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Letter MGeology glossary

Marine Regression

A marine regression occurs when sea level falls relative to the land, exposing previously submerged areas and leading to the deposition of terrestrial sediments over marine sediments. Regressions are important for understanding changes in sea level, sedimentary environments, and the stratigraphic record.

Geological diagram showing onlap and offlap deposition (Marine Regression).
Fig. 1 Geological diagram showing onlap and offlap deposition (Marine Regression).

Source Catuneanu, O. (2006). “Principles of Sequence Stratigraphy.” Elsevier.

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