Concept of Deep-Sea Contourites. (Reannouncement with New AvailabilityInformation)

摘要

During the ten years of the HEBBLE project, nearly 90 investigators from twodozen laboratories and universities in three countries, wrote nearly 200 HEBBLE-related papers. We have re-thought our notions considerably with regard to the geologic effects of deep-sea currents. We note that contourite is largely composed of clay and fine silts. We have noted some global correlations which suggest that the variability in bottom-current speed and direction may be essential for maximum sediment flux, but that steady mean flows are essential for the downstream construction of the largest contourite drifts of cohesive material that plasters the floor of the world's oceans. The recognition of contourite deposits in the ancient rock record many in the future be helpful in paleo-environmental modeling that is so essential to the productive exploration for hydrocarbon deposits.