A correlation and interpretation of the sequence stratigraphy of the lower Cambrian strata of NW France is presented and used to characterize basin-wide controls on processes of sedimentation. Deposition occurred in two basins, as two third-order stratigraphic sequences. A northern basin in the Cotentin was dominated by deposition of marine siliciclastic sediments of Sequence 1 (Cambrian Stages 2–3). The primary sediment input was from the NW at La Hague. A middle Normandy basin, SW of Caen, was characterized by deposition of platform carbonates and fine-grained, offshore siliciclastics in Sequence 1 and fluvio-deltaic and marine siliciclastics in Sequence 2 (Cambrian Stages 3–4). Major sediment input points lay to the west in Brittany and to the NE of Caen (in Sequence 2). Lowstand and transgressive systems tract strata dominate both sequences, with local preservation of highstand deposits in basin-centre locations. Fluvial deposits occur at basin margins and display sandstone-dominated facies typical of prevegetation systems. Two styles of fluvially dominated siliciclastic delta are recognized, which show delta-front strata composed of fluvial channels overlying either wave-formed deposits or hyperpycnites. The former formed on shallow shelves, whereas the latter formed where basin bathymetry was steeper and commonly fault controlled. Fossil microbial life forms are conspicuous in Sequence 1, as are intervals of low-diversity bioturbation. The balance of life forms is consistent with the punctuated replacement of algal matgrounds with mixgrounds during early Cambrian time. Super-mature quartz arenites were formed by high-energy wave processes on slowly aggrading basin flanks following marine transgression.

The continental margin off the La Plata Estuary (SE South America) is characterized by high fluvial sediment supply and strong ocean currents. High-resolution sediment-acoustic data combined with sedimentary facies analysis, AMS-14C ages, and neodymium isotopic data allowed us to reconstruct late Quaternary sedimentary dynamics in relation to the two major sediment sources, the La Plata Estuary and the Argentine margin. Sediments from these two provinces show completely different dispersal patterns. We show that the northward-trending La Plata paleo-valley was the sole transit path for the huge volumes of fluvial material during lower sea levels. In contrast, material from the Argentine margin sector was transported northwards by the strong current system. Despite the large sediment volumes supplied by both sources, wide parts of the shelf were characterized by either persistent non-deposition or local short-term depocenter formation. The location and formation history of these depocenters were primarily controlled by the interplay of sea level with current strength and local morphology. The high sediment supply was of secondary importance to the stratigraphic construction, though locally resulting in high sedimentation rates. Thus, the shelf system off the La Plata Estuary can be considered as a hydrodynamic-controlled end-member.

The Oligocene sedimentary succession in the eastern North Sea is revised and re-interpreted by applying new state-of-the-art reflection seismic data integrated with new bio- and Sr-stratigraphy data from three key wells in the study area. The Oligocene succession in the eastern North Sea is divided into four transgressive–regressive (T-R) sequences, characterized by non-accretional and/or aggradational transgressive systems tracts and prograding regressive systems tracts. Detailed studies of three wells, including biostratigraphy and Sr analysis, constrain the age relationships between the T-R sequences. Internal clinoform geometry indicates that the sediments were sourced from the present southern Norwegian mainland to the north of the depositional area. The direction of progradation shifted from being SE-directed in the earliest Rupelian (early Oligocene) to S- and SW-directed during Chattian time (late Oligocene). Rapid basin subsidence is indicated by the development of non-accretionary transgressive systems tracts, with subsequent progradation into water depths of hundreds of metres. The creation of accommodation space was out of phase relative to eustatic sea-level changes, and mainly controlled by regional-scale differential vertical movements where uplift and exposure of landmasses of the hinterland (southern Norway) occurred concurrently with basin subsidence. Halokinesis had an intra-basinal influence on the main sediment transport direction, but probably did not contribute much in creation of accommodation space.