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A Simple Quantitative Technique for Comparing Cyclically Deposited Successions

  • William A. Read
  • Daniel F. Merriam
Chapter
Part of the Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences book series (CAES)

Abstract

This paper introduces a technique for comparing cyclically deposited sedimentary sequences. Each section is coded into a limited number of lithological states and a first-order transition probability matrix is constructed. The elements of this matrix then are rearranged to form a vector. Sections are compared by calculating product-moment correlation coefficients for the appropriate vectors. Single- and unweighted average-linkage cluster analysis are used to cluster the sections on the basis of these correlation coefficients.

The method has been used to classify two different sets of succession data and in each situation the results are readily interpretable in terms of depositional environments. One data set is derived from cored borehole sections through the same uniform paralic-facies succession in the upper part of the Limestone Coal Group (Namurian, E1) and located in the small Kincardine Basin, east of Stirling in central Scotland. The other data set, which is coded in less detail, is derived from a varied series of sections in the Carboniferous of Britain and the USA.

Keywords

Coal Measure Succession Data Delta Lobe Cyclic Sedimentation Linkage Cluster Analysis 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Plenum Press, New York 1972

Authors and Affiliations

  • William A. Read
    • 1
    • 2
  • Daniel F. Merriam
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Kansas Geological SurveyUSA
  2. 2.Syracuse UniversityUSA

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