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Rip currents as a geological tool
Author(s) -
GRUSZCZYŃSKI MICHAŁ,
RUDOWSKI STANISŁAW,
SEMIL JULIA,
SŁOMIŃSKI JAN,
ZROBEK JERZY
Publication year - 1993
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.1365-3091.1993.tb01762.x
Subject(s) - geology , rip current , flysch , sedimentary rock , turbidite , storm , current (fluid) , littoral zone , sedimentary structures , longshore drift , turbidity current , contourite , geomorphology , sediment transport , sediment , paleontology , oceanography , sedimentary depositional environment , shore , structural basin
This paper considers the nature and sedimentary significance of rip currents. Rip currents are the main factor responsible for the transport of coarse sediments from the littoral zone to greater depths. Such sediments, deposited outside the zone of wave deformation, may be identified as storm rip current increments within sediments deposited during fair weather. Composite beds deposited during a given wave cycle by storm rip currents are closely similar to ‘turbidites’ and many so called ‘fluxo‐turbidites’ described from flysch deposits. Using data gathered in studies conducted on the modern Baltic coast, supplemented by experimental work and theoretical considerations, a sedimentary model is proposed. The model may be used to interpret possible rip current deposits among shallow water ‘turbidites’, and both modern storm sediments and ancient ‘tempestites’.