The Contourite-Turbidite Controversy After 50 Years

Explore the ongoing debate surrounding the distinction between contourites, turbidites, and hemipelagites in deepwater systems through this informative lecture. Delve into the history of the contourite revolution from the 1960s and examine why differentiating these sedimentary deposits has remained controversial for over five decades. Learn about the overlapping processes and deposit characteristics, the common occurrence of interbedded sequences, and the impact of misleading published material. Gain insights into the current understanding of end-member processes, physical parameters, and the established occurrence, architecture, and seismic attributes of these deposits. Discover the progress made in recognizing differences between end-member facies, including sedimentary structures, facies sequences, ichnofacies, sediment textures, composition, and microfabric. Understand the development of standard facies models and their variations in natural systems. Acknowledge the ongoing challenges in clear distinction based solely on sedimentary characteristics and the need for highlighting uncertainties in interpretations. Recognize the importance of focused new research to address remaining controversies in this field of sedimentology.

The Contourite-Turbidite Controversy after 50 years