Question one:

Describe the processes and role that subsidence play in the development of
sedimentary basins

(I think first of all a sedimentary basin and subsidence need to be defined then the various
processes of subsidence list and the explained how they play a role in the development of
sedimentary basins).

Sedimentary basins are the areas in which sediments have accumulated during a particular time
period at a significantly greater rate and to a significantly greater thickness than the surrounding
areas and can be preserved for long geological time periods.

The development of sedimentary basins are mostly influenced by processes of subsidence.

Subsidence is defined as the downwarping of a large part of the earth crust relative to the
surrounding. Three main processes of subsidence play a significant role in the development of a
basin, they include: thinning of the underlying crust, sedimentation (sediment loading) and
changes in the thickness of the adjacent lithosphere.

These processes of subsidence play a significant role in sedimentary basin development in the
following ways:

(1) Continental crust extension and Extensive thinning before rifting and continental
separation, causes isostatic subsidence. The less-dense crust is replaced by denser mantle
material (Fig. 1). Down to depths of 10–12 km, normal faults accommodate subsidence
whereas below this depth, plastic deformation thins and lowers the crust. The significant
difference in thickness of thinned continental crust (15–20 km) and oceanic crust (6–8
km) drives the tendency to compensate this variation by ductile flow of the deeper crust
towards the ocean (Fig. 1). This factor enhances crustal thinning and subsidence at a
passive continental this therefore bring about a basin where sediment can be deposited.
Figure 1: Sediments formed by prograding shelf

Figure 2: Formation of tilted blocks

(2) Oceanic crust and the adjacent newly formed continental margin cool as the ocean opens and
expands. The facing passive continental margins drift away from the spreading center and are
thus removed from the heat source of the rising mantle current. Both the oceanic lithosphere and
the asthenospheric mantle cool as this process continues; the cooling increases density and
generates subsidence. This then gives room for marine sediments to be deposited in the subsided
area forming sedimentary basins especially in passive continental margins.
(3) Increasing sediment load is an additional factor. This is one most important processes of
subsidence that continuously maintain the process of sedimentation for a longer geologic period.
The processes described above generate accommodation space for sediment at continental
passive margins, much of it below sea level. This condition attracts and preserves sediment;
increasing sediment adds weight that generates additional subsidence as the underlying crust and
mantle are depressed (the weight of continental glaciers also depresses the surface). Once
sediment loading initiates, it tends to be a self-generating process; as the edge of the continent is
pushed down, more sediment enters the area and generates more subsidence.
The continuous subsidence of passive continental margins generates large sedimentary traps that
lead to some of the largest accumulations of sediments on Earth. Excess sediment protrudes over
the edge of the shelf and spills into deeper water additionally increasing the total volume and
load of sediments (Fig. 3). In low latitudes, the accumulation of sediment on the shelf keeps up
with the subsidence rate so that over a long time span, a thick series of shallow water carbonates
develops. The balance between subsidence and sedimentation rate maintains the surface at the
same elevation because carbonate sedimentation keeps up with subsidence, but stalls or ends if
the shelf is above sea level. The controls of clastic sedimentation on passive margins are
somewhat different. The interplay of sea level fluctuations and subsidence causes cyclic
sedimentation at passive continental margins.
Figure 3: A complete sedimentary cycle at a passive continental margin

Question Two:

Situate the phenomenon of ISOSTASY in basin formation

(Here I think isostasy has to be defined then the various processes of isostatic adjustment
explained showing how the aid in basin formation).

Isostasy is the condition of equilibrium where the Earth's crust is buoyantly supported by the
plastic material of the mantel.

Isostasy implies that for an area of land undergoing denudation, there is a slow rice of the surface
as it is lightened, with an inflow of denser material beneath the area. When there's is erosion of
mountains the decrease in weight causes it to rise while the deposition in the adjacent plain
causes it to sink. The rise or sinking of the crust requires plastic flow of the Mantle to
accommodate the motion. Because of different densities in the continental and oceanic crusts
(2.8 and 3.4) the removals of say 300m of granitic crust will be balanced by inflow of about
247m of the denser material; the final ground level when isostatic adjustment is complete will
thus be only 53m lower than at first generating a space for sediments accumulation. If on the
other hand thick loads of ice are deposited it will cause depression of the area, with the removal
of the load as the ice melts isostasy will slowly restore the balance by re-elevating the area. In
this way many beaches were raised in a process called crustal rebounce. (Diagrams needed)

Continental crust extension and Extensive thinning before rifting and continental separation,
causes isostatic subsidence. The less-dense crust is replaced by denser mantle material (Fig. 1).
Down to depths of 10–12 km, normal faults accommodate subsidence whereas below this depth,
plastic deformation thins and lowers the crust. The significant difference in thickness of thinned
continental crust (15–20 km) and oceanic crust (6–8 km) drives the tendency to compensate this
variation by ductile flow of the deeper crust towards the ocean. This factor enhances crustal
thinning and subsidence at a passive continental margin this therefore bring about a basin where
sediment can be deposited.