Abstract
Unravelling provenance for deep-water turbidite systems is complicated by a relatively poor understanding of the effects of basin morphology and large-scale bedforms and channel configuration on the distribution of sediment within these turbidite deposits. Outcrop studies of ancient deposits are generally limited to scales of observations that are neither large enough nor sufficiently closely-spaced to recognize the complexities seen on modern turbidite systems. Examples from several relatively well-studied modern submarine fans illustrate examples of (1) headless channels, (2) hanging tributary and distributary channels, (3) channel abandonment leading to lobe or fan bypass, (4) meandering (or sinuous) channels, (5) sediment waves, and (6) erosional scours of channel dimensions. These and related morphologic features help to identify the complexities of depositional processes on modern submarine fans with implications for provenance interpretation in ancient turbidite systems.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnes, N.E., and Normark, W.R., 1984, Diagnostic parameters for comparing modern submarine fans and ancient turbidite systems: Geo-Marine Letters, v.3, Map.
Bouma, A.H., Coleman, J.M., and Leg 96 scientific party, 1984, Lithologic characteristics of Mississippi fan (abstract): Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 68, p. 456.
Bowen, A.J., Normark, W.R., and Piper, D.J.W., 1984, Modelling of turbidity currents on Navy submarine fan, California Continental Borderland: Sedimentology, v. 31, p. 169–185.
Colella, A. and Normark, W.R., in press, High resolution side-scanning sonar survey of delta slope and inner fan channels of Crati submarine fan (Ionian Sea): Memorie della Società Geologica Italiana.
Damuth, J.E., Kolla, V., Flood, R.D., Kowsmann, R.O., Monteiro, M.C., Gorini, M.A., Palma, J.J.C., and Belderson, R.H., 1983, Distributary channel meandering and bifurcation patterns on Amazon deep-sea fan as revealed by long-range side-scan sonar (GLORIA): Geology, v. 11, p. 94–98.
Gardner, J.V., McCulloch, D.S., Eittreim, S.L., and Masson, D.G., in press, Long-range side-scan sonar studies of the central California EEZ (abstract): Geol. Soc. Amer. Annual Meeting, Reno, Nevada.
Garrison, L.E., Kenyon, N.H., and Bouma, A.H., 1982, Channel systems and lobe construction in the Mississippi Fan: GeoMarine Letters, v. 2, p. 31–39.
Hess, G.R., and Normark, W.R., 1976, Holocene sedimentation history of the major fan valleys of Monterey Fan: Marine Geol., v. 22, p. 233–251.
Kastens, K., and Shor, A., in press, High resolution seismic and side-scan survey of a channel meander on the Mississippi Fan.
Menard, H.W., 1955, Deep-sea channels, topography, and sedimentation: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 39, p. 236–255.
Normark, W.R., 1970a, Channel piracy on Monterey deep-sea fan: Deep-Sea Research, v. 17, p. 837–846.
Normark, W.R., 1970b, Growth patterns of deep-sea fans: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 54, p. 2170–2195.
Normark, W.R., and Piper, D.J.W., 1972, Sediments and growth pattern of Navy deep-sea fan, San Clemente Basin, California Borderland: Jour. Geol., v. 80, p. 192–223.
Normark, W.R., Piper, D.J.W., and Hess, G.R., 1979, Distributary channels, sand lobes, and mesotopography of Navy submarine fan, California Borderland, with application to ancient fan sediments: Sedimentology, v. 26, p. 749–774.
Normark, W.R., Gutmacher, C.E., Chase, T.E., and Wilde, P., 1984, Monterey Fan: growth pattern control by basin morphology and changing sea levels: Geo-Marine Letters, v. 3, p. 93–99.
Piper, D.J.W., and Normark, W. R., 1983, Turbidite depositional patterns and flow characteristics, Navy submarine fan, California Borderland: Sedimentology, v. 30, p. 681–694.
Shanmugam, G., and Moiola, R.J., 1981, Eustatic control of turbidites and winnowed turbidites: Geology, v. 10, p. 231–235.
Shepard, F.P., 1966, Meander in valley crossing a deep-ocean fan: Science, v. 154, p. 385–386.
Shepard, F.P., and Buffington, E.C., 1968, La Jolla submarine fan-valley: Marine Geol., v. 6, p. 107–143.
Smith, D.L. and Normark, W.R., 1976, Deformation and patterns of sedimentation, South San Clemente Basin, California Borderland: Marine Geol., v. 22, p. 175–188.
Stow, D.A.V., Howell, D.G., and Nelson, C.H., 1984, Sedimentary, tectonic, and sea-level controls on submarine fan and slope-apron turbidite systems: Geo-Marine Letters, v. 3, p. 57–64.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1985 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Normark, W.R. (1985). Local Morphologic Controls and Effects of Basin Geometry on Flow Processes in Deep Marine Basins. In: Zuffa, G.G. (eds) Provenance of Arenites. NATO ASI Series, vol 148. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2809-6_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2809-6_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-8413-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-2809-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive