CONCEPTS LEARNED FROM A 3D OUTCROP OF A SINUOUS SLOPE CHANNEL COMPLEX: BEACON CHANNEL COMPLEX, BRUSHY CANYON FORMATION, WEST TEXAS, USA

Sinuous channels are common bathymetric features on Earth's continental margins. Until now, the 3D stratigraphy of these features has primarily been inferred from 3D seismic studies and from limited 2D outcrop exposures of ancient successions. The Beacon Channel Complex of the Permian upper Brushy Canyon Formation is an exceptionally well-exposed example of a 3D exposure of a sinuous slope channel system. The Beacon Channel Complex crops out on five cliff facies in an area of approximately 1 km(2) (0.625 mi(2)). Nearly one complete wavelength of sinuosity is recorded in the outcrop.