CONTINENTAL SIZE, EUSTACY AND SEDIMENT YIELD

Sediment yield from modern continental blocks is a function of the are a (dissolved load) and hypsometry (mechanical load) of the blocks. Hyp sographic curves for modem continental blocks show that the change in the percentage area flooded for any change in eustatic sea level depen ds on the size of the block and the absolute sea level. This allows pr edictions of changes in sediment yield around different sized blocks f or any given eustatic change. The range in size of continental blocks is such that, for any given sea level change, the blocks will show dif ferent percentage changes in yield. Data from modern continental block s are compared with theoretical results. Assuming that the rules gover ning modern hypsometries applied in the past, and a constant volume of continental crust, it is possible to estimate the hypsographic curves of former continental blocks. The implications of suggested past cont inental configurations and sea levels for sediment yield are discussed .