Mechanics of Wind Ripple Stratigraphy

Mechanics of Wind Ripple Stratigraphy

Stratigraphic patterns preserved under translating surface undulations or ripples in a depositional eolian environment are computed on a grain by grain basis using physically based cellular automata models. The spontaneous appearance, growth, and motion of the simulated ripples correspond in many re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 255; no. 5049; pp. 1240 - 1243
Main Authors: Forrest, Spencer B., Haff, Peter K.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States American Society for the Advancement of Science 06-03-1992
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science
Subjects:
Bedforms
Deposition (Geology)
Depositional processes
Eolian processes
Flat surfaces
Formations (Geology)
Fracture mechanics
Geological formations
Geology
Motion
Personality
Physics
Rock formations
Saltation
Sand
Sedimentation and deposition
Sediments
Stratigraphy
Topography
Wind
Wind velocity
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Description
Summary:Stratigraphic patterns preserved under translating surface undulations or ripples in a depositional eolian environment are computed on a grain by grain basis using physically based cellular automata models. The spontaneous appearance, growth, and motion of the simulated ripples correspond in many respects to the behavior of natural ripples. The simulations show that climbing strata can be produced by impact alone; direct action of fluid shear is unnecessary. The model provides a means for evaluating the connection between mechanical processes occurring in the paleoenvironment during deposition and the resulting stratigraphy preserved in the geologic column: vertical compression of small laminae above a planar surface indicates nascent ripple growth; supercritical laminae are associated with unusually intense deposition episodes; and a plane erosion surface separating sets of well-developed laminae is consistent with continued migration of mature ripples during a hiatus in deposition.
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ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.255.5049.1240