Synonyms
Turbidity-current deposit; turbidity-flow deposit (Bouma sequence)
Definition
A turbidite is a sedimentary bed deposited by a turbidity current or turbidity flow. It is composed of layered particles that grade upward from coarser to finer sizes and ideally display a (complete or incomplete) Bouma sequence (Bouma, 1962). Mud-dominated turbidites (fine-grained turbidites) may show the sequence detailed by Stow and Shanmugam (1980). The etymology of the term “turbidity current” relates to a turbid flow, which means a flow containing suspended particles.
In a much looser sense, the term turbidite is also used for deposits of other types of density flows that develop a non-cohesive (frictional/granular) behavior. These include deposits of hyperconcentrated flows and concentrated flows displaying divisions of the Lowe sequence (Lowe, 1982). Sensu stricto, a turbidite is the deposit resulting from a turbulent flow.
Deep-sea turbidite systems along ocean margins and, in particular,...
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Mulder, T., Hüneke, H. (2016). Turbidites. In: Harff, J., Meschede, M., Petersen, S., Thiede, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Marine Geosciences. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6238-1_145
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