Research progress on flood-triggered hyperpycnal flows in sedimentary basins

ZHANG Chengcheng; FANG Chaogang; LIU Tao; WU Tong; SHAO Wei; LIAO Shengbing; XU Jinlong

doi:10.16788/j.hddz.32-1865/P.2024.01.004

2024 Vol. 45, No. 1

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Article navigation > East China Geology > 2024 > 45(1): 49-61

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ZHANG Chengcheng, FANG Chaogang, LIU Tao, WU Tong, SHAO Wei, LIAO Shengbing, XU Jinlong. 2024. Research progress on flood-triggered hyperpycnal flows in sedimentary basins. East China Geology, 45(1): 49-61. doi: 10.16788/j.hddz.32-1865/P.2024.01.004

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ZHANG Chengcheng, FANG Chaogang, LIU Tao, WU Tong, SHAO Wei, LIAO Shengbing, XU Jinlong. 2024. Research progress on flood-triggered hyperpycnal flows in sedimentary basins. East China Geology, 45(1): 49-61. doi: 10.16788/j.hddz.32-1865/P.2024.01.004

Research progress on flood-triggered hyperpycnal flows in sedimentary basins

1. Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, Jiangsu, China;
2. Exploration Research Institute, Anhui Provincial Bureau of Coal Geology, Hefei 230088, Anhui, China;
3. Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China;
4. Geological Survey of Anhui Province, Hefei 230001, Anhui, China

More Information

Corresponding author: FANG Chaogang, fangchaogang206@163.com

Received Date: 17 February 2024

Revised Date: 12 March 2024

Abstract

Abstract

Hyperpycnal flows triggered by floods are important deep-water gravity flow sedimentary systems in basins and are currently a hot topic in sedimentology research. Based on extensive literature review, this paper summarizes the research status and progress of hyperpycnal flows in terms of their development conditions, evolutionary processes, and sedimentary characteristics. Hyperpycnal flows are dense, formed and less affected by buoyancy during flood periods when a sediment-laden fluid plunges into the bottom of a water body and flows basinward. The formation of hyperpycnal flows is influenced by various factors, including topography, climate, and sediment sources. The evolutionary process of hyperpycnal flows involves backwater zone, depth-limited plume zone, and plunging zone, with frequent fluctuations in flow rate during flow, but overall exhibiting a hydrodynamic evolution characteristic of initial enhancement followed by attenuation. The sedimentary products formed by hyperpycnal flows are called hyperpycnites. They can be distinguished from other gravity flow deposits by their development of the typical sedimentary structures such as water causes cross-bedding, interlayer scour contact surface, allochthonous plant fragments, and the coupling of inverse and normal grading. Hyperpycnites can be divided into three lithofacies:bed load, the suspended load, and lofting, based on the sediment transport mode of the flow. The sedimentary characteristics of hyperpycnal deposits are closely related to the energy evolution process of hyperpycnal flows, and thus the characteristics of sedimentary sequences and sedimentary units formed in different spatial locations also vary. In-depth research on hyperpycnal flow sedimentation contributes to improving deep-water gravity flow theory and is of great significance for understanding surface geological processes, reconstructing ancient environments, and guiding oil and gas exploration. Future research can focus on constructing multiple sedimentary models, studying the coupling of multiple factors, and conducting multi-scale observation and monitoring to provide more accurate scientific basis for the development and practical geological applications of hyperpycnal flow sedimentology.
- hyperpycnal flow /
- formation condition /
- evolutionary process /
- sedimentary characteristic

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References

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