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1.
Flow parameters (velocity and density) for turbidity currents in the Northwest Atlantic Mid-Ocean Channel (NAMOC) have been determined based on two different approaches, channel geometry and grain-size distributions of turbidites. Channel geometry has been obtained by a quantitative morphological analysis of the NAMOC which shows three genetically different segments in the upper 2000 km: (1) an upper 350 km-long ‘equilibrium channel’, (2) a middle 700 km-long ‘modified equilibrium channel’and (3) a lower ‘basement-controlled channel’which is more than 1000 km-long. In contrast to other meandering submarine channels the NAMOC has very low sinuosities and gradients. A consistently higher right-hand levee limits mean flow velocities to 3ms?1 and channel geometry indicates mean flow velocities of 0·86 m s?1 that decrease within the equilibrium channel to 0·05 m s?1. Grain-size distributions on the levees and in the channel suggest strong vertical velocity and density gradients for bank-full flows with velocities of up to 8 m s?1 and excess densities up to 87 kg m?3 at the base, and 0·45 m s?1 and 4 kg m?3 at the top. The internal shear produced by these strong vertical gradients results in a decoupling of the current head and body. Channel geometry appears to be mainly the result of the slowly moving dilute body of the current.  相似文献   

2.
High-resolution seismic boomer profiles, with a vertical resolution of less than 1 m, together with piston cores and previous side-scan sonar data, are used to describe late Quaternary sedimentation on the Var deep-sea fan. Chronological control is provided by foram biostratigraphy and radiocarbon dating in cores, and is extended over the fan by seismic correlation. Regional erosional events correspond to the oxygen isotopic stage 2 and 6 glacial maxima. Cores and seismic data define a widespread surface sand layer that is correlated with prodelta failure in 1979 and subsequent submarine cable breaks. Numerical modelling constrains the character of this 1979 turbidity current. It originated from a relatively small slide on the upper prodelta that put sufficient material in suspension to form an accelerating turbidity current which eroded sand from the Var Canyon. The turbidity current was only 30 m thick on the Upper Valley, but experienced significant flow expansion in the Middle Valley to thicknesses of more than 120 m, where it spilled over the eastern Var Sedimentary Ridge at a velocity of about 2·5 m s?1. Other Holocene turbidity currents (with a recurrence interval of 1000 years) were somewhat muddier and thicker, but also deposited sand on the levees of the Middle Valley, and are inferred to have had a similar slide-related origin. Late Pleistocene turbidity currents deposited thick mud beds on the Var Sedimentary Ridge. The presence of sediment waves and the mean cross-flow slope inferred from levee asymmetry indicates that some of these flows were many hundreds of metres thick and flowed at velocities of about 0·35 m s?1. This contrast with Holocene turbidites suggests that a slide origin is unlikely. Estimated times for deposition of thick mud beds on the levees are many days to weeks. The Late Pleistocene flows may therefore result from hyperpycnal flow of glacial outwash in the Var River. The variation in the Late Pleistocene to Holocene turbidite sedimentation is controlled more by variations in sediment supply than by sea-level change.  相似文献   

3.
Variations in migration distances and shape characteristics of sandwaves in relation to flow conditions were studied on the Ossenisse intertidal shoal in the Westerschelde estuary. The purpose was to analyse bedform behaviour, to establish the threshold and the time lags involved, to find differences in two- and three-dimensional sandwaves and to determine the implications for palaeoflow reconstructions. Sandwave migration is well correlated with the peak depth-averaged flow velocity of the dominant tide. Thus the latter parameter may be estimated from the thickness of the tidal bundles. Other flow parameters such as shear velocity, Chezy C or roughness length do not show a correlation with the migration and cannot be used in palaeoflow analysis. Flow depth does not correlate with sandwave height or with length. Consequently, neither sandwave height and length nor set height and length can be used for palaeoflow depth determination. Sandwaves start moving when the peak dominant flow velocity exceeds 0.5–0.6 m s?1, and appreciable changes in shape occur at 0.75–0.8 m s ?1. Complete reversal of sandwaves is accomplished if both the dominant and subordinate peak depth-averaged current velocities exceed 0.85 m s?1. Two- and 3-D sandwaves appeared to have different stability fields in the velocity-depth diagram and in the diagram of the Froude number versus the depth-grain-size ratio. In addition the distinction between 2-D and 3-D sandwaves appeared to be related to a variability in current direction during periods of appreciable sand transport. There are also differences in sedimentary structures between the two types of sandwaves.  相似文献   

4.
Flow properties of turbidity currents in Bute Inlet, British Columbia   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  
Bute Inlet, a fiord along the southwestern coast of British Columbia, Canada, includes a sea-floor sedimentation system 70 km in length which resembles those developed on some large submarine fans. Turbidity currents originate at the head of the flord on the submerged delta fronts of the Homathko and Southgate rivers. They move downslope for about 30 km within a single large incised channel, spill onto a depositional area termed the channel lobe complex, and finally spread out over a low-relief distal splay area that passes 55 km downslope into a flat basin floor. During the present study, turbidity currents in Bute Inlet were studied using sea-floor morphology, bottom sediment distribution, and in-situ instrument packages. The mean velocities of the most recent flows, estimated from surface sediment grain size, has varied between 100–120 cm s–1 in the incised channel, 20–50 cms–1 in the channel lobe complex, and < 5 cm s–1 on the basin floor. Velocities based on channel morphology are poorly constrained but are in the range of 160-425 cm s–1 in the upper part of the incised channel and 66 cm s–1 in the lower channel. Calculated flow densities range from 1.049 to 1.028g cm–3. Turbidity flows monitored in 1986 using submerged instrument packages exceeded 32 m in thickness in the upper part of the incised channel, where the maximum measured velocity was 330 cm s–1. At the head of the channel lobe complex the maximum velocity had declined to 75 cm s–1. The density of the monitored flows is estimated at 1.025-1.03g cm–3. The cored sediments and channel morphology yield estimates of mean flow velocities that are generally greater than those measured by the in-situ instrument packages and estimated from modern surface sediments. The former suggest past flow velocities up to 500 cm s–1 in the incised channel, about 20 cm s–1 in spillover deposits along the lower part of the incised channel, and 100-140 cm s–1 in the distal splay. The contrast between the velocities of modern and past flows suggests that past flows may have been considerably larger and more energetic than those presently occurring in Bute Inlet. The size properties of sediments in the monitored turbidity flows suggest a strong vertical size gradient in the suspended load during transport. The surface and cored sediments fine downslope from the channel lobe complex to distal splay area. Distinctive sedimentary sequences are recognized in cores from the spillover lobes, channel lobe complex, distal splay, and basin floor depositional areas. Many individual turbidites grade downslope from massive Ta divisions in the channel lobe complex and probably in the incised channel to Ta divisions overlain by slurried divisions on the distal splay and largely slurried beds on the basin floor. These facies suggest that individual currents commonly evolve from largely cohesionless suspensions in the incised channel and channel lobe complex to dilute cohesive slurries downslope on the distal splay and basin floor. Many flows in Bute Inlet fail to develop a traction state of sedimentation and the resulting turbidites lack well-developed Tb. Tc, and Td divisions.  相似文献   

5.
A 4·7 km2 field of sediment waves occurs in front of the Slims River delta in Kluane Lake, the largest lake in the Yukon Territory. Slims River heads in the Kaskawulsh Glacier, part of the St Elias Ice Field and discharges up to 400 m3 s?1 of water with suspended sediment concentrations of up to 7 g l?1. The 19 km long sandur of Slims River was created in the past 400 years since Kaskawulsh Glacier advanced and dammed the lake and the sandur has advanced into Kluane Lake at an average rate of 48 m a?1. However, this rate is decreasing as flow is diverted from Slims River because of the retreat of the Kaskawulsh Glacier. The sandur and a road constructed on the delta remove coarse‐grained sediment, so the river delivers dominantly mud to the lake. Inflow during summer generates quasi‐continuous turbidity currents with velocities up to 0·6 m s?1. The front of the delta consists of a plane surface sloping lakeward at 0·0188 (1·08°). A field of sediment waves averaging 130 m in length and 2·3 m in amplitude has developed on this surface. Slopes on the waves vary from ?0·067 (?3·83°, i.e. sloping in the opposite direction to the regional slope) to 0·135 (7·69°). The internal structure of the sediment waves, as documented by seismic profiling, shows that sedimentation on the stoss portion of the wave averages 2·7 times that on the lee portion. Rates of sediment accumulation in the wave field are about 0·3 m a?1, so these lacustrine waves have formed in a much shorter period of time (less than 200 years) and are advancing upslope towards the delta much more quickly (1 to 2 m a?1) than typical marine sediment waves. These waves formed on the flat surface of the lake floor, apparently in the absence of pre‐existing forms, and they are altered and destroyed as the wave field advances and the characteristics of the turbidity currents change.  相似文献   

6.
Several Holocene turbidites can be correlated across much of Navy Fan through more than 100 sediment core localities. The uppermost muddy turbidite unit is mapped throughout the northern half of the fan; its volume, grain-size distribution and the maximum height of deposition on the basin slopes are known. These parameters can be related to the precise channel morphology and mesotopography revealed by deep-tow surveys. Thus there is sufficient information to estimate detailed flow characteristics for this turbidity current as it moved from fan valley to distal basin plain. On the upper fan, the gradient and the increasing downstream width of the channel and only limited flow overspill suggest that the flow had a Froude number close to 1.0. The sediment associated with the channel indicates friction velocities of about 0.06 m s?1 and flow velocities of about 0.75 m s?1. Using this flow velocity and channel dimensions, sediment concentration (～2×10?3) and discharge are estimated, and from a knowledge of the total volume of sediment deposited, the flow duration is estimated to be from 2 to 9 days. It is shown that the estimates of Froude number, drag coefficient, and sediment concentration are not likely to vary by more than a factor of 2. On the mid-fan, the flow was much thicker than the height of the surface relief of the fan and it spread rapidly. The cross-flow slope, determined from the horizontal extent of turbidite sediment, is used to estimate flow velocity, which is confirmed by consideration of both sediment grain size and rate of deposition. This again allows sediment concentration and discharge to be estimated. The requirements of flow continuity, entrainment of water during flow expansion, and observed sediment deposition provide checks on all these estimates, and provide an integrated picture of the evolution of the flow. The flow characteristics of this muddy turbidity current are well constrained compared to those for more sand-rich late Pleistocene and early Holocene turbidity currents on the fan.  相似文献   

7.
An experiment was conducted to study megaripple morpho dynamics on a sandy intertidal shoal in a mesotidal mangrove creek (Gordon Creek, Townsville, Australia). Tidal current velocity and depth were recorded with S4 current meters over a period of 35 tides. The tidal megaripples were 0.06–0.2 m in height and 1–2 m in wavelength, and their movement was monitored by (1) electromagnetic bed-elevation probes (which automatically recorded bed level every 2 min at three positions along the survey transect) and (2) daily surveying for 8 days around spring tidals. The tidal currents in Gordon Creek are ebb-dominated, with maximum depth-mean current velocities for the flood and ebb tides of 0.62 and 0.98 m s?1 respectively. Significant bedload transport occurs only during spring tides, and only on the larger of the unequal semi-diurnal tides. Bedload transport is overwhelmingly in the ebb direction. Megaripple migration rates reach 5.6 m per tide in the ebb direction and up to 0.1 m min?1 within individual tides. Within-tide ‘bedform transport rates’are up to 0.29 kg m?1 s?1. The results suggest that for reconstruction of palaeoflows from deposits of preserved fine- to medium-grained sandy tidal megaripples, it is valid to use a depth-averaged velocity of 0.5–0.6 m s?1 as the migration threshold. Velocity thresholds associated with partial or complete reversal of megaripple asymmetry are invalid.  相似文献   

8.
Thirty‐three samples, including 22 eclogites, collected from the Dabie ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt in eastern China, have been studied for seismic properties. Compressional (Vp) and shear wave (Vs) velocities in three mutually perpendicular directions under hydrostatic pressures up to 1.0 GPa were measured for each sample. At 1.0 GPa, Vp (7.5–8.4 km s?1), Vs (4.2–4.8 km s?1), and densities (3.2–3.6 g cm?3) in the UHP eclogites are higher than those of UHP orthopyroxenite (7.3–7.5 km s?1, 4.1–4.3 km s?1, 3.2–3.3 g cm?3, respectively) and HP eclogites (7.1–7.9 km s?1, 4.0–4.5 km s?1, 3.1–3.5 g cm?3, respectively). Kyanitites (with 99.5% kyanite) show extremely high velocities and density (9.37 km s?1, 5.437 km s?1, 3.581 g cm?3, respectively). The eclogites show variation of Vp‐ and Vs‐anisotropy up to 9.70% and 9.17%, respectively. Poisson’s ratio (σ) ranges from 0.218 to 0.278 (with a mean of 0.255) for eclogites, 0.281–0.298 for granulites and 0.248 to 0.255 for amphibolites. The σ values for serpentinite (0.341) and marble (0.321) are higher than for other lithologies. The elastic moduli K, G, E of kyanitite were obtained as 163, 102 and 253 GPa, respectively. The Vp and density of representative UHP metamorphic rocks (eclogite & kyanitite) were extrapolated to mantle depth (15 GPa) following a reasonable geotherm, and compared to the one dimension mantle velocity and density model. The comparison shows that Vp and density in eclogite and kyanitite are greater than those of the ambient mantle, with differences of up to ΔVp > 0.3 km s?1 and Δρ > 0.3–0.4 g cm?3, respectively. This result favours the density‐induced delamination model and also provides evidence in support of distinguishing subducted high velocity materials in the upper mantle by means of seismic tomography. Such ultra‐deep subduction and delamination processes have been recognized by seismic tomography and geochemical tracing in the postcollisional magmatism in the Dabie region.  相似文献   

9.
In the Grays Harbor estuary, juvenile Dungeness crab (Cancer magister Dana) are found at higher densities in epibenthic shell deposits compared to open mud flat. Differences in predation rate between habitats have been suggested to be due to habitat preference and differential survival. Megalopae preferred shell over open space in still-water conditions. However, it is not known whether megalopae are able to select shell in flowing water since larval preference is known to differ between still and flowing water. Here we report the first experimental study of swimming behavior of Dungeness crab megalopae in a range of current velocities (0–40 cm s?1) equivalent to natural flow in Grays Harbor estuary. Experiments were conducted in daylight using a recirculating flume. Megalopae swimming speeds ranged from 8.5 cm s?1 (8 body lengths s?1) in still water to 44.8 cm s?1 (44 body lengths s?1) at flow speeds of 40 cm s?1, Neither swimming behavior nor sheltering behavior in shells showed any flow-related pattern. Megalopae spent a large proportion of time swimming against the current and made headway upstream against all current velocities tested. The results suggest that Dungeness crab megalopae are able to maneuver and actively search for settlement sites under current velocities found in natural habitats, including intertidal shell deposits, and support the hypothesis of active selection of shell by megalopae.  相似文献   

10.
Refraction data taken from ocean bottom seismograph recordings in the western Arafura Sea indicate a continental‐type structure for the region. This structure is characterised by a thin column (2 km) of sediments, with velocities ranging from about to 2 to 4 km s‐1, overlying an essentially two layer crust. The compressional wave velocities in the upper and lower crust are 5.97 and 6.52 km s‐1, respectively, with the boundary between the layers at a depth of 11 km. Very weak mantle‐refracted arrivals with a velocity of about 8.0 km s‐1 were recorded. Large‐amplitude, later arrivals, beginning at distances near 100 and 150 km, have been interpreted to be part of the retrograde branches from the 8.0 and 7.33 km s‐1 layers, respectively. Model studies indicate that a small positive velocity gradient is required between 17 and 30 km, and that the Moho is at a depth of 34 km. A third set of large amplitude, later arrivals starting at a distance near 250 km has been interpreted as most probably multiple refraction‐reflection arrivals from the 5.97 and 6.52 km s‐1 layers. Correlation of this structure with the stratigraphic logs from exploratory oil wells in the Arafura Sea using layer velocities indicates that rocks younger than Jurassic appear to thin towards the east.  相似文献   

11.
Habitat selection capabilities of the recruiting larval stages of marine invertebrates are limited, in part, by their ability to maneuver in flowing water. Distributional and experimental evidence suggest that blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) megalopae may preferentially settle into vegetated habitats. However, the behavior and swimming capabilities of megalopae in flowing water have not previously been investigated. Laboratory experiments were conducted in a small, recirculating seawater flume to determine the swimming response of megalopae to varying flow velocities. Nighttime trials were conducted at six flow velocities: 0, 1.9, 3.6, 4.8, 6.3, and 9.3 cm s?1. Behavior and swimming velocities of field-collected C. sapidus megalopae were video recorded. Megalopae exhibited negative phototaxis and were found in the water column at all flows in the dark. The maximum sustained swimming speed observed was 12.6 cm s?1 and the mean swimming speed in still water was 5.0 cm s?1, with short bursts in excess of 20 cm s?1. Megalopae frequently oriented into the current and were capable of swimming upstream against the current at flow speeds <4.8 cm s?1; at greater velocities they were not able to do so. The results suggest that at low to moderate current velocities C. sapidus megalopae have the ability to actively move in search of settlement sites and to maintain their positions in desirable sites rather than relying strictly on passive movements by currents.  相似文献   

12.
Emms 《Sedimentology》1999,46(6):1049-1063
Two models of a geostrophically rotating turbidity current are examined to compare predictions for ignition with the catastrophic state. Both models describe the current as a tube of sediment-laden water traversing along and down a uniform slope. The first (four-equation) model neglects the energy required to lift the sediment from the seabed into suspension. The second (five-equation) model rectifies this shortcoming by introducing a turbulent kinetic energy equation and coupling the bottom stress to turbulence in the plume. These models can be used to predict the ignition, path and sediment deposition of a geostrophically rotating turbidity current. The criteria for ignition in the four-equation model can be described by a surface in three-dimensional phase space (for a non-entraining current). This surface lies near the geostrophic equilibrium state. For a turbidity current occurring in the Greenland Sea, velocities above 0·053 m s–1 or volumetric concentrations of sediment above 2·7 × 10–5 lead to ignition. In general, if the tube is started pointing downslope, then ignition is more likely than if it is initially directed alongslope. However, there exists a set of initial conditions in which the current ignites if started along or downslope, but deposits if started at an intermediate angle. The five-equation model requires a larger initial velocity (greater than 1·6 m s–1) to ignite than does the four-equation model. Ignition is determined qualitatively by the geostrophic state and the initial normal Froude number. Solutions show a tendency to travel further alongslope during ignition, reflecting the restriction that the energy budget places on the sediment load. A qualitative difference to phase space in the five-equation model is the existence of a region in which the tube has insufficient energy to support the sediment. Turbulence dies rapidly in this region, and so the sediment is deposited almost immediately.  相似文献   

13.
Turbidite muds in cores from the outer Scotian continental margin, off eastern Canada, contain abundant thin silt laminae. Graded laminated units are recognized in parts of this sequence. These represent single depositional events, and show a regular decrease in modal grain size and thickness of the silt laminae through the unit. A similar fining trend is shown by both silt and mud layers over hundreds of kilometres downslope. Textural analysis of individual laminae allows the construction of a dynamically consistent physical model for transport and sorting in muddy turbidity currents. Hydraulic sorting aggregates finer material to the top and tail regions of a large turbidity flow which then overspills its channel banks. Downslope lateral sorting occurs with preferential deposition of coarser silt grains and larger mud flocs. Depositional sorting by increased shear in the boundary layer separates clay flocs from silt grains and results in a regular mud/silt lamination. Estimates can be made of the physical parameters of the turbidity flows involved. They are a minimum of several hundreds of metres thick, have low concentrations (of the order of 10?3 or 2500 mg 1?1), and move downslope at velocities of 10-20 cm s?1. A 5 mm thick, coarse silt lamina takes about 10 h to deposit, and the subsequent mud layer ‘blankets’ very rapidly over this. A complete unit is deposited in 2-6 days which is the time it takes for the turbidity flow to pass a particular point. These thick, dilute, low-velocity flows are significantly different from the ‘classical’ turbidity current. However, there is mounting evidence in support of the new concept from laboratory observations and direct field measurements.  相似文献   

14.
This paper reviews the complex crustal and upper-mantle seismic velocity structure of Ireland and surrounding seas. Data from 11 seismic refraction profiles reveal that onshore Ireland mean crustal velocities range between 6.25 and 6.5 km s−1 with crustal thickness of 28.5–32 km. Superimposed on a three-layer crust, the sedimentary layer has a thickness of approximately 6–8 km at the southern coastline, but only 3–4 km in the vicinity of the Shannon Estuary in western Ireland. The lateral heterogeneity of the upper-crustal layer is pervasive throughout Ireland, with velocities of 5.7–6.2 km s−1 and a layer thickness of 3–10 km. A low-velocity zone is found in the south-east which is interpreted as the buried south-western extension of the Leinster Granite. The mid-crustal layer (6.3–6.7 km s−1) is between 8 and 16 km thick. Significant changes occur in the vicinity of the Shannon Estuary, around the location of the Iapetus Suture Zone. The lower crust is fairly uniform with velocities of 6.8–7.2 km s−1 and a thickness of approximately 8–10 km except towards the south of Ireland where the Moho appears as a transition zone. Offshore Ireland, a two-layer crust with a thickness of 24–26 km beneath the North Celtic Sea Basin and only 14–15 km beneath the Rockall Trough prevails.  相似文献   

15.
Pyroclastic currents are catastrophic flows of gas and particles triggered by explosive volcanic eruptions. For much of their dynamics, they behave as particulate density currents and share similarities with turbidity currents. Pyroclastic currents occasionally deposit dune bedforms with peculiar lamination patterns, from what is thought to represent the dilute low concentration and fluid‐turbulence supported end member of the pyroclastic currents. This article presents a high resolution dataset of sediment plates (lacquer peels) with several closely spaced lateral profiles representing sections through single pyroclastic bedforms from the August 2006 eruption of Tungurahua (Ecuador). Most of the sedimentary features contain backset bedding and preferential stoss‐face deposition. From the ripple scale (a few centimetres) to the largest dune bedform scale (several metres in length), similar patterns of erosive‐based backset beds are evidenced. Recurrent trains of sub‐vertical truncations on the stoss side of structures reshape and steepen the bedforms. In contrast, sporadic coarse‐grained lenses and lensoidal layers flatten bedforms by filling troughs. The coarsest (clasts up to 10 cm), least sorted and massive structures still exhibit lineation patterns that follow the general backset bedding trend. The stratal architecture exhibits strong lateral variations within tens of centimetres, with very local truncations both in flow‐perpendicular and flow‐parallel directions. This study infers that the sedimentary patterns of bedforms result from four formation mechanisms: (i) differential draping; (ii) slope‐influenced saltation; (iii) truncative bursts; and (iv) granular‐based events. Whereas most of the literature makes a straightforward link between backset bedding and Froude‐supercritical flows, this interpretation is reconsidered here. Indeed, features that would be diagnostic of subcritical dunes, antidunes and ‘chute and pools’ can be found on the same horizon and in a single bedform, only laterally separated by short distances (tens of centimetres). These data stress the influence of the pulsating and highly turbulent nature of the currents and the possible role of coherent flow structures such as Görtler vortices. Backset bedding is interpreted here as a consequence of a very high sedimentation environment of weak and waning currents that interact with the pre‐existing morphology. Quantification of near‐bed flow velocities is made via comparison with wind tunnel experiments. It is estimated that shear velocities of ca 0·30 m.s?1 (equivalent to pure wind velocity of 6 to 8 m.s?1 at 10 cm above the bed) could emplace the constructive bedsets, whereas the truncative phases would result from bursts with impacting wind velocities of at least 30 to 40 m.s?1.  相似文献   

16.
Estimating palaeowind strength from beach deposits   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  
Abstract The geological record of past wind conditions is well expressed in the coarse gravel, cobble and boulder beach deposits of Quaternary palaeolakes in the Great Basin of the western USA and elsewhere. This paper describes a technique, using the particle‐size distribution of beach deposits, to reconstruct palaeowind conditions when the lakes were present. The beach particle technique (BPT) is first developed using coarse beach deposits from the 1986–87 highstand of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, combined with instrumental wind records from the same time period. Next, the BPT is used to test the hypothesis that wind conditions were more severe than at present during the last highstand of Lake Lahontan (≈ 13 ka), which only lasted a decade or two at most. The largest 50 beach clasts were measured at nine beach sites located along the north, west and south sides of Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, all of which formed in 1986–87. At these sites, the largest clast sizes range from 10 to 28 cm (b‐axis), and fetch lengths range from 25 to 55 km. Nearshore wave height was calculated by assuming that the critical threshold velocity required to move the largest clasts represents a minimum estimate of the breaking wave velocity, which is controlled by wave height. Shoaling transformations are undertaken to estimate deep‐water wave heights and, ultimately, wind velocity. Wind estimates for the nine sites, using the BPT, range from 6·5 to 17·4 m s?1, which is in reasonable agreement with the instrumental record from Salt Lake City Airport. The same technique was applied to eight late Pleistocene beaches surrounding the Carson Sink sub‐basin of Lake Lahontan, Nevada. Using the BPT, estimated winds for the eight sites range from 9·7 to 27·1 m s?1. The strongest winds were calculated for a cobble/boulder beach with a fetch of 25 km. Instrumental wind records for the 1992–99 period indicate that wind events of 9–12 m s?1 are common and that the strongest significant wind event (≥ 9 m s?1 for ≥ 3 h) reached an average velocity of 15·5 m s?1. Based on this preliminary comparison, it appears that the late Pleistocene western Great Basin was a windier place than at present, at least for a brief time.  相似文献   

17.
Since 1975 several high-resolution seismic-refraction and reflection surveys have been carried out in western Germany to investigate the structure of the Earth's crust and uppermost mantle. The investigation culminated in the seismic-refraction survey along the 825 km long central part of the European Geotraverse (EGT) in 1986. This contribution summarizes the main results of the more recent crustal investigations along and around the EGT. The internal crustal structure throughout the area of the Variscides is very complex and changes laterally considerably. Distinct crustal blocks differing in their internal structure can be assigned to geologically defined units of the Variscan and Caledonian orogeny. In spite of local deviations, in general a more or less transparent and low-velocity upper crust contrasts with a highly reflective lower crust. A subdivision of upper and lower crust by a well-defined boundary (Conrad discontinuity) is not always seen. Towards the Alps the average velocity of the lower crust is as low as 6.2 km s?1, in contrast to the area north of the Swabian Jura where the velocities above Moho vary between 6.8 and 7.2 km s?1. In Northern Germany, the Elbe line separates the lower crust into two regions with 6.4 km s?1 average velocity in the south and 6.9 km s?1 in the north. The total crustal thickness under the Variscan part of Germany is fairly constant between 28 and 30 km, except under the Rhine Graben area with 25–26 km and beneath the central part of the Rhenish Massif where an anomalous crustal thickening to 37 km is observed. Under northern Germany the Moho rises to about 26 km depth and the data indicate at least one fault-like step of 1 km before the crust thickens toward the Ringkobing-Fyn basement high. The synthesis of seismic velocity structure and petrological information from xenolith studies allows us to propose a mafic composition for the deeper levels of the crust and uppermost mantle which may be valid at least for the central part of the Variscan crust along the European Geotraverse in Central Europe.  相似文献   

18.
The morphology and migration rate of tidal bedforms are important because of their use in interpretation of modern and ancient sediment transport regimes. Tidal flow, megaripple morphology and migration were studied in the mesotidal Mawddach Estuary, North Wales, to examine the veracity of published flow-bedform relationships, quantify spatial variations in migration and assess consequences for palaeoflow reconstruction. Two transects were surveyed along a megarippled intertidal shoal (mean grain size 280 μm) for a period of 22 semi-diurnal tidal cycles. A vertical array of current meters recorded tidal current profiles at the centre of one of the transects. Flood tidal currents dominate at Fegla Fach shoal, with peak velocities over 1 m s?1 at spring tides, and 0.5 m s ?1 at neaps, and bed sediment transport was also flood-dominated. Over the lunar cycle, the morphology of the megaripples on the survey lines was divisible into three phases: 1 the neap mode-consisting of near-moribund two-dimensional (2-D) flood-orientated megaripples of wavelength c. 6 m and height c. 0.2 m; 2 a transitional mode-where, on rising tidal ranges, scour pits formed and developed into 3-D megaripples which underwent net migration with the flood tide; 3 the spring mode-consisting of 3-D megaripples of wavelength c. 4 m and height c. 0.2 m. Despite complete re-orientation by the ebb tide, these were recognizable from one low water survey to the next, and net migration was c. 1 m per tide with the flood tide. We infer the presence of the equilibrium ‘spring tidal form’ occurring as flood-orientated megaripples during the flood tide. The data support previously reported separation of 2-D and 3-D megaripples at a depth to grain size ratio of 8000, and at a depth-mean velocity of the dominant tide (Umaxdom) of 0.75-0.8 m s?1. A migration threshold exists at Umaxdom of c. 0.53-0.57 m s?1. Measures of migration which might be used on preserved sections have been applied to the data. These measures systematically overestimated bedform migration at most stages of the lunar cycle (by <25% at spring tides and <140% in the post-spring transition period), but were accurate when the megaripples had developed into their 'spring tidal form’. There is significant variation of migration rates within the survey populations. We conclude that whilst the occurrence of megaripple cross-sets may be used as a palaeoflow indicator, and sedimentary structures associated with 2-D to 3-D transitions may also be indicative of palaeoflows, there are likely to be significant uncertainties involved in using tidal bundles as an indication of sediment transport rates.  相似文献   

19.
An investigation of the thermal front in southeastern Lake Michigan during April 1988 revealed a dynamic physical, chemical, and biological environment. The front was observed approximately 4 km from the coast as a distinct gradient separating cold open-lake waters from warmer nearshore waters. Surface isotherms near the front were generally parallel to one another but skewed with respect to shore. Comparison between April 22 and 29 showed that the surface isothern pattern was modulated by wind stress. The pattern from April 29 showed signs of flow instabilities with horizontal scales of 1 km to 5 km. Surface drifter trajectories provided estimates of horizontal convergence at the fron which varied from 7×10?6 s?1 to 20×10?6 s?1. Inferred rates of downwelling, which ranged from 9.5 m d?1 to 20.7 m d?1, were sufficient to move a water parcel from the surface to the bottom in 2 to 6 d at the front. Convergent circulation was observed on both sampling dates despite contrasts in wind stress. Concentrations of chloride, soluble silica, and chlorophyll, which were always higher inshore, were 5% to 82% larger than offshore mean values. The aquatic environment just inshore of the thermal front was characterized by chlorphyll concentrations which exceeded 5.0 μg 1?1 while concentrations offshore were between 1.0 μg 1?1 and 2.0 μg 1?1. A relatively uniform vertical structure in chlorophyll concentrations in the frontal zone was consistent with the observed convergence and inferred downwelling near the front.  相似文献   

20.
Primary sedimentary structures exhibiting the diagnostic criteria for single sets of hummocky cross-stratification (Harms et al.) have been found in the surf zone of a storm-wave dominated coastline in the Canadian Great Lakes. Epoxy peels of box cores (0.45 m × 0.30 m) reveal hummocky stratification in well-sorted, fine-grained sands in water depths less than 2 m under conditions of wave breaking and strong longshore currents. The wavelengths of the hummocks (0.3–0.6 m) are somewhat smaller than the norm for their ancient analogues, but the ratios of length to height (8–12) are comparable. Depth of activity rods have been used to identify those hummocks that formed during sediment transport events when the near-bed currents were recorded directly using electromagnetic flowmeters. Results from such experiments clearly identify the hummocky stratification as being produced by an actively growing bedform with little or no lateral migration. Hummocks occur under conditions close to that expected for the upper flat bed. In one vertical sequence, the hummocky cross-stratification is underlain by subhorizontal, planar lamination and overlain by undulatory lamination which grades upward into small-scale, trough cross-lamination of wave ripple origin. This sequence was associated with a single storm and would appear to represent a combined-flow regime sequence with the hummocky structure representing a post-vortex (?) ripple bedform. At the inferred time of hummock formation, near-bed oscillatory flows were dominant and reached maxima of 1.1 m s ?1 with a superimposed longshore current of 0.27 m s?1. Rapid sedimentation associated with vertical growth of the hummocky bedform was triggered by a significant reduction in the orbital currents (by 19%) and'steady'currents (by 67%) while the total bed shear remained high.  相似文献   

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