--> Abstract: Sinuosities, Gradients and Equilibrium Profiles: Assorted Measurements from the Fuji and Einstein Channel Levee Systems, Gulf of Mexico, by Laura Faulkenberry, Ben Kneller, and Jeffrey Peakall; #90039 (2005)

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Sinuosities, Gradients and Equilibrium Profiles: Assorted Measurements from the Fuji and Einstein Channel Levee Systems, Gulf of Mexico

Laura Faulkenberry1, Ben Kneller2, and Jeffrey Peakall1
1 University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
2 University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

There are relatively few detailed quantitative analyses of submarine channel systems, despite the fact that such measurements are critical for understanding submarine channel systems and for comparing trends seen in submarine systems with those present in fluvial systems. Such measurements, where present, have been used to determine the processes involved in channel evolution from internal channel architecture changes and to relate channel evolution to current models in the literature.

The spatial and temporal evolution of the sinuous Fuji and Einstein channel levee systems on the upper slope of the eastern Gulf of Mexico were analyzed quantitatively in order to relate any measured trends to each other and to other submarine channel systems. In particular, temporal and spatial changes in sinuosity and gradient were cross-correlated. Inter-related changes in sinuosity and gradient have been documented in submarine channels. However, strong positive correlations between the rate of regional gradient change (i.e. the first derivative of the gradient) and sinuosity peaks suggest the gradient and sinuosity relationship is not yet fully understood. Additionally, measurements taken along the length of the channel systems allowed the amount of erosion to deposition to be defined for each system. Potential equilibrium profiles were applied to these channel systems based on this detailed data. For the first time, the concept of equilibrium profiles can be applied to real data instead of schematically.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005