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The origin of horizontal laminae in ephemeral stream channel‐fill
Author(s) -
FROSTICK LYNNE E.,
REID IAN
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
sedimentology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.494
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1365-3091
pISSN - 0037-0746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3091.1977.tb00116.x
Subject(s) - ephemeral key , tributary , geology , sedimentary rock , sorting , sedimentology , sediment , drainage basin , channel (broadcasting) , storm , geomorphology , hydrology (agriculture) , paleontology , oceanography , geotechnical engineering , cartography , engineering , computer science , electrical engineering , programming language , geography , algorithm
The number of paired horizontal laminae in an ephemeral channel‐fill increases systematically down‐catchment from stream headwaters, and is shown to be functionally related to tributary confluence. Under moving storm conditions, each tributary sub‐catchment delivers a sediment‐laden discharge pulse that finds sedimentary expression in paired laminae of light and heavy minerals. Lamina differentiation is attributed to a congregational sorting mechanism. The direct relationship ( r , = 0.903) between paired laminae and confluencing tributaries permits palaeoenvironmental inference of drainage‐net character, and palaeoclimatic variability.