The influence of water level changes on sand bodies at river-dominated delta fronts：The Gubei Sag, Bohai Bay Basin

Abstract Changes in water level are one of the important factors controlling the constructive characteristics of deltas. The paper studies the influence of water level changes on sand bodies in the third member of the Shahejie Formation (Es3) on the gentle southern slope of the Gubei Sag, Bohai Bay Basin and draw some conclusions that, for complex sand bodies, with the increase in water level the distributary channels bifurcate frequently, from a simple branching shape to a network shape along with the increase in the development of crevasse splays, mouth bars and sheet sands. For single sand bodies, with an increase in water level in the slope zone of the lake basin close to the source area, the superimposition style transitioned from vertical cutting-stacking and lateral isolation to vertical stitching, isolation and lateral stitching. However, in the central zone of the lake basin far from the source area, the superimposition style transitioned from vertical stitching and lateral stitching to vertical isolation and lateral isolation. When water level stays stable, the greater the distance from the source area the greater the disaggregation ratio of a single sand body. At the same distance from the source area, higher water level tends to result in greater disaggregation ratio of a single sand body.