Generalized Carbonate Platform Model

The generalized carbonate platform model displays the relative position of the major carbonate depositional environments.

It is important to understand that depositional environments are not randomly distributed across the platform interior, but form in response to well-organized physical, biological, and chemical processes. Therefore, predictable patterns of depositional environments develop. The generalized platform model is simplified as to the control of relative sea-level changes on the placement of the different depositional environments. The reader can refer to Handford and Loucks (1993) for a basic discussion on relative sea-level changes on carbonate system tracts.

Review the general discussion on processes that is presented in the pop up menu below. As you study each major depositional environment, be sure to think of each of these processes and how each of these processes affects the creation and deposition of carbonate sediments.