Episodic dolomitization of late Cenozoic carbonates in the Bahamas: evidence from strontium isotopes

Most dolomite sequences investigated are composites of several dolomitization episodes. Five phases of dolomitization have been recognized, the most extensive of which are early Late Miocene and Late Pliocene in age. Two minor phases occurred later during the latest Pliocene/early Pleistocene and late Pleistocene. The fifth phase (late Early Miocene) is only recognized in San Salvador. Commonly, dolomitization episodes are stacked, indicating an increasing age with depth. Only in San Salvador are younger dolomites interspersed with older ones. Variable depth of burial of Middle Miocene dolomitized strata indicates non-uniform subsidence behavior of Bahamian carbonate platforms. -from Authors