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A dimensionless framework for predicting submarine fan morphology

Author

Listed:
  • Abdul Wahab

    (Tulane University)

  • David C. Hoyal

    (ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company)

  • Mrugesh Shringarpure

    (ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company)

  • Kyle M. Straub

    (Tulane University)

Abstract

Observations of active turbidity currents at field scale offers a limited scope which challenges the development of theory that links flow dynamics to the morphology of submarine fans. Here we offer a framework for predicting submarine fan morphologies by simplifying critical environmental forcings such as regional slopes and properties of sediments, through densimetric Froude (ratio of inertial to gravitational forces) and Rouse numbers (ratio of settling velocity of sediments to shear velocity) of turbidity currents. We leverage a depth-average process-based numerical model to simulate an array of submarine fans and measure rugosity as a proxy for their morphological complexity. We show a systematic increase in rugosity by either increasing the densimetric Froude number or decreasing the Rouse number of turbidity currents. These trends reflect gradients in the dynamics of channel migration on the fan surface and help discriminate submarine fans that effectively sequester organic carbon rich mud in deep ocean strata.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdul Wahab & David C. Hoyal & Mrugesh Shringarpure & Kyle M. Straub, 2022. "A dimensionless framework for predicting submarine fan morphology," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-34455-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34455-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jan de Leeuw & Joris T. Eggenhuisen & Matthieu J. B. Cartigny, 2016. "Morphodynamics of submarine channel inception revealed by new experimental approach," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, April.
    2. Valier Galy & Christian France-Lanord & Olivier Beyssac & Pierre Faure & Hermann Kudrass & Fabien Palhol, 2007. "Efficient organic carbon burial in the Bengal fan sustained by the Himalayan erosional system," Nature, Nature, vol. 450(7168), pages 407-410, November.
    3. Christopher John Stevenson & Peter Feldens & Aggeliki Georgiopoulou & Mischa Schӧnke & Sebastian Krastel & David J. W. Piper & Katja Lindhorst & David Mosher, 2018. "Reconstructing the sediment concentration of a giant submarine gravity flow," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
    4. J. H. Nienhuis & A. D. Ashton & D. A. Edmonds & A. J. F. Hoitink & A. J. Kettner & J. C. Rowland & T. E. Törnqvist, 2020. "Global-scale human impact on delta morphology has led to net land area gain," Nature, Nature, vol. 577(7791), pages 514-518, January.
    5. Vamsi Ganti & Michael P. Lamb & Brandon McElroy, 2014. "Quantitative bounds on morphodynamics and implications for reading the sedimentary record," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. J. Kevin Reece & Robert M. Dorrell & Kyle M. Straub, 2024. "Circulation of hydraulically ponded turbidity currents and the filling of continental slope minibasins," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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