Interpretation of the depositional history of the tidal flat in Hutchison embayment was possible because similar modern sediments and biota in Shark Bay are well known and considerable information is available on analogous facies relations and modern sedimentary processes. Major factors controlling the general distribution of sedimentary units and facies have been geomorphology, tectonic movement, sea-level fluctuations, and depth range of biotic communities. Organisms have contributed significantly to the depositional history through postmortem accumulation and modification of the physical environment. Physical factors (waves and tidal currents) and salinity also have affected the environment by limiting the distribution of communities and by influencing the sedimentary rocesses.

Maximum sea levels for the three transgressions represented in Shark Bay (Dampier, Bibra, and Holocene-recent phases) have a remarkable proximity; this fact, together with paleotopographic relief, has tended to bring similar depth zones back into juxtaposition and to promote repetition of lithologies in vertical section.

The chronology and description of the tidal-flat evolution in the Quaternary of Shark Bay should provide a stratigraphic model for interpreting ancient carbonate sequences.