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Carbonate Depositional Systems: Assessing Dimensions and Controlling Parameters pp 145–213Cite as

The Gulf: Facies Belts, Physical, Chemical, and Biological Parameters of Sedimentation on a Carbonate Ramp

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Abstract

The Holocene of The Gulf, also referred to as the Arabian or Persian Gulf, is frequently cited as a classic example of a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic ramp system for an arid climate. This notion of a ramp is supported by the recognition that The Gulf area has a dominant shallow water carbonate/evaporite basin fill from the Permian to today despite a complex tectonic history (Alsharhan and Kendall 2003). The current depositional setting is that of a proximal foreland ramp (Burchette and Wright 1992; Evans 1995; Kirkham 1998). Walkden and Williams (1998), however, argue that since The Gulf has been above sea level for over much of the past 2.5 Ma, and since it is in tectonic, eustatic and depositional disequilibrium it should not be considered a ramp. Despite this controversy, the Holocene sedimentary fill of the current Gulf has been and will continue to be used as a model for a carbonate ramp. This interest in the area is hightened by the fact that is one of the few places in which Holocene dolomite and evaporites form.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, Dania, Florida, USA

    Bernhard Riegl

  2. Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA

    Anthony Poiriez, Xavier Janson & Kelly L. Bergman

  3. Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, Texas, USA

    Xavier Janson

  4. ETC Chevron Corporation, San Ramon, California, USA

    Kelly L. Bergman

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  1. Bernhard Riegl
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  2. Anthony Poiriez
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  4. Kelly L. Bergman
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  1. FB 5 Geowissenschaften, MARUM - Verwaltung, Universität Bremen, Leobener Str., Bremen, 28359, Germany

    Hildegard Westphal

  2. Oceanographic Center, National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University, N. Ocean Drive 8000, Dania Beach, 33004, USA

    Bernhard Riegl

  3. Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmosph, Comparative Sedimentology Laboratory, University of Miami, Rickenbacker Causeway 4600, Miami, 33149, USA

    Gregor P. Eberli

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Riegl, B., Poiriez, A., Janson, X., Bergman, K.L. (2010). The Gulf: Facies Belts, Physical, Chemical, and Biological Parameters of Sedimentation on a Carbonate Ramp. In: Westphal, H., Riegl, B., Eberli, G. (eds) Carbonate Depositional Systems: Assessing Dimensions and Controlling Parameters. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9364-6_4

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