Clay minerals: paleogeographic and diagenetic aspects.

Abstract

We compared composition, distribution, and origin of clay minerals in sediments from the accretionary wedge (Site 434) with those of clay minerals from the sites at the oceanic plate (Site 435) and on the landward slope of the Japan Trench (Site 435) in order to determine the mode of sediment deformation and accumulation in the Japan Trench and in its landward wall. We also tried to determine sediment source areas, means of clay mineral migration, and physico-geographical conditions of sedimentation, including paleocurrents. In addition we studied the diagenetic transformation of clay sediments in the Japan Trench and at the margin of oceanic plate, the influence of clay minerals on the chemical makeup of sediments, and their elemental distribution.-from Authors