Understanding Turbidity Currents

Turbidity currents are essentially sediment-laden currents where the sediments are suspended due to fluid turbulence. The term "turbidity current" is used to describe this natural phenomenon, even though its characteristics are largely not well understood.

It is believed that turbulence, a form of rapid motion, is responsible for keeping the sediment in suspension. However, it is possible that there may be other factors at play contributing to the dilution of these currents.

A turbidity current is also defined as a suspension current where the interstitial fluid is a liquid, typically water. On the other hand, a pyroclastic current is one where the interstitial fluid is a gas.

You can learn more about Ocean Currents in the linked article.

What Causes Turbidity Currents?

Various factors can trigger turbidity currents, including:

1. Hyperpycnal plume: This occurs when a river discharges large amounts of suspended sediment into the ocean, and the river's density is greater than that of seawater.
2. Sedimentation in reservoirs: Turbidity currents can also lead to the transportation and deposition of sediment in narrow mountain reservoirs. The sediment eventually settles in the deepest part of the reservoir near a dam, which can affect the dam's inflow or outflow.
3. Underwater Earthquakes: Tectonic plate shifts on the seafloor can cause turbidity currents. The displacement of the continental crust through fluidization is a key contributor to the formation of turbidity currents.
4. Canyon-flushing: Large turbidity currents that flow into canyons can become self-sustaining and may contain sediment that has previously been introduced into the canyon by littoral drift storms or smaller turbidity currents.
5. Slumping: When the accumulation of sediments at the top of a continental sole exceeds its capacity, it can trigger turbidity currents. This leads to the downward sliding of sediments.
6. Convective sedimentation beneath river plumes: A sediment-laden river can cause a secondary turbidity current on the ocean floor due to its buoyancy.

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