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Turbidite Sandstone Bodies

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Sandstone Depositional Models for Exploration for Fossil Fuels

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Abstract

Turbidite sand bodies comprise part of a broad spectrum of sediments deposited by subaqueous gravity processes in deep-water marine environments. These processes are diverse in type (Figure 6.1), but all constitute part of a continuum. This continuum was classified formally by Middleton and Hampton (1973), who recognized four classes ranging from debris flow to grain flow to fluidized sediment flow to turbidity currents. Figure 6.1 shows a modification of their classification scheme and adds one other end member, namely the large submarine slumps and slides which have been described and recognized from several places (Moore, 1977; Booth, 1979; Doyle et al., 1979; Keller et al., 1979; Schlee et al., 1979). The sediment support mechanism for each of these transport processes is different and permits segregation into distinct classes, as suggested by Middleton and Hampton (1973), although it must be emphasized that the role of internal pore pressure and liquefaction, as well as relative water content, makes it difficult under natural conditions to observe these class distinctions so clearly (Lowe, 1976; Lawson, 1979a). Although this chapter will review the slump processes, as well as the four groups of processes proposed by Middleton and Hampton (1973), which comprise part of one continuum (Figure 6.1), and use the terms they suggested, care must be take in their application because of the total gradational relations that exist between each class.

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  1. Urbana, Illinois, USA

    George deVries Klein

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© 1982 International Human Resources Development Corporation

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Klein, G.d. (1982). Turbidite Sandstone Bodies. In: Sandstone Depositional Models for Exploration for Fossil Fuels. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9758-1_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9758-1_6

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