Seismic geomorphology and evolution of Mid-Late Miocene deepwater channels offshore Taranaki basin, New Zealand

Deepwater channels play a significant role in deep marine environments by transporting sediments to deep marine environments, but they are also hydrocarbon reservoirs. In contrast, traditional seismic interpretation techniques have provided insights into these features; intricate channel-fill heterogeneities present challenges in revealing small features or associated elements. This study integrates high-resolution 3D seismic data, relative time geologic models (RGT), spectral decomposition, and geobody to identify the Middle-late Miocene submarine channels, their evolution, and their associated deposition elements. The geomorphologic and stratigraphic analysis results have revealed four depositional elements in the study area. These include (1) channel complexes, (2) distributary channels, (3) frontal splay channel complexes, and (4) crevasse splays. However, the channels lack constructional levee development outside the channel banks, which is linked to the limited sediment supply to deep areas. The identified channels are characterized by a narrow to wide width (0.37 km–1.92 km), a low to high degree of sinuosity, medium incision depths, and lateral migration. The channel fill geometries are highly variable, displaying horizontal to sub-horizontal, lateral accretion, divergent, and inclined reflection packages. Most channels originate as large and wide channels from the northeast and prograde southwest direction of the Taranaki coastline, and they have evolved differently at different development stages. The channel fills exhibit a variable basal amplitude reflection, ranging from medium to high, indicating the presence of sand-prone and mixed facies, such as sand and mudstone. The spectral decomposition maps show variable color intensity, which implies different facies associations within the channels. The channel evolution is likely to be controlled by the interplay of sediment discharge, faults, sea level changes, variable gravity flow strength, and the type of materials supplied from the shelf edge.