Sediment Transport by Mud Flows and Turbidity Currents in Continental Margins

This research has two main components. The first component addresses the evolution of mud flows (i.e. dense gravity currents) on submarine slopes, with the goal of developing the capabilities to predict the velocity, thickness, and run-out distance of mud flows. The second component of the research involves experiments on non-channelized turbidity currents (i.e. dilute density currents) and the sediment deposits they generate. The main question here is with regards to the effect that the bed gradient has on the evolution and lateral spreading of turbidity currents on continental shelves and slopes and whether such slope-induced effect can be recognized in the sediment deposits generated by such flows. The main objectives are: 1) to study the effect of sediment discharge, sediment size and density, and bottom slope on the evolution of threedimensional mud flows and turbidity currents "representative" of those expected to occur on continental shelves and slopes, and 2) to study the nature of the sediment deposits generated by three-dimensional turbidity currents and mud flows (e.g. thickness and particle size distribution in the vertical and horizontal directions).