Palaeovelocity: A parsimonious proposal

Using data collected in her field studies, Maizels (1983) compared five methods of calculating palaeovelocity from coarse gravel deposits. Her paper indicated that the five methods provide estimates which differ by up to 2 x. There are several errors in the published equations, however. Upon correction, the smallest estimate is within 3% per cent of the largest. Other published data sets suggest that the distinction among a variety of palaeovelocity equations is not worth pursuing in light of the amount of scatter in typical data. This paper recommends use of the Thompson and Campbell (1979) modification of the basic Keulegan flow resistance equation because it fits the data as well as any other, whilst covering a more comprehensive range of flow conditions. Problems of appropriate roughness length and entrainmnet function remain.