Evaluating the stratigraphic response to eustasy from Oligocene strata in New Jersey

Previously published Oligocene eustatic records are compared with observed stratigraphic architecture at the New Jersey continental margin in order to evaluate the stratigraphic response to eustatic change. Lower to mid-Oligo cene sequence boundaries (33.8-28.0 Ma) are associated with relatively long hiatuses (0.3-0.6 m.y.), in which sedimentation in many places terminated during eustatic falls and resumed early during eustatic rises. Upper Oligoc ene sequence boundaries are associated with relatively short hiatuses (<0.3 m.y.), and provide the best constraints on phase relations between sea-lev el forcing and margin response. The interval represented by each upper Olig ocene sequence varies in dip profile. At updip locations, landward of the c linoform rollover in the underlying sequence boundary, sedimentation commen ced after the eustatic low and terminated before the eustatic high (with pa rtial erosion of any younger record). At downdip locations, sedimentation w ithin each sequence was progressively delayed in a seaward direction, begin ning during the eustatic rise and terminating near the eustatic low. Combin ing data from all available boreholes, ages of sequence boundaries (correla tive surfaces) correspond closely with the timing of eustatic lows, and age s of condensed sections (intervals of sediment starvation) correspond with eustatic highs.