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Databases require precise depositional terminology

Analog and dimensional databases for depositional environments require precise and consistent depositional terminology. This ensures a standardized data collection workflow, where similar features from different systems are mapped and categorized uniformly. It also helps users reliably find the architectural data they need.

Shortly after the Sedbase project's inception in 2008 as an industry consortium based at the University of Adelaide (WAVE Consortium), it became clear that an architectural database for shallow marine systems would need to meet several key requirements:

  • It must describe depositional systems in terms of relative importance of depositional processes (wave, tide, fluvial).
  • It must incorporate depositional hierarchies, being able to capture different levels of architecture, which should be related via parent-child relationships.
  • It must include clearly defined categories at each hierarchical level so that users can find data relevant to the question being addressed.
These requirements led to the development of the WAVE Process and Architectural Classification which was specifically designed to address such issues (see Ainsworth et al, 2011, Vakarelov and Ainsworth, 2013 for further details).

References cited:​

AINSWORTH, R.B., VAKARELOV, B.K., AND NANSON, R.A., 2011, Dynamic spatial and temporal prediction of changes in depositional processes on clastic shorelines: toward improved subsurface uncertainty reduction and management: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 95, p. 267–297.

VAKARELOV, B.K., AND AINSWORTH, R.B., 2013, A hierarchical approach to architectural classification in marginal marine systems: bridging the gap between sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Bulletin, v. 97, p. 1121–1161.