Sedimentary structures of fine-grained sediments from the Mississippi Fan: thin-section analysis.

Abstract

The principal primary and secondary structures are 1) homogeneous bedding, 2) composite bedding, 3) graded bedding, 4) parallel lamination, 5) cross-lamination, 6) discontinuous and irregular structures, and 7) microfaults and loading structures. Most of these structures, and their common occurrence in regular vertical successions over 5 to >100 cm, can be interpreted in terms of the standard sequences for fine-grained turbidites. However, several other structures are most likely the result of particularly rapid deposition from large muddy turbidity currents onto a soft, unconsolidated substrate. -from Authors