Palaeochannel reconstructions from point bar deposits: a three-dimensional perspective

Quantitative determination of palaeochannel geometry and hydraulics from point bar deposits requires an understanding of the interaction between channel-bend migration, temporal and spatial variation of point bar geometry and facies, and outcrop orientation. This interaction is modelled with the aid of a computer program which predicts three-dimensional (3-D) geometry and grain size variation of point bars. Synthetic deposits are produced for the cases of down-valley bend migration and/or increase in channel-bend sinuosity. Two-dimensional (2-D) cross-sections in varying orientations across these simulated deposits display lateral-accretion bedset surface geometry, and variation in mean bedset grain size and local palaeocurrent orientation. Most cross-sections show point bar deposits thickening away from the meander-belt axis due to a lateral progression from thinner bend-exit deposits to thicker bend-apex deposits (caused by down-valley channel translation), and/or due to a progression from thinner low sinuosity deposits to thicker high sinuosity deposits caused by channel bend expansion. In association with this lateral thickening, bedset surfaces become steeper and more convex upwards while the variation in mean grain size up bedsets commonly increases. Down-valley point bar translation allows preservation only of deposits formed downstream of the band apex, and produces characteristic fining upwards sequences. Marked lateral and vertical variations in palaeocurrent directions due to varying channel orientation relative to a given cross-section are also predicted. These results indicate a need in palaeochannel reconstructions, for a more detailed examination of 3-D variations in bedset surface geometry, palaeocurrent orientation and grain size distribution within and between bedsets of laterally accreted sediment.     

滹沱河现代沉积物的比重研究

比重是物质的重要物性之一,是物质成分和结构的反映。不同矿物的比重可以相差若干倍,因而用以鉴定矿物的种类。在河流动力学有关基本原理和计算公式中,比重是一种重要的因素,在沉积岩石学中被视为沉积物的沉积三要素(粒度、比重和形状)之一。我们对滹沱河现代沉积物进行沉积构造、粒度、矿物成分和扫描电镜等项分析的同时,对沉积物的比重作了一些分析,探讨了沉积物的比重在河流沉积体系中的变化情况。     

黄河断流后三角洲(水上平原)的滑塌构造研究

黄河断流后三角洲 (水上平原 )上的滑塌构造非常发育,在分流河道中几乎随处可见,它们主要发育在边滩、心滩外缘、周缘或内部的水道中,还可以发育在河床上。滑塌作用形成了三种产物:滑塌壁或滑塌缝 滑塌体和滑塌碎块及滑塌变形基底。滑塌壁或滑塌缝按力学机制可能分为两种类型 一种是张性 另一种是剪性。滑塌壁或滑塌缝的规模不一,大者长度可超过十余米,甚至二十余米,小者长度只有 3～ 5cm 滑塌体规模差别也较大,大者高度可超过 1m,长度可达 3～ 4m 小者高度和长度仅数cm。通过观察发现,滑塌构造的产生与波浪的掏洗和流水冲蚀有关,与地震和斜坡滑动关系不大。黄河断流后在某些低洼河道积水成“湖”,“湖”水在风的作用下形成波浪。波浪不断拍击导致边滩、心滩产生滑塌,形成一系列相应的滑塌构造 再者,黄河断流后边滩、心滩广泛暴露,黄河三角洲地区降雨后使边滩、心滩和河床上汇集成径流,径流的冲蚀也可以形成一系列滑塌构造。有的滑塌构造被风成砂埋藏后很容易被何存下来,而充填滑塌缝之间的风成砂经成岩作用之后则有可能转变成砂岩岩墙。     

Computer simulation of sedimentation in meandering streams

A dynamic mathematical model for simulation of sedimentation in meandering streams is briefly described. This is composed of component mathematical models which are formulated to predict the following aspects of the system for a given physical situation and a single time increment. (1) The characteristics of the plan form of the meander; (2) the movement of the meander in plan, and definition of cross-sections across the meander in which erosion and deposition are considered in detail; (3) the hydraulic properties of the channel in the bend and the erosional and depositional activity within the channel as defined in specific cross-sections; (4) the nature and occurrence of cut-off; (5) a relative measure of the discharge during a seasonal high water period, which is used in (3) and (4); (6) aggradation. The model, in the form of a FORTRAN IV computer program, has been used to simulate various aspects of sedimentation in meandering streams by performing a set of experiments with the program under different input conditions. The geometry of simulated point bar sediments, as controlled by channel migration over floodplains with variable sediment type, agrees broadly with the natural situation, however extensive sheets of point bar sediment cannot be simulated because large scale meander-belt movements are not accounted for. In the simulated sediments, successive surfaces of the point bar before falling stage deposition (lateral and vertical) may be picked out, and these delineate the epsilon cross-stratification of Allen (1963b). The epsilon unit thickness is that measured from bankfull stage down to the lowest channel position existing prior to deposition. The model records the characteristic fining upwards of grain sizes in the point bar, and the systematic distribution of sedimentary structures. Channel migration combined with seasonal scouring and filling across the channel section produces a characteristic relief in the basal scoured surfaces and facies boundaries (as defined by variation in grain size and sedimentary structure). A related lensing and inter-fingering of the facies may also be present. The model also records large-scale lateral changes in grain size and sedimentary structure associated with changes in the shape of developing meanders. When channel migration is combined with a constant aggradation rate the model predicts a general slope (relative to the land surface) of facies boundaries and scoured basal surfaces upward in the direction of channel movement. If aggradation sufficiently increases the thickness of fine-grained overbank material, there is a channel stabilization effect. It is shown that a complete sequence of point bar sediments capped by overbank sediments would rarely be preserved in the moving-phase situation. Such preservation only becomes likely when an aggrading section lies out of range of an eroding channel for a considerably longer time span than it takes a meander to move one half-wavelength downvalley. Deep channel scours have a higher preservation potential than contemporary shallower ones. Where appropriate field data exist the model can be used in the more accurate recognition of ancient fluviatile sediments. Inferences may be made about the erosion-deposition processes operating in the ancient channel system, and the geometry and hydraulics of the system can be alluded to. A representative application of the model to the quantitative interpretation of an ancient point bar deposit is illustrated. There is reasonable agreement between the natural and the simulated deposits, and a broad quantitative picture of the palaeoenvironment of sedimentation is obtained.     

基于卫星影像建立曲流河地质知识库及应用

曲流河储层在国内各大油田中占有较大比例,建立曲流河地质知识库,对储层进行精细研究十分重要。采用GoogleEarth软件观测曲流河特征,建立6种发育模式;测量曲流河河道参数数据,分析统计参数间的相关关系。通过观测,将曲流河发育模式划分为单一河道低弯曲度小边滩发育型、单一河道高弯曲度大边滩发育型、简单河道低弯曲度小边滩发育型、 简单河道高弯曲度大边滩发育型、多河道低弯曲度小边滩发育型、多河道高弯曲度大边滩发育型6种类型。对曲流河参数数据进行统计分析,发现曲流河河道宽度与点坝长度、河道宽度与单一曲流带宽度 、点坝长度与点坝宽度间均具有较好的正相关关系。按曲率为1.1~1.5、1.5~2.5、2.5~4.5统计分析,参数间的正相关性高于所有数据参数分析结果。为此,建立了曲流河的定性模式和不同曲率下 曲流河的定量模式。研究结果可为地下曲流河储层研究提供相应模式和定量化指导。     

陆相盆地水下扇扇中亚相的微相细分--以东营凹陷史南地区沙二9梁家楼水下扇为例

通过对东营凹陷史南地区沙二9砂层组的小层精细对比和微相细分,可以将梁家楼水下扇扇中亚相进一步划分出辫状水道、辫状砂坝、“边滩”、侧缘砂坝、侧缘分支沟道、末端砂坝、冲溢扇、低阶地、高阶地等9个微相。不同微相之间的砂体粒度变化、平面发育位置都有明显的不同,尤其是其中的辫状砂坝、“边滩”、侧缘砂坝是在水下地形较平坦,坡度较小的情况下,由辫状沟道侧向迁移形成的。对水下扇扇中亚相的微相细分和重新厘定,不仅有助于对水下扇沉积过程的进一步了解,而且也将有助于油田对水下扇砂体剩余油的分布研究和开发方案的调整。      

三角洲分流河道形成及演变模拟研究

本文再现了了三角洲分流河道的形成及演变过程,定量剖析了分流河道形态特征及三角洲朵体展布特征,研究了分流河道,边滩及决口扇粒度变化,对比分析了水上、水下分流河道及前缘席状砂的宽厚比变比趋势,并结合三角洲砂体平面展布特征为生产实际提供了有价值的信息。     

Grain‐size variability within a mega‐scale point‐bar system,False River,Louisiana

Point bars formed by meandering river systems are an important class of sedimentary deposit and are of significant economic interest as hydrocarbon reservoirs. Standard point‐bar models of how the internal sedimentology varies are based on the structure of small‐scale systems with little information about the largest complexes and how these might differ. Here a very large point bar (>25·0 m thick and 7·5 × 13·0 km across) on the Mississippi River (USA) was examined. The lithology and grain‐size characteristics at different parts of the point bar were determined by using a combination of coring and electrical conductivity logging. The data confirm that there is a general fining up‐section along most parts of the point bar, with a well‐defined transition from massive medium‐grained sands below about 9 to 11 m depth up into interbedded silts and fine–medium sand sediment (inclined heterolithic strata). There is also a poorly defined increase in sorting quality at the transition level. Massive medium sands are especially common in the region of the channel bend apex and regions upstream of that point. Downstream of the meander apex, there is much less evidence for fining up‐section. Finer sediment accumulated more readily after the establishment of a compound bar in the later stages of construction, at the terminal apex and in the bar tail. This work implies that the best reservoir sands are likely to be located in the centre of the point bar, deposited in a simple bar system. Reservoir quality decreases towards the bar edge. The early‐stage channel plug is largely composed of coarsening‐upward cycles of silt to clay and is dominated by clay and clayey silt material with poor reservoir characteristics.     

准噶尔盆地阜东斜坡头屯河组二段沉积微相及主控因素

准噶尔盆地阜东斜坡头屯河组是重要的油气勘探目的层。基于岩心、测井及地震等资料,探究研究区的沉积特征及其展布规律,对该区今后油气滚动勘探有重要意义。研究表明:研究区目的层岩性以泥岩、粉砂岩及细砂岩组合为主,总体表现出“泥包砂”的特点;其中砂岩成分成熟度低,具有近物源特征;粒度概率累计曲线主要为跳跃悬浮式,水动力类型为牵引流;测井曲线可分为钟形、箱形和线形3类。综合岩性、粒度、测井及地震反射特征等明确了研究区主要发育曲流河沉积,可识别出曲流河道、点坝、泛滥平原和废弃河道4种沉积微相。研究区沉积物源来自东北方向,曲流河展布特征主要受地形坡度、物源远近及粒度特征影响。曲流河由北东向南西延伸,且西南部的河道弯曲度有增大的特征,河道逐渐呈现网状分布特征,点坝砂体也更加发育;同时,西北部也出现了连片分布的曲流河沉积。因此,后续油气勘探优质储层的找寻应重点考虑西北部与西南部的点坝砂体。     

Bedload path length and point bar development in gravel-bed river models

Low-sinuosity meandering gravel-bed flume experiments were employed to investigate spatial patterns of deposition, which point to patterns of channel development related to the pool and bar morphology. At channel-forming discharges, fluorescent bedload tracers indicate that deposition is typically focused around the point bar apex, downstream of the apex (contributing to downstream bar migration), and at the bar head/riffle surface. Seven flume experimental runs illustrate a sequence of point bar development related to the spatial patterns of tracer deposition, and the related path length distribution. At early stages of bar formation, transport is from the scour zone across the point bar head to the bar apex and bar margin downstream of the apex. As the point bar develops, bedload transport across the bar decreases, as transport along the channel thalweg increases and sediment is deposited along the bar margin. Deposition cells appear to move from downstream to upstream of the bar apex as this sequence of bar formation progresses. At low (non-channel-forming) discharges, transport occurs to the bar head/riffle surface with very little material being transported to the apex region or point bar interior. The implication is that there is an inherent connection between the loci of particle deposition and point bar formation, largely controlled by the morphology of the channel.     

琼东南盆地深水区中央峡谷沉积微相特征

中央峡谷位于南海北部琼东南盆地深水区,是琼东南盆地深水区油气勘探的重点区域。迄今为止,对于峡谷的成因及沉积微相的认识,不同学者有不同的观点。近来,峡谷内又新增了多口钻井,系统的分析总结峡谷的充填期次、沉积微相的划分及骨架砂体的展布意义重大,将直接影响到峡谷下一步的勘探部署。因此,本文以钻井资料为基础,通过岩矿特征、粒度分析、沉积构造、古生物特征、测井相等的分析,再结合高分辨率三维地震资料,综合分析了地震剖面、均方根振幅属性、多种切片技术等地震相特征,根据从点到面的研究思路对黄流组时期（S₄₀～S₃₀）中央峡谷发育的沉积微相进行了精细研究,研究表明琼东南盆地中央峡谷为大型侵蚀型水道,具有曲流水道特征,类似陆上曲流河沉积,发育点砂坝、天然堤复合体、泥质水道等沉积微相;综合构造背景、古地貌及古地貌与平面沉积相叠合图的研究表明,点砂坝主要发育于峡谷古地形的弯曲处,系水道不断迁移摆动而形成的侧向加积体,地震剖面上表现为强振幅叠瓦状前积型特征,岩性为块状细砂岩夹薄层泥岩,测井曲线GR呈中-高幅箱形夹薄层低幅齿形,为正旋回沉积特征。点砂坝规模不等,面积约8~20.5 km2;天然堤复合体范围较窄,这可能受峡谷壁的限制作用影响。已钻井也证实,点砂坝作为峡谷水道的骨架砂体,储层物性好,具有良好的勘探前景。     

Tidal currents and wind waves controlling sediment distribution in a subtidal point bar of the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

The present study aims to improve current understanding of the sedimentation of subtidal point bars, analyzing interaction between tidal currents and waves in shaping a submerged meander bend of the microtidal Venice Lagoon (Italy), and it is based on coupling of sedimentological studies, geophysical analyses and numerical modelling. The Venice Lagoon is characterized by an average depth of about 1·5 m over subtidal platforms and a mean tidal range of about 1·0 m. The morphodynamic evolution of the lagoon is strongly affected by intense seasonal windstorms, which promote the formation of wind waves triggering sediment resuspension and bottom erosion. The study channel is 70 to 100 m wide, it has a radius of curvature of about 260 m and cuts through a permanently submerged subtidal platform. Water depth ranges from 1·0 to 5·0 m below mean sea level on the subtidal platform and channel thalweg, respectively. Different from classical architectural models, the study point‐bar beds do not show sigmoidal geometries, but consist of horizontally‐bedded deposits abruptly overlying clinostratified beds. Sedimentation in the study bar is hypothesized to stem from the interaction between the in‐channel secondary helical flow, as for most meander bends, and wave winnowing of the subaqueous overbank areas. Laterally accreting point‐bar deposits point out that the curvature‐induced helical flow redistributed sediment from the channel thalweg to the bar top and contributed to the development of the ‘classical’ fining‐upward grain size trend. The marked truncation surface, separating clinostratified bar deposits from overlying horizontally‐bedded platform sediments is interpreted here as due to bar top wave‐winnowing, which also possibly promoted bank collapses. In the proposed model, sediments remobilized from bar top and subaqueous overbank areas were transported into the channel, forming peculiar ‘apron‐like’ accumulations, where sand accumulated through avalanching processes and mud settled down from suspension.     

长江下游潮流界变动段三益桥边滩与浅滩演变驱动机制分析

潮流界变动段的边滩与浅滩演变关联性强，同时受径潮流水动力、供沙来源及人类活动等多重影响，是航道治理与疏浚维护的重点河段。通过对三益桥河段1976—2017年期间河床冲淤、汊道分流比、三益桥边滩及浅滩演变过程的分析，明确三益桥边滩及浅滩演变的驱动机制。2012年以来三益桥边滩12.5 m水深以浅滩体体积为增大态势，大水年份边滩以淤积为主，设计航槽及深槽以冲刷为主，中水年份边滩淤积厚度小于深槽。上游五峰山弯道河势稳定，具有阻隔上游和畅洲河段河势、汊道分流比调整等传递作用，三益桥边滩淤涨（长）与上游和畅洲河段河势及汊道分流比调整的关系不显著，主要与流域来流流量大小及过程、上游河道冲刷供沙等相关。洪季三益桥上浅区碍航程度大于枯季，汛前中水流量（大通水文站流量介于26 000~34 000 m³/s之间）持续天数长的年份碍航程度大于大洪水年份同时期；因此，流量过程决定边滩与浅滩的冲淤分布，中水流量持续时间长短及供沙量大小决定三益桥边滩淤积量及浅滩碍航淤积量。     

东濮凹陷两种新储层类型——沙河街组河口湾体系的识别与储层预测

东濮凹陷沙河街组河口湾环境发育的最初征兆是出现震积岩（Seismites）和水下脱水收缩裂隙（Synaeresis）,预示其基底有构造性下沉,海水在间歇性地灌入,接着淡水介形类开始大量死亡。与海水有关的生物痕迹如Ophiomorpha、Tigillites屡屡出现,说明此时此地淡水水体已被河口湾咸水水体所取代,最后剖面中见到滨海高能环境下的生物痕迹Arenicolites和鲕粒砂岩、介壳碎屑层等,指示潮道和潮汐坝的存在。至此,这一地区的河口湾以陆相（分流河道）－陆海混合相（河口湾点坝）－海相（潮道）为代表的三元结构,便完整地记录了一次海面升降周期。由陆相动物活动痕迹、植物活动痕迹和古土壤识别出的陆相部分在沙河街组有10层（开31井）,由海相生物痕迹、海相生物及海相内源沉积物识别出的海相部分有12层（开31井、新胡4井）,说明沙河街组沉积期曾有过10次以上的海面升降过程。海面下降时,河流沿兰聊断裂和内黄凸起间断裂谷地侵蚀切割两岸形成可容空间;海面上升期,此可容空间部分或全部被不同类型的沉积物所充填,形成了分流河道、河口湾点坝砂为代表的下切谷型储层和以潮道、滩坝砂体为代表的超覆型储层。     

江汉平原洪水沉积物的粒度特征及环境意义——以2005年汉江大洪水为例

2005年10月初汉江发生了自1983年以来最大的一次洪水。通过对江汉下游仙桃河段不同地貌单元洪水沉积物的系统取样和分析,发现2005年汉江洪水沉积的粒度特征具有以下特点：  1)不同河道地貌单元的沉积物粒级组分有所不同,高河漫滩的粒径相对偏细,主要以粉砂级组分为主（49.56.％）,粘土含量相对较高（约为4.871％）。低河漫滩和平水位边滩沉积物的粒径相对偏粗,主要以砂级组分为主（低河漫滩为82.96.％,边滩为69.72.％）,低河漫滩沉积物中粘土含量较少,只有1.058.％; 2)平水位边滩沉积物的粒径的统计平均值比高河漫滩沉积物值偏大,而标准差值的统计平均值却比高河漫滩和低河漫滩沉积物的偏小;   3) 3种地貌单元中,高河漫滩的偏度平均值最大,低河漫滩的偏度平均值最小,但低河漫滩偏度平均值的分布范围却较大;   4)低河漫滩沉积的粒度参数值曲线的空间波动起伏最为明显,而高河漫滩粒度参数值的空间变化不大;   5) 3种地貌单元的峰态系数的统计平均值均大于1.15（为窄态）,频率曲线表现为单峰,概率累积曲线都较平缓且均为2段式,反映了一般河流高水位沉积的基本特征。分析认为,粒度特征与河道不同地貌单元的微地貌形态和沉积结构是一致的,均是由洪水时不同地貌单元的水动力特征决定的。     

长江下游潮流界变动段三益桥边滩与浅滩演变驱动机制分析

潮流界变动段的边滩与浅滩演变关联性强，同时受径潮流水动力、供沙来源及人类活动等多重影响，是航道治理与疏浚维护的重点河段。通过对三益桥河段1976—2017年期间河床冲淤、汊道分流比、三益桥边滩及浅滩演变过程的分析，明确三益桥边滩及浅滩演变的驱动机制。2012年以来三益桥边滩12.5 m水深以浅滩体体积为增大态势，大水年份边滩以淤积为主，设计航槽及深槽以冲刷为主，中水年份边滩淤积厚度小于深槽。上游五峰山弯道河势稳定，具有阻隔上游和畅洲河段河势、汊道分流比调整等传递作用，三益桥边滩淤涨（长）与上游和畅洲河段河势及汊道分流比调整的关系不显著，主要与流域来流流量大小及过程、上游河道冲刷供沙等相关。洪季三益桥上浅区碍航程度大于枯季，汛前中水流量（大通水文站流量介于26 000~34 000 m3/s之间）持续天数长的年份碍航程度大于大洪水年份同时期；因此，流量过程决定边滩与浅滩的冲淤分布，中水流量持续时间长短及供沙量大小决定三益桥边滩淤积量及浅滩碍航淤积量。     

基准面旋回控制的河流相储层差异构型模式: 以山西大同侏罗系露头为例

我国河流相储层大多已进入开发后期,急需表征内部复杂构型分布,但目前河流相差异构型模式及控制因素研究还很薄弱,油田区构型表征模式指导不够.因此,以山西大同露头为研究对象,采用露头精细描述与测量、GR测定、粒度分析等方法建立了河流相储层差异构型模式.研究认为:基于砂地比、古水深将露头区划分为9个短期、2个中期基准面旋回,中期基准面旋回不同位置河型差异明显;随着基准面升高与河型的转化,由狭长状心滩坝转变为正常的心滩坝,再过渡窄带状心滩坝或点坝的组合样式,最后演变为马蹄状点坝;3种河型砂坝（心滩坝或点坝）厚度与宽度、砂坝宽度与河道宽度均具有较好的正相关关系.研究成果可为相似露头构型分析提供借鉴,亦可为相似油田区构型精细表征提供模式指导.      

Formation of point bars through rising and falling flood stages: Evidence from bar morphology,sediment transport and bed shear stress

Flow processes and sediment transport in a channel bend and associated point bar have been studied in modern rivers, theoretical models and physical experiments: however, the relationship between flow process and point‐bar morphology has rarely been explained due to the complex nature of open channel flow. Plan‐view exposures of an ancient point‐bar complex, exposed at the top of the Cretaceous Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale Formation, south‐central Utah, allowed reconstruction of bar morphology, sediment transport and bed shear stress, which were used to extrapolate flow processes. Studies of these outcrops show that compound point bars and scroll bars were probably formed during falling and rising flood stages, respectively. A simulation model of plan‐view channel form shows that channel dimensions, such as radius of curvature and sinuosity of the point‐bar complex, range between 205 m and 351 m and 1·04 and 1·22, respectively, throughout the evolution of the channel bend. Variations in strength of the helical flow were interpreted as the main control on facies architecture and bar morphology. Strong helical flow was related to the deposition of the scroll bars, while strength of helical flow is decreased for compound bars. The use of cross‐beds as a common palaeocurrent indicator was found to be inconsistent with mean flow directions and channel margin orientation.     

现代渭河西安段沉积体沉积相与岩相特征

以渭河西安段草滩沉积体为例, 通过剖面和探槽的详细研究, 结合野外密集采样及样品的分析结果, 对现代渭河草滩沉积体的粒度特征、沉积相、岩相、地层层序及沉积模式进行了综合研究。结果表明, 现代渭河草滩河流沉积体主要由砂质、泥质和少量砾质沉积物组成, 是一个由三期沉积旋回组成的曲流河沉积体。在现代渭河草滩沉积体内部, 共识别出6种岩相, 即平行层理含细砾粗砂岩相、槽状交错层理中细砂岩相、平行层理中细砂岩相、块状层理含砾中砂岩相、交错层理含砾中砂岩和块状层理泥岩相;3种沉积微相, 即河床滞留沉积、边滩和泛滥平原, 这些沉积微相构成了草滩沉积体内部垂向上三套不同的沉积层序:下部为含砾粗砂和中砂组成的河床亚相层序, 砂质沉积厚度较大;中部为一个完整的曲流河沉积层序, 由滞留沉积、边滩和泛滥平原沉积构成;上部则主要为边滩和泛滥平原沉积层序。粒度分析结果表明河床滞留沉积物中的砂体粒径多分布在0.2~1.2 mm, 边滩沉积物中砂体粒径多分布在0.1~1.0 mm, 两者均是良好的砂矿体, 是建筑用砂的良好来源。     

Sedimentation in a meandering gravel-bed river: The River Tywi,South Wales

Previous studies of meandering gravel-bed rivers have illustrated a wide range of bar types. The River Tywi of South Wales shows that significant variations of accretionary style can also occur within a single river. There is a downstream decrease in the proportion of lateral bars to point bars and changes in the morphological characteristics of these point bars. Three types are recognized: simple, linguoid and multi-unit point bars. Sedimentation on the concave sides of meander bends is locally important. The changes of bar type are accompanied by different styles of channel behaviour. The River Tywi is interpreted to have deposited multilateral gravel sheets, composed of partially reworked and abandoned bars and dissected by palaeochannels and sloughs. Bar deposits consist of parallel-bedded gravel, inclined laterally-accreted gravel, local angle-of-repose foresets and inclined lenses of heterolithic beds. The proportion of the various sedimentary structures and the geometry of the abandoned bars varies along the Tywi valley because of the patterns of bar distribution and channel behaviour. The deposits of this river have strong affinities with Tertiary sequences in the Italian Apennines, previously interpreted as the deposits of meandering gravel-bed rivers. This type of river is not readily distinguished from ‘Scott type’ braided streams in the geological record, unless exposures are particularly good. In this respect, the presence of abundant, inclined heterolithic wedges and lenses may be a useful diagnostic criterion.