Galloway, W. E., T. L. Whiteaker, and P. E. Ganey-Curry, History of Cenozoic North American drainage basin evolution, sediment yield, and accumulation in the Gulf of Mexico, Geosphere, 7, 938-973, 2011, doi:10.1130/GES00647.1, #2412 
The Cenozoic fill of the Gulf of Mexico basin contains a continuous record of sediment supply from the North American continental interior for the past 65 million years. Regional mapping of unit thickness and paleogeography for 18 depositional episodes defines patterns of shifting entry points of continental fluvial systems and quantifies the total volume of sediment supplied during each episode. Eight fluvio-deltaic axes are present: the Rio Bravo, Rio Grande, Guadalupe, Colorado, Houston-Brazos, Red, Mississippi, and Tennessee axes. Sediment volume was calculated from digitized hand-contoured unit thickness maps using a geographic information system (GIS) algorithm to sum volumes within polygons bounding interpreted North American river contribution. General age-dependent compaction factors were used to convert calculated volume to total grain volume. Values for rate of supply range from >150 km to <10 km3/Ma.
Catuneanu, O., J. P. Bhattacharya, M. D. Blum, R. W. Dalrymple, P. G. Eriksson, C. R. Fielding, W. L. Fisher, W. E. Galloway, P. Gianolla, M. R. Gibling, K. A. Giles, J. M. Holbrook, R. Jordan, C. C. G. St. Kendall, B. Macurda, O. J. Martinsen, A. D. Miall, D. Nummedal, H. W. Posamontier, B. R. Pratt, K. W. Shanley, R. J. Steel, A. Strasser, and M. E. Tucker, Sequence stratigraphy: Common ground after three decades of development, First Break, 28, 21-33, 2010, #2292
Sequence stratigraphy emphasizes changes in stratal stacking patterns in response to varying accommodation and sediment supply through time. Certain surfaces are designated as sequence or systems tract boundaries to facilitate the construction of realistic and meaningful palaeogeographic interpretations, which, in turn, allows for the prediction of facies and lithologies away from control points. Precisely which surfaces are selected as sequence boundaries varies from one sequence stratigraphic approach to another. In practice, the selection is often a function of which surfaces are best expressed, and mapped, within the context of each case study. This high degree of variability in the expression of sequence stratigraphic units and
Catuneanu, O., V. Abreu, J. P. Bhattacharya, M. D. Blum, R. W. Dalrymple, P. G. Ericksson, C. R. Fielding, W. L. Fisher, W. E. Galloway, M. R. Gibling, K. A. Giles, J. M. Holbrook, R. Jordan, C. C. G. St. Kendall, B. Macurda, O. J. Martinsen, A. D. Miall, C. R. Neal, J. E. Neal, D. Nummedal, L. Pomar, H. W. Posamontier, B. R. Pratt, J. F. Sarg, K. W. Shanley, R. J. Steel, A. Strasser, M. E. Tucker, and C. D. Winker, Towards the standardization of sequence stratigraphy, Earth Sci. Rev., 92, 1-33, 2009, 73 citations, doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2008.10.003, #2265
Sequence stratigraphy emphasizes facies relationships and stratal architecture within a chronological framework. Despite its wide use, sequence stratigraphy has yet to be included in any stratigraphic code or guide. This lack of standardization reflects the existence of competing approaches (or models) and confusing or even conflicting terminology. Standardization of sequence stratigraphy requires the definition of the fundamental model-independent concepts, units, bounding surfaces and workflow that outline the foundation of the method. A standardized scheme needs to be sufficiently broad to encompass all possible choices of approach, rather than being limited to a single approach or model.
Galloway, W. E., Depositional evolution of the Gulf of Mexico sedimentary basin, In The Sedimentary Basins of the United States and Canada, edited by A. D. Miall, Elsevier, 505-549, 2009, #2141
Galloway, W. E., Gulf of Mexico - A megaprovince, Geo ExPro, 6 (3), 22-26, 2009, #2250
McDonnell, A., R. G. Loucks, and W. E. Galloway, Paleocene to Eocene deep-water slope canyons, western Gulf of Mexico: Further insights for the provenance of deep-water offshore Wilcox Group plays, AAPG Bull., 92, 1169-1189, 2008, 7 citations, doi:10.1306/05150808014, #2039
In the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), an extensive deep-water fan system of the lower Tertiary Wilcox Group forms a significant exploration target, yet connections to equivalent-aged onshore fluvial, deltaic, and shallow-marine reservoirs are poorly documented. Using a large, three-dimensional (3-D) seismic survey (3300 mi2, 8500 km2), we examined the lower Tertiary structure and stratigraphy of the underexplored Texas coastal zone, approximately 60 mi (96 km) downdip of the paleoshelf edge and 200 mi (322 km) updip of the deep-water discoveries.
Cherepon, A., J. Brandt, and W. E. Galloway, Geology of the Karnes Uranium District, Texas, Austin Geol. Soc. Guidebook, 27, 85 pp., 2007, #2251
Combellas-Biggott, R. I., and W. E. Galloway, Depositional and structural evolution of the middle Miocene depositional episode, east-central Gulf of Mexico, AAPG Bull., 90, 335-362, 2006, 2 citations, doi:10.1306/10040504132, #1815
A regional stratigraphic and structural framework has been established for the middle Miocene sediment-depositional episode from the shelf through the slope to the basin floor for the east-central Gulf of Mexico. Two widespread, transgressive deposits associated with the faunal tops Amphistegina B (15.5 Ma) and Textularia W (12.1 Ma) define the middle Miocene depositional episode. The middle Miocene episode incorporates four genetic cycles (each 12 m.y.) bounded by regional maximum flooding surfaces and distal condensed sections.
Two long-lived extrabasinal fluvial-deltaic axes, the ancestral Mississippi and the eastern Tennessee systems, provided the bulk of sediments that infilled the middle Miocene depocenters. Salt-related structural provinces controlled the location and configuration of the depocenters. Linked structural systems, dominated by gravity spreading, and an eastern minibasin province, driven by differential subsidence, were established during this period. Two depositional systems tracts characterize the constructional shelf margin of the middle Miocene: (1) a volumetrically dominant mixed-load fluvial-dominated platform delta, shelf-margin delta, and delta-fed apron systems tract; and (2) a strand-plain, shelf, and muddy slope systems tract. However, the offlapping shelf-margin systems were punctuated by a large-scale slope failure, the Harang collapse system, associated with massive salt withdrawal and retreat of delta systems.
A large volume of sediment, funneled by the Harang collapse system, bypassed the slope, initiating a long-lived submarine-fan system. The fan formed in a minibasin corridor and unconfined abyssal plain, approximately 240 mi (384 km) from the active shelf margins. The fan system evolved from a structurally controlled, elongate, sand-rich to mixed sand and mud fan to a large, radial, mixed sand and mud fan.
Sylvia, D. A., and W. E. Galloway, Morphology and stratigraphy of the late Quaternary lower Brazos valley: Implications for paleo-climate, discharge and sediment delivery, Sedimentary Geol., 190, 159-175, 2006, 11 citations, doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2006.05.023, #2055
A shallow coring and geophysical logging program has recorded the sedimentary fill of the Brazos River valley in the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain. Thermoluminescence dates together with new and recalibrated published radiocarbon dates show the valley fill to include extensive, sandy, buried falling stage and lowstand Oxygen Isotope Stage (OIS) 3 and 2 deposits. These alluvial deposits are punctuated by numerous paleosoil horizons that record alternating periods of cutting, bypass and accumulation. Maximum valley incision and two periods of terrace formation preceded marine lowstand conditions, suggesting significant discordance between preserved fluvial and classical marine system tracts. The latest Pleistocene incision and fill history appears related to cycles of increased discharge and incision, followed by system equilibration and terrace formation. Analysis of the Brazos River incised valley and its contained paleochannels indicates that latest Pleistocene mean annual discharge was as much as four times greater than that of today. This magnitude of discharge in the Brazos would require a two-fold increase in precipitation across the drainage basin. Such an increase is comparable to the present day measured positive El Niño winter precipitation anomaly across the region. Paleochannel geometries and the stratigraphic and sedimentologic data from this investigation support the hypothesis that periods of high-amplitude, El Niño-like climatic perturbations characterized the late Quaternary climate of the south-central and southwestern U.S. This period of high discharge coincides, at least in part, with late OIS 3 progradation of the Brazos delta to the shelf margin, OIS 3 and 2 valley incision across the Texas shelf, and concomitant sand bypass to intraslope basins beyond the shelf edge.
Galloway, W. E., Gulf of Mexico basin depositional record of Cenozoic North American drainage basin evolution, Spec. Publs. Int. Assoc. Sediment., 35, 409-423, 2005, #1788
Galloway, W. E., S. Mentemeier, M. Rowan, and L. M. Gochioco, Plumbing the depths of the Gulf of Mexico: Recent understanding of Cenozoic sand dispersal systems and ultradeep reservoir potential, Leading Edge, 23, 44-51, 2004, doi:10.1190/1.1645454, #1718
The Gulf of Mexico, a small ocean basin lying between the North American plate and the Yucatan block, contains within its depocenter a succession of Jurassic through Holocene strata that are as much as 20 km thick. Sediment supply from the North American continents has filled nearly one half of the basin since its inception, primarily by offlap of the northern and northwestern margins.
Galloway, W. E., P. E. Ganey-Curry, X. Li, and R. T. Buffler, Cenozoic depositional history of the Gulf of Mexico Basin, AAPG Bull., 84, 1743-1774, 2000, 82 citations, #1492
A Geographic Information System (GIS) database incorporating information from 241 publications, theses, and dissertations; well logs and paleontologic reports; and interpreted University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) deep-basin seismic lines was used to map and interpret 18 basinwide genetic stratigraphic sequences that form the Gulf of Mexico basin Cenozoic fill. Eight principal extrabasinal fluvial axes provided the bulk of the sediment infill in the basin. First-order temporal and spatial use of these axes reflects four continent-scale phases of crustal uplift. Abundant sediment supply has prograded the northern and northwestern basin margin 150 to 180 mi (240 to 290 km) from its inherited Cretaceous position. Margin outbuilding has been locally and briefly interrupted by hypersubsidence due to salt withdrawal and mass wasting. Three depositional systems tracts characterize Cenozoic genetic sequences: (1) fluvial --> delta --> delta-fed apron, (2) coastal plain --> shore zone --> shelf --> shelf-fed apron, and (3) delta flank --> submarine fan. One or more examples of the fluvial --> delta --> delta-fed apron systems tract occur in each of the major genetic sequences. Immense volumes of sand have bypassed the shelf margin to be deposited in slope and base-of-slope systems, primarily within fluvial --> delta --> delta-fed apron system tracts, during all major Paleogene and Neogene depositional episodes. Deposition and preservation of volumetrically significant coastal plain --> shore zone --> shelf --> shelf-fed apron tracts is typical of Paleogene through Miocene depositional episodes only. Fan system origin was commonly associated with major continental margin failures, but large submarine canyons occur mainly in Pleistocene sequences. Thick, potential reservoir sand bodies occur in offlapping delta-fed slope and subjacent basin floor aprons, in autochthonous slope aprons and related infills of slide scars and canyon cuts, and in submarine fans.
Galloway, W. E., P. E. Ganey-Curry, and R. T. Buffler, Gulf of Mexico basin depositional synthesis, Offshore, 59 (6), 70-72, 1999, #1434
Galloway, W. E., R. T. Buffler, X. Li, and P. E. Ganey-Curry, Gulf of Mexico Basin depositional synthesis: Neogene sequences, depositional systems, and paleogeographic evolution, Trans., Gulf Coast Assn. Geol. Socs., 48, 83-88, 1998, #1378
Liu, Q., R. T. Buffler, and W. E. Galloway, Seismic expression and depositional environments of a late Oligocene/earliest Miocene carbonate unit, offshore Mississippi and Alabama, Trans., Gulf Coast Assn. Geol. Socs., 47, 291-297, 1997, #1302
Ye, Q., R. K. Matthews, W. E. Galloway, C. Frohlich, and S. Gan, High-frequency glacioeustatic cyclicity in the Early Miocene and its influence on coastal and shelf depositional systems, NW Gulf of Mexico basin, in Rates of Geologic Processes, GCSSEPM Found. Ann. Res. Conf., 14, 287-298, 1993, #1049