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Sedimentary Processes in Mediterranean Deltas and Shelves

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Geological Evolution of the Mediterranean Basin

Abstract

Recent studies enable us to compare the geographic and physiographic settings, general structural configuration, emerged delta evolution, hydrodynamic regime, suspended transport processes, and geometry of recent shelf deposits seaward of the four major Mediterranean deltas: the Rhône, Ebro, Po, and Nile. This synthesis indicates that some features of the deltas and adjacent continental shelves appear to have remained constant during the last high sea-level stand (Holocene) around the Mediterranean. These include prismatic geometry of Holocene deposits; nearshore smectite-rich prodelta muds; multilayer system of suspended sediments on the continental shelf, with a bottom nepheloid layer; and longitudinal bottom and surface currents. Sedimentation depends on the balance between climatic-eustatic changes, river discharge, and current dispersal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Sédimentologie et Géochimie Marines, Université de Perpignan, 66025, Perpignan, France

    Henri Got, Jean-Claude Aloïsi & André Monaco

Authors
  1. Henri Got
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  2. Jean-Claude Aloïsi
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  3. André Monaco
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Sedimentology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 20560, USA

    Daniel Jean Stanley

  2. Istituto di Geologia, Università degli Studi, 61029, Urbino, Italy

    Forese-Carlo Wezel

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Got, H., Aloïsi, JC., Monaco, A. (1985). Sedimentary Processes in Mediterranean Deltas and Shelves. In: Stanley, D.J., Wezel, FC. (eds) Geological Evolution of the Mediterranean Basin. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8572-1_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8572-1_18

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