Giant Sediment-Wave Field and Supercritical-Flow Bedforms in a Mississippian Carbonate Ramp, USA

Explore a fascinating geological discovery in this 57-minute video lecture on giant sediment waves and supercritical-flow bedforms found in a Mississippian carbonate ramp in the USA. Delve into the study of a massive carbonate sediment-wave field in outcrops of the Fort Payne Formation across Tennessee and south-central Kentucky. Learn about the characteristics of sediment waves, their formation in clinothem foresets and bottomsets, and the estimated water depths in which they were deposited. Examine the various types of sediment waves found in the upper slope and bottomset areas, including their wavelengths, heights, and unique features. Understand the key factors that contributed to the establishment and maintenance of this sediment-wave depositional system, such as basin physiography, upwelling, density flows, and a prolific heterozoan carbonate factory. Discover the presence of large- and small-scale sedimentary structures indicating deposition from Froude-supercritical flows. Consider the implications of this discovery for re-examining other ancient carbonate slope and basin-floor systems, as the presence of such sediment waves in this well-known carbonate ramp suggests that similar formations may exist elsewhere.

Giant sediment-wave field and supercritical-flow bedforms in a Mississippian carbonate ramp, USA