NSF Org:	EAR Division Of Earth Sciences
Recipient:	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Initial Amendment Date:	March 16, 1990
Latest Amendment Date:	December 4, 1990
Award Number:	8916870
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	John A. Maccini EAR  Division Of Earth Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	January 1, 1990
End Date:	June 30, 1992 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$100,378.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$100,378.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 1990 = $49,208.00 FY 1991 = $51,170.00
History of Investigator:	John Grotzinger (Principal Investigator) John Southard (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE CAMBRIDGE MA  US  02139-4301 (617)253-1000
Sponsor Congressional District:	07
Primary Place of Performance:	DATA NOT AVAILABLE
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	E2NYLCDML6V1
Parent UEI:	E2NYLCDML6V1
NSF Program(s):	SCEC
Primary Program Source:
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s):	157100
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

The relationship between sedimentary process and stratigraphic response is still poorly understood. As a result, the origin of stratigraphic parasequences, the fundamental building block of most sedimentary basins, is still highly controversial. We will examine the parasequences of the lower to Middle Cambrian Carrara Formation, a larger-scale sequence which ranges laterally from shallow marine carbonate to shallow marine (and possibly alluvial) siliciclastic sediments. We will: 1) identify and correlate parasequences within the Carrara Formation and its equivalents; 2) Characterize surfaces that bound parasequences for information useful in determining the mode(s) of parasequence initiation and termination; 3) Map specific facies within established parasequences to obtain information on their thickness, geometry, and spatial distribution; 4) Describe and interpret specific facies within parasequences to provide information on the processes of sediment production and dispersal, water depths, paleoclimate, and more local paleogeography. If the diversity and geometry of facies within parasequences are delineated, then the mechanisms responsible for their formation can be more accurately determined and, where possible, quantified. This information could greatly refine models for paleogeography, water depths, sea-level history, subsidence history, paleoclimate, and local or regional tectonic events.

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