Processes of transport and sedimentary structures - Flows, Sediment and Bedforms

5 important questions on Processes of transport and sedimentary structures - Flows, Sediment and Bedforms

A bedform is a morphological feature relevant to sedimentology and delta geology. By what is it formed?


A bedform is a morphological feature formed by the
interaction between a flow and cohesionless sediment
on a bed (e.g. Ripples in the sand or sand dunes in deserts).

What practical use in delta geology do bedforms have?


Recognition of sedimentary structures generated by bedforms provides information about the strength of the current,
the flow depth and the direction of sediment transport.

Extra: A fluid flowing over a surface can be divided
into... (name 3 subdivisions)


1. Free stream, which is the portion of the flow

unaffected by boundary effects
2. Boundary layer, within which the velocity starts to decrease due to friction with the bed
3. Viscous sublayer, a region of reduced turbulence that is typically less than a millimetre thick
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Extra: when is a surface within the viscous sublayer hydraulically smooth/rough?


If all the particles
are contained within the viscous sublayer the surface
is considered to be hydraulically smooth, and if
there are particles that project up through this layer
then the flow surface is hydraulically rough.

How can this be interpreted using the bedform stability diagram: a bed of medium sand that was plane-bedded at the base, cross-bedded in the middle and ripple cross-laminated at the top


A decrease in flow velocity during the deposition of the bed

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