Generalized Carbonate Platform Model

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

It is important to understand that depositional environments are not randomly distributed across the platform, slope, or basin 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 regarding control of relative sea-level changes on the placement of different depositional environments. The reader can refer to Handford and Loucks (1993) for a basic discussion about relative sea-level changes on carbonate systems tracts.

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