Deposition processes from echo-character mapping along the western Algerian margin (Oran–Tenes), Western Mediterranean

The westernmost Algerian margin (south Algero-Provençal basin) depicts a few offshore active faults, moderate to rare seismicity, and generally very steep slopes (>16°). We classified and mapped 12 echo types according to their sub-bottom acoustic facies observed on this margin on 2–5.2 kHz Chirp echo-sounder data (MARADJA 2003 cruise). The echo-character maps are interpreted in terms of sedimentary processes: the B1 echo type (parallel to subparallel high- to low-amplitude sub-bottom reflections), mainly in the deep basin, corresponds to hemipelagic sedimentation; R1 (prolonged single echo with no sub-bottoms) and R2 (small irregular overlapping hyperbolae) echo types, generally near or in canyon systems, are associated with turbidity currents or more rarely to contour currents or mass-transport deposits such as slumps, slides and debris flows; the transparent echo types (T1–T5) and R3 (chaotic lens of low-amplitude reflections on top of higher amplitude), often located at the foot of the slope or canyons walls, typically indicate mass-transport deposits (like slides) or turbidites. Large zones that display a large variety of echo types are evidenced in the study area and are generally associated with turbidity currents, but could also be associated with bottom currents. It appears that active tectonics plays a significant role in this part of the margin which presents a few active faults offshore but also a strong and relatively frequent seismicity onland. The general pattern of the distribution of mass-transport deposits is particular – i.e. many but small slides all along the margin – and suggests a probable triggering by recurrent earthquake shakings. However, active tectonics is not the only factor influencing the deposition pattern, as some zones seem characterized by predominant strong turbidity currents transporting sediments far away from the foot of the margin, whereas others depict retrogressive erosion features on the slope, i.e. small slides scarps in gullies rather than transport by turbidity currents. In particular, the rivers sediment discharge fluxes and the geomorphologic characteristics of the margin seem to be very important factors too.     

The Ebro Deep-Sea Fan system

The Ebro Fan System consists of en echelon channel-levee complexes, 50×20 km in area and 200-m thick. A few strong reflectors in a generally transparent seismic facies identify the sand-rich channel floors and levee crests. Numerous continuous acoustic reflectors characterize overbank turbidites and hemipelagites that blanket abandoned channel-levee complexes. The interlobe areas between channel complexes fill with homogeneous mud and sand from mass flow and overbank deposition; these exhibit a transparent seismic character. The steep continental rise and sediment “drainage” of Valencia Trough at the end of the channel-levee complexes prevent the development of distributary channels and midfan lobe deposits. Margin setting represents fan and/or source area     

南海白云凹陷东南部两种不同类型块体搬运沉积体系的地震响应及成因分析

文章利用三维地震数据揭示了南海白云凹陷东南部两种不同类型的块体搬运沉积体系的内部反射特征、外部形态及运动指示标志, 并且探讨了其成因机制。结果表明, 自晚中新世以来研究区共发育4种地震相: 弱振幅水平状连续地震相、强振幅波状连续地震相、弱振幅半透明杂乱反射地震相和中-强振幅丘状连续反射地震相。通过地震相分析可知, 研究区自晚中新世以来共发育两种不同类型的块体搬运沉积体系: 1) 多期块体搬运沉积复合体, 主要由弱振幅半透明杂乱反射地震相组成, 边界模糊; 2) 单期块体搬运沉积体, 主要由弱振幅半透明杂乱反射地震相和中-强振幅丘状连续反射地震相组成, 边界清晰明显。另外, 研究结果发现高沉积速率和地震活动使得研究区的块体搬运沉积体系表现出内部运动指示特征发育程度低的特征, 而东沙构造活动导致该块体搬运沉积体系具有频发性。     

Seismic stratigraphy of the western South Korea Plateau,East Sea: implications for tectonic history and sequence development during back-arc evolution

The western South Korea Plateau in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) is occupied by rifted continental fragments formed in association with the early phase of back-arc opening. The present study focuses on the seismic stratigraphy of the sedimentary succession and the underlying acoustic basement in this region, based on closely spaced multichannel seismic reflection profiles. The sedimentary succession occurs mainly within a series of subparallel basement troughs (grabens or half grabens) bounded by faulted continental blocks (horsts) or volcanic ridges, and commonly floored by extrusive volcanic rocks showing hyperbolic reflectors. These features are strongly suggestive of continental rifting accompanied by normal faulting, volcanic activity and high rates of basin subsidence. The sedimentary succession can be subdivided into four seismic units. Unit 1 is characterized by short and irregular high-amplitude reflectors and interpreted as a syn-rift deposit consisting of a non-marine volcanics/sediment complex in topographic lows. Units 2 and 3 formed in an open marine environment during the Middle Miocene to Early Pliocene, characterized by an onlap-fill and later draping marine sedimentary succession dominantly composed of hemipelagic sediments and turbidites with frequent intercalation of mass-flow deposits. Along the western margin of the plateau, these units were deformed under a compressional regime in the Early Pliocene, associated with the back-arc closing phase. Unit 4 (deposited since the Early Pliocene) comprises hemipelagic sediments and turbidites with evidence of sporadic slides/slumps.     

琼东南盆地北礁凹陷梅山组顶部丘形反射特征及成因分析

南海琼东南盆地北礁凹陷中中新统梅山组顶部丘形反射目前引起广泛关注,前人推测为生物礁、重力蠕动与底流叠加成因、等深积丘等。本文通过钻井资料、二维、三维地震资料精细刻画丘形反射（残丘）和丘间水道特征及其成因。残丘及水道在北礁凸起不发育,在边缘斜坡中部和高地较发育,且有向高地两边规模减小趋势,不具对称性,残丘和水道呈平行-亚平行近E-W向展布,局部有合并分叉现象,与北礁凸起走向呈一小角度;丘宽562~1 223 m,丘高29~87 m,丘长10 km左右,存在丘翼削蚀,水道底蚀现象。地震属性分析表明三维工区西南部残丘间水道由砂泥岩互层充填,形成长条形强振幅,而残丘为中-低振幅;地震、钻井资料分析表明丘形反射（残丘）由钙质泥岩和泥岩组成,属于半深海沉积,且残丘内部波阻抗为5.0×106~6.5×106kg/m3·m/s,低于火山岩、灰岩波阻抗,属于砂泥岩地层范畴;根据梅山组下段水道由西向东强振幅变弱、分叉、前积反射和海山附近底流（等深流）沉积剥蚀特征综合判定底流古流向自西向东,根据海山两翼地震反射特征推测底流可追溯至晚中新世早期（11.6 Ma BP）,综合分析认为,研究区中中新统梅山组丘形反射是晚中新世早期底流切割梅山组地层形成的残丘。     

Morpho-acoustic and sedimentologic characteristics of the Indus Fan

The upper Indus Fan is characterized by an average 1∶500 gradient, chanels with 100 m high levees, several continuous subbottom reflectors on 3.5-kHz records, and generally fine-grained sediments. Multichannel seismics show the levee complexes typified by overlapping wedge-shaped reflection sets and channel axis by high-amplitude discontinuous reflections. The middle fan has 1∶500–1∶1000 gradients and channels with ≈20 m high levees. The lower fan has gradients less than 1∶1000, channels with 8–20 m high levees, few or no subbottom reflectors on 3.5-kHz records, and high sand content. Besides the dominant unchannelized turbidity currents, channelized and overbank flows also played a significant role in the sedimentation of the lower fan. Margin setting represents fan and/or source area     

3D seismic images of a low-sinuosity slope channel and related depositional lobe (West Africa deep-offshore)

In this paper a channel levee system and the associated depositional lobe are described. The proposed example derives from a recently acquired 3D survey in the West Africa deep-offshore. It is mainly based on a detailed 3D seismic reconstruction, attribute map interpretation and log data from a single well to calibrate seismic responses and sedimentary facies.The stratigraphic section under consideration, informally named the A 100 Sequence, is about 80 ms TWT thick, and of early Pliocene age. The attribute maps focused on this interval clearly show the presence of two narrow (up to 250 m wide) low-sinuosity slope channels that can be followed for more than 32 km in an E–W direction (down slope to the W) as far as the western border of the 3D acquisition. Over most of their length both channels are characterized by the low amplitude aspect of the axial belt and by brighter responses in the flanks (presence of thin-bedded sands in the levee areas). This character, associated with the common convex-down geometry of the reflections lying just above the channel axis, suggests a predominant fine-grained infilling of the thalwegs.One of these channels, termed the Southern Channel, shows a high amplitude lobe-shaped zone in the middle part of its course. The ‘anomalous’ development of this depositional element has been related to a local reduction of the slope gradient, probably induced by the synsedimentary growth of an adjacent mud-cored anticline.Because of hydrocarbon occurrence, the lobe area and the associated feeder channel have been investigated in detail through careful picking of all the mappable reflections inside the channel-lobe system. The resulting physical-stratigraphic framework and the related attribute maps suggest that channel development occurred through distinct growth stages. The lower stage (Stage 1) is expressed by symmetric levees flanking the main channel to the east and by a depositional lobe/lobe fringe area to the west. Between the levee belt and the lobe' a transitional zone occurs where the presence of isolated bypassing bars has been inferred. The upper stage (Stage 2) seems to record a phase of overall bypassing of flows within the channel conduit, producing the westward propagation of the channel and consequent dissection of the previous stage lobe. A contemporaneous lateral spillover from the channel axis of low-density turbidites constructed prominent gull-wing shaped levees that uniformly covered the stage 1 elements.     

Architecture and evolution of upper fan channel-belts on the Niger Delta slope and in the Arabian Sea

High-resolution multichannel 2-D and 3-D seismic data, primarily from upper fan reaches of near-seafloor channel-levee systems on the Niger Delta slope and in the Arabian Sea, reveal a high level of detail and architectural complexity. Several architectural elements are common to each system examined in this study. They include inner levees, outer levees, erosional fairways, channel-axis deposits, rotational slumps blocks, and mass transport deposits. Although the scale of individual systems varies significantly, similarities in first-order architectural elements and their configurations suggest that common depositional processes are involved regardless of scale differences.Most of the channel-levee systems examined in this study are characterized by a basal erosional fairway that is bordered by outer levees of varying thickness. Together these elements define the base and margins of the channel-belt, where channel-axis deposits and inner levees are the dominant architectural elements. Vertical, sub-vertical, and lateral stacking patterns of sinuous and/or meandering channels create seismic facies that range from narrow to wide zones of high amplitude reflections (HARs) with chaotic to continuous and shingled to horizontal reflections. Some HARs appear as isolated or stacked asymmetric to symmetric u- and v-shaped reflections, referred to here as channel-forms. Channel-belts evolve within the confines of the scalloped erosional fairway walls (flanked by outer levee), and are similar in morphology to meander-belts in fluvial systems, but commonly have a greater component of vertical aggradation. Detailed study of one particular channel-levee system on the Niger Delta slope shows a period of incision followed by three distinct phases of channel development during its aggradational history. Each fill phase corresponds to a different channel stacking architecture, planform geometry, and nature of terrace development, with important implications for reservoir architecture. In some cases, multiple phases of inner levee growth are observed, each intimately linked to the channel migration and aggradation history. Channel sinuosity evolves dynamically, with some meander loops undergoing periods of accelerated meander growth at the same time that others show little lateral migration.     

Mounded seismic units in the modern canyon system in the Shenhu area,northern South China Sea: Sediment deformation,depositional structures or the mixed system?

The canyon system, including 17 small slope-confined canyons in the Shenhu area, northern South China Sea, is significantly characterized by mounded or undulating features on the canyon flanks and canyon heads. However, the mechanism underlying the formation of these features has yet to be elucidated. In previous studies, most of them were interpreted as sediment deformation on the exploration seismic profiles. In this paper, we collected high-resolution bathymetric data, chirp profiles and geotechnical test data to investigate their detailed morphology, internal structures, and origin. The bathymetric data indicated that most mounded seismic units have smooth seafloors and are separated by grooves or depressions. The distance between two adjacent mounded units is only hundreds of meters. On chirp profiles, mounded seismic units usually exhibit chaotic reflections and wavy reflections, of which the crests migrate upslope. The slope stability analysis results revealed that the critical angle of the soil layers in the study area tends to be 9°, indicating that most mounded seismic units on the canyon flanks and heads are stable at present. The terrain characteristics and seismic configurations combined with the slope stability analysis results indicated that most mounded seismic units are not sediment deformation but depositional structures or mixed systems composed of deformation and depositional structures.     

Morphologic, acoustic, and sedimentologic characteristics of the Magdalena Fan

The Magdalena Fan can be divided into: upper fan—1:60–1:110 gradients, channels with well-developed levees, generally several subbottom reflectors on 3.5-kHz records, and fine-grained sediments; middle fan—1:110–1:200 gradients, channels with very subdued levees, several to few subbottom reflectors on 3.5-kHz records, and chaotic and discontinuous reflections on multichannel seismic (MCS) records; lower fan—<1:250 gradients, small channels and relatively smooth seafloor, generally coarsegrained sediments, few or no subbottom reflectors on 3.5-kHz records, and flat continuous reflections on MCS records. In addition to the turbidity currents, slumping along the continental slope and elsewhere also influenced sedimentation in the fan. Margin setting represents fan and/or source area     

Morphology,sedimentation processes,and growth pattern of the Amazon Deep-Sea Fan

The Amazon Deep-Sea Fan began to form in the Early Miocene and is characterized by a highly meandering distributary channel system. On the middle fan, these leveed channels coalesce to form two broad levee complexes. Older, now buried levee complexes are also observed within the fan. These levee complexes grow through channel migration, branching, and avulsion. Probably only one or two channels are active at any given time. Sediments reach the fan only during glacio-eustatic low stands of sea level. Coarse sediments largely by-pass the upper and middle fan via the channels and are deposited on the lower fan.     

Sediment slides on the northwestern continental margin of Africa

A sediment slide complex has been mapped on the West African continental margin north of Dakar, Senegal. Four major slides covering approximately 44,300 km² were delineated by seismic reflection profiles, 3.5 and 12 kHz echograms and piston cores. Although the slide areas have been altered by later erosion and deposition by turbidity flows, the major components of the slides — slide scar, zones of hummocky and blocky slide material and zones of debris flow — are recognizable. Cores containing flow folds with horizontal axial surfaces substantiate the echogram interpretations of debris flow. Morphology and depositional areas of the slides indicate that several major slide movements have occurred in each of the various slide areas. The triggering mechanism for these slides is perhaps earthquakes associated with the Cape Verde Islands, Cape Verde Plateau, and adjacent fracture zones.     

Morphology, sedimentation processes, and growth pattern of the Amazon Deep-Sea Fan

The Amazon Deep-Sea Fan began to form in the Early Miocene and is characterized by a highly meandering distributary channel system. On the middle fan, these leveed channels coalesce to form two broad levee complexes. Older, now buried levee complexes are also observed within the fan. These levee complexes grow through channel migration, branching, and avulsion. Probably only one or two channels are active at any given time. Sediments reach the fan only during glacio-eustatic low stands of sea level. Coarse sediments largely by-pass the upper and middle fan via the channels and are deposited on the lower fan. Margin setting represents fan and/or source area     

Seismic stacking pattern of the Faro-Albufeira contourite system (Gulf of Cadiz): a Quaternary record of paleoceanographic and tectonic influences

A Quaternary stratigraphic stacking pattern on the Faro-Albufeira drift system has been determined by analysing a dense network of high-resolution single-channel seismic reflection profiles. In the northern sector of the system an upslope migrating depositional sequence (elongate separated mounded drift) parallel to the margin has been observed associated with a flanking boundary channel (Alvarez Cabral moat) that depicts the zone of Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) acceleration and/or focussing. A consequent erosion along the right hand border and deposition on the left hand flank is produced in this sector. The sheeted aggrading drift is the basinward prolongation of the elongate separated mounded drift, and developed where the MOW is more widely spread out. The overall sheeted contourite system is separated into two sectors due to the Diego Cao deep. This is a recent erosional deep that has steep erosional walls cut into Quaternary sediments. Two major high-order depositional sequences have been recognised in the Quaternary sedimentary record, Q-I and Q-II, composed of eight minor high-order depositional sequences (from A to H). The same trend in every major and minor depositional sequence is observed, especially in the elongate mounded drift within Q-II formed of: A) Transparent units at the base; B) Smooth, parallel reflectors of moderate-high amplitude units in the upper part; and C) An erosional continuous surface of high amplitude on the top of reflective units. This cyclicity in the acoustic response most likely represents cyclic lithological changes showing coarsening- upward sequences. A total of ten minor units has been distinguished within Q-II where the more representative facies in volume are always the more reflective and are prograding upslope with respect to the transparent ones. There is an important change in the overall architectural stacking of the mounded contourite deposits from a more aggrading depositional sequence (Q-I) to a clear progradational body (Q-II). We suggest that Q-I and Q-II constitute high-order depositional sequences related to a 3rd-order cycle at 800 ky separated by the most prominent sea-level fall at the Mid Pleistocene Revolution (MPR), 900–920 ky ago. In more detail the major high-order depositional sequences (from A to H) can be associated with asymmetric 4th-order climatic and sea-level cycles. In the middle slope, the contourite system has a syn-tectonic development with diapiric intrusions and the Guadalquivir Bank uplift. This syn-tectonic evolution affected the overall southern sheeted drift from the A to F depositional sequences, but G and H are not affected. These last two depositional sequences are less affected by these structures with an aggrading stacking pattern that overlaps the older depositional sequences of the Guadalquivir Bank uplift and diapiric intrusions.     

Quaternary seismic stratigraphy of the North Sea Fan: glacially-fed gravity flow aprons, hemipelagic sediments, and large submarine slides

Approximately 1000 km of high resolution sleeve-gun array transects on the North Sea Fan, located at the mouth of the Norwegian Channel, reveal three dominant styles of sedimentation within a thick (> 900 m) Quaternary sediment wedge comprising numerous sequences. These are interpreted as: terrigenous hemipelagic sedimentation, large scale translational slides, and aprons of glaciogenic debris flow deposits contributing to considerable fan construction. Four large, buried translational slides involved sediment volumes upwards of 3000 km³ each and preceded the similarly dimensioned “first” Storegga Slide on the NE fan flank. Several thick (> 100 m) terrigenous hemipelagic deposits apparently represent long-lived (150–200 kyr) periods of sedimentation whose distribution indicates fan input via the Norwegian Channel. The upper sequences are each made upper sequences are each made up of one or several thick (> 100 m) aprons comprising stacked lensoid and/or lobate forms which range from 2 to 40 km in width and 15 to 60 m in thickness. They characterize debris flows attributed to periodic input from several phases of a Norwegian Channel ice stream reaching the shelf edge. Subsidence in the outer Norwegian Channel allowed preservation of several glaciation cycles represented by sheet erosion-bounded tills and progradational units. Much of the shelf/slope transition has been preserved, allowing a preliminary chronology of the fan sequences through correlation with borehole sediments in the Norwegian Channel. Debris flows, which signal the initial shelf-edge glaciation, are not recognized from the initial glaciation in the Channel (> 1.1 Myr) but are associated with a Middle Pleistocene and all following glacial erosion surfaces (GES) in the outer Norwegian Channel. This was followed by six further sequences, probably totalling over 13,000 km³ of sediment. At least four of these were shelf-edge ice-maximum events the last of which was Late Weichselian age (¹⁴C AMS). Considering earlier glaciation-related hemipelagic sedimentation, material since removed by the large slides, and extensive unmapped areas, total Quaternary fan sedimentation was in the vicinity of 20,000 km³.     

Pre- and post-collisional depositional history in the upper and middle Bengal fan and evaluation of deepwater reservoir potential along the northeast Continental Margin of India

The Bengal fan is the largest submarine fan in the world that has formed as a result of high sediment transport from the Himalaya by the Ganga–Brahmaputra river system. The Himalaya was formed as a result of the collision between the Eurasian and Indian plates. The initiation of this collision known as “soft” collision occurred around 59 Ma, whereas, the major collision, known as “hard” collision took place around 15 Ma ago. Prior to the collision, sediments into the Bay of Bengal were derived from the northwest by relatively smaller river system like Mahanadi–Godavari. The switching of river systems with time was not distinct but gradational. In the post- collision period, the sediment input from the NW was masked in most instances because of rapid sediment supply from the Himalaya to the north. Pre-collisional sediment dispersal pattern from the NW was largely affected by pre-existing basement high known as 85°E Ridge; this ridge was submerged during the post-collisional period. Post-collisional sediments are commonly referred to as the Bengal fan sediments and show huge accumulation along the shelf and beyond. High resolution 2D seismic data acquired along a corridor covering the upper, middle and distal parts of the present day active Bengal fan system indicates that the fan has prograded southward with time because of continuously increasing sediment supply and has, therefore, masked the effect of eustacy. The present day geometry of the fan shows a single active canyon and an associated single active fan. The active channel shows typical meandering pattern that shifts laterally with time. The seismic facies analysis indicates that both the pre- and post-collision basin has significant hydrocarbon potential. The thermogenic model is best suited for modeling source rock maturity in the pre-collision basin whereas both biogenic and thermogenic models best explain source rock maturity in the post-collision, younger Bengal fan. The wedge out against the 85°E Ridge is considered to be one of the important play types for hydrocarbon exploration in the deeper part of the basin. On the other hand, the channel levee complexes and frontal splay/basin floor fan are the possible target areas for petroleum exploration in relatively younger Bengal fan deposits.     

Seismic expression of sedimentary volcanism on the continental slope,northern Gulf of Mexico

High-resolution geophysical data define acoustically amorphous, mounded structures on the upper, middle, and lower continental slope of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Physical samples and observations within this unique seismic facies show gassy sediments, sometimes in hydrated form and, in places, as chemosynthetic communities. The geologic setting of these mounds suggests that the process of formation falls on the continuum of mud volcanoes to mud diapirs.     

The Ebro Deep-Sea Fan system

The Ebro Fan System consists of en echelon channel-levee complexes, 50×20 km in area and 200-m thick. A few strong reflectors in a generally transparent seismic facies identify the sand-rich channel floors and levee crests. Numerous continuous acoustic reflectors characterize overbank turbidites and hemipelagites that blanket abandoned channel-levee complexes. The interlobe areas between channel complexes fill with homogeneous mud and sand from mass flow and overbank deposition; these exhibit a transparent seismic character. The steep continental rise and sediment “drainage” of Valencia Trough at the end of the channel-levee complexes prevent the development of distributary channels and midfan lobe deposits.     

A high sinuosity,laterally migrating submarine fan channel-levee-overbank: results from DSDP Leg 96 on the Mississippi Fan,Gulf of Mexico

DSDP Leg 96 drilled four sites in a channel-levee-overbank system on the Mississippi Fan, Gulf of Mexico, approximately 300 km from the present Mississippi River Delta in water depths of about 2500 m (Sites 617, 620, 621 and 622). Apart from the uppermost 20–25 cm of Holocene marly foraminiferal ooze in most of the drilled sites, the entire cored intervals are in the Pleistocene Ericson Y Zone. Eight sedimentary facies are recognized: (1) biogenic oozes and muddy oozes; (2) calcareous muds; (3) clays and muds; (4) silty muds and muddy silts; (5) silt-laminated muds; (6) silts and sands; (7) muddy gravels and pebbly muds, and (8) gravels. Sediment accumulation rates on this part of the fan during the Wisconsin glaciation were as much as 11 m/1000 yrs, although most of the sediments probably accumulated from discrete, geologically instantaneous events. Site 621 and Site 622 are located within a prominent channel, Site 617 on an adjacent levee, and Site 620 in overbank deposits approximately 18 km northeast from the channel sites. In this part of the fan, there is one prominent high sinuosity channel, asymmetric in cross section and flanked by levees with probable ridge-and-swale topography. Near these drill sites, the channel width is 3–4 km and its bathymetric relief ranges from 25–45 m. Downfan, the dimensions of the channel decrease. Site 617 (to 191.2 m sub-bottom) and Site 620 (to 422.7 m sub-bottom) mainly comprise fine-grained, thin-bedded turbidites, with Site 617 tending to be slightly coarser grained and showing considerably more evidence of wet-sediment deformation. Site 621 (to 214.8 m sub-bottom), in the channel axis near the deepest part of a meander, contains mainly muds with a downhole increase in the silt content above 195 m sub-bottom, where pebbly muds overlie clean gravel that was obviously washed during core-retrieval and probably was a sandy gravel or gravelly sand. Site 622 (to 208 m sub-bottom) shows similar lithologies to Site 621 although the sediments generally contain more silt, and towards the base of the hole become thoroughly laminated silts and sandy silts: pebbles within muds and silts occur at 199 m sub-bottom. Based on overall grain size trends over tens of metres, the channel sites show ill-defined fining-upward sequences, whereas the levee and overbank sites show coarsening-upward sequences, although the upper part of Site 617 is a fining-upward sequence. Biogenic components of sediments at the channel sites are dominated by shallow-water benthic foraminifera derived from the continental shelf, with the coarser grained clastic intervals containing reworked late Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera and radiolaria from the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The levee and overbank sites have a larger percentage of Quaternary radiolaria, pelagic algal cysts, and more planktonic foraminifera than the channel sites. Seismic reflection profiles across this most recent fan channel show high-amplitude reflectors in the lower part of the channel fill, thought to correspond to the coarsest grained channel lag deposits. Isopach maps show that the lag deposits are up to 6.5 km wide, slightly more than 200 m thick, and that the northernmost meander belt has migrated about 2 km laterally, 1.2 km downfan, and has climbed 175 m stratigraphically (Kastens and Shor, 1985; Sterling et al., 1985). Evolution of the meander belt shows features common to point-bar migration in high sinuosity fluviatile systems. While the location of Sites 617, 620, 621 and 622 have been drilled within a middle fan environment, the width/depth ratios and the fact that this channel is a single conduit in this part of the fan, perhaps suggest a more appropriate comparison with many inner or upper fan environments that have been described in the literature.