AN EXAMPLE OF THE PRACTICAL USE OF CHRONOSOMES IN QUANTITATIVE STRATIGRAPHY

The three-dimensional mapping of time-bounded bodies of rock (chronosomes, after Schultz, 1982) forms the basis of quantitative prediction of both rock properties and biostratigraphy in the subsurface as discussed in the accompanying paper by Griffiths and Nordlund. Over fifty chronosomes from the Paleocene of the North Sea have been mapped in threedimensions. Quantitative shape functions are coupled with digital terrain analysis of the chronosome lower surfaces to increase predictive potential. The results are related to conventional two-dimensional seismic stratigraphy and the relative sea-level curve at different locations on the basin margin. Inter-well correlations, and lithological controls on biostratigraphy are discussed in three-dimensions.