Abstract
Sedimentary structures in fine-grained sediments have been largely ignored as indicators of depositional environment, perhaps because the only common primary macroscopic structure observed in muds is horizontal lamination (Potter et al., 1980). However, microscopic examination of muds reveals a variety of structures (e.g., micro-cross-laminations, graded laminae, plasmic fabric) that could be diagnostic of particular environmental conditions (e.g., Stow, 1979; Broadhead and Potter, 1980; Kuehl et al., 1988). This study examines the millimeter-scale sedimentary structure of sediment cores collected from three continental margin environments: the Amazon and Bengal continental shelves, and the continental slope near Wilmington Canyon, U.S. East Coast. The occurrence of diagnostic sedimentary structures from these contrasting fine-grained sedimentary environments is examined to provide criteria for interpretation of mudrocks.
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Kuehl, S.A., Hariu, T.M., Sanford, M.W., Nittrouer, C.A., DeMaster, D.J. (1991). Millimeter-Scale Sedimentary Structure of Fine-Grained Sediments: Examples from Continental Margin Environments. In: Bennett, R.H., et al. Microstructure of Fine-Grained Sediments. Frontiers in Sedimentary Geology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4428-8_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4428-8_3
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