Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

CS10 Continental Shelf Processes: Benthos and Pelagos

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001, Time: 4:00:00 PM

Location: Aztec

Tripsanas, E, K, Texas A&M University, Department of Oceanography, College Station, USA, thymios@ocean.tamu.edu

Bryant, W, R, Texas A&M University, Department of Oceanography, College Station, USA, wbryant@ocean.tamu.edu

Berti, D, , Texas A&M University, Department of Oceanography, College Station, USA, Debora@ocean.tamu.edu

Silva, A, J, University of Rhode Island, Marine Geomechanics Laboratory, Narraganset, USA,

Sedimentological and Hydraulic Properties of Turbidity Currents Acting, in Bryant Canyon, During Isotopic Stage 6.

Bryant Canyon is an erosional feature that during isotopic stage 6 acted as a conduit for Mississippi River sediments draining into the deep basin of the Gulf of Mexico. The sedimentology of stage 6, depending on the location relative to the canyon, vary from thin-bedded, silty-sand turbidites of the intra-canyon, to fine-grained turbidites on the upper walls and overflow areas of the canyon. Normally graded, sharp based, mud laminas (rhythmites) are located at the most distal environments. The turbidites in core JPC-37 (intra-canyon), are represented by sand and silt turbidites and were deposited by currents with velocities of approximately 270 cm/s and a thickness of about 400 m. The grading, in the rhythmites (JPC-31), is due to the presence of slightly higher percentages of sediments in the size range of 1-11 microns, at their bases. The rhythmites are interpreted as depositions of low-density flows that first deposited heavy flocculates (consisting of the coarsest grains in the suspension) and later the fines, and/or aeolian processes.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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