Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock record
Abstract A debate has called into question as to which fluvial channel patterns are most widely represented in the stratigraphic record, with some advocating that distributive fluvial systems (DFS) predominate and others that a broad diversity of fluvial styles may become preserved. Critical to both...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2020-09-01
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| Series: | The Depositional Record |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/dep2.124 |
| _version_ | 1818176616532017152 |
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| author | Renske C. Terwisscha van Scheltinga William J. McMahon Wout M. vanDijk Joris T. Eggenhuisen Maarten G. Kleinhans |
| author_facet | Renske C. Terwisscha van Scheltinga William J. McMahon Wout M. vanDijk Joris T. Eggenhuisen Maarten G. Kleinhans |
| author_sort | Renske C. Terwisscha van Scheltinga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract A debate has called into question as to which fluvial channel patterns are most widely represented in the stratigraphic record, with some advocating that distributive fluvial systems (DFS) predominate and others that a broad diversity of fluvial styles may become preserved. Critical to both sides is the adequate recognition of original channel planform from geological outcrops separated from their formative processes by millions or even billions of years. In this study the river and rock record are linked through experimentally created DFSs with both aggrading channel beds and floodplains. This approach allows depositing processes and deposited strata to be studied in tandem. Proximal areas comprise coarse, amalgamated channel‐fills with scarce fine‐grained floodplain material. The overall spread of sandbody dimensions become far more varied in medial stretches, with an overall reduction in mean width and depth. In these areas channel‐fills may be sand‐rich or mud‐rich and, following avulsion, all channels are covered by floodplain sediment. Channels, levees and splays form discrete depositional bodies each with varying aspect ratios; a novel breadth of deposits and morphologies in aggrading experiments largely concurrent with proposed trends indicative of DFSs. The proportion of floodplain material increases distally, resulting in decreased interconnectedness of distal channel‐fills. Muddy floodplain sediments significantly change DFSs behaviour and subsequent stratigraphic architecture by enhancing bank stability and reducing avulsion through the filling of floodbasins. The laboratory methods utilised here open up the possibility of controlled experimentation on the effects and mechanisms of DFSs sedimentation, which is important since the modelled stratigraphic trends are rarely so tractable in ancient geological outcrop belts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T20:19:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ced9f885ae49486f9af32974979c09d6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-4877 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T20:19:01Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Depositional Record |
| spelling | doaj.art-ced9f885ae49486f9af32974979c09d62022-12-22T00:52:08ZengWileyThe Depositional Record2055-48772020-09-016367068410.1002/dep2.124Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock recordRenske C. Terwisscha van Scheltinga0William J. McMahon1Wout M. vanDijk2Joris T. Eggenhuisen3Maarten G. Kleinhans4Faculty of Geosciences Utrecht University Utrecht The NetherlandsFaculty of Geosciences Utrecht University Utrecht The NetherlandsFaculty of Geosciences Utrecht University Utrecht The NetherlandsFaculty of Geosciences Utrecht University Utrecht The NetherlandsFaculty of Geosciences Utrecht University Utrecht The NetherlandsAbstract A debate has called into question as to which fluvial channel patterns are most widely represented in the stratigraphic record, with some advocating that distributive fluvial systems (DFS) predominate and others that a broad diversity of fluvial styles may become preserved. Critical to both sides is the adequate recognition of original channel planform from geological outcrops separated from their formative processes by millions or even billions of years. In this study the river and rock record are linked through experimentally created DFSs with both aggrading channel beds and floodplains. This approach allows depositing processes and deposited strata to be studied in tandem. Proximal areas comprise coarse, amalgamated channel‐fills with scarce fine‐grained floodplain material. The overall spread of sandbody dimensions become far more varied in medial stretches, with an overall reduction in mean width and depth. In these areas channel‐fills may be sand‐rich or mud‐rich and, following avulsion, all channels are covered by floodplain sediment. Channels, levees and splays form discrete depositional bodies each with varying aspect ratios; a novel breadth of deposits and morphologies in aggrading experiments largely concurrent with proposed trends indicative of DFSs. The proportion of floodplain material increases distally, resulting in decreased interconnectedness of distal channel‐fills. Muddy floodplain sediments significantly change DFSs behaviour and subsequent stratigraphic architecture by enhancing bank stability and reducing avulsion through the filling of floodbasins. The laboratory methods utilised here open up the possibility of controlled experimentation on the effects and mechanisms of DFSs sedimentation, which is important since the modelled stratigraphic trends are rarely so tractable in ancient geological outcrop belts.https://doi.org/10.1002/dep2.124avulsionchannelsfacies criteriafloodplainmorphodynamicsstratigraphic record |
| spellingShingle | Renske C. Terwisscha van Scheltinga William J. McMahon Wout M. vanDijk Joris T. Eggenhuisen Maarten G. Kleinhans Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock record The Depositional Record avulsion channels facies criteria floodplain morphodynamics stratigraphic record |
| title | Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock record |
| title_full | Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock record |
| title_fullStr | Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock record |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock record |
| title_short | Experimental distributive fluvial systems: Bridging the gap between river and rock record |
| title_sort | experimental distributive fluvial systems bridging the gap between river and rock record |
| topic | avulsion channels facies criteria floodplain morphodynamics stratigraphic record |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/dep2.124 |
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