Stratigraphy and sedimentary evolution of a modern macro‐tidal incised valley: An analogue for reservoir facies and architecture

Incised valley fills are complex as they correspond to multiple sea-level cycles which makes interpretation and correlation of stratigraphic surfaces fraught with uncertainty. Despite numerous studies the stratigraphy incised fills, few have focused on extensive core coverage linked high fidelity dating in a macro-tidal, tide-dominated setting. For this study nineteen sediment cores were drilled through Holocene succession macro-tidal Ravenglass Estuary north-west England, UK. A facies model was constructed, understand lateral vertical stacking patterns relative changes. The formed five main stages. First, incision by rivers (ca 11 500 ca 10 yrs bp) cutting shelf during lowstand, period fluvial dominance. Secondly, rapid transgression landward migration shoreline (10 6000 bp). Wave action dominant, promoting spit formation. third stage highstand at 5000 bp, creating maximum accommodation majority backfilling. spits narrowed inlet dampened wave action. fourth caused minor fall sea level 226 bp), forced system shift basinward. fifth final (226 bp present) involved backfilling River Irt, southward northerly (Drigg) merging Irt Rivers Esk Mite. synchronous development central basin. As an analogue for ancient deeply buried sandstones, most estuarine sedimentation occurred after transgression, coarsest cleanest sands found tidal inlet, foreshore within in-channel bars. best-connected (up 1 km) reservoir-equivalent belong more stable channels.