Continental Margin Sedimentation From Sediment Transport to Sequence Stratigraphy

by Nittrouer, Charles A.; Austin, James A.; Field, Michael E.; Kravitz, Joseph H.; Syvitski, James P. M.; Wiberg, Patricia L.

• ISBN13: 9781405169349
• ISBN10: 1405169346
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-07-30
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This volume on continental margin sedimentation brings together an expert editorial and contributor team to create a state-of-the-art resource. Taking a global perspective, the book spans a range of timescales and content, ranging from how oceans transport particles, to how thick rock sequences are formed on continental margins. Summarizes and integrates our understanding of sedimentary processes and strata associated with fluvial dispersal systems on continental shelves and slopes Explores timescales ranging from particle transport at one extreme, to deep burial at the other Insights are presented for margins in general, and with focus on a tectonically active margin (northern California) and a passive margin (New Jersey), enabling detailed examination of the intricate relationships between a wide suite of sedimentary processes and their preserved stratigraphy Includes observational studies which document the processes and strata found on particular margins, in addition to numerical models and laboratory experimentation, which provide a quantitative basis for extrapolation in time and space of insights about continental-margin sedimentation Provides a research resource for scientists studying modern and ancient margins, and an educational text for advanced students in sedimentology and stratigraphy

Author Biography

Charles A. Nittrouer is a Professor in the School of Oceanography and in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington. His research interests include the modern and ancient formation of sedimentary strata in continental-margin environments, and the effects of physical and biological oceanic processes on sedimentary characteristics.

James A. Austin, Jr., is a Senior Research Scientist in the University of Texas Institute of Geophysics, which is part of the Jackson School of Geosciences. James uses a variety of geophysical tools to examine the stratigraphic evolution of a wide range of marine and lacustrine environments around the world, including the latest Pleistocene-Holocene geology of the New Jersey continental shelf.

Michael E. Field is a Senior Marine Geologist with the USGS Pacific Science Center in Santa Cruz, California. His research has investigated sedimentation on many of the continental margins around the United States and the world, and recently he has expanded his focus to include the effects of watershed changes and sedimentation patterns on coral reef systems of Pacific high islands.

Joseph H. Kravitz spent many years as a program director of Marine Geology and Geophysics at the US Office of Naval Research, and is now associated with the George Washington University. His research interests include the study of sediments and sedimentary processes in high-latitude glacial-marine environments, as well as the application of marine geotechnique to geological problems.

James P.M. Syvitski is Director of INSTAAR, an Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, and is Professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado. James investigates the discharge dynamics of global rivers and the sediment load they carry, the morphology and deposits of continental margins, the impact of high-energy weather events on coastlines; and the impact of ice sheets on high-latitude shelves and slopes.

Patricia L. Wiberg is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. Her current research topics include storm-driven transport and the formation of sedimentary strata on the continental shelf, sediment dynamics on tidal salt marshes and in coastal lagoons, modeling fine-grained sediment dynamics, sediment-associated contaminant transport, and the evolution of continental-margin morphology.

Table of Contents

Preface

Writing a Rosetta stone: insights into continental-margin sedimentary processes and strata

Introduction

The boundary conditions

The common threads

Sediment delivery

Sediment alteration

Sediment dispersal system

Seabed failure

Gravity flows

Margin morphology

Margin stratigraphy

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

Sediment delivery to the seabed on continental margins

Introduction

Review of previous work

Sediment delivery to the eel margin

Summary and conclusion

Acknowledgements

Nomenclature

References

Post-depositional alteration and preservation of sedimentary strata

Introduction and scope

Consolidation

Physical alteration

Biological alteration

Preservation

Summary

Acknowledgements

Nomenclature

References

Oceanic dispersal and accumulation of river sediment

Introduction

Quantifying sedimentary processes

The northern California margin

Sediment production and coastal delivery

Sediment transort and accumulation

Sedimentation patterns and rates

Sediment budgets of dispersal systems

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

Nomenclature

References

Submarine mass movements on continental margins

Introduction

Historic development of understanding

Classification

Environments

Fjords

Active river deltas on the continental shelf

Submarine canyon-fan systems

The open continental slope

Statistics of submarine landslides

Mechanics of slope failure

Pore-water pressure

Sediment mobilization and strength loss

Triggers

Contributions to submarine landslide research from the strataform program

Summary

Acknowledgements

Nomenclature

References

The mechanics of marine sediment gravity flows

Seascape evolution on clastic continental shelves and slopes

The long-term stratigraphic record on continental margins

Prediction of margin stratigraphy

Index

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