STUDIES OF STRATIFICATION IN MODERN SEDIMENTS AND IN LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS
Abstract
Field investigations were conducted in modern beaches, dunes, tidal flats, lagoons, and alluvial fans. Experiments were made also to determine some of the controls in the development of cross-stratification by changing one variable at a time. The angle of repose of sands indicates that both subaerial and subaquerous deposits vary considerably as a result of differences in roundness of grain, sorting, and other textural features. In longitudinal section, the sand deposits in a water tank form series of sloping strata of uniform character which continue to build forward without change in form provided the environmental factors remain constant. Most of the major changes in cross stratification of delta tank deposits which are formed in a standing body of water result from fluctuations in water level. Delta front deposits sectioned transversely to the main direction of movement are essentially horizontal or slightly convex upward where sedimentation has been uniform across a broad surface. Stream erosion and deposition experiments indicate that channels formed by water currents moving over an unconsolidated sand surface tend to have steep sides and flat bottoms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1952
- Accession Number
- AD0012396
Entities
People
- Edwin D. Mckee
Organizations
- University of Arizona