Discrimination of tectonic dynamism, quiescence and third order relative sea level cycles of the Cauvery Basin, South India

Abstract

Application of integrated stratigraphic modeling of sedimentary basins with the help of sequence and chemostratigraphic methods for improved understanding on the relative roles of depositional pattern and history of a Barremian-Danian stratigraphic record of the Cauvery Basin, India was attempted. Through enumeration of facies characteristics, tectonic structures and geochemical characteristics of the sedimentary rocks the use of geochemical signatures in distinguishing the relative roles of major factors has been evaluated. The results indicate that the geochemical signatures of the sedimentary rocks accurately record the prevalent geological processes and an ability to distinguish them through employing stratigraphic variations of compositional values and discrimination diagrams help in understanding the basinal history better. In addition, predomination of relative sea level fluctuations and active nature of tectonic movements during few time slices, which in turn was overwhelmed by sea level fluctuations are also inferred.