Fabrics thus result from the interplay of organic growth, dynamic processes, and depositional topography. We have deciphered a continuum of fabrics and architectural styles which are controlled more by sedimentary processes than by biotic evolution or community succession. As a corollary, fabrics of sediment (rocks) generated at a reef site can be interpreted with respect to the rates and balances of processes that operated. Part of the thesis is that the rates at which the processes of reef generation operate will determine the fabric of any reefs formed. Availability of organisms within a specific reef setting and interruptions in this evolution may determine final architecture. Reef fabrics and internal architecture evolve in response to changing rates of sea-level-rise. It is our (Gerhard and Burke, in review) thesis that all three-dimensionally discrete bodies of organically derived carbonate rocks are "reefs," that they result from the interplay of definable major sedimentary processes, and that their depositional and diagenetic settings can be interpreted from observing their vertical sequence of fabrics. Work towards a more complete quantitative model of reef architecture continues this paper summarizes progress to date. Initial attempts to develop polynomial descriptors of reef-sedimentation history and sea-level rise have been apparently successful. Quantitative models may develop useful predictions of porosity and permeability. The qualitative model, still undergoing field testing in ancient reefs, is used as the basis from which to construct a quantitative model. Qualitative modeling indicates that architectural properties of reefs could provide a genetic classification, which in turn permits certain characteristics of the reef fabric to be predictable, including sediment sorting, early diagenesis, and relative effective porosity (Gerhard and Burke, 1986 Burke and Gerhard, 1987 Gerhard and Burke, in review). Processes and paragenesis of reef formation can be interpreted from rock architecture once the sequence of processes has been interpreted, a detailed interpretation of sea-level history is possible.
![ternary diagram detritus ternary diagram detritus](https://www.mdpi.com/remotesensing/remotesensing-09-00343/article_deploy/html/images/remotesensing-09-00343-g003.png)
The sequence of rock fabrics developed (architecture) constrains models. Reefs are sensitive indicators of prevailing oceanographic conditions at the time of generation. Reefs have economic significance and are geographically distinct, although they derive from a complex environmental "mix" of processes.įortunately, there is a relatively good modem sedimentation-data base from which to work.
![ternary diagram detritus ternary diagram detritus](https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0012825201000769-gr14.gif)
This approach to modeling in reef carbonates was initiated with qualitative constructs of modem and ancient reef environments. Organic-generation and multiple-degradation processes operate to form carbonate-sediment bodies. Modeling of carbonates requires detailed understanding of sediment-generation processes as well as sediment-distributive processes. Reef architecture-a base for reef modeling and porosity prediction Kansas Geological Survey, Subsurface Geology 12, p.
![ternary diagram detritus ternary diagram detritus](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ronny-Schoenberg/publication/308896305/figure/fig3/AS:426465855578114@1478688791444/Ternary-diagram-illustrating-the-extent-of-detrital-input-and-the-silicification-of_Q640.jpg)
KGS-Subsurface Geology 12-Gerhard-Reef architecture