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First wide-angle view of channelized turbidity currents links migrating cyclic steps to flow characteristics

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  • John E. Hughes Clarke

    (University of New Brunswick
    Present address: Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, University of New Hampshire, 24 Colovos Road, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA.)

Abstract

Field observations of turbidity currents remain scarce, and thus there is continued debate about their internal structure and how they modify underlying bedforms. Here, I present the results of a new imaging method that examines multiple surge-like turbidity currents within a delta front channel, as they pass over crescent-shaped bedforms. Seven discrete flows over a 2-h period vary in speed from 0.5 to 3.0 ms−1. Only flows that exhibit a distinct acoustically attenuating layer at the base, appear to cause bedform migration. That layer thickens abruptly downstream of the bottom of the lee slope of the bedform, and the upper surface of the layer fluctuates rapidly at that point. The basal layer is inferred to reflect a strong near-bed gradient in density and the thickening is interpreted as a hydraulic jump. These results represent field-scale flow observations in support of a cyclic step origin of crescent-shaped bedforms.

Suggested Citation

  • John E. Hughes Clarke, 2016. "First wide-angle view of channelized turbidity currents links migrating cyclic steps to flow characteristics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11896
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11896
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter J. Talling & Megan L. Baker & Ed L. Pope & Sean C. Ruffell & Ricardo Silva Jacinto & Maarten S. Heijnen & Sophie Hage & Stephen M. Simmons & Martin Hasenhündl & Catharina J. Heerema & Claire McG, 2022. "Longest sediment flows yet measured show how major rivers connect efficiently to deep sea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.

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