Contemporary and palaeo channel patterns and the late quaternary stratigraphy of Cooper Creek,Southwest Queensland,Australia |
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| Authors: | Brian R Rust Gerald C Nanson |
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| Abstract: | Braided and anastomosing channels make up two major coexistent networks in the mud-dominated fluvial system of Cooper Creek, Southwest Queensland. The floodplain is characterized by a system of mud braids operative when floods inundate the whole alluvial surface. Anastomosing channels are inset deeper into the floodplain, operate at modern flows, and transport a traction load of sand. Shallow stratigraphic data show that an underlying sand sheet is unrelated to surface channel patterns and was formed by a system of meandering streams. According to preliminary dates based on thermoluminescence, the change from a sand- to mud-dominated fluvial regime took place between 50 000 and 200 000 years B.P., and probably reflects increasing aridity. |
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| Keywords: | Quaternary history Braided pattern Anastomosing pattern Alluvial stratigraphy |
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