The quintessential s-shape in sedimentology: A review on the formation and controls of clinoform shape
- Author
- Anell, I.
- Year
- 2024
- Journal / Source
- Earth-Science Reviews
- Volume
- 254
- Number
- 104821
- Pages
- 26 pp
- Summary
- Clinoforms are ubiquitous depositional surfaces in sedimentary systems. The quintessential shape, with a flat or gentle topset, sloping foreset, and gentle to flat bottomset, is recognizable in the smallest ripple to the kilometer high edges of the continents. Essentially the shape is one which develops with differential sedimentation away from a sedimentary source. Systematic decay of transport competence and/or sediment amount from a site favouring deposition, generates differential loading of a typically lens-shaped sedimentary body. The lithology, grain size, water depth, hydrodynamic factors, transport mechanisms, antecedent topography, relative sea level and sediment rate all interact to create different sizes, slopes and shapes. Meanwhile there are several fundamental similarities between clinoforms, even with the smallest bedwave features (ripples and dunes), despite forming under very different depositional conditions.