Sedimentation on a wave-dominated, open-coast tidal flat, south-western Korea: summer tidal flat – winter shoreface

Sedimentation on the open-coast tidal flats of south-western Korea is controlled by seasonal variation in the intensity of onshore-directed winds and waves. As a result, an environmental oscillation takes place between tide-dominated conditions in summer and wave-dominated conditions in winter. In summer, thick muddy deposits, including sporadic storm deposits, accumulate in response to low wave energy, weak currents, and intense solar insolation that promotes consolidation of the mud at low tide. Bioturbation is minimal because of rapid sedimentation and soft substrate. During the autumn, the summer mud deposits experience erosion due to increasingly strong onshore winds and waves, until only small mud patches and mud pebbles remain. The concentration of ebb runoff between the mud patches produces small, ephemeral tidal creeks. In winter, storm waves occur frequently (ca 10 days a month) and dominate sedimentation in the intertidal zone, producing extensive wave-generated parallel lamination and short-wavelength (0·3–2 m) hummocky cross-stratification. The prevalence of strong onshore winds decreases in spring, allowing longer and more frequent intervals of calm weather, during which time muddy sediments are deposited by tidal processes. Over the long term, winter storm waves dominate sedimentation and the preserved deposits consist of amalgamated storm beds that resemble those generally associated with shorefaces. This raises the question of how many ancient ‘shorefaces’ are, in fact, open-coast tidal flats.     

Evolution of tidal flats in China and ecological exploitation of tidal flat resources

Tidal flats play a tremendous role for solving the problem of land use because of the crisis of population increments. Many coastal countries have carried out reclamation projects near seas in various degrees for a long time. China currently has about 2.13?million?hm² of tidal flats that are mainly scattered in the delta plains and coastal regions near medium- to large-sized rivers. The tidal flats in China are reserves featuring dynamic growth and a capacity for continuous expansion; the tidal flat area undergoes an annual increase of over 20,000?hm². In recent years, countries around the world have paid much attention to the marine ecological environment and have taken measures to restrict the scale and range of sea reclamation. Although widespread reclamation of tidal flats in China has taken place, such activities have also brought some negative effect: (1) water overdraft, seawater intrusion, (2) tidal gates and channel silting, (3) environment pollution, unbalanced ecosystem, and (4) loss of wetlands and threats to the survival of species. This paper examines the mechanisms associated with tidal flat dynamic growth, and points out that artificial siltation can greatly increase the growth speed of tidal flats, and the actual measured annual siltation thickness may reach 0.5?C2.7?m. At present, this paper proposes a theory relating to the ecological exploitation of this ecosystem as follows: (1) the principle of adjustment to local conditions; (2) the principle of three-dimensional distribution; (3) the principle of ecological balance; (4) the principle of green and environmental protection. In practical terms, this dynamic growth may play a significant role in mitigating conflicts relating to land use demands in coastal areas.     

Lagoon–tidal flat sedimentation in an epeiric sea: Proterozoic Bhander Group,Son Valley,India

The Bhander Group, the uppermost stratigraphic unit of the Proterozoic Vindhyan Supergroup in Son Valley, exhibits in its upper part a 550 m thick, muddy siliciclastic succession characterized by features indicative of deposition in a wave‐affected coastal, lagoon–tidal flat environment suffering repeated submergence and emergence. The basic architecture of the deposit is alternation of centimetre‐ to decimetre‐thick sheet‐like interbeds of coarser clastics (mainly sandstone) and decimetre‐thick mudstones. The coarser interlayers are dominated by a variety of ripple‐formed laminations. The preserved ripple forms on bed‐top surfaces and their internal lamination style suggest both oscillatory and combined flows for their formation. Interference, superimposed, ladder‐back and flat‐topped ripples are also common. Synsedimentary cracks, wrinkle marks, features resembling rain prints and adhesion structures occur in profusion on bed‐top surfaces. Salt pseudomorphs are also present at the bases of beds. The mudstone intervals represent suspension settlement and show partings with interfaces characterized by synsedimentary cracks. It is inferred that the sediments were deposited on a coastal plain characterized by a peritidal (supratidal–intertidal) flat and evaporative lagoon suffering repeated submergence and emergence due to storm‐induced coastal setup and setdown in addition to tidal fluctuations. The 550 m thick coastal flat succession is surprisingly devoid of any barrier bar deposits and also lacks shoreface and shelfal strata. The large areal extent of the coastal flat succession (c. 100,000 km²) and its great thickness indicate an extremely low‐gradient epeiric basin characterized by an extensive coastal flat sheltered from the deeper marine domain. It is inferred that the Bhander coastal flat was protected from the open sea by the Bundelkhand basement arch to the north of the Vindhyan basin, instead of barrier bars. Such a setting favoured accumulation of a high proportion of terrigenous mud in the coastal plain, in contrast to many described examples from the Proterozoic. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

江苏如东潮滩微地貌及现代沉积速率

在江苏如东洋口港东侧长沙镇外宽10余千米的粉砂质潮滩上进行潮滩微地貌调查,在低潮滩设置 3个沉降板,在中、低潮滩采集4个柱状样（长度92~151 cm）,并对其进行垂向上的粒度和微相分析及210 Pb 测量。希望通过上述调查,揭示研究区近几十年来由于强烈的人类活动导致的潮滩冲淤调整状态。调查结果表 明,低潮滩尤其是低潮滩下部是微地貌变化最活跃的场所,表现为潮滩表面凹凸不平、多冲蚀洼槽,沉降板试 验结果显示低潮滩约２个月的沉积量向水边线方向显著减小;中潮滩表面平坦,微地貌相对比较稳定。柱状样 研究结果显示,低潮滩早期为向上变细的进积层序,但近期沉积物粗化,呈现退积层序,且该现象在低潮滩下 部尤其明显;中潮滩柱状样显示向上细化层序,反映稳定持续的加积和进积。柱状样的210 Pb测试结果表明,中 潮滩中部（米草滩中部） 沉积速率为4.40cm/a,中潮滩下部（米草滩前缘） 为1.85cm/a,低潮滩中部为1.54 cm/a,低潮滩下部无法获得沉积速率。该沉积速率结果还显示低潮滩退积层序的开始时间和研究区米草的引种 时间基本吻合。上述研究结果反映近30a来在人类活动尤其是米草的作用下,研究区中潮滩稳定淤积,但低潮 滩却因缺乏充足泥沙而加剧侵蚀。     

Rank exposure index on a Silurian carbonate tidal flat

Adequate discrimination between ancient intertidal and supratidal limestones and dolomites is often difficult because of vagueness of terms, problems of resolution, and the fact that most ‘diagnostic’sedimentary features are not restricted to narrow environmental zones. Furthermore, the rise and fall of sea-level in restricted, epeiric seas is usually due more to storm surges than to true tides, and hence the occurrence and extent of tidal-flat inundations are quite irregular. ‘Rank exposure index’is a concept introduced (1) to quantify the relative percentage of time that sediments are subaerially exposed and (2) to produce a more refined subdivision of shoreline carbonate rocks. The scheme employed to determine this index is a combination of numerical methods: cluster analysis separates 46 Tonoloway Limestone samples (Silurian of Maryland) into groups based on 16 sedimentary, mineralogic, and organic features, and minimum spanning tree produces a connected series of the five resultant groups. These groups are then ranked in sequence from 1 (greatest subaerial exposure) to 5 (least). Rocks of rank 1 are thought to have been deposited at the highest position within the tidal zone, as on a beach ridge. Rocks of decreasing rank reflect greater frequency of flooding. Those of rank 5 represent sediments deposited closest to low-water level, as in a tidal pond. Rock type, mineralogy, fossil content, algal stromatolites, and sedimentary structures are closely related to exposure rank as interpreted for the Tonoloway carbonates. Rank exposure index, therefore, is a semi-quantitative measure to aid in the detailed reconstruction of ancient shoreline environments.     

Controls on microbial activity and tidal flat evolution in Shark Bay,Western Australia

Microbial deposits at Shark Bay constitute a diverse living microbial carbonate system, developed in a semi‐arid, highly evaporative marine setting. Three tidal flats located in different embayments within the World Heritage area were investigated in order to compare microbial deposits and their Holocene evolution. The stressing conditions in the intertidal–subtidal environment have produced a microbial ecosystem that is trapping, binding and biologically inducing CaCO₃ precipitation, producing laminated stromatolites (tufted, smooth and colloform), non‐laminated thrombolitic forms (pustular) and cryptomicrobial non‐laminated forms (microbial pavement). A general shallowing‐upwards sedimentary cycle was recognized and correlated with Holocene sea‐level variations, where microbial deposits constitute the younger (2360 years bp ) and shallower sedimentary veneer. In addition, sediments have been documented with evidence of exposure during the Holocene, from 1040 to 940 ¹⁴C years bp , when sea‐level was apparently lower than present. Filamentous bacteria constitute the dominant group in the blister, tufted and smooth mat types, and coccus bacteria dominate the pustular, colloform and microbial pavement deposit types. In the subtidal environment within colloform and pavement structures, microbial communities coexist with organisms such as bivalves, serpulids, diatoms, green algae (Acetabularia), crustaceans, foraminifera and micro‐gastropods, which are responsible for exoskeleton supply and extensive bioturbation. The internal fabric of the microbial deposits is laminated, sub‐laminar, scalloped, irregular or clotted, depending on the amount of fine‐grained carbonate and the natural ability of microbial communities to trap and bind particles or induce carbonate precipitation. Nilemah tidal flat contains the thickest (1·3 m) and best‐developed microbial sedimentary system; its deposition pre‐dated the Rocky Point and Garden Point tidal flats, with the most positive isotope values for δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O, reflecting strong microbial activity in a highly evaporative environment. There is an evolutionary series preserved within the tidal flats reflecting relative ages and degree of salinity elevation.     

Ammonium adsorption by tidal flat surface sediments from the Yangtze Estuary

Ammonium adsorption by sediments plays an important role in the cycle of nitrogen in the estuarine tidal flat ecosystem. Ammonium adsorption on tidal flat sediments from the Yangtze estuary was studied using the simulation experiment. The findings indicated that there was linear adsorption by the tidal flat sediments for the lower ammonium concentration (<10 mM) in the overlying waters. The adsorption coefficient of ammonium in the study area ranged from 3.81 to 9.00, and had a significant positive correlation with total organic carbon (r = 0.779, = 0.02284 , n=8), reflecting that organic matter might be one of the main factors controlling the behavior of ammonium adsorption. It also showed that salinity had a pronounced effect on ammonium adsorption, and that salinity affected the distribution of ammonium between the sediments and waters. The amount of ammonium adsorption on sediments gradually decreased with the increasing salinity. Especially within the range of lower salinity, just a little change of salinity had a dramatic influence on ammonium adsorption by sediments.     

潮间带滩涂沉积物与水体热通量模拟

为了揭示滩涂对近岸水温影响,开展潮间带滩涂沉积物与海水之间热量交换研究。以韩国西南海岸的滩涂为例,建立滩涂沉积物温度模型,模拟不同潮汐状态下沉积物垂向剖面温度以及沉积物与水体间的热通量,并分析了季节、滩涂位置、潮位-太阳辐射相位对热通量的影响。研究表明:模拟出的沉积物温度与实测值吻合较好。沉积物与水体存在大量热量交换,且集中在淹没后的前3 h,最大热通量可达398.7 W/m2。冬季月份海水向滩涂净传热。夏季月份滩涂向水体净传热,且当滩涂淹没时刻发生在当地正午或正午过后3 h内,滩涂传递给水体的热量相对较大,达2.0 MJ/（m2·d）;累积热通量随滩涂干滩率的减小而减小。研究成果为进一步深入研究滩涂影响下近岸水温变化提供了技术支撑。     

Facies model of a mixed clastic–carbonate,wave‐dominated open‐coast tidal flat (Tithonian–Berriasian,north‐east Spain)

Detailed logging and analysis of the facies architecture of the upper Tithonian to middle Berriasian Aguilar del Alfambra Formation (Galve sub‐basin, north‐east Spain) have made it possible to characterize a wide variety of clastic, mixed clastic–carbonate and carbonate facies, which were deposited in coastal mudflats to shallow subtidal areas of an open‐coast tidal flat. The sedimentary model proposed improves what is known about mixed coastal systems, both concerning facies and sedimentary processes. This sedimentary system was located in an embayed, non‐protected area of a wide C‐shaped coast that was seasonally dominated by wave storms. Clastic and mixed clastic–carbonate muds accumulated in poorly drained to well‐drained, marine‐influenced coastal mudflat areas, with local fluvial sandstones (tide‐influenced fluvial channels and sheet‐flood deposits) and conglomerate tsunami deposits. Carbonate‐dominated tidal flat areas were the loci of deposition of fenestral‐laminated carbonate muds and grainy (peloidal) sediments with hummocky cross‐stratification. Laterally, the tidal flat was clastic‐dominated and characterized by heterolithic sediments with hummocky cross‐stratification and local tidal sandy bars. Peloidal and heterolithic sediments with hummocky cross‐stratification are the key facies for interpreting the wave (storm) dominance in the tidal flat. Subsidence and high rates of sedimentation controlled the rapid burial of the storm features and thus preserved them from reworking by fair‐weather waves and tides.     

Characteristics of an open coast tidal flat: Example from Daman,west coast of India

This study highlights lithofacies and biofacies characteristics of the open coast tidal flat near Daman on the eastern flank of Gulf of Khambhat. Sedimentological and biological observation record six facies within the tidal flat area including older beach, beach face, sand flat, mud flat/mixed flat, sand bar and beach rock. Distinct sedimentary structures, foraminiferal assemblage and bioturbation intensity characterize each facies. A wide variety of wave and current generated sedimentary features characterize the sand flat facies. Semiconsolidated sands of older beach running parallel the coastline at a level higher than the present beach face possibly records the latest sea level highstand. The beach rock reflects early cementation of sands in tropical environments. Foraminifera are widely distributed in sand flats, mixed flats and mud flats and grouped into two biofacies — Ammonia-Elphidium-Quinqueloculina biofacies (sand flat and mixed flat) and Trochammina-Miliammina biofacies (mud flats). The beach face and sand bar facies contain forminifera reworked from sand flat and mud/mixed flat. Seasonal variation in depositional style is marked by deposition of fresh mud deposited over large areas of the intertidal flat during monsoon time, most of which is washed away by waves and current actions well before the onset of the next monsoon.     

Adsorption of phosphate on tidal flat surface sediments from the Yangtze Estuary

Adsorption of phosphate (PO₄-P) by sediments of nine sites taken from the Yangtze Estuarine and coastal tidal flats were studied in a laboratory. The results indicate that the process of phosphorus adsorption onto sediments mainly occurred within 0-10 h, and then reached a dynamic equilibrium. This experimental finding has shown maximum adsorption rates (ad-R) occurred within 0-0.5 h, ranging from 10.40-56.40 mg/kg h with regional differences. The adsorption rates were obviously related to concentrations of fine particles (<63 µm) in the sediments. Adsorption isotherm curves were fitted to the modified Langmuir equation. Adsorption capacities (ad-C) varied from 26.32 to 204.08 mg/kg, and showed good affinities for Fe³⁺ and TOC concentrations. The adsorption efficiency (ad-E) of phosphate on sediments ranged from 21.55 to 248.30 L/kg, showing a close correlation with TOC concentrations. A correlation between environmental factors and phosphate adsorption is presented in this experiment. Phosphate adsorption is susceptible to changes in pH, temperature and salinity conditions.     

滦河三角洲潮坪环境现代生物遗迹组合及其分布特征*

现代生物遗迹的特点、分布和组合特征及其与沉积环境、沉积物性质的关系,对遗迹化石及古环境研究具有重要的实证价值,但现代生物遗迹研究起步较晚,国内研究成果较少。文中论述了滦河三角洲潮坪环境中现代生物遗迹的组成、组合与分布特征,并分析了遗迹组合与沉积环境的关系。研究表明: (1)层面遗迹以节肢动物、环节动物、腹足动物的爬行迹和拖迹为主; 层内遗迹包括垂直或高角度倾斜于层面的潜穴、平行于层面的潜穴,以居住迹为主,丰度高,类型多样。(2)建立了3种生物遗迹组合: 遗迹组合I以Y形和垂直管状潜穴为特征,局部丰度较高,表层潜穴和层面拖迹不发育,造迹生物主要为沙蚕和螃蟹,沉积物底层具有砂含量较高、水动力强、有机质含量低的特点,显示其出现于三角洲潮坪砂质沉积环境;遗迹组合Ⅱ以各种形态的层内潜穴和大量的层面爬行拖迹为特征,层内潜穴包括垂直管状、J形、U形、Y形和分枝形潜穴,丰度高,造迹生物主要是沙蚕和螃蟹,层面遗迹常见爬行拖迹和足辙迹,造迹生物主要为沙蚕、螃蟹、扁玉螺、寄居蟹,沉积物底层具有高泥质含量、高含水率和高有机质含量的特点,形成于三角洲潮坪中低潮区;遗迹组合Ⅲ以与层面近似垂直和与层面近似平行的层内潜穴以及大量的层面运动迹为特征,与层面近似垂直的潜穴包括垂直管状、J形、U形、Y形和复杂分枝形潜穴,造迹生物主要是螃蟹、泥甲虫及其幼虫, 与层面平行的表层潜穴主要是蝼蛄、泥甲虫及其幼虫营造的,层面上的运动迹常见为螃蟹足辙迹和鸟类足迹,沉积物底层具泥质含量高、含水率低、有机质含量高、底质固结程度较高的特点,产生于三角洲潮坪高潮区。(3)基于对遗迹组合和分布特征及其与底层性质和沉积环境关系的分析,建立了三角洲潮坪生物遗迹组合的沉积环境分布模式。该研究成果既可作为古代三角洲潮坪沉积环境的判识依据,也可为相似遗迹化石组合的沉积环境恢复提供佐证。     

无人机技术在潮滩地貌演变研究中的应用

随着海平面上升和人类活动加剧,潮滩正面临着严重威胁,掌握其形态变化规律是研究潮滩系统对外在条件响应的直接手段。以江苏斗龙港潮滩为研究对象,利用无人机倾斜摄影测量技术,结合运动恢复结构(Structure from Motion,SfM)算法,重建潮滩三维点云,生成数字高程模型和正射影像,分析潮滩滩面及潮沟系统年内变化规律。研究结果表明:潮滩高程测量精度优于9 cm,水平精度优于2 cm;高程年内变化较大,变幅高达±0.5 m;潮沟短历时变化剧烈,无明显季节性变化特征;潮沟发育过程中,宽深比范围为10~25。无人机技术不仅可以监测粉砂淤泥质潮滩滩面变化趋势,还可以观测到卫星难以捕获的中小型潮沟短历时发育过程,可为监测河口海岸短周期动力地貌过程提供有力的技术支持。     

黄河三角洲东营港潮坪上的贝壳沉积

黄河三角洲东营港的泥质潮坪上发育大量的贝壳沉积。贝壳的特殊形态使其很容易被水流搬运,波浪的簸选、泥坪表面的侵蚀坑穴和植物根、堤坝等障碍物对贝壳的拦阻、与地形地貌或涨潮流的水流形态有关的流速降低都可以形成贝壳堆积。潮坪表面贝壳的沉积形态包括:与涨潮流有关的坑穴状、密集窝状、陡坎状、垄沟状、席状、带状以及潮汐水道中的混合沉积等类型;与波浪作用有关的堤坝状、堤坝遮挡沉积等类型。涨潮流流速降低的方式不同,贝壳沉积形态也会相应有较大的差别。另外,潮坪表面的细微起伏、潮坪底质类型和粘结性都会对贝壳的沉积形态造成较大影响,其中尤其是以密集窝状和陡坎状为特征。从东营港贝壳的沉积特征上看,潮坪上贝壳沉积的水动力条件与常见的砂砾滩、鲕粒滩、内碎屑滩有很大的不同,不能将介壳的富集一概归为滩坝相沉积。     

Heavy metal distribution and accumulation in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina alterniflora</Emphasis> from the Andong tidal flat,Hangzhou Bay,China

In order to study the heavy metal accumulation and distribution in the roots, stems, and leaves of Spartina alterniflora, we collected S. alterniflora samples and the associated sediments along three transects at the Andong tidal flat, Hangzhou Bay. Co, Ni, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were mainly accumulated in the aerial parts (stems and leaves) of the plants, and their distributions depended on their mobility and their roles during the metabolism processes of S. alterniflora. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb were significantly enhanced with the increasing of heavy metal concentrations in the sediments, while those of Co and Ni remained relatively constant. Bioaccumulation factors results showed that the serious heavy metal contamination in the sediments from the transect A may overwhelm the accumulation capability of the plants. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the sediments and the pore water therein also play a role in the heavy metal concentrations and accumulations in the plants, because they can influence the behaviors and bioavailabilities of heavy metals during nutrition and bioaccumulation processes of the plants. The sediments with vegetation did not show significantly decreased heavy metal concentration with respect to the unvegetated sediments, although the plants did absorb heavy metals from the sediments. Principal component analysis and correlation analyses indicated that Co–Ni, Cu–Cd–Hg behaved coherently during accumulation, which may be ascribed to their similar accumulation mechanisms. This work provided essential information on the heavy metal accumulation by plants in a tidal flat, which will be useful for the environmental control through phytoremediation at estuaries.     

Sedimentation cycle of a freshwater tidal flat in the St. Lawrence estuary

Cap-Tourmente tidal flat is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence middle estuary, 50 km downstream from Quebec city, Canada. Seasonal variations in sedient accretion were studied during the period without ice from May to December, using horizontal plates in conjunction with vertical stakes. The sedimentological regime which is characterized by very rapid changes, can be divided into four periods. There are two periods of intense erosion in May and October–November; during these months, erosion is initiated by walking and beak probing of very large flocks of snow geese. During the summer, very rapid accretion occurs for approximately 100 days; during this period, the sedimentation rate is 2 mm per day in the lower section of the tidal marsh which is covered with vegetation. Among the numerous factors influencing the sedimentation cycle, the very gradual slope of the upper part of the flat (0.25%) seems to be one of the most important because it results in a very large area (550 m wide) which is protected from strong tidal currents. This latter area is covered with dense and high vegetation which provides an effective protection against erosion unitl the snow geese arrive in October and raze it in a few days. The presence of vegetation reduces the velocities of tidal currents, particularly during ebb and modifies their direction for both flood and ebb, orienting them perpendicularly to the main tidal flow.     

GEOCHEMICAL STANDARD REFERENCE SAMPLES GSD 9–12, GSS 1–8 AND GSR 1–6

The 18 Chinese geochemical standard reference samples GSD 9-12 (stream sediments), GSS 1-8 (soils) and GSR 1-6 (rocks) were prepared after GSD 1-8 (stream sediments) for even wider and increasing needs of geology, exploration geochemistry and geochemical analysis. Usable values of 41 trace, minor and major elements of the 18 samples were published in 1984. In the following two years, efforts were concentrated on the determination of other elements, most of which are more difficult to determine accurately and hence not many data were available in the literature. At the same time, additional data on the 41 elements already evaluated were also submitted. In all, 155 234 results were available along with the 35 284 analytical data submitted. The processing of samples, the examination of sample homogeneity, the plan of collaborative analysis of the samples, and the criteria for defining the recommended values are described. The recommended or reference values of the 72 constituents, to-gether with the 35 284 analytical data of the 18 samples are published in this paper.     

A depositional model for a wave‐dominated open‐coast tidal flat,based on analyses of the Cambrian–Ordovician Lagarto and Palmares formations,north‐eastern Brazil

Open‐coast tidal flats are hybrid depositional systems resulting from the interaction of waves and tides. Modern examples have been recognized, but few cases have been described in ancient rock successions. An example of an ancient open‐coast tidal flat, the depositional architecture of the Lagarto and Palmares formations (Cambrian–Ordovician of the Sergipano Belt, north‐eastern Brazil) is presented here. Detailed field analyses of outcrops allowed the development of a conceptual architectural model for a coastal depositional environment that is substantially different from classical wave‐dominated or tide‐dominated coastal models. This architectural model is dominated by storm wave, low orbital velocity wave and tidal current beds, which vary in their characteristics and distribution. In a landward direction, the storm deposits decrease in abundance, dimension (thickness and spacing) and grain size, and vary from accretionary through scour and drape to anisotropic hummocky cross‐stratification beds. Low orbital wave deposits are more common in the medium and upper portion of the tidal flat. Tidal deposits, which are characterized by mudstone interbedded with sandstone strata, are dominant in the landward portion of the tidal flat. Hummocky cross‐stratification beds in the rock record are believed, in general, to represent storm deposits in palaeoenvironments below the fair‐weather wave base. However, in this model of an open‐coast tidal flat, hummocky cross‐stratification beds were found in very shallow waters above the fair‐weather wave base. Indeed, this depositional environment was characterized by: (i) fair‐weather waves and tides that lacked sufficient energy to rework the storm deposits; (ii) an absence of biological communities that could disrupt the storm deposits; and (iii) high aggradation rates linked to an active foreland basin, which contributed definitively to the rapid burial and preservation of these hummocky cross‐stratification deposits.