Morphology of a delta prograding by bulk sediment transport

Research Article| November 01, 1985 Morphology of a delta prograding by bulk sediment transport P. M. KENYON; P. M. KENYON 1Department of Geological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D. L. TURCOTTE D. L. TURCOTTE 1Department of Geological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information P. M. KENYON 1Department of Geological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 D. L. TURCOTTE 1Department of Geological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1985) 96 (11): 1457–1465. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1985)96<1457:MOADPB>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation P. M. KENYON, D. L. TURCOTTE; Morphology of a delta prograding by bulk sediment transport. GSA Bulletin 1985;; 96 (11): 1457–1465. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1985)96<1457:MOADPB>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A theoretical geomorphic model is developed for the progradation of a river delta in which the patterns of deposition and movement of sediment on the delta front slope are dominated by bulk-transport processes, such as creep and landsliding. The model predicts an exponential delta front profile, in which the maximum slope is controlled by the sediment supply to the delta, the rate of sediment transport on the delta front slope, and the depth of the receiving basin.Applications of the model to the Fraser and Mississippi River Deltas and to the Rhine River Delta in Lake Constance give good agreement with the progradation and morphology of these deltas. A difference in transport coefficient between the Mississippi River and the other deltas is attributed to differences in sediment composition and/or rate of sediment supply between this and the other deltas. The derived sediment-transport coefficients are found to be much higher than those for subaerial hillslopes. Our results suggest that deltas prograding by the processes considered in this paper will adjust quickly to changes in sediment supply. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.