This volume on continental margin sedimentation brings together an expert editorial and contributor team to create a state-of-the-art resource. Taking a global perspective, the book spans a range of timescales and content, ranging from how oceans transport particles, to how thick rock sequences are formed on continental margins.

• Summarizes and integrates our understanding of sedimentary processes and strata associated with fluvial dispersal systems on continental shelves and slopes
• Explores timescales ranging from particle transport at one extreme, to deep burial at the other
• Insights are presented for margins in general, and with focus on a tectonically active margin (northern California) and a passive margin (New Jersey), enabling detailed examination of the intricate relationships between a wide suite of sedimentary processes and their preserved stratigraphy
• Includes observational studies which document the processes and strata found on particular margins, in addition to numerical models and laboratory experimentation, which provide a quantitative basis for extrapolation in time and space of insights about continental-margin sedimentation
• Provides a research resource for scientists studying modern and ancient margins, and an educational text for advanced students in sedimentology and stratigraphy.

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Features

• Summarizes and integrates our understanding of sedimentary processes and strata associated with fluvial dispersal systems on continental shelves and slopes
• Explores timescales ranging from particle transport at one extreme, to deep burial at the other
• Insights are presented for margins in general, and with focus on a tectonically active margin (northern California) and a passive margin (New Jersey), enabling detailed examination of the intricate relationships between a wide suite of sedimentary processes and their preserved stratigraphy
• Includes observational studies which document the processes and strata found on particular margins, in addition to numerical models and laboratory experimentation, which provide a quantitative basis for extrapolation in time and space of insights about continental-margin sedimentation

• Provides a research resource for scientists studying modern and ancient margins, and an educational text for advanced students in sedimentology and stratigraphy.

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Contents

Preface
Writing a Rosetta stone: insights into continental-margin sedimentary processes and strata. Charles A. Nittrouer, James A. Austin Jr, Michael E. Field, Joseph H. Kravitz, James P.M. Syvitski, and Patricia L. Wiberg
Introduction
The boundary conditions
The common threads
Sediment delivery
Sediment alteration
Sediment dispersal system
Seabed failure
Gravity flows
Margin morphology
Margin stratigraphy
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Sediment delivery to the seabed on continental margins. Paul S. Hill, Jason M. Fox, John S. Crockett, Kristian J. Curran, Carl T. Friedrichs, W. Rockwell Geyer, Timothy G. Milligan, Andrea S. Ogston, Pere Puig, Malcolm E. Scully, Peter A. Traykovski, and Robert A. Wheatcroft
Introduction
Review of previous work
Sediment delivery to the Eel margin
Summary and conclusion
Acknowledgements
Nomenclature
References
Post-depositional alteration and preservation of sedimentary strata. Robert A. Wheatcroft, Patricia L. Wiberg, Clark R. Alexander, Samuel J. Bentley, David E. Drake, Courtney K. Harris, and Andrea S. Ogston
Introduction and scope
Consolidation
Physical alteration
Biological alteration
Preservation
Summary
Acknowledgements
Nomenclature
References
Oceanic dispersal and accumulation of river sediment. Christopher K. Sommerfield, Andrea S. Ogston, Beth L. Mullenbach, David E. Drake, Clark R. Alexander, Charles A. Nittrouer, Jeffry C. Borgeld, Robert A. Wheatcroft, and Elana L. Leithold
Introduction
Quantifying sedimentary processes
The northern California margin
Sediment production and coastal delivery
Sediment transort and accumulation
Sedimentation patterns and rates
Sediment budgets of dispersal systems
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Nomenclature
References
Submarine mass movements on continental margins. Homa J. Lee, Jacques Locat, Priscilla Desgagnés, Jeffrey D. Parsons, Brian G. McAdoo, Daniel L. Orange, Pere Puig, Florence L. Wong, Peter Dartnell, and Eric Boulanger Introduction
Historic development of understanding
Classification
Environments
Fjords
Active river deltas on the continental shelf
Submarine canyon-fan systems
The open continental slope
Statistics of submarine landslides
Mechanics of slope failure
Pore-water pressure
Sediment mobilization and strength loss
Triggers
Contributions to submarine landslide research from the strataform program
Summary
Acknowledgements
Nomenclature
References
The mechanics of marine sediment gravity flows. Jeffrey. D. Parsons, Carl T. Friedrichs, Peter A. Traykovski, David Mohrig, Jasim Imran, James P.M. Syvitski, Gary Parker, Pere Puig, James L. Buttles, and Marcello H. García
Introduction
Turbidity currents
Debris flows
Wave-supported sediment gravity flows
Origin and transformation of sediment gravity flows
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
List of nomenclature
References
Seascape evolution on clastic continental shelves and slopes. Lincoln F. Pratson, Charles A. Nittrouer, Patricia L. Wiberg, Michael S. Steckler, John B. Swenson, David A. Cacchione, Jeffery A. Karson, A. Bradley Murray, Matthew A. Wolinsky, Thomas P. Gerber, Beth L. Mullenbach, Glenn A. Spinelli, Craig S. Fulthorpe, Damian B. O'Grady, Gary Parker, Neal W. Driscoll, Robert L. Burger, Christopher Paola, Daniel L. Orange, Michael E. Field, Carl T. Friedrichs, and Juan J. Fedele
Introduction
Background
Processes governing shelf width and slope relief
Processes that form the shelf profile
Processes that act to limit the slope of the continental slope
Processes that create submarine canyons and slope gullies
Future research
Acknowledgments
References
The long-term stratigraphic record on continental margins. Gregory S. Mountain, Robert L. Burger, Heike Delius, Craig S. Fulthorpe, James A. Austin, David S. Goldberg, Michael S. Steckler, Cecilia M. McHugh, Kenneth G. Miller, Donald H. Monteverde, Daniel L. Orange, and Lincoln F. Pratson
Introduction
Analysing the long-term record
The Eel River basin
The New Jersey margin
Summary
Acknowledgements
References
Prediction of margin stratigraphy. James P.M. Syvitski, Lincoln F. Pratson, Patricia L. Wiberg, Michael S. Steckler, Marcelo H. Garcia, W. Rockwell Geyer, Courtney K. Harris, Eric W.H. Hutton, Jasim Imran, Homa J. Lee, Mark D. Morehead, and Gary Parker
Introduction
Component sed-strat modules
Integrated models
Seismic models
The way forward
Acknowledgements
Nomenclature
References
Index