. (After
Allen, J.R.L., 1985)

29. Gravity Flow
Submarine Canyons & Deep Sea Fans

30. Gravity Flow
Walker’s Model

31. Grain
Size
Fines
up
Gravity Flow
Bouma Sequence: Graded Beds
Scour base
TRACTION
CURRENT!

32. 3. SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES
A key to the interpretation of the
“Depositional Setting” of sedimentary rocks

33. SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES
Primary Bedforms (formed DURING deposition)
2A-Flute casts
2B-Tool Marks
Groove casts
Prod marks, bounce marks
Chevron marks
2. Erosion Structures on
the UNDER side
of beds (sole markings)
3A-Rill marks
3B-Wind erosion
3C-Raindrop imprints
3. Erosion Structures on
the UPPER side
of beds (sole markings)
1A-Plane Beds
1B-Ripples
1C-Dunes
1D
Planar laminations
Ripples cross-lamination &
Small-scale cross-lamination
Large-scale cross-stratifications
(cross bedding)
Graded Bedding
1. Internal Structures
After Bjorlykke (1984)
• Swaley & Hummocky
• Herringbone
• Flaser-wavy-lenticular
• Symmetric & Asymmetric Ripple
• convolute
Variant :
Bed form

34. SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES
Secondary Bedforms (formed AFTER deposition)
4A Dish structures
(immediately after deposition)
4B Sandstone dykes
4C Sand volcanoes
4. Water Escape
6A-Dessication mudcraks
6B-Shrinkage cracks, synaeresis
6C-Frost cracks (polygons)
6. Cracks
7A-Slumping
Growth faults
7. Deformation Structures
(due to gravity)
5A-Load casts
5B-Ball & pillow structures
5C-Clay diapirs
5. Load Structures
(inverse density gradient)
After Bjorlykke (1984)
+ Biogenic Structure

35. 1.a. Primary Bedform:
Cross Stratification

36. = Mega ripples
Cross lamination
/ ripple cross -lamination
/ small-scale cross-lamination
Cross lamination
Cross bedding
/ Large scale cross-stratification
Parallel lamination /
Parallel bedding
Cross bedding
Cross Stratification
Bedform Hierarchy

37. Cross Stratification
Variant 1: Swale & Hummocky Cross Stratification
STORM SURGE
MEAN SEA LEVEL
HUMMOCKY DEPOSITION
TURBIDITE DEPOSITION
FAIRWEATHER WAVE BASE
STORM WAVE BASE
GRADED RHYTHMITE DEPOSITION
(SIMPLE FALLOUT)

38. Cross Stratification
Variant 1: Swale & Hummocky Cross Stratification

39. Cross Stratification
Variant 2: Herringbone
‘Tide in’ and ‘Tide out’ are in opposite direction
Wave & beach profile are in upright position

40. Location of Formation
• flaser bedding - commonly forms in relatively high energy environments (sand flats)
• wavy bedding - commonly forms in environments that alternate frequently from higher to
lower energies (mixed flats)
• lenticular bedding - commonly forms in relatively low energy environments (mud flats)
Cross Stratification
Variant 3: Structure caused by tidal
(Flaser-Wavy-Lenticular)
subtidal
Low tide level
intertidal
High tide level
supratidal
T
I
D
A
L
R
A
N
G
E
TIDAL
CHANNEL
SAND
FLATS
MIXED
FLATS
MUD
FLATS
SALT
MARSH
Lenticular
bedding
subtidal
Wavy bedding
Roofed
muds
Fioser
bedding
Lateral
accretion
bedding
Low tide
level
High tide
level
intertidal
supratidal

41. Cross Stratification
Variant 4: Asymmetric Wave Ripple
2
L
L
5 - 15 M
= 30m
Symmetric wave
ripple
Asymmetric wave ripple
breaker

42. 1.b. Primary Bedform:
Non-Cross Stratification

43. Note High Energy Planar Beds
Photo: G. Voulgaris
Beach Face - South Carolina Foreshore
Traction Current
Bedforms – Parallel Structure

44. Grain
Size
Fines
up
Gravity Flow
Bouma Sequence: Graded Beds

45. 2. Primary Bedform:
Erosion Structures on
the UNDER side
of beds (sole markings)
Flute casts,Tool Marks, Groove casts,
Crescent, Prod marks, bounce marks,
Chevron marks

46. Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Formation of Flute Cast
Erosion of bedDeposition Burial and
lithification
Subaerial
erosion
Tectonic
tilting
Tectonic
overturning
Subaerial
erosion

47. Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Flute Cast

48. Straight ridges the result of objects being dragged on surface
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking:Groove Cast

49. Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking:Crescent

50. 3. Primary Bedform:
Erosion Structures on
the UPPER side
of beds (sole markings)
Rill marks,Wind erosion,
Raindrop imprints

51. Erosion Structure on the UPPER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Rain Drops

52. 4. Secondary Bedform:
Water Escape
Dish structures,
Sandstone dykes,
Sand volcanoes

53. Dish Structure - Ordovician - KTy
Secondary Structure
Water Escape: Dish Structure

54. 5. Secondary Bedform:
Load Structures
Load Casts,
Flame Structures,
Ball & Pillow Structures,
Clay Diapirs

55. Carbonate Load Cast – Ordovician -
Kty
Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Load Cast

56. Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Flame Structure

57. Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Ball & Pillow

58. 6. Secondary Bedform:
Cracks
Dessication mudcraks,
Shrinkage cracks, synaeresis
Frost cracks (polygons)

59. Product of desiccation &
contraction of muddy sediments
Secondary Structure
Cracks: Mud Cracks
Mud cracks demonstrate drying-out
of a thin layer of sediment fine
enough to have significant cohesion.
Definite proof of terrestrial setting or
very shallow water marginal marine.

60. 7. Secondary Bedform:
Deformation Structures
Slumping & Growth faults

61. Secondary Structure
Deformation Structures due to Gravity: Slumping
Bayah Formation, G.
Walat

62. Secondary Structure
Deformation Structures due to Gravity: Growth Fault

63. Biogenic Structure

64. SOME CLUES … !

65. GrainSizeFinesup
Gravity Flow
The Bouma Sequence

66. Comparing Bouma w/ Allen SequenceGrainSizeFinesup

67. Where does turbidite happen?
Turbidite =
High energy + suspension mixed (mud, mass
flow), + SLOPE
 alluvial fan, crevasse splay,
submarine fan, thalweg (lag deposit),
pro delta, continental shelf.

68. Some Clues
Normal & Abnormal Process
FLUVIAL TIDAL WAVE
Climbing Ripple a. Flaser-Wavy-Lenticular
(ripple bed form)
a. Hummocky (HCS) –Swale
b. Wave Ripple –
interference ripple
Through cross-bed b. Clay doublete / couplette Low angle cross stratification
(foreshore sandstone)
c. Clay drapes (should be on
fore set)
Rare burrow d. Lots burrow Fair burrow
FLUVIAL 
FLOOD
TIDAL 
TSUNAMI
WAVE 
STORM
Graded bedding (turbidite)
distal floodplain  climbing
ripple on flood plain (covered
by suspension ?)
? ? ?
Hummocky (HCS) – Swale
(?)

69. Some Clues
Tidal Process Clues: clay doublette / couplette
Fine-grained
Fine-grained
5–10cm

70. Some Clues
Tidal Process Clues: Mud drapes
1m
Mud drapes  typical of tidal channel
deposit

71. norm
al
Floo
d
Climbing
ripple
BA
Some Clues
Climbing Ripple on Flood Plain
B
A

72. The Genetic of Sand-Shale Striping Form
1. Clay drape cause of tide  ripple & clay
2. Classical flysch  graded bedding & clay
3. Big Lake  algal blooming when lake level rise &
down
4. Flood Plain deposit  when flood

73. Vertical & Lateral Succession
ThreeTypes of Sediment Accumulations

74. Vertical Change Succession
1. Progradation
Lateral outbuilding, or progradation, of strata in a sea-ward direction.
Progradation can occur as a result of a sea-level rise accompanied by a high
sediment flux (causing a regression).
Coarsening
upward
Example where c/u happen:
Delta (in general), Delta front (mouth bar), Bar
(open marine), alluvial fan, crevasse splay,
submarine fan

75. Vertical Change Succession
2. Aggradation
Vertical build up of a sedimentary sequence. Usually occurs when there is a relative rise
in sea level produced by subsidence and/or eustatic sea-level rise, and the rate of
sediment influx is sufficient to maintain the depositional surface at or near sea level.
Blocky
Massive, no structure: turbid / mass flow (sediment grain
size are all the same)  all to be sedimentation directly ≤ 1 m

76. Vertical Change Succession
3. Retrogradation
The movement of coastline land-ward in response to a transgression.
This can occur during a sea-level rise with low sediment flux.
Fining upward
Example where f/u happen (winning current normal
process):
Channel fill to be abandonment

77. Lateral Accretion Surfaces
(lateral progradation)
..
...
..
........
..
...
..
........
..
...
..
........
..
...
..
........
1
1 2 3
. .... .
BA
Lateral Accretion
BA
BA
Lag
Deposit
Lateral accretion indicate meandering (subaerial & / subaquaeous)
Lateral Change Succession

78. Sedimentation Proces  Lateral Accretion Surfaces
Lateral
Accretion

79. Cross Stratification
Variant 5: Symmetric & Asymmetric Wave Ripple
2
Cruziana
Zoophycos
Skolithos
MUDDY SUBSTRATE SANDY SUBSTRATE
LOWER MIDDLE UPPER
WAVES BEGIN TO BUILD UP
SHOALING WAVES
SPILLING BREAKERS
SURF ZONE LOW
HIGH TIDE
Ichnofacies
LONGSHORE BARS
SHOREFACE
OFFSHORE
FORESHORE
STORM WAVE BASE
FAIRWEATHER WAVE BASE
L
5–15 M
L
Cruziana
Zoophycos
Skolithos
MUDDY SUBSTRATE SANDY SUBSTRATE
LOWER MIDDLE UPPER
SURF ZONE LOW
HIGH TIDE
Ichnofacies
LONGSHORE BARS
SHOREFACE
OFFSHORE
FORESHORE
STORM WAVE BASE
FAIRWEATHER WAVE BASE
VERTICAL SCALE GREATLY
EXAGGERATED
L
5–15 M
L
2
= 30m

80. 4. FLUVIAL DELTAIC SEDIMENTATION

81. FLUVIAL
SYSTEM

82. ( 3%>) Low Bed load/Total load ratio High (>11%)
Small Sediment size Large
Small Sediment load Large
Low Flow velocity High
Low Gradient High
LOWHIGHLOW
SINUOSITY
BraidedMeanderingStraight
SEDIMENT
Mud – rich Sand - rich
Channel Boundary
Flow
Bars
LOWRELATIVESTABILITYHIGH
( 3%>) Low Bed load/Total load ratio High (>11%)
Small Sediment size Large
Small Sediment load Large
Low Flow velocity High
Low Gradient High
( 3%>) Low Bed load/Total load ratio High (>11%)
Small Sediment size Large
Small Sediment load Large
Low Flow velocity High
Low Gradient High
LOWHIGHLOW
SINUOSITY
BraidedMeanderingStraight
SEDIMENT
Mud – rich Sand - rich
Channel Boundary
Flow
Bars
LOWRELATIVESTABILITYHIGH
Channel patterns displayed by dingle-channel segments and the
spectrum of associated variables. (modified from Schumm, 1981)
Fluvial Characterization

83. Fluvial Deltaic for
Explorationist
Abandoned
Channel
sequence
Active
Channel
sequence
Sand deposite in
active braided channels Mudy deposition in
abandoned channels
2 M
Abandoned
Channel
sequence
Active
Channel
sequence
Sand deposite in
active braided channels Mudy deposition in
abandoned channels
2 M
Physiography and facies of a braided alluvial channel system
1. Braided channels system

84. 2. Meandering channels architecture

85. DELTA
SYSTEM

86. Delta
Why Delta is unique ?
 Delta contains all the petroleum system
components from Source Rock toTrap.
 Processes in Delta are composed of terrestrial
processes & marine processes marine

87. Prerequirement:
1. There is a fluvial/river.
2. Standing body of water.
3. Positive feature.
 Sediment influx from
aerial (aerial processes) is
bigger then sea processes.
Fan shaped of deltas of the Mississippi river at Gulf of Mexico
Fan shaped of Mahakam Deltas
When Delta Formed ?:

88. Fluvial /
river
Standing
Body of
Water
Create
Positif
feature
RESULT
Estuarine
Alluvial Fan
Tombolo, Barrier
Bar, Spit bar
DELTA
Component
Why Delta Formed ?

89. Why Delta Formed ?
Alluvial Fan Estuarine
Spit
Tombolo
Estuarine
No Standing body of water No Positive feature
No River
No Positive feature

90.  It is form fromTerrestrial to Sea …
Delta
Where is Delta forming ?
Alluvial Fan enter to the lake  Called Fan Delta
Fan Delta (delta on terrestrial)

91. MORPHOLOGY AND ENVIRONTMENT OF DELTA
Morphology and environment of delta (Allen, GP 1998)
- Delta Plain
Dominated by Fluvial
Processes & all terrestrial
characters (Subaerial Delta)
- Delta Front
Indicated by Fluvial & Marine
Processes (Subaerial &
Subaquaeous Delta)
- Pro Delta
Dominated by Marine
Processes (Subaquaeous
Delta)
MEANDERING
/ TRIBUTARY
/ FLUVIAL
DELTA PLAIN
ALLUVIAL PLAIN
DISTRIBUTARY
PRODELTA
DELTA FRONT
INTER DISTRIBUTARY
HEAD OF PASSES

92. SEDIMENT INPUT
MISSISSIPPI
MAHAKAM
DANUBA
SAO FRANSISCO
COPPER
FLY
WAVE ENERGY FLUX TIDAL ENERGY FLUX
FLIVIAL
DOMINATED
WAVE
DOMINATED
TIDE
DOMINATED
Yukon?
Mahakam
Talu
Calorado
Mekang
Ganges - Brahmaputra
Klang - Langor
Niger
Nile
Ebra
Rhane
Kelantan
Sao Fransisco
Brotos
Burdenia
Si Bernard
(Miss)
Pa
Danube
Lefourch
(Miss)
Praquemines
ModernMiss
Fly
Cooper
Morphologic and stratigraphic classification of delta system based on relative
intensity of fluvial and marine processes. (Modified from Galloway, 1975)
Delta
Classification

93. FLUVIAL-DOMINATED DELTA
(FLUVIAL INFLUENCE)

94. Mississippi Delta 
crevasse onto the
sea (not onto flood
plain)  also called
Crevasse Delta /
Splay Delta
(indicate by many
marine organism)
River-Dominated
Delta
Inter-distributary Bay

95. River-Dominated Delta
Mississipi Delta

96. RIVER – DOMINATED DELTA
Elongate shape
Larga-scale, gradational C.U.S.
Clean, moderately sorted sands
MISSISSIPPIDELTA
COMPOSITESTRATIGRAPHICCOLUMN
0 10 20 30 40 50
Kilometers
Channel deposite
Sand ridge
Swamp
River-Dominated Delta
Sedimentation Character
10
2-24
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
3–10EACH
SEQUENCE3-243-102-612–21(>90)10-2418-443-1518-120

97. Schematic illustration of progradation in deltaic and non deltaic coasts. On deltaic coasts,
progradation is due to a local source of fluvial sediment, whereas on non deltaic coasts the
sediment is transported along the coast from a distant fluvial source. (Adapted from Allen, 1996).
Fluvial
Sedimentology Supply
Prograding
Delta
10’s – 100’s km
Coastal Marsh
or lagoon
Fluvial Distribury
Channel-Fill
Upward-Coarsening
Mouth Bar Sand
Offshore Marine Mudstone
Offshore Marine Mudstone
Shorelance Sand
Beach
Coastal Marsh
or lagoon
River-Dominated Delta
Progradation

98. WAVE-DOMINATED DELTA
(TIDE INFLUENCE)

99. Wave-Dominated Delta
Nile Delta - Egypt
Source: Worldwind NASA

100. WAVE – DOMINATED DELTA
Cuspate shape
Large-scale, often top-heavy C.U.S.
Clean, well sorted sands
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
0
|
5
|
10
|

Wave-Dominated Delta
Sedimentation Characteristic
SAO FRANCISCO DELTA
COMPOSITE STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN

101. Prodelta turbidite model @ Kutei Basin
Wave-Dominated Delta
ProdeltaTurbidit model in Kutai Basin

102. TIDE-DOMINATED DELTA
(TIDE INFLUENCE)

103. Tide-Dominated Delta
Brahmaputra Delta - India

104. 0 5
TIDE-DOMINATED DELTA
Estuarine/linear shape
Large-scale, often disjointed C.U.S.
Clean, well sorted sands
< 3
miles
T. KARANG
JERAM
K. MORIB
P. SWET-
TENHAM
3 - 5
5 - 10
10 - 20
20 - 60
KLANG DELTA
COMPOSITE STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN
Tide-Dominated Delta
Sedimentation Character
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
3–18
3-62-53-85-246-1210-1810-24>12
UNIT
THICKNESS(m)
LITHOLOGY

105. RIVER & TIDE-DOMINATED DELTA
(MAHAKAM DELTA)

106. River &Tide-Dominated Delta
Delta Mahakam
Note: Delta Plain is shown, while Delta Front and
Pro Delta is below the sea level.

107. SOME CLUES … !

108. Which one is … ?
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
3–18
3-62-53-85-246-1210-1810-24>12
UNIT
THICKNESS(m)
LITHOLOGYKLANG DELTA
COMPOSITE STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN
SAO FRANCISCO DELTA
COMPOSITE STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN
10
2-24
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
3–10EACH
SEQUENCE3-243-102-612–21(>90)10-2418-443-1518-120
MISSISSIPPI DELTA
COMPOSITE STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN
Can you show where isThe River,
Wave, &Tide-Dominated Delta?

109. Core Identification …
The core character which likely indicateWave, Fluvial &Tide-Dominated
Delta are:
 Wave-dominated Delta abundant wave processes:
wave ripple, swalley, HCS, beach deposit (low angle cross lamination),
biogenic structure,
 Tide-dominated Delta  abundant tide processes:
Herringbone cross sratification, mud drapes / clay drape on foreset,
flaser-wavy-lenticular, clay doublet, biogenic structure.
 Fluvial-dominated Delta  Fluvial character:
Climbing ripple, graded bedding, burrowing

110. Reference
From many Sources