台湾东部海域沉积物波特征及其成因探讨

利用地震剖面对沉积物波的分布、形态和内部结构进行了分析,结合区域地质背景对沉积物来源和成因进行了探讨。识别出的沉积物波域主要位于台东峡谷与陆坡其他峡谷的交汇区,单个波形的波长为0.8～7.2 km,波高为18～75 m左右,呈NE—SW向展布。台东峡谷弯曲段内侧向上坡迁移的沉积物波,其底界发育块体流沉积,内部可细分为下部过渡单元和上部波形单元。弯曲段外侧的沉积物波呈垂向加积的特征,底部无块体流沉积。基于沉积物波的几何形态,估算整个波域的流体厚度在196～356 m之间,流体速度在15～21 cm/s之间。沉积物波的形态特征、内部结构、分布规律以及数值计算表明这些沉积物波为浊流成因。台湾东部海域沉积物波域的发育与台湾西南部的沉积物波域一样,是台湾造山运动的沉积响应。距今3.5 Ma以来花东海脊的形成以及广燠火山岛—绿岛—兰屿火山岛间闸口的抬升和封闭使得沉积物经由卑南溪及海下水道向南输送到绿岛西侧的台东海槽残留弧前盆地时受阻,转而沿台东峡谷及陆坡冲沟体系向东输送入花东海盆。浊流沉积物沿着峡谷/沟谷体系向下坡方向输送的过程中,在峡谷/冲沟的嘴部等地形限制性降低的位置卸载,或在台东峡谷的高弯曲段漫溢出来,从而形成沉积物波域。     

台湾东部海域台东峡谷沉积特征及其成因

台湾东部峡谷的研究程度较低,对其沉积特征及成因缺乏系统的论述.利用近年来在台湾东部海域获得的地震剖面,对台东峡谷的形态特征、沉积充填以及成因进行了详细的分析.台东峡谷主体位于花东海盆,该部分水深在4 000~5 500 m范围内,以NE方向为主,长度约为160 km,宽度为0.2~14 km.根据峡谷的平面延伸特征,可以将台东峡谷分为3个区段:上游段为NE-NEE走向段、中游段为NE-NNW走向段、下游段为NE走向段直到峡谷嘴部;下切谷剖面形态从上游段的"V"型、中游段的复合形态（"UV"并行）逐渐过渡到下游段的"U"型.台东峡谷上游段-中游段滑塌构造发育,峡谷转弯处的侧翼可见波状沉积,其下游段则以沉积充填为主.台东峡谷的成因与构造作用、地形特征和深水沉积作用关系密切.受西南高东北低的地形特征及基底隐伏断裂控制,峡谷总体呈现NE向延伸;重力流作用为峡谷的下切侵蚀和充填提供了动力与物质来源,峡谷从上游段到下游段下切侵蚀能力减弱,谷底充填增厚;峡谷中游段受海山的阻挡,发生转向;峡谷下游段因多条峡谷携带的沉积物汇入和"喇叭状"地形的影响,输送的沉积物在出加瓜脊末端后,形成了大型深水扇.      

台湾峡谷中段沉积特征及流体机制探讨

海底峡谷、高弯度水道等深水沉积单元中的流体活动方式是人们关注的热点.本次研究利用高分辨地震资料,结合地形地貌特征对台湾峡谷中段的沉积特征及流体活动方式进行初步探讨.台湾峡谷中段发育内堤岸(inner levee),它成层性好、地层产状倾斜,地震反射特征与峡谷西岸和下覆滑塌体明显不同,内部结构表现为逐级上超的特征,以侧向加积为主.曲流河和深水高弯度水道的点坝均发育于河(水)道拐弯处,由于离心力作用,沉积物在凸岸堆积形成点坝.该内堤岸位于峡谷中段直线型地段,不具备形成点坝的地形地貌条件,综合分析认为该内堤岸是由垂直于峡谷轴向、自西向东的底流与沿峡谷向下的重力流交互作用形成的.     

中建海底峡谷地貌及沉积特征的分段性

中建海底峡谷具有分段性,但分段的关键地貌特征、各段沉积充填及其控制因素缺乏精细描述和系统论证.综合利用高分辨率二维和三维地震资料,结合水深地貌数据,对中建海底峡谷地貌及沉积特征进行了详细分析,总结了其南北段沉积过程的主控因素.中建海底峡谷呈NW向顺直展布于广乐隆起与西沙隆起之间,以华光礁附近的地貌高点为拐点被分为南北两段.中建海底峡谷北段沉积体系包括重力流沉积（水道、席状沉积、滑塌体）和底流沉积（漂积体、环槽、谷槽）,南段以重力流水道和海底扇为主.北段沉积体系受底流和重力流交互作用控制,底流自中中新世开始出现,改造重力流水道,使其出现侧向迁移或翼部不对称现象,上新世以后重力流作用减弱,底流作用增强,沉积物波和漂积体广泛发育;峡谷南段水道表现出侵蚀-沉积-废弃的沉积旋回,未见底流沉积现象.相对海平面变化导致碳酸盐生产率变化影响物源供应,从而控制水道沉积演化,碳酸盐台地的“高位溢流”作用决定水道在高水位时发育.      

北大西洋洛克尔海槽东北部内波沉积--深水大型沉积物波成因的再解释

北大西洋洛克尔海槽东北部水深约1 000～ 1 000 m 处有两个大型沉积物波发育区。波长1 ～ 2 km,波高18 ～ 20 m,分布面积分别为350 km 2 与 20 km 2。沉积物波向上坡迁移,内部包括上攀床形单元、不对称波形单元及正弦波形单元。前人提出的大区沉积物波挪威海底层水溢流成因及小区沉积物Lee波迁移模式都存在许多问题。根据古气候及古洋流资料,研究区内沉积物波各单元形成时具备内波形成的条件,内波的发育与等深流的活动密切相关。运用内波理论可对沉积物波各构成单元作出合理的水动力学解释,研究区内两列同向内波的叠加、单列内波及内驻波先后作用海底,可分别形成大型上攀床形、不对称波形及正弦波形单元。     

东南极普里兹湾陆隆区脊状沉积体的结构和形成过程

东南极普里兹湾陆隆区发育数个近垂直陆缘的脊状沉积体,这些沉积体记录了区域冰川活动和底流变化的历史。本文主要利用多道地震资料和水深资料对这些脊状沉积体的平面展布、走向上的结构差异进行了研究,在此基础上讨论了不同脊状沉积体的形成过程。结果表明研究区内脊状沉积体有两种不同结构类型:西部Wild峡谷两侧不对称发育的浊流堤岸沉积形成两个平行峡谷的脊状沉积体;东部数个脊状沉积体的形成与其下长期存在的浊流活动引起的穿时沉积间断面有关。不同峡谷的浊流活动起始时代不一,西部的Wild峡谷起始时代和陆隆区冰海沉积起始时代(P1)一致;东部Wilkins峡谷以及Murray峡谷从后期的P3(约26.1 Ma)开始,代表普里兹湾地区的一次冰川极盛事件。研究区所有峡谷及其浊流活动均随时间向海扩展,造成相应的脊状沉积体向海扩展。在脊状沉积体外缘区域,浊流输送而来的细粒沉积物在向西的底流作用下形成大型深海沉积物波。     

Impacts of a Wave Farm on Waves,Currents and Coastal Morphology in South West England

This study investigates impacts of a wave farm on waves, currents and coastal morphology adjacent to the wave farm, which is located in the Southwest of England (the Wave Hub). In this study, we focus on the interaction between waves and tides due to the presence of the wave farm and its effects on wave radiation stresses, bottom shear stresses and consequently on the sediment transport and the coast adjacent to the wave farm, using an integrated numerical modelling system. The modelling system consists of the near-shore wave model SWAN, the ocean circulation model ROMS and a sediment transport model for morphological evolution. The results show that tidal elevation and tidal currents can have a significant effect on waves and that tidal forcing and waves have a significant effect on bottom shear stresses. Waves can impact on the processes related to the bottom boundary layer and mixing intensity in the water column. The wave farm has an impact on the gradients of radiation shear stresses and bottom shear stresses that modify current speeds and wave heights, which in turn impact on the near-shore sediment transport and the resulting morphological changes. Bed load transport rates show a decrease when the wave farm is present, even during storm conditions. The results highlight the importance of the interactions between waves and tides when modelling coastal morphology with presence of wave energy devices.     

Three‐dimensional seismic analysis of sediment waves and related geomorphological features on a carbonate shelf exposed to large amplitude internal waves,Browse Basin region,Australia

This study analyses the three‐dimensional geometry of sedimentary features recorded on the modern sea floor and in the shallow subsurface of a shelf to upper slope region offshore Australia that is characterized by a pronounced internal wave regime. The data interpreted comprise an extensive, >12 500 km² industrial three‐dimensional seismic‐reflection survey that images the northern part of the Browse Basin, Australian North West Shelf. The most prominent seismic–morphological features on the modern sea floor are submarine terrace escarpments, fault‐scarps and incised channels, as well as restricted areas of seismic distortion interpreted as mass wasting deposits. Besides these kilometre‐scale sea floor irregularities, smaller bedforms were discovered also, including a multitude of sediment waves with a lateral extent of several kilometres and heights up to 10 m. These sedimentological features generally occur in extensive fields in water depths below 250 m mostly at the foot of submerged terraces, along the scarps of modern faults and along the shelf break between the outer shelf and the upper continental rise. Additional bedforms that characterize the more planar regions of the outer shelf are elongate, north‐west/south‐east oriented furrows and ridges. The formation of both sediment waves and furrow‐ridge systems requires flow velocities between 0·3 m sec^?1 and 1·5 m sec^?1, which could be generated by oceanic currents, gravity currents or internal waves. In the studied setting, these velocities can be best explained as being generated by bottom currents induced by internal waves, an interpretation that is discussed against oceanographic background data and modelling results. In addition to the documentation of three‐dimensional seismic–geomorphological features of the modern sea floor, it was also possible to map kilometre‐scale buried sediment wave fields in the seismic volume down to ca 500 ms two‐way‐time below the present sea floor, indicating the general potential for the preservation of such bedforms in the sedimentary record.     

东非鲁武马盆地海底水道-朵体体系粗粒浊流沉积物波特征及主控因素

海底水道-朵体体系内粗粒沉积物波的研究可以深化浊流搬运过程的认识。利用先进的地球物理成像技术,通过地震地貌分析,对东非鲁武马盆地海底水道-朵体体系内这种后期易被改造的特殊沉积体进行识别和解释,结合粗粒沉积物波的形态、尺度、移动方式、厚度变化、平面分布等特征,探讨其成因和影响因素。鲁武马盆地近海底水道-朵体体系内的粗粒浊流沉积物波具有多变的地貌和逆行砂丘的底形。水道内粗粒沉积物波规模较小,分布范围局限;水道-朵体过渡带的粗粒沉积物波规模大,波高约45~110 m,波长可达一千余米,总体规模大于其他地区已识别出的粗粒深水沉积物波。构造活动、超临界流产生的水跃作用、地形地貌的变化以及底流作用是鲁武马盆地粗粒浊流沉积物波形成的主控因素。     

黔南罗甸沫阳中二叠世茅口组风暴岩沉积特征及地质意义

黔南罗甸沫阳剖面中二叠世茅口组以海相碳酸盐为主,下部地层中发育风暴岩,露头特征明显,主要以介壳灰岩为识别标志。风暴沉积构造包括底面侵蚀构造、截切构造、波痕层理、递变层理、块状层理等。风暴沉积主要包括一个底面构造A和B、C、D、E等四个沉积单元:A.侵蚀底面,代表风暴流对海底沉积物的作用;B.介壳灰岩层,代表风暴浪、风暴涡流沉积;C.粒序层,代表风暴衰减期重力分异沉积或风暴浊流沉积;D.块状层,代表风暴快速悬浮沉积;E.波痕层理段,代表风暴衰减后期沉积。它们共组成4种风暴沉积序列,分别代表不同深度的风暴沉积,反映了不同的风暴沉积作用和风暴流的类型。沫阳地区风暴沉积的沉积特征表明,该区风暴沉积主要发育于风暴浪基面之上的内陆棚沉积环境,风暴强度大,为近源风暴岩。仅个别风暴沉积发育于风暴浪基面之下的外陆棚沉积环境,为风暴引起的浊流沉积,为远源风暴岩。风暴岩类型的正确识别,对确定该区沉积相与深入认识扬子碳酸盐台地南部边缘沉积演化提供参考依据。     

台湾峡谷HD133和HD77柱状样的沉积构成和发育背景

分别对南海东北部台湾峡谷内水深3 280 m的HD133和峡谷外水深3 378 m的HD77重力活塞柱状样进行了沉积物粒度、古生物和碳酸钙含量分析,利用AMS14C同位素测年和沉积速率初步认定是属于MIS3a以来的沉积。按沉积物粒度和碳酸钙含量可将两支柱状样划分为3套沉积层段:上部层段1和下部层段3均以粉砂质黏土为主,夹薄层粉砂,深水底栖有孔虫含量高,碳酸钙低于10%,代表受重力流作用较弱的正常深海沉积;中部层段2发育一套以中-细粒为主的厚砂层,含大量浅水底栖有孔虫,碳酸钙含量可高达60%,AMS14C测年出现倒置现象,表明主要为浅水重力流沉积。柱状样的沉积构成响应同期海平面变化,特别表现在深水砂层沉积的两大控制因素:在时间上,低海平面时期大量浅水和陆源碎屑物质直接输送到陆坡之下的深水区,形成富砂的层段2;在空间上,峡谷水道是重力流的物质输送通道,地形优势使得重力流携带物优先在水道中发生沉积,造成HD133柱的含砂量明显高于HD77柱状样。     

南海西北陆缘深水沉积体系内部构成特征

深水沉积是近年来我国海域油气勘探重点之一,利用高精度二维和三维地震剖面的精细解剖,揭示了南海西北陆缘区深水沉积体系类型及其内部构成特征.这些深水地区除堆积正常深海-半深海泥岩外,还发育大量深水重力流沉积,包括块体流沉积、深水峡谷、沉积物波等大型沉积体.研究表明,南海西北陆缘区发育4类陆坡, 即进积型、滑塌型、水道化型、宽缓渐变型陆坡.不同陆坡类型具有不同地貌形态,发育不同的沉积体类型.大型块体流沉积主要发育于滑塌型和水道化型陆坡,沉积物波主要发育于宽缓渐变型陆坡下部及深海中央峡谷长昌段的周缘地区.由于南海西北陆缘自晚中新世以来形成向东开口的喇叭形变深的地貌形态,导致在盆地中央形成了独特的与陆坡走向一致的深海峡谷体系——中央峡谷.该峡谷的沉积充填不仅包括来自于西部峡谷头部的浊积水道沉积,还包括来自于北部陆坡的块体流沉积,特别是来自于滑塌型陆坡的块体流沉积.中央峡谷体系构成了西北陆缘区多源汇聚的深水沉积物输送系统,同时也是南海西北陆缘深水区重要的油气储层发育层系.      

内波单独作用形成的深水沉积物波

深水沉积物波是一种海底普遍发育、规模较大的波状沉积体,大多数学者将它们解释为等深流沉积或浊流沉积。本文结合内波理论的研究进展，考虑内波沉积作用的水动力学特征，探讨了深水沉积物波的内波成因机制。得出以下几点认识：①海底流动单独作用无法满足沉积物波形成所需的流动层厚度及流动速度，较难解释沉积物波的迁移方向及规则的内部及外部形态。②内波可以引起海底流动，内波比表面波更容易形成更大规模范围内的沉积床形。③内波可以形成大型沉积物波，用内波可以较合理地解释内波的对称波形单元、非对称波形单元及上攀波形单元的成因。波动面离海底距离较大的行进内波及内驻波可以形成对称波形的沉积物波；波动面离海底距离较近的行进内波及内孤立波可以形成非对称波形的沉积物波；内波引起的海底流动进一步增强时，可形成上攀波形沉积物波。④行进内波可以形成向内波传播相反方向迁移的沉积物波，向海盆内部传播的内波可以形成向上坡方向迁移的沉积物波。     

琼东南盆地中央峡谷体系东段形态-充填特征及其地质意义

通过对琼东南盆地东部水深数据和高精度地震资料的综合分析,对盆地东段中央峡谷体系的形态特征和内部充填结构进行了详细的描述和刻画。研究结果显示:琼东南盆地中央峡谷体系东段呈NEE向分布于长昌凹陷中央,峡谷具有相对笔直的通道,较为狭窄,剖面上表现为明显的“V型”形态,两侧发育陡峭的峡谷侧壁;东段峡谷的内部充填沉积物由滞留沉积体、块体流-席状砂复合体、浊流沉积体和垮塌沉积体构成,垂向上显示出多期的形成演化过程。形态特征和充填结构表明,盆地东段峡谷主要受到该区域古地貌特征的影响和控制,形成于晚中新世早期的长条状负地形为中央峡谷的形成提供了有利的空间,限制了盆地东段峡谷的形态特征,该地貌特征将持续影响峡谷内部的沉积物输送和堆积样式。更新世以来充分的沉积物供给在陆架坡折处形成了大量的陆坡峡谷,沉积物以垂向输送的方式沿着坡降向下运移,在下陆坡位置形成现代深水扇,并被现今中央峡谷的头部区域所捕获,在地貌特征的限制下,沉积物将发生转向输送,沿着盆地东段峡谷的走向,自西向东发生轴向运移。盆地东段构造控制型峡谷是造成琼东南盆地东西部中央峡谷体系在形态和充填上具有明显差异的原因。研究区内3种不同的现代沉积物输送方式,对于更好地理解盆地西部沉积物运移和西段峡谷的形成过程也具有一定的指示和对比意义。     

Benthic dynamics at the carbonate mound regions of the Porcupine Sea Bight continental margin

A brief review is given of some dynamical processes that influence the benthic dynamics within the carbonate mound provinces located at the Porcupine Bank/Sea Bight margin, NE Atlantic. The depth range of the mounds in this region (600–1,000 m) marks the upper boundary of the Mediterranean outflow water above which Eastern North Atlantic Water dominates. Both water masses are carried northwards by the eastern boundary slope current. In the benthic boundary layer both the action of internal waves, and other tidal period baroclinic waves, may enhance the bottom currents and add to both the residual and maximum flow strength. Both residual and maximum bottom currents vary at different mound locations, with stronger currents found at Belgica (SE Porcupine Sea Bight) mound and Pelagia (NW Porcupine Bank) mound regions, whilst weakest currents are found at the Hovland and Magellan Mounds at the northern Sea Bight margin. The differences may be attributed to the presence of internal waves (Pelagia) or bottom intensified diurnal waves (Belgica). These different dynamical regimes are likely to have implications for the distribution patterns of live coral at the different locations.     

Identification of tsunami deposits considering the tsunami waveform: An example of subaqueous tsunami deposits in Holocene shallow bay on southern Boso Peninsula, Central Japan

This study proposes a tsunami depositional model based on observations of emerged Holocene tsunami deposits in outcrops located in eastern Japan. The model is also applicable to the identification of other deposits, such as those laid down by storms. The tsunami deposits described were formed in a small bay of 10–20-m water depth, and are mainly composed of sand and gravel. They show various sedimentary structures, including hummocky cross-stratification (HCS) and inverse and normal grading. Although, individually, the sedimentary structures are similar to those commonly found in storm deposits, the combination of vertical stacking in the tsunami deposits makes a unique pattern. This vertical stacking of internal structures is due to the waveform of the source tsunamis, reflecting: 1) extremely long wavelengths and wave period, and 2) temporal changes of wave sizes from the beginning to end of the tsunamis.

The tsunami deposits display many sub-layers with scoured and graded structures. Each sub-layer, especially in sandy facies, is characterized by HCS and inverse and normal grading that are the result of deposition from prolonged high-energy sediment flows. The vertical stack of sub-layers shows incremental deposition from the repeated sediment flows. Mud drapes cover the sub-layers and indicate the existence of flow-velocity stagnant stages between each sediment flow. Current reversals within the sub-layers indicate the repeated occurrence of the up- and return-flows.

The tsunami deposits are vertically divided into four depositional units, Tna to Tnd in ascending order, reflecting the temporal change of wave sizes in the tsunami wave trains. Unit Tna is relatively fine-grained and indicative of small tsunami waves during the early stage of the tsunami. Unit Tnb is a protruding coarse-grained and thickest-stratified division and is the result of a relatively large wave group during the middle stage of the tsunami. Unit Tnc is a fine alternation of thin sand sheets and mud drapes, deposited from waning waves during the later stage of the tsunami. Unit Tnd is deposited during the final stage of the tsunami and is composed mainly of suspension fallout. Cyclic build up of these sub-layers and depositional units cannot be explained by storm waves with short wave periods of several to ten seconds common in small bays.     

塔中地区中晚奥陶世内波、内潮汐沉积

现代海底普遍发育由内波、内潮汐引起的深水牵引流,内波、内潮汐不仅可形成各种厘米级的深水牵引流沉积构造,还可建造千米级的大型沉积物波。这种大型沉积物波既可沿斜坡向下迁移,也可沿斜坡向上迁移。在古代地层记录中已发现各种厘米级的内波、内潮汐沉积单元,但尚未发现内波成因的大型沉积物波。塔中地区中上奥陶统碎屑岩段内发育内波及内潮汐形成的各种牵引流沉积构造单元。通过详细的岩心观察,识别出 4种内波、内潮汐沉积微相类型及 5种基本垂向沉积层序。此外,通过地震剖面分析,在研究区中上奥陶统陆坡相中识别出顺坡向上迁移的大型沉积物波,该沉积物波的特征与现代海底发育的沉积物波的特征类似,运用内波理论可对其成因进行合理的解释。     

深水沉积物波及其在南海研究之现状

深水沉积物波的研究始于20世纪50年代。根据成因和结构特征,可以将深水沉积物波划分为细粒底流、细粒浊流、粗粒底流和粗粒浊流等类型。不同类型的沉积物波具有不同的形态、物质组成及分布特征。已提出的深水沉积物波的形成模式主要有背流波模式、逆行沙波模式、内波模式及底形和斜坡失稳混合模式等。1994年太阳号95航次和1999年ODP184航次揭示并证实,南海北部东沙岸外1144站所处的深水陆坡区发育有一高速沉积物牵引体。根据最新的地震资料分析发现,该牵引体实际上由一系列逆陆坡向上倾方向迁移的沉积物波组成,这一发现对于南海北部大陆边缘古海洋、古环境和古气候研究,以及南海深水油气勘探具有重要意义。     

Storm deposits and storm-generated coarse carbonate breccias on a pelagic outer shelf (South-East Basin, France)

Uppermost Jurassic limestones of the South‐East Basin (France) are organized into four facies associations that were deposited in four distinct zones: (1) peritidal lagoonal limestones; (2) bioclastic and reefal limestones; (3) pelagic lime mudstones; (4) lime mudstones/calcarenites/coarse breccias. Calcarenite deposits of zone 4 exhibit sedimentary structures that are diagnostic of deposition under wave‐induced combined flow. In subzone 4a, both vertical and lateral transitions from lime mudstone/calcarenite to breccia indicate in situ brecciation under wave‐cyclic loading. Breccias were produced by heterogeneous liquefaction of material previously deposited on the sea floor. Deposits in subzone 4a record relatively long periods (>400 kyr) of sedimentation below wave base, alternating with periods of deposition under wave‐induced currents and periods of in situ deformation. In this zone, storm waves were attenuated by wave–sediment interaction, and wave energy was absorbed by the deformation of soft sediment. With reference to present‐day wave attenuation, water depths in this zone ranged between 50 and 80 m. Landwards of the attenuation zone, in zone 3, storm waves were reduced to fair‐weather wave heights. Storm wave base was not horizontal and became shallower landwards. As a consequence, water depth and wave energy were not linearly related. On a small area of the seaward edge of subzone 4a, cobbles were removed by traction currents and redeposited in subzone 4b. There, they formed a 100‐m‐thick wedge, which prograded over 3 km and was built up by the stacking of 5‐ to 20‐m‐thick cross‐stratified sets of coarse breccia. This wedge records the transport and redeposition of cobbles by a high‐velocity unidirectional component of a combined flow. The increase in flow velocity in a restricted area is proposed to result from flow concentration in a channel‐like structure of the downwelling in the gulf formed by the basin. In more distal subzone 4c, the hydrodynamic effect of wave‐induced currents was quasi‐permanent, and brecciation by wave–sediment interaction occurred only episodically. This indicates that, seawards of the attenuation zone, hydrodynamic storm wave base was deeper than mechanical storm wave base. Uppermost Jurassic carbonates were deposited and soft‐sediment deformed on a hurricane‐dominated ramp of very gentle slope and characterized by a zone of storm wave degeneration, located seawards of a zone of sedimentation below wave base.     

Numerical modelling of a mid-sized gravity flow: the 1979 Nice turbidity current (dynamics, processes, sediment budget and seafloor impact)

The 1979 Nice turbidity current is modelled using a visco-plastic analysis of flow velocity because the initial flow concentrations are expected to have been very high. The complete history of the failed sediment from debris flow to turbidity current plume is therefore addressed. The turbidity current portion is considered as a steady state flow divided into a dense bottom flow and an upper plume. Model results show that a dense flow can be generated from the debris flow by the disaggregation of the initial slide. The dense flow would be strongly erosive and able to create and maintain a low-density plume at its surface. The depth of erosion of the channel floor by the dense flow is predicted to reach 6–11 m in overconsolidated sediments, with the main erosion taking place in Var Canyon and the Upper Fan Valley. The eroded volume (10⁸ m³) provides additional material to the sediment mass of the initial failure. The dense flow appears able to inject fine sand and silt into the overlying plume during 90 km, and would disintegrate before being able to deposit sediment. The extensive sand layer along the travel path of the turbidity current may have been deposited from the tail of the trailing plume: a result of the velocity difference between the plume and the dense flow. Observations on sedimentary structures, erosion features and distribution of the sand deposit are quite in agreement with our modelling approach. For example, gravel waves can be generated when loose deposits are reworked by the supercritical dense flow. The methodology and equations presented here provide a good estimate of the geological consequences of a high-velocity gravity flow undergoing rheological transition.