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Variations in the size of coarse clastic particles over the surface of a small sandur, Ellesmere Island, N.W.T., Canada
Author(s) -
BALLANTYNE C. K.
Publication year - 1978
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.1365-3091.1978.tb00305.x
Subject(s) - outwash plain , geology , clastic rock , channel (broadcasting) , geomorphology , glacial period , engineering , structural basin , electrical engineering
ABSTRACT For a small sandur in the Canadian Arctic, trend surface analysis of fifty‐three samples shows that less than 40% of clast size variation is explained by downsandur fining. Further variations are explained by considering different levels of the sandur surface separately. In the main flow area, which carries water even during periods of low flow, channel deposits are invariably coarser than bar deposits although the difference lessens and overall sorting improves with distance downsandur. The flood surface area, which carries water only during high discharges, is less affected by downsandur fining than the rest of the sandur, and the bar‐channel relationship is weaker. The high flood surface which occupies most of the proximal zone of the sandur is probably an abandoned main flow surface, as indicated by clast size characteristics similar to those on the present main flow surface.