A comparison of an autosuspension criterion to field observations of five turbidity currents

An autosuspension criterion that has been developed directly from the fluid dynamical equations, by taking into account the vertical structure of turbidity currents, is compared to field observations of five turbidity currents. It is found that the criterion is consistent with the motion of all five currents, which suggests that the criterion may, at least under certain circumstances, be a reasonable guide in estimating the conditions necessary for a turbidity current to be self‐sustaining.