Scalloped bank margins: Beginning of the end for carbonate platforms?

Research Article| January 01, 1989 Scalloped bank margins: Beginning of the end for carbonate platforms? Henry T. Mullins; Henry T. Mullins 1Department of Geology, Heroy Geology Lab, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Albert C. Hine Albert C. Hine 2Department of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1989) 17 (1): 30–33. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0030:SBMBOT>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Henry T. Mullins, Albert C. Hine; Scalloped bank margins: Beginning of the end for carbonate platforms?. Geology 1989;; 17 (1): 30–33. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0030:SBMBOT>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Bathymetric, seismic reflection, and satellite data have revealed the common existence of a new type of carbonate bank margin—"scalloped margin"—throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean region. These large (up to tens of kilometres across), irregular, convexbankward embayments are interpreted as predominantly erosional features produced by large-scale failure of platform margins. In tectonically active areas they may be triggered by earthquake shocks, whereas in stable regions they may more likely be the result of undercutting by dissolution and/or deep-water currents. Scalloped margins are common in the south-eastern Bahamas; this suggests that these relatively small, isolated Bahama banks may be erosional remnants of once larger platforms. The processes that create scalloped margins may result in erosional deep-water carbonate basins and, potentially, the demise and disintegration of carbonate platforms. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.