Abstract
This study aims to resolve process-facies links at both bed and environmental scales for the channel lobe transition zone (CLTZ). Data comes from existing experimental and modern CLTZ studies and from new outcrop studies. The experiments show that the CLTZ architecture of supercritical turbidity currents is complex and different from their counterparts where flows are subcritical throughout. Supercritical CLTZ’s are characterised by erosive channels formed by supercritical turbidity currents, by offset stacked lobes deposited from subcritical turbidity currents and by hydraulic jump related mouth bar deposits and upslope onlapping backfill deposits at the down slope end of the transition zone. Erosive channels and backfill features can be resolved by high resolution seismic data, yet evidence for supercritical flow must come from facies analysis of core data. Outcrop examples of the CLTZ from the Tabernas submarine fan (SE Spain) and the Llorenç del Munt deep-water delta slope (N. Spain) are used to establish such links between seismic scale architecture and facies recognised in cores. The outcrops described here were mapped as transition zone, and show 100 m sized, spoon-shaped scours filled with sediment containing sandy to gravelly backsets up to 4 m in height. Their facies and architecture is indicative of deposition by hydraulic jumps, can be recognized from cores, and is a good proxy for further predicting CLTZ architecture constructed by supercritical turbidity currents.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Cantelli A, Pirmez C, Johnson S, Parker G (2011) Morphodynamic and stratigraphic evolution of self-channelized subaqueous fans emplaced by turbidity currents. J Sediment Res 81:233–247
Cartigny MJB (2012) Morphodynamics of supercritical high-density turbidity currents. Utrecht Studies in Earth Sciences, PhD thesis, 153pp
Chapin MA, Davies P, Gibson JL, Pettingill HS (1994) Reservoir architecture of turbidite sheet sandstones in laterally extensive outcrops, Ross formation, western Ireland. In: Weimer P et al (eds) Submarine fans and turbidite systems: GCSSEPM Foundation 15th annual research conference, London, pp 53–68
Deptuck ME, Piper DJW, Savoye B, Gervais A (2008) Dimensions and architecture of late Pleistocene submarine lobes off the northern margin of East Corsica. Sedimentology 55:869–898
Elliott T (2000) Mega flute erosion surfaces and the initiation of turbidite channels. Geology 28:119–122
Fernandez RL, Cantelli A, Pirmez C, Sequeiros O, Parker G (2014) Growth patterns of subaqueous depositional channel lobe systems developed over a basement with a downdip break in slope: laboratory experiments. J Sediment Res 84:168–182
Gervais A, Savoye B, Piper DJW, Mulder T, Cremer M, Pichevin L (2004) Present morphology and depositional architecture of a sandy confined submarine system: the Golo turbidite system (eastern margin of Corsica). In: Lomas SA, Joseph P (eds) Confined turbidite systems, Geological Society special publication, 222. Geological Society, London, pp 59–89
Gervais A, Savoye B, Mulder T, Gonthier E (2006) Sandy modern turbidite lobes: a new insight from high resolution seismic data. Mar Petrol Geol 23(2006):485–502
Hamilton PB, Strom KB, Hoyal DCJD (2015) Hydraulic and sediment transport properties of autogenic avulsion cycles on submarine fans with supercritical distributaries. J Geophys Res doi:10.1002/2014JF003414, in press
Hoyal DCJD, Sheets BA (2009) Hydraulic jumps as controls on the evolution of distributary channel networks on experimental submarine fans. In: The 33rd international association of Hydraulic Research Congress, London
Klaucke I, Masson DG, Kenyon NH, Gardner JV (2004) Sedimentary processes of the lower Monterey Fan channel and channel-mouth lobe. Mar Geol 206:181–198
Kleverlaan K (1989a) Neogene history of the Tabernas Basin (SE Spain) and its Tortonian submarine fan development. Geol Mijnbouw 68(4):421–432
Kleverlaan K (1989b) 3 distinctive feeder-lobe systems within one time slice of the Tortonian Tabernas Fan, SE Spain. Sedimentology 36:25–45
López-Blanco M, Marzo M, Burbank DW, Vergés J, Roca E, Anadon P, Piña J (2000a) Tectonic and climatic controls on the development of foreland fan deltas: Montserrat and Sant Llorenç del Munt systems (Middle Eocene, Ebro Basin, NE Spain). Sed Geol 138:17–39
López-Blanco M, Marzo M, Piña J (2000b) Transgressive-regressive sequence hierarchy of foreland, fan-delta clastic wedges (Montserrat and Sant Llorenç del Munt, Middle Eocene, Ebro Basin, NE Spain). Sed Geol 138:41–69
Macdonald HA, Wynn RB, Huvenne VAI, Peakall J, Masson DG, Weaver PPE, McPhail SD (2011a) New insights into the morphology, fill and remarkable longevity (>0.2 m.y.) of modern deep-water erosional scours along the northeast Atlantic margin. Geosphere 7:845–867. doi:10.1130/GES00611.1
Macdonald HA, Peakall J, Wignall PB, Best J (2011b) Sedimentation in deep-sea lobe-elements: implications for the origin of thickening-upward sequences. J Geol Soc 168:319–331. doi:10.1144/0016-76492010-036
Mutti E, Normark WR (1987) Comparing examples of modern and ancient turbidite systems: problems and concepts. In: Leggett JK, Zuffa GG (eds) Marine clastic sedimentology: concepts and case studies. Graham and Trotman, London, pp 1–38
Postma G, Cartigny M (2014) Supercritical and subcritical turbidity currents and their deposits- a synthesis. Geology 42:987–990
Postma G, Cartigny M, Kleverlaan K (2009) Structureless, coarse-tail graded Bouma Ta formed by internal hydraulic jump of the turbidity current? Sed Geol 219:1–6
Postma G, Kleverlaan K, Cartigny M (2014) Recognition of cyclic steps in sandy and gravelly turbidite sequences and consequences for the Bouma facies model. Sedimentology 61:2268–2290. doi:10.1111/sed.12135
Russell HAJ, Arnott RWC (2003) Hydraulic-jump and hyperconcentrated-flow deposits of a glacigenic subaqueous fan: Oak ridge’s moraine, southern Ontario. Can J Sediment Res 73:887–905. doi:10.1306/041103730887
Sequeiros OA (2012) Estimating turbidity current conditions from channel morphology: a Froude number approach. J Geophys Res 117, C04003. doi:10.1029/2011JC007201
Wynn RB, Kenyon NH, Masson DG, Stow DAV, Weaver PPE (2002) Characterization and recognition of deep-water channel-lobe transition zones. AAPG Bull 86:1441–1462
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Postma, G. et al. (2016). Morphodynamics of Supercritical Turbidity Currents in the Channel-Lobe Transition Zone. In: Lamarche, G., et al. Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences. Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research, vol 41. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20979-1_47
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20979-1_47
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20978-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20979-1
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)