scholarly journals The gravity flow dynamics of submarine fan sedimentation in the Magura Basin of the Western Carpathians (Magura Nappe, Slovakia)

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
František Teťák
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Flow Dynamics ◽  
Western Carpathians ◽  
Gravity Flow ◽  
Submarine Fan ◽  
Sedimentary Structures ◽  
Gravity Flows ◽  
Bed Thickness ◽  
Change Position ◽  
Current Arrangement

The gravity flow dynamics of submarine fan sedimentation in the Magura Basin of the Western Carpathians (Magura Nappe, Slovakia)This article deals with the dynamics of the deep-water gravity flows sedimentation within the Magura Formation. This investigation is based on analysis of the Magura sandstone sedimentary structures studied on the outcrops. The final comparison of the sedimentary structures and cycles with the paleocurrent directions provided an interpretation of the gravity flows dynamics and helped to restore the migration of the sandy lobes in space and time. Three modes of sedimentation are recorded: regular cyclic sedimentation from the lobe, irregular sedimentation from the immature lobe and pelitic sedimentation on the basin plane without the lobe influence. We compared the occurrence of some sedimentary structures with the changes of the current directions and bed thickness. The following interpretations of gravity flow fan dynamics are results of this comparision: the fan consists of one or several lobes, the lobe branches out into branches with the radial current arrangement, the lobes laterally change position and the lobes suddenly die out.

scholarly journals The origin of upper Precambrian diamictites, northern Norway: a case study applicable to diamictites in general

Geologos ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mats O. Molén
Keyword(s):  
Quartz Sand ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Gravity Flow ◽  
Geological Data ◽  
Submarine Fan ◽  
Northern Norway ◽  
Gravity Flows ◽  
Material Evidence ◽  
Geological Context

AbstractUpper Precambrian diamictites in Varangerfjorden (northern Norway) have been examined for evidence of origin, whether glaciogenic, gravity flow or polygenetic. Studies of geomorphology, sedimentology and surface microtextures on quartz sand grains are integrated to provide multiple pieces of evidence for the geological agents responsible for the origin of the diamictites. The documented sedimentary and erosional structures, formerly interpreted in a glaciogenic context (e.g., diamict structure, pavements and striations) have been reanalysed. Field and laboratory data demonstrate that, contrary to conclusions reached in many earlier studies, the diamictites and adjacent deposits did not originate from glaciogenic processes. Evidence from macrostructures may occasionally be equivocal or can be interpreted as representing reworked, glacially derived material. Evidence from surface microtextures, from outcrops which are believed to exhibit the most unequivocal signs for glaciation, display no imprint at all of glaciogenic processes, and a multicyclical origin of the deposits can be demonstrated. The geological context implies (and no geological data contradict this) an origin by gravity flows, possibly in a submarine fan environment. This reinterpretation of the diamictites in northern Norway may imply that the palaeoclimatological hypothesis of a deep frozen earth during parts of the Neoproterozoic has to be revised.

Gravity flows: Types, definitions, origins, identification markers, and problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-90
Author(s):  
Shanmugam G
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Gravity Flow ◽  
Turbidity Currents ◽  
Hyperpycnal Flows ◽  
Gravity Flows ◽  
Sediment Gravity Flow ◽  
Aeolian Dunes ◽  
C 50

Abstract This review covers 135 years of research on gravity flows since the first reporting of density plumes in the Lake Geneva, Switzerland, by Forel (1885). Six basic types of gravity flows have been identified in subaerial and suaqueous environments. They are: (1) hyperpycnal flows, (2) turbidity currents, (3) debris flows, (4) liquefied/fluidized flows, (5) grain flows, and (6) thermohaline contour currents. The first five types are flows in which the density is caused by sediment in the flow, whereas in the sixth type, the density is caused by variations in temperature and salinity. Although all six types originate initially as downslope gravity flows, only the first five types are truly downslope processes, whereas the sixth type eventually becomes an alongslope process. (1) Hyperpycnal flows are triggered by river floods in which density of incoming river water is greater than the basin water. These flows  are confined to proximity of the shoreline. They transport mud, and they do not transport sand into the deep sea. There are no sedimentological criteria yet to identify hyperpycnites in the ancient sedimentary record.  (2) A turbidity current is a sediment-gravity flow with Newtonian rheology  and turbulent state in which sediment is supported by flow turbulence and from which deposition occurs through suspension settling. Typical turbidity currents can function as truly turbulent suspensions only when their sediment concentration by volume is below 9% or C < 9%. This requirement firmly excludes the existence of 'high-density turbidity currents'. Turbidites are recognized by their distinct normal grading in deep-water deposits.  (3) A debris flow (C: 25-100%) is a sediment-gravity flow with plastic rheology and laminar state from which deposition occurs through freezing en masse. The terms debris flow and mass flow are used interchangeably. General characteristics of muddy and sandy debrites are floating clasts, planar clast fabric, inverse grading, etc.  Most sandy deep-water deposits are sandy debrites and they comprise important petroleum reservoirs worldwide. (4) A liquefied/fluidized low (>25%) is a sediment-gravity flow in which sediment is supported by upward-moving intergranular fluid. They are commonly triggered by seismicity. Water-escape structures, dish and pillar structures, and SSDS are common. (5) A grain flow (C: 50-100%) is a sediment-gravity flow in which grains are supported by dispersive pressure caused by grain collision. These flows are common on the slip face of aeolian dunes. Massive sand and inverse grading are potential identification markers.  (6) Thermohaline contour currents originate in the Antarctic region due to shelf freezing and  the related increase in the density of cold saline (i.e., thermohaline) water. Although they begin their journey as downslope gravity flows, they eventually flow alongslope as contour currents. Hybridites are deposits that result from intersection of downslope gravity flows and alongslope contour currents. Hybridites mimic the "Bouma Sequence" with traction structures (Tb and Tc). Facies models of hyperpycnites, turbidites, and contourites  are obsolete. Of the six types of density flows, hyperpycnal flows and their deposits are the least understood.

Benthic foraminiferal zonation in deep-water carbonate platform margin environments, northern Little Bahama Bank

1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Benthic Foraminifera ◽  
Carbonate Platform ◽  
Sedimentary Facies ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Sediment Gravity Flows ◽  
Gravity Flows ◽  
Platform Margin ◽  
Water Carbonate

The utility of benthic foraminifera in bathymetric interpretation of clastic depositional environments is well established. In contrast, bathymetric distribution of benthic foraminifera in deep-water carbonate environments has been largely neglected. Approximately 260 species and morphotypes of benthic foraminifera were identified from 12 piston core tops and grab samples collected along two traverses 25 km apart across the northern windward margin of Little Bahama Bank at depths of 275-1,135 m. Certain species and operational taxonomic groups of benthic foraminifera correspond to major near-surface sedimentary facies of the windward margin of Little Bahama Bank and serve as reliable depth indicators. Globocassidulina subglobosa, Cibicides rugosus, and Cibicides wuellerstorfi are all reliable depth indicators, being most abundant at depths &gt;1,000 m, and are found in lower slope periplatform aprons, which are primarily comprised of sediment gravity flows. Reef-dwelling peneroplids and soritids (suborder Miliolina) and rotaliines (suborder Rotaliina) are most abundant at depths &lt;300 m, reflecting downslope bottom transport in proximity to bank-margin reefs. Small miliolines, rosalinids, and discorbids are abundant in periplatform ooze at depths &lt;300 m and are winnowed from the carbonate platform. Increased variation in assemblage diversity below 900 m reflects mixing of shallow- and deep-water species by sediment gravity flows.

Near-field mean flow dynamics of a cylindrical canopy patch suspended in deep water

2018 ◽  
Vol 858 ◽  
pp. 634-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Zhou ◽  
Subhas K. Venayagamoorthy
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Flow Dynamics ◽  
Flow Diversion ◽  
Circular Cylinders ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Global Flow ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Near Wake ◽  
Local Flow

The time-averaged flow dynamics of a suspended cylindrical canopy patch with a bulk diameter of $D$ is investigated using large-eddy simulations (LES). The patch consists of $N_{c}$ constituent solid circular cylinders of height $h$ and diameter $d$, mimicking patchy vegetation suspended in deep water ($H/h\gg 1$, where $H$ is the total flow depth). After validation against published data, LES of a uniform incident flow impinging on the canopy patch was conducted to study the effects of canopy density ($0.16\leqslant \unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=N_{c}(d/D)^{2}\leqslant 1$, by varying $N_{c}$) and bulk aspect ratio ($0.25\leqslant AR=h/D\leqslant 1$, by varying $h$) on the near-wake structure and adjustment of flow pathways. The relationships between patch geometry, local flow bleeding (three-dimensional redistribution of flow entering the patch) and global flow diversion (streamwise redistribution of upstream undisturbed flow) are identified. An increase in either $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$ or $AR$ decreases/increases/increases bleeding velocities through the patch surface area along the streamwise/lateral/vertical directions, respectively. However, a volumetric flux budget shows that a larger $AR$ causes a smaller proportion of the flow rate entering the patch to bleed out vertically. The global flow diversion is found to be determined by both the patch geometrical dimensions and the local bleeding which modifies the sizes of the patch-scale near wake. While loss of flow penetrating the patch increases monotonically with increasing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$, its partition into flow diversion around and beneath the patch shows a non-monotonic dependence. The spatial extents of the wake, the flow-diversion dynamics and the bulk drag coefficients of the patch jointly reveal the fundamental differences of flow responses between suspended porous patches and their solid counterparts.

Paleocurrents and depositional environments of deep water conglomerates in the Cambro-Ordovician Cap Enragé Formation, Quebec Appalachians

1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1375-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry A. Johnson ◽  
Roger G. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
The West ◽  
Submarine Fan ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Flow Directions ◽  
La Jolla ◽  
Contrast Flow

The Cap Enragé conglomerates are deep water, resedimented types associated with pebbly and massive sandstones. They resemble other deep water conglomerates in Quebec, especially those at Lévis-Lauzon, L'Islet Wharf, and Grosses Roches. All of these conglomerates were derived from a carbonate shelf to the northwest, and flow directions at Lévis and L'Islet are dominantly southward. By contrast, flow directions at Grosses Roches are to the west and southwest, suggesting deflection of conglomeratic flows by a topographic obstruction.In the Cap Enragé, only published flow directions from sandstones suggest flow toward south and southeast. One published conglomeratic flow direction indicates southwestward flow. Our paleoflow work on the entire outcrop length of the Cap Enragé conglomerates demonstrates dominantly westward and southwestward flow, reinforcing the idea of a topographic obstruction deflecting flows.We have demonstrated some consistent horizontally-fining facies relationships in the conglomerates. Beginning with massive, coarse cobble–boulder conglomerates, there are horizontal passages into finer conglomerates with crude stratification shown up by rows of cobbles and then pebbles, and finally into well stratified coarse sandstones with layers of granules and pebbles. Compared with local flow directions, these horizontally-fining relationships occur in upstream, downstream, and lateral directions.We suggest that southeastward, downslope-flowing currents were forced to swing southwestward by an obstruction, and hence the entire Cap Enragé Formation was deposited in a broad depression or channel trending parallel to the base of slope. Within this overall interpretation, we suggest that the conglomerate members of the Cap Enragé were deposited in meandering talweg channels, similar to those of the modern La Jolla submarine fan channel. Upstream-, downstream-, and laterally-fining facies sequences may be related to the filling of large scours within the talweg, or to facies changes from the talweg to adjacent terraces.

Benthic foraminiferal zonation in deep-water carbonate platform margin environments, northern Little Bahama Bank

1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Benthic Foraminifera ◽  
Carbonate Platform ◽  
Sedimentary Facies ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Sediment Gravity Flows ◽  
Gravity Flows ◽  
Platform Margin ◽  
Water Carbonate

The utility of benthic foraminifera in bathymetric interpretation of clastic depositional environments is well established. In contrast, bathymetric distribution of benthic foraminifera in deep-water carbonate environments has been largely neglected. Approximately 260 species and morphotypes of benthic foraminifera were identified from 12 piston core tops and grab samples collected along two traverses 25 km apart across the northern windward margin of Little Bahama Bank at depths of 275-1,135 m. Certain species and operational taxonomic groups of benthic foraminifera correspond to major near-surface sedimentary facies of the windward margin of Little Bahama Bank and serve as reliable depth indicators. Globocassidulina subglobosa, Cibicides rugosus, and Cibicides wuellerstorfi are all reliable depth indicators, being most abundant at depths >1,000 m, and are found in lower slope periplatform aprons, which are primarily comprised of sediment gravity flows. Reef-dwelling peneroplids and soritids (suborder Miliolina) and rotaliines (suborder Rotaliina) are most abundant at depths <300 m, reflecting downslope bottom transport in proximity to bank-margin reefs. Small miliolines, rosalinids, and discorbids are abundant in periplatform ooze at depths <300 m and are winnowed from the carbonate platform. Increased variation in assemblage diversity below 900 m reflects mixing of shallow- and deep-water species by sediment gravity flows.

scholarly journals Verification of gravity-flow models: case study from the Lower Eocene sediments (Tylmanowa site, SE Poland)

Baltica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-50
Author(s):  
Martyna E. Górska
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Gradual Transition ◽  
Lower Eocene ◽  
Flow Models ◽  
Se Poland ◽  
Gravity Flows ◽  
Outer Carpathians ◽  
Basin Margin

The thick-bedded, deep-water sandstone succession was described at the Tylmanowa site from the Polish Outer Carpathians. This part of the Carpathians is built mainly of the Upper Jurassic to Paleogene deep-water rocks. Succession at the Tylmanowa site is composed of massive, ripple-cross laminated, planar and trough cross-stratified, horizontally laminated and deformed sandstones as well as massive and horizontally laminated mudstones. All these sediments derived from gravity flows that prograde downslope from a basin margin towards the widespread abyssal plain. Exposed succession records the gradual transition from a decelerating debris flow to a turbidity current what is extraordinary in the recent investigations of deep-water sediments. The study succession has been compared with the widely known sediment models, such as: the classic Bouma Sequence (Bouma 1962), the high-density turbidite model (Lowe 1982), the fluxoturbidite model (Ślączka, Thompson 1981) and the hybrid event bed model (Haughton et al. 2009).

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