boundaries associated with condensed sections, or by transgressive (flooding) 

 surfaces overlying incised-valley-f ill sediments. Also, the currently 

 recognized European and Gulf Coast stages do not adequately reflect the higher 

 frequency coastal-onlap cycles recognized in outcrop. Because most 

 micropaleontologic zones appear to span sequence boundaries, the current 

 micropaleontologic zonations cannot, at present, precisely define a sequence 

 boundary in time. They can approximate sequence position, however. By 

 integrating physical stratigraphy, seismic stratigraphy, and paleontology, 

 these higher frequency eustatic events can be resolved and fixed in a relative 

 time framework. (Authors). 



012 BEARD, J. H., SANGREE, J. B., and SMITH, L. A. 1982. "Quaternary Chro- 

 nology, Paleoclimate , Depositional Sequences and Eustatic Cycles," American 

 Association of Petroleum Geologists, Bulletin 66, No. 2, pp 158-169. 



Pleistocene alternations of ocean volumes, expressed as relative changes 

 in sea- level, are symptomatic of the accumulation and melting of continental 

 ice sheets and resulted in lowstands of sea- level during glacial periods and 

 highstands during interglacial periods. A lowstand-highstand constitutes a 

 eustatic cycle. Eight cycles that occurred during the last 2.5 to 3.0 m.y. 

 are recognized in the Gulf Coast region. These cycles are identified by 

 multiple criteria, including paleontologic , sedimentologic , and seismic 

 evidence. Eustatic cycle concepts can be used in seismic stratigraphy to 

 identify seismic (depositional) sequences. Such seismic-sequence analyses are 

 based on identification of discrete stratigraphic units within relatively con- 

 formable intervals of strata by using reflection patterns on the seismogram. 

 For example, glacial periods may exhibit chaotic bedding surfaces on the seis- 

 mogram, whereas interglacial periods may display parallel bedding surfaces. 

 Seismic sequence analyses provide a sound basis for applying the global system 

 of geochronology to seismic data for the improvement of stratigraphic and 

 structural interpretations. Moreover, seismic sequence analysis in new explo- 

 ration areas allow for reliable predictions of geologic age ahead of drilling 

 and facilitate preliminary tectonostratigraphic reconstructions. (Authors). 



013 BELKNAP, D. F., and KRAFT, J. C. 1977. "Holocene Relative Sea-Level 



Changes and Coastal Stratigraphic Units on the Northwest Flank of the 



Baltimore Canyon Through Geosyncline , " Journal of Sedimentary Petrology . Vol 

 47, No. 2, pp 610-629. 



A new local curve of relative sea- level change for the Delaware coastal 

 area is based on 88 radiocarbon dates. The curve is smooth with relatively 

 narrow potential limits of variation in amplitude. It has a somewhat steeper 

 slope than published eustatic sea- level curves and other local relative sea- 

 level curves. Holocene radiocarbon isochroms in Delaware marsh sections are 

 horizontal. Interpretations strongly support the concept that Holocene sea- 

 level rose slowly and continuously relative to the Delaware coast; the favored 

 hypothesis is that eustatic rise of sea-level was responsible. No seaward 

 tilting is indicated for the Delaware segment of the Atlantic coastal plain or 



