OTC 4843

Origin and Classification of Sedimentary Basins

by J.A. Helwig, ARGO E&P Research

Copyright 1985 Offshore Technology Conference

This paper ",:as presented at the 17th Annual aTe in Houston, Texas, May 6-9,1985. The material is subject to correction by the author. Permission to
copy IS restTicted to an abstract of not more than 300 words.

ABSTRACT scale of basins varies greatly, from ocean

basins to small ponds. Earth scientists
A sedimentary basin is a domain of regional genera11y restri ct the term "sedi mentary basi n"
subsidence that can be characterized in space, to sediment-filled depressions of a regional
time, and sedimentary fill. Tectonic subsi- (100 + kilometers) scale that have subsided
dence of basins is caused by rifting, flexure, deeply, requiring significant crustal deforma-
or cooling of the lithosphere. It is important tion for their origin. Basins are further
to understand basin subsidence mechanisms and restricted to include depressions that have
to explicitly incorporate them into basin definable margins, as opposed to broad plat-
classification and exploration thinking. forms that accumulate 1-3 kilometers of
Previous classifications tend to overemphasize sediment over a breadth of hundreds of
the plate-tectonic setting or other geologic kilometers.
characteristics of basins. A classlfication
of basins based upon both the mechanism of
subsidence and the plate-tectonic setting is What is the proper basis for classification
proposed. of sedimentary basins? Initially, basins were
recognized and defined simply as thick sedimen-
INTRODUCTION tary accumul at ions compared to surroundi ng _
regions. Classifications subsequently were
The origin and the classification of sedi- formulated largely on the basis of the "form
mentary basins are closely connected. Both are and origin of the contained rocks" (Kay, 1951),
important for understanding petroleum and elaborated in the theory of geosynclines.
occurrence in the context of basin history. Classification became complex, based on addi-
tional parameters thought to be of genetic
Over the past decade, substantial progress significance: the position of the basin with
has been made on understanding the physics of respect to the stable continental craton; the
the processes of subsidence. In addition, a position and timing related to orogenic belts;
wealth of information has accumulated on the the presence of volcanic rocks; and the sources
nature of plate tectonics as expressed by the of sediments (Table 1). It is clear that the
.deformation of the earth's lithosphere. These form of a basin is its essential charc~ter­
developments make it timely to formulate a new istic, but that the ideal basis of classifica-
classification of sedimentary basins which tion would relate to the causes of that form,
incorporates both the plate-tectonic setting as well as to the origin of the contained rocks
and the mechanism of subsidence of a basin - in short, a tectonic classification including
throughout its history. - both basin-forming processes and tectonic
setting.
CLASSIFICATION OF BASINS
Tectonic classification of basins is fraught
What is a sedimentary basin? It is a with conceptual pitfalls, burdened with seman-
physical depression at the earth's surface tics, and crippled by the variety and complex-
which accumulates and preserves sediments. The ity of basins. With the advent of plate
tectonics, the tectonic setting of basins with
respect to the three types of plate boundaries,
and associated features, became the evident
References and illustrations at end of paper.

21
2 SEDIMENTARY BASINS
basis for classification (Dewey and Bird, 1970;
Dickinson, 1975; Klerrrne, 1980; Table 2) and
seemed to offer an objective and comprehensive
framework for classification. However, to
ascribe an origin to a basin strictly in terms
of its tectonic setting could lead to errors
need all back-arc basins be the same in form
and origin? .
Bally and Snelson (1980) reemphasized the
broader tectonic setting of basins, particular-
ly in terms of the control of basin form and
fill by the thermal, mechanical and lithologi-
cal properties of the lithosphere (Table 3).
Their emphasis on actualistic examples make the
classification most useful for Mesozoic-
Cenozoic basins, formed in continental margin
and orogenic settings. Kingston et al.'s
(1983) classification (Table 4) correctly
emphasizes basin form and complex history, but
contains many subdivisions based upon either
non-standard terminology or non-essential
geologic parameters.
An attempt to put a variety of basins into
these classifications illustrates the
weaknesses of nomenclature (Table 6). The
names of the classes differ, the priorities of
criteria for classification differ, and
confusion abounds. To properly classify
basins, we need to: (1) identify essential, as
opposed to modifying characteristics; (2)
assign priority to these characteristics.
The form and fill of basins are their essen-
tial characteristics; all others are secondary.
The ideal classification should name basins
according to the essential causes of form and
fill, in order of priority. Compressive and
extensional stresses associated with plate
motions are the principal causes of deformation
of the lithosphere (subsidence, uplift), and
the response characteristics of the particular
region of lithosphere control the development
of individual sedimentary basins. Therefore
the plate-tectonic setting of a basin is ' ridge systems propagate into old continental
essential, but valuable only insofar as the
setting provides a unique deformation and a
unique lithosphere.
Unfortunately, a variety of deformational
and lithospheric configurations 'can occur (in
the same or different basins) in the same plate
tectonic setting. It is true that a given tec-
tonic setting has a tendency to have a certain
recurrent configuration, but this should not be
the sole basis for classification. Hence the
confusion of naming a basin a "rift" on the
basis of a divergent plate boundary versus a
zone of lithospheric extension. Only by care-
fully distinguishing plate-tectonic setting and
mode of lithospheric deformation can a
satisfactory classification of sedimentary
basins be made.
22
OTe 4843
Recent advances in understandi ng 1i tho-
spheric subsidence (Price, 1973; McKenzie,
1973) have permitted classification of basins
by subsidence mechanisms (Beaumont et al.,
1982; Dewey and Pitman, 1982). We need to
briefly review basin physics, therefore, prior
to basin classification.
BASIN PHYSICS: TWO GENETIC TYPES
In terms of physics, we would like to con-
sider that the shape of a basin can be defined
geometrically and geometry is directly related
to its origin. Although complex in three
dimensions, profiles of basins tend to fall
into just two categories: (1) symmetrical,
concave upward, normal faulted; (2)
asymmetrical, wedge shape, thrust faulted
(Fig. 1). These two fundamental shapes are now
considered to be the two fundamental genetic
types of basins, here termed rift and flexural
basins (see Beaumont, et al., 1982).
To understand the origin and complex varie-
ties of basins deriving from these fundamental
two types, we must consider the thermo-
mechanical properties of the lithosphere, and
how extension or compression of lithosphere can
cause subsidence in rift and flexural basins,
respectively. Here we only summarize briefly
major characteristics of form, fill and setting
of these two genetic types of basins.
Rift basins subside due to extensional
thinning of the lithosphere, producing:
(1) initial faulting and isostatic subsidence;
and (2) thermal subsidence of the cooling
asthenosphere that rises to replace the
lithosphere (Fig. Ib), resulting in a broad,
concave basin (McKenzie, 1978). In this paper,
the fault-related subsidence is called rift
subsidence, and the later thermal subsidence is
termed passive subsidence. Rift basins may
form in a variety of plate-tectonic settings,
but major rift basins form where mid-ocean
lithosphere. Rifts may evolve into passive
margins between continental and oceanic crust
accumulating up to 15 km of sediment. The
subsidence history and stratigraphy of a rift
basin (or passive margin) reflect the two
stages of subsi dence (Fi g. Ib).· The typi ca1
sedimentary fill of rift basins consist of
basal coarse clastic sediments associated with
uplifted fault blocks, and later basin fill of
fine clastic or carbonate and evaporite
sediments. On passive margins, shelf facies
subsequently are deposited and prograded over
deep-water oceanic sediments.
The tectonic subsidence of flexural basins
is due to loading and downwarping of the litho-
sphere driven by compressional tectonics
(Price, 1973). Subsidence is controlled by
tectonic thickening and overthrusting of the
adjacent uplifted block, and by the
 ~O:..:T.:::C.....:4:::8::.::4:..:3:....- ~ .-.:H~E~LrW.:::IG::::....;;
distribution of loads in and on the subsiding
block (Karner and Watts, 1983). Major flexural
basins form at the periphery of subduction
systems, are bordered by fold-thrust belts or
accretionary complexes, and evolve into complex
sub-basins during continental collisions. The
subsidence history of a flexural basin tends to
be linear in time, directly related to episodes
of emplacement of thrust loads (Fig. 2b); the
subsidence is terminated either by deformation
and uplift as the deformed_belt sweeps through
the basin, or by simple uplift upon removal of
load and thermal expansion. Flexural basins
typically show a clastic regressive facies
development marked by basal deep-water starved
basin facies, followed by turbidites, and
terminal filling by shelf to non-marine facies.
The forms of basins developed by rifting and
flexure are markedly different (Figs. 1-4).
The basement of rift basins is highly modified
by block faulting, tilting of fault blocks, and
volcanism, producing a bounding surface for the
basin that is geologically complex with sharp
structural and paleotopographic relief. The
flanks of a rift ideally are symmetrical normal
faults, but asymmetrical faulting can produce
a tilted-wedge geometry (Fig. 3b). The floor
of flexural basins is smoothly down-bowed
toward the faulted flank of the basin,
producing an asymmetrical wedge in cross
section (Fig~ 4). Both types of basins are
coupled to uplifts, but foreland basins usually
have only one active side and are thus
characterized by asymmetric sediment supply.
If sea level is high relative to lithosphere
base level, rift and flexural basins might
develop with a complete absence of coupled
upl i fts and sediment sourc~~-,
The total maximum sedimentary accumulation
ina rift approaches 15 ki 1ometers ,-because ~
rifting of lithosphere creates oceanic crust
that can subside to this depth under isostatic
sediment loading (McKenzie, 1978). The maximum
accumulation in a flexural basin may range
from several kilometers to tens of kifometers,
depending on the composition an-d strength of
the lithosphere (Beaumont et al., 1982).
The thermal regime and thermal history of
rift and flexural basins contrast sharply. The
process of rifting causes lithospheric
extension and thinning, and c-onsequent -upward
rise of hot asthenosphere. In general; heat
flux increases in rift basins in direct
proportion to the amount of extension _
(McKenzie, 1978). On the other hand, no
significant change in thermal regime is
associated with formation of flexural basins.
(Although the thermal aspect of basins cannot
be directly considered for classification, it
is important for maturation of hydrocarbons.)
Certain basins, particularly intraplate
"sags" or cratonic basins, appear to subside
due to thermal-metamorphic chan~es in _the lower
23
----~ --- ---- ------ - - - - - - - - - - - - . _ - -
..,3
lithosphere with no apparent extension or
compression. These basins are here referred to
as intraplate passive basins (Table 5).
SIMPLE BASINS
Simple basins are those having one tectonic
mechanism of origin and a corresponding
harmonious tectonic setting during the period
of subsidence and sediment accumulation.
(Simple basins here correspond to the single
cycle basins of Kingston et al., 1983.)
Examples are in Figures 3 and 4.
Simple rift basins develop at or near: (1)
divergent plate boundaries; (2) divergent bends
in transform systems; (3) divergent zones
behind subduction systems. The extensional
tectonic system of simple rifts remains
self~similar, and consistent with major plate
motions, through time. Continental rifts,
transform pull-aparts, ocean basins, and
passive margins are all simple rifts. The
simplest type of rift basin is a symmetrical
graben (Fig. 3a). In areas of pre-existing
thrust faulting, asymmetrical low-angle normal
faults may develop along older thrusts,
producing asymmetrical successor rift basins
like those in the Great Basin of the western
United States (Fig. 3b). The Norton Basin of
Alaska (Fig. 3c) is an example of a simple
transform rift basin broken into numerous
asymmetrical tilted sub-basins. Two periods of
faulting (a, b; Fig. 3c) and associated
sedimentary cycles are separated by
unconformities. Transform rifts like those in
the Gulf of California (Fig. 3d) are
characterized by transform faults along two
sides and rhomboidal geometry.
Simple flexural basins develop at or near:
(1) convergent plate boundaries; (2) convergent
bends in transform systems; (3) convergent
zones behind convergent subduction systems
(Fig. 4). The compressional tectonic system of
simple flexural basins remains self-similar.
and consistent with major plate motions.
through time •. Oceani c trenches and foreland
basins are simple flexural basins. The Alberta
Basin is an example of a simple flexure basin
formed on an old continental margin by loading
of a collided and deformed mountain belt (Fig.
4a). Subduction zones typically show a trench
basin. deformed sediments in a tectonic dam,
and dammed forearc basin all overlying the
flexure of the descending oceanic plate (Fig.
4b) •
CLASSIFICATION
Many basins are not simple and require
classification according to age. mechanics,and
tectonics. The proposed classification (Table
5) attempts to avoid the inconsistency of. other
classifications by carefully distinguishing
plate-tectonic position and mechanics. deemed
essential for classification, and pre-basin
 C17n TMi7tWPADV
lithospheric character, etc., deemed to be of
secondary importance. Modifiers specify
significant sedimentary and deformational
controls, geometry, and post-basin events.
Terms not essential to definition of a basin
should not be considered, e.g. sedimentary
environments, presence of petroleum.
Continental platforms are distinct tectonic
categories of uncertain or speculative
mechanical origin and not considered here.
Based upon all the preceding, a proposed
classification scheme is shown in Table 5; its
applicability is particularly important for
complex or “polyhistory” (Kingston et al.,
1983) basins.
COMPLEX BASINS
Complex basins are those having any or all
of the following during the history of subsi-
dence and sediment accumulation: (1) multiple
subsidence mechanisms; (2) a disharmonious
tectonic setting; (3) changes in tectonic
setting. Complex basins develop during complex
history; or, they develop at or near plate
boundaries of all types, but especially in
collisional zones, where compressional and
extensional tectonic systems do not bear a
simple relationship to plate displacements in
space and time.
Complex basins may show: (1) transverse
geometry; (2) reactivation of compressional
structures by extension, or vice versa; (3)
significant displacement and multiple movement
along boundaries; (4) inversion or subversion.
For example, in the Java Sea back-arc region,
rifting occurs and is transverse to the trend
of the island arc (Fig. 5). Progressive
deformation in collision zones like
India-Himalaya causes uplift on displaced
boundaries and isolation of sub-basins from the
main Indus Plain basin (Fig. 6).
Many complex basins may be rendered simple
by “unstacking” their constituent parts into a
geological time series of simple basins (Green,
1983). For example, rifted passive margin
basins are overlain by foreland basins in zones
of continental collision (A overlying B in
Fig. 4a) and should be named separately.
Unstacking basins often is not easy because
earlier basin history is difficult to observe
and overprinted by younger structure.
Crustal collision, compressive deformation
and uplift can extrude and invert a basin
(Fig. 7a; Bally, 1984), leading to their
eventual destruction by erosion. In thrust
belts, basins may become detached from their
basement, rendering paleotectonic
classification difficult. Alternatively,
basins may be largely concealed in the
footwalls of major thrusts; such basins are
here called subverted basins (Fig. 7b).
Subverted basins may be detected and analyzed
RA CTNC mm-! (ML
by geophysical techniques, balanced cross
sections, and paleogeographic reconstruction.
Long distance transport of basins along
transform systems can lead to complex basin
history, particularly in erogenic settings
(Helwig, 1974; Fig. 8).
CONCLUSION
Classification of basins strictly by plate
tectonic setting or tectonic process is
inadequate, except where setting and process
coincide in simple basins. Recent research
permits a genetic (process) characterization of
sedimentary basins as either rift basins, with
a component of passive thermal subsidence, or
flexural basins. The principal respective
driving mechanisms of subsidence are thinning
of continental crust, the lateral loading of
lithosphere by subduction, and thermal
contraction of the lithosphere. The geometry
and subsidence history of a basin is further
controlled by the pre-existing thermomechanical
constitution of the lithosphere and by
structural and sedimentary processes. The form
and fill of a sedimentary basin, and the
character of its subsidence history curve,
ordinarily provide reasonable criteria to
establish both the genetic mechanism and the
plate tectonic setting of the basin. Correct
classification is fundamental for understanding
basin history, constructing predictive models
of basin development, and evaluating
hydrocarbon potential.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I thank the management of Atlantic Richfield
Company for permission to publish this paper.
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Geol. Sot. America Mere.48 (1951), 143.
2. Dewey, J. F. and Bird, J. M.: “Mountain
belts and the new global tectonics,” J.
Geophys. Res.(1970) Vol. 75, 2625-264Z
3. Dickinson, W. R.: “Plate Tectonic
Evolution of Sedimentary Basins, Plate
Tectonics and Hydrocarbon Accumulation,”
Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol.Short Course,
m).
4. Klenme, H. D.: “Petroleum basins -
classifications and characteristics,” J.
Petrol. Geol., (1980) V.3, No. 2, 187-~7.
5. Bally, A. W. and Snelson, S. S.: “Realms
of Subsidence,” in Main, A. D. (Ed.),
Can. Sot. Petrol. Geol. Mere.6 (1980) 1-94.
6. St. John, B., Bally, A. W., and Klemme, H.
Do “Sedimentary Provinces of the world -
h~~rocarbon productive and nonproductive,”
Am. ASSOC. Petrol. Geol. (1984) map, 35.
7. Kingston, D. R., Dishroon, C. P., and
Williams, P. A.: “Global basin
classification system,” Am. Assoc. Petrol.
Geol. Bull. (1983) V. 67, No. 12,
2175-2193.
PV l.rll. a H17T.WTC 5

8. Price, R. A.: “Large-scale gravitational

flow of supracrustal rocks, southern
Canadian Rockies,” in Gravity and
Tectonics, edited by K. A. deJong and R.
Scholten, John Wiley, New York (1973)
491-502.
9. McKenzie, D.: “Some remarks on the
development of sedimentary basins, “Earth
Planet. Sci. Lett. (1978) V. 40, 25-32.
10. Beaumont, C., Keen, C., and Boutilier, R.:
“A comparison of foreland and rift margin
sedimentary basins,” Phil. Trans. Roy.
Sot. London (1982) V. A305, 295-317.
11. Dewey, J. F. and Pitman, W. C.: “The
Origin and Evolution of Sedimentary
Basins,” Tectan, Piermont, New York (1982)
course notes.
12. Karner, G. D. and Watts, A. B.: “Gravity
anomalies and flexure of the lithosphere at
mountain ranges,” J. Geophys. Res. ‘(1983)
V.88, NO.B12, 10,449-10,477.
13. Mann; P. and-Burke, K.:” “Cenozoic rift
formation in the northern Caribbean,”
Geology, (1984) V.12, 732-736.
14. McCarthy, J., Stevenson, A. J., Scholl, D.
W. and Vallier, T. L.: “Speculations on
the petroleum geology of the accretionary
body : an example from the central
Aleutians,” Marine and Petroleum Geology,
(1984) V. 1, 151-173.
15. Burbank, D. W. and Reynolds, R. G. H.:
“Sequential late Cenozoic structural
disru~tion of the northern Himalayan
foredeep,” Nature, (Sept. 12, 198~),
114-118.
16. McCaffrey, R., Silver, E. A., and Raitt,
R. W.: “Crustal structure of the Molucca
Sea collision zone, Indonesia,” in The
Tectonic and Geological Evolution of
Southeast Asian Seas and Islands, Am.
Geo~hYs. Union. Monoq. 23 (1980). 161-177.
17. Yea~s-, R. S.: ‘“Larg6-scale Quarternary
detachments in Ventura Basin, southern
California,” J. Geophys. Res., (1983) V.88,
No.B1, 569-583.
18. Green, A. R.: “Future petroleum province
ex~loration,” Proc. World Petroleum Congr.
(~ondon) (1983) PD3(5), 167-175.
19. Helwig, J.: “Eugeosynclinal basement and a
collage concept of erogenic belts,” Sot.
Econ. Paleont. Min. Spec. Publ. 19, 7ilT74)
359-376.
20. Bruns, T. R.: “Amodel for the origin of
the Yakutat block, an accretionary terrane
in the Gulf of Alaska,” @?@D! (1%!3) ..
V.11, 718-721.
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reflexion,” Bull. Sot. Geol. France (1984)
V.26, No.~, 279-285.
 TABLE 1: Kay’s classification of geosynclines

Intracratonal: Autogeosyncline - elliptical basin

(on old stable basement) no highlands
Zeugogeosyncline - adjoining faulted
highlands
Exogeosyncline - clastic wedge derived
from erogenicbelt

Bordering the craton: Miogeosyncline - non-volcanic

(long, narrow basins) Eugeosyncline - volcanic

Post-erogenic: Epieugeosyncline - adjoining complex uplifts

Taphrogeosyncline - rift
Paraliageosyncline - coastal basins

TABLE 2: Klemls basin classification

*S ynmmy/ Form (stress) Tectonic PO.5iti0n
Basin Name

I. Craton Interior S/ Sag (extensional) Continental

n’. ContinentalMultiCycle
A. Craton Margin+mposite A/ 2. Foredeep (compressive) Craton Margin
1. Platform/sag(extensional)

B. Craton/AccretedMargin- S/ 2. Sag - Continental

Ccmplex 1. Rift (extensional)

c. Crustal Collision Zone A/ 2. Foredeep ConvergentMargin

1. Platform/sag (collision)

III. ContinentalRift
A. Craton & Accreted Zone Rift 1/ Rift/.Sag Continental

B. Rifted ConvergentMargin 1/ Rift/Wrench/Sag Above subducting

a) back arc (extensionalplus wrench oceanic crust
b) transform compressive)
c) median

c. Rifted Passive Margin AI/ Rift/HalfSag Divergent Margin

a) parallel (extensional)
b) transform

Iv. l131ta
A. Synsedimntary Eepocenter/Sag (extensional)
B. Structural Eqmcenter/?

v. Forearc A/ Subduction (compressive Convergentconsuming

and extensional) margin

* Synlnetry: S = symmetrical
A = asymmetrical
I = irregular
 TAHLH 3: l!dlly and Snelson (1980) ClaSsifiCatiCiI mxiifiad & St. John et al. (1984).

1. BASINSLOCATED ON THE RIGIDLITHOSPHERE, NOT ASSOCIATED WITH FORMATION OF

:EGASUTURES
h fcmuationof owasic asst
Ifehtad
111. Rifts
112. Ocmwdctnmsforrn fauk assscfatcdbasins
112.GC. Oceanicabyswfptins
114. Atfsstic-typepsssiue msrs”na(shelfisfope &rise)which @rsddk mntinmtalundacesm”c
crust
1141. Ovsrlyingearhr rift Systamn
1142. Ov+ingsarliss t?assfsrnl ayatmss
114s. OV@fnSadier Bnckus baaisa of (321)and (322)t~
12. ~tdon&mmMtim#ydnsstal KtbOS&iUW
1211. Lucst&f 09 Mrlk liftedgrabems
1212. Iacatedos fsnssrbachrsbaniss of ths(321) t~
2. PERISUTURAL BASINS ON RIGID LITHOSPHERE ASSOCIATED WITH FORMATIONOF
C43MPRESS1ONALMEGASUTURE
214X?. Deep nsa hscb w msat rmscsasfc crsst adjacsnt to B.ssbduct.iwI margiu
22. Forrdup -.
ssdusddyisgphtfons sediments, or msat
88wntisestd crust
adjacant
b A.ssbductias
-b
221. RaDlpwith burisd gabans, but with lithe m nobkkfaskiw
222. Dendsatadby Lkk fwkisg
2S. Chimae&pe bushs smechted with distal bleckfmdtingratnted to comprsaaiusalw msgnssture asd
witbust #a$udatd A-mhducth margin
3. E&l;’&lwU~BASINS LQCA~D AND MOSTLY CONIXNED IN COMPRESSIONAL

81 Aassdattd with Bwbductfss zona

311. Pormvc bssilu
812. fkues Pacifi bscksrs bssiw
8121.(M. Backarcbasinsflc-xadbyssaasic mt and a=edatad with B-ssMuctisa
(margfnd *- Strkto)
8122. Bxkarc basins M by costhst.al cristarmediatscrsstj wsciatedwhh
B.subductkm
92 Bukars hiss, -tad wftb SSStiSSStd collkfss asd on -Ve dds of A-ssMution am
821. On contiwltal Cmuat of Pammfun.type him
922. On trauitissal asd sccudc crsnt sr W Mmfitmsnc.m.type bdm
33. Bacinsralatad toa@utwd SMLTanbW ~y-t41mS
S31. Gmat-basin.@p8basins
S32. Ci71ifomhtype basisu
4. FOLDED BELT
41. If&tad to A-nsMuctiss
42. R&tad to B-ssbdusth
5. PLATEAU BASAL~

TABLE 4: Rasin classification w stem of Kinqs’ccn, Dishrmn and Wjlliam (1983)

IDSWT.TFIC4TICW CRITSRIA

1. Continental vs. Sasins fonwd on ccmtincntal crust Rasins cc.mpletely formal

02eanic Crust under (can ovarlap onto ad jaomt .x oceanic crust
basin ceaanic crust)

I COntinantal Sasin5 Cceanic Bssins

2. Plate swenent in- Ccmvergsn”t Oxwergs/ \Divergent

volved in Bssin/cycle
formaticn (Divergent
or COnvergant )

,.:C x
“3. F!asin/cycle position usually Subducticm Margin

‘%%?’%%?:: ~~.y -g\fi

./ —.
.— . . — —
Basin Typs C’2st’l Ccrlt’1 Oxlt’1 CCnt’1 lhnch Ck2eanic (kesnic Cceanic Ccaanic
Interior Intarior Margin Wmmch Asacciatad Trench wrench Fractura Sag
sag Fractura sag
_— —. — — —.
 TABLE 5: Basin Classification

Essential Criteria

& Tectonic Position Basin Mechanics and Form

1. Intraplate A. Tectonic subsidence mechanism:

2. Collisional 1. rift
a. foreland 2. flexural
b. intramontane 3. passive
3. Convergent (subduction) B. Non-subsident topographic mechanism:
a. trench 1. damned (tectonically,
b. forearc depositionally)
c. arc 2. volcanic pile
d. back arc 3. sediment fan
4. Divergent (sea-floor spreading) 4. erosional
a. continental margin c. Special mechanisms:
b. plateau 1. caldera collapse
c. back arc 2. salt solution/withdrawal
5. Transform 3. cosmic impact

Modifying Criteria

A. Pre-basin lithosphere
1. cratonic
2. oceanic
3. attenuated
4. accreted (successor)
5. volcanic

B. Geometry
1. symmetry in profile
2. elongation
3. orientation (longitudinal,
transverse, oblique)

c. Post-basin events
1. inversion
2. subversion

TABLE 6: Comparison of Basin Nomenclature

Table-Reference Michigan Basin APPSlachianBasin

(UppsrSilurian) (Mid-UpperBvonian)

1- Kay autogeosyncl ine excgeosyncline

2- Klenme craton interiorbasin craton margin foredeep
3- Mlly and Snelson cratonic basin ~risutural foredesp
4- Kingston et al continentalinteriorsag basin continentalwrench
5- This paper intraplaterift(?)/passive collisional (foredeep)flexural

Ventura Basin Aleutian Terrace

(TWtiary) (Tertiary)

1- epieugeosyncline eugeosyncline
2- rifted convergentmargin forearc
3- episuturalnrsgashear forearc
4- continentalwrench/polyhistory? trench associated
5- (1) transformrift (pre-PliWene) forearc damned
(2) transformflexur~l (Pliocene-Rec.)
 TIME (TENS OF MILLIONS OF YEARS)

0 200 km

@
. ----- -
-a@- -----
:

-A
n
:
z
(heat)
=

/
aethenosphere
L COOLING, CONTRACTIOh

Figure la. Sketch of cross-section of a rift basin. Figure lb. Tectonic subsidence behavior of a rift basin.

TIME (TENS OF MILLIONS OF YEARS)

* z
cc
w
~
I
o 200 km z

. .. . .. . .. . . .. . .
LOADING OF
U.1
LITHOSPHERE n
z
lithosphere

asthenoaphere f-

pre 2a. Sketch of cross-section of a flexural basin. Figure 2b. Tectonic subsidence behavior of a flexural basin
 TERTIARY WAGWATER TRANSFORM RIFT BASIN
(RECONSTRUCTED) TERTIARY SEVIER DESERT SUCCESSOR RIFT BASIN

(AFTER MANN & BURKE, 1984) (AFTER COCORP) KM

A. B.

TERTIARY NORTON TRANSFORM RIFT BASIN

o ‘.Es:,,,... ,,, ,,.,. ..:.,,,,,. . ... . . . . ... . .AC:.,.:..”.’.

EAST

~p-n-#
,.,
.
. - .. >!.....:. ”..-
.::,“ .V .”..;.
. ‘“.”,:.
.=
..‘.,.. ..”,’
... ~ ,!,.
b.
... ,....
., , ....1 .,
:.. ., ,.
:..,..
b“ ., .:.:...
lpl’
k ‘i ~ ;a”
K; ,.”; ”
J

(2.5X VERTICAL EXAGGERATION) \v

c.

Figure 3. Simple rift basins: A. Simple graben. B. Asymmetrical rift. C. Multiple half-grabens.

GUAYMAS BASIN .+
$Q
GULF OF CALIFORNIA

o KM
~foo
I_____Y
m

~
—— —.—— —

. ,..
. ......,

Figure 3d. Simple tranaform rift basin.

 ALBERTA BASIN
1-

F
.,.
)c>:E~:. “. .“ -,- .“ “.”.~ . :“:. . , “ .-: :... . . . . .. . . ,:. ,.. .
.. / ,. . . . . . . .
... . “.! .. +,.:. ,

0-
. ...
...
.“. . :A ‘“
.. ~.,’(.”
‘JURASSIC,
‘ “: ““ ““ .....’.” . .- .“,. ....“l.”’’~’..
(“.’ .-:.;: .:.’
,.
‘
... . ~“’ss’ssr’AN
. .
‘+>

L/./’-
..”
. . .’

l%z-;-
1-
CAMBRIAN

2- (25X VERTICAL EXAGGERATION)

KM

Figure 4a. Alberta collislonalflexure basin (A).

(1.7X VERTICAL EXAGGERATION)

413
J (AFTER McCARTHY ET AL., 1984)
Ktvl
Figure 4b: Aleutian Trench flexural baain and dammed forearc basin.

Figure 5. Northwest Java Basin, a Tertiary back-arc transverse rift basin.

 o IOOKM
I

(AFTER BURBANK & REYNOLDS, 198~

Figure 6. Indus collisional flexure basin and tectonically dammed basins.

60.

WATER
WEST EAST

SANGIHE ARC HALMAHERA ARC

—o 55.

x ‘+,

1[ 150. ‘

50. .

x
(AFTER McCAFFREY ET AL., 1980)
‘*,
*
‘4,
Figure 7a. Inverted basin, Molucca Sea.

140. ‘

45. .

‘4/
-4
**.

40, ,

‘k

35,
‘ Y 0 300KM

I-5 /
,30. 35, 120.
(AFTER YEATS, 1983) KM

Figure 7b. Subverted basin, Southern California. Figure 8. Travel path of Yakutat block, a transform
passive basin (after Bruns, 1983).