Drainage systems associated with mid-ocean channels and submarine Yazoos: Alternative to submarine fan depositional systems

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Geology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<1148:DSAWMO>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:6918426

Hesse, R ^[1]

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1. McGill Univ., Montreal, Quebec (Canada)

Submarine drainage systems associated with mid-ocean channels and Yazoo River-type tributaries in small ocean basins represent a contrast to deep-sea fan depositional systems. Deep-sea fans are diverging sediment-dispersal systems of distributary fan valleys. Deep-sea channel-submarine-yazoo systems, on the other hand, form centripetally converging patterns of tributaries and yazoo-type satellite channels that join a major basin-draining (mid-ocean) channel. The facies model for such systems is characterized by randomly stacked fining-upward, gravelly, and sandy channel-fill and submarine point-bar sequences of the main channel encased in fine-grained overbank deposits. Second-order channels contain sandy proximal overbank deposits, whereas the levees of the main channel are predominantly composed of silt and clay. Second-order channels may be braided and may broaden into braid plains. Morphology and surficial sediment distribution have been studied within the Northwest Atlantic Mid-Ocean Channel of the Labrador Sea and its associated levees and yazoo-type (and other) tributaries.

• OSTI ID: 6918426
• Journal Information: Geology; (USA), Journal Name: Geology; (USA) Vol. 17:12; ISSN GLGYB; ISSN 0091-7613
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
CLAYS
COASTAL REGIONS
DEPOSITION
DISTRIBUTION
DRAINAGE
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE
MINERAL RESOURCES
MORPHOLOGY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
RIVER DELTAS
ROCKS
SAND
SEA BED
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEDIMENTS
SILTSTONES
STRATIGRAPHY
VALLEYS