Turbidity currents linked to levee composition; An experimental approach

Abstract

An experimental approach of turbidity currents is presented in order to relate the internal composition of bounding levees based on their particle size with the turbidity current responsible for its formation and how various conditions influence both their structures. It is shown that turbidity currents internal structure, mainly its concentration profile/particle size profile, is significantly altered by changes in boundary conditions e.g. angle of slope and initial sediment composition. Furthermore experiments show three stages in the formation of submarine levees. 1) A coarse steeply fining upward frontal lobe. 2) A well-mixed broad levee only slightly fining upward relative equal in height as the body of the passing turbidity current. 3) A narrow steeply fining upward top section of the levee created from the highest layer and therefore finest particles of the turbidity current and its subsequent settling of particles during the waning stage.