Premium
Sedimentary environments and facies of the subtropical mgeni estuary, Southeast Africa
Author(s) -
Cooper J. A. G.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
geological journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.721
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1099-1034
pISSN - 0072-1050
DOI - 10.1002/gj.3350230104
Subject(s) - facies , geology , estuary , sedimentary rock , mouth bar , sedimentary structures , inlet , intertidal zone , barrier island , oceanography , aeolian processes , mangrove , subtropics , fluvial , shoal , geomorphology , paleontology , shore , ecology , structural basin , biology
The Mgeni Estuary is situated on the subtropical, mainly microtidal Natal coast. Modern sedimentary environments in the estuary comprise two groups. Barrier‐associated environments include inlet channel, inlet beachface, tidal delta, washover fans, transverse intertidal bars and aeolian dunes. Estuarine environments include subtidal channels, interidal bars, back‐barrier lagoon, tidal creek, tidal creek side‐attached bars, creek mouth bar, mangrove fringe and supratidal mudflats. Each sedimentary facies is described in terms of grain‐size, sedimentary structures, and sedimentary processes. The distinctive flora and fauna play an important role in facies recognition. Vertical sequences produced by infilling of the estuary and subsequent coastal erosion are discussed. The facies are considered sufficiently distinct to warrant recognition in the geological record.