PREDICTION OF BOTTOM CURRENT VELOCITIES FROM SEDIMENT DEPOSITS ON THE SEA BED.

Abstract

The questions of predicting bottom current velocities from the grain sizes of sediments deposited on the sea bed by them is analyzed. Equations for this purpose are derived from various considerations, such as energy equilibrium and momentum equilibrium. The equations so derived and those existing in the literature are critically evaluated and their defects and limitations described. Relationships for the determination of the thickness and concentration of a turbidity current are also developed. Computations have been made using the results of analyses of sediment samples from the Monterey Fan. The proposed current velocity vs. grain size relationship yields a range of velocities from 0.7 to 6.3 metres/sec for the turbidity current that might have passed through the Monterey Fan. The possibility of sediment transport by other mechanisms on the sea floor is also pointed out. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0701121

Entities

People

  • N. N. Panicker

Organizations

  • University of California, Berkeley

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computations
  • Equations
  • Grain Size
  • Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Momentum
  • Physical Properties
  • Seabed
  • Sedimentation
  • Sediments
  • Thickness
  • Transport Ships
  • Turbidity
  • Turbidity Currents

Fields of Study

  • Geology

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Riverine Ecology
  • Theoretical Analysis.