Problems of Epicontinental Sedimentation 



p. H. KUENEN 



Ceolo^^ical Institute, Groningen, Holland 



THE term "epicontinental" has been used in various senses. 

 Usually it is used to indicate marine sedimentation on the con- 

 tinental blocks, with the edge of the shelf taken as the outer limit, 

 but the whole continental terrace may be included, and the outer 

 margin may be placed where the deep-ocean floor starts. In the 

 present symposium the latter meaning is used for the sake of 

 convenience, although it is unusual. 



The marine geologist attempting to understand all aspects of 

 epicontinental sedimentation forthwith discovers that he cannot 

 remain aloof from the traditional fields of the other marine sciences 

 because geophysical, biological, chemical, meteorological, and 

 dynamic oceanographical aspects are involved. This statement 

 could be applied to almost any other problem of oceanology, 

 and is so obvious in this age of specialization that it need hardly 

 be emphasized. Nowadays other sciences must be consulted as an 

 irksome duty, unless one is lucky enough to be a member of a 

 team at a large oceanographic institute. A geologist is soon be- 

 yond his depth when entering the chemical or physical ocean, and 

 it takes him a disproportionate amount of time to find the infor- 

 mation he needs. Lack of insight or knowledge causes neglect or 

 misuse of relevant matter and hence, there is a tendency to shy 

 away from the border fields. 



At the outset of a round table conference it should be helpful 

 to focus attention on the overlapping fields and treat them as an 

 opportune cause for interchange of thought. This is an ambitious 

 task, and certainly I shall fall short of what you have a right to 

 expect. Not only will you notice that salient problems are over- 

 looked, but I am sure you will find also that available information 



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