Subaerial, and in some case submarine, erosional processes sometimes leave a depositional surface which is not plane. During any subsequent transgression and sedimentation, remnant relief on the old surface may be preserved, particularly where depositional rates during the early period of the transgression are high, and the environment energy of deposition is relatively low. As well as in circumstances involving normal clastic sediments, similar situations can arise in the inundation of a volcanic surface including relief features like vents, fissures and mounds, or of a karstified surface-carbonate unit.

Seismic expression of relief features in a depositional surface can reveal the presence of buried features, such as vents, fissures, and mounds, in the sedimentary record.

THE SEISMIC EXPRESSION OF REAL AND APPARENT BURIED TOPOGRAPHY

Key Takeaway: Seismic expression of relief features in a depositional surface can reveal the presence of buried features, such as vents, fissures, and mounds, in the sedimentary record.