Quantitative analysis of the geometry of submarine channels: Implications for the classification of submarine fans

Research Article| July 01, 1992 Quantitative analysis of the geometry of submarine channels: Implications for the classification of submarine fans J. D. Clark; J. D. Clark 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar N. H. Kenyon; N. H. Kenyon 2Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Wormley, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5UB, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar K. T. Pickering K. T. Pickering 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information J. D. Clark 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, England N. H. Kenyon 2Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Wormley, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5UB, England K. T. Pickering 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, England Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1992) 20 (7): 633–636. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0633:QAOTGO>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation J. D. Clark, N. H. Kenyon, K. T. Pickering; Quantitative analysis of the geometry of submarine channels: Implications for the classification of submarine fans. Geology 1992;; 20 (7): 633–636. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0633:QAOTGO>2.3.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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Certain attributes of submarine channels measured from GLORIA sidescan sonar data from 16 different submarine fans indicate similarities with fluviatile systems. Channel width, depth, meander radius and wavelength, sinuosity, and gradient were measured. This approach makes it possible to identify high- sinuosity, low-gradient (e.g., Indus Fan channels) and low-sinuosity, high- gradient (e.g., Porcupine Seabight channels) channel systems as end members. Current classifications of submarine fans relate fan shape to grain size or sediment caliber and therefore are inadequate, principally because the shape of the fan is strongly controlled by the shape of the receiving basin, which in turn is dependent upon parameters such as tectonics and diapirism. Overall fan shape is almost invariably independent of the physics of sediment transport. Rather than fan shape, the geometry and other characteristics of submarine channels and canyons provide a more promising means of differentiating deep- marine turbidite systems. 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.