Abstract
Hummocky cross-stratification is a type of bedding in sedimentary rocks caused by the draping of sand around low-steepness three-dimensional bedforms. This distinctive form of stratification has been thought to be diagnostic of the former action of storm waves and hence its occurrence has been used to reconstruct ancient palaeogeographies and marine processes. Here I examine theoretical and empirical aspects of hummocky cross-stratification pertaining to its origin and argue that the notion that it was produced purely under progressive storm waves is incompatible with observed hummock spacings and possible values of the ratio a/λ under waves (a is the amplitude of oscillation near the bed and λ is the bedform spacing). My view is supported by recent observations on naturally-occurring hummocky megaripples from the sea floor of the inner Atlantic Shelf of North America.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Campbell, C. V. J. sedim. Petrol. 36, 825–828 (1966).
Campbell, C. V. J. sedim. Petrol. 43, 765–778 (1971).
Harms, J. C., Southard, J. B., Spearing, D. R. & Walker, R. G. Soc. Econ. Paleont. Miner. Short Course Notes 2 (1975).
Dott, R. H. & Bourgeois, J. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 93, 663–680 (1982).
Marsaglia, K. M. & Klein, G. de V. J. Geol. 91, 117–142 (1983).
Swagor, N. S., Oliver, T. A. & Johnson, B. A. in Can. Soc. Petrol. Geol. Core Conf., Calgary, 78–95 (1976).
Hamblin, A. P., Duke, W. L. & Walker, R. G. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 63, 460–461 (1979).
Walker, R. G. Geosci. Can. Rep. Ser. 1, 75–89 (1979).
Wright, M. E. & Walker, R. G. Can J. Earth Sci. 18, 795–809 (1981).
Mount, J. F. J. sedim. Petrol. 52, 941–958 (1982).
Brenchley, P. J. & Newall, G. J. sedim. Petrol. 47, 819–833 (1977).
Brenner, R. L. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 64, 1223–1244 (1980).
Hayes, M. O. Univ. Texas Bur. Econ. Geol. Rep. Invest. 61, 1–56 (1967).
Bourgeois, J. J. sedim. Petrol. 50, 681–702 (1980).
Hunter, R. E. & Clifton, H. E. J. sedim. Petrol. 52, 127–144 (1982).
Swift, D. J. P., Figueiredo, A. G. Jr, Freeland, G. L. & Oertel, G. F. J. sedim. Petrol. 53, 1295–1317 (1983).
Komar, P. D. & Miller, M. C. J. sedim. Petrol. 45, 697–703 (1975).
Allen, J. R. L. J. geol. Soc. Lond. 136, 673–682 (1979).
Shields, A. Versuchanst. für Wasserbau und Schiffbau, Berlin, 26 (1936).
Jonsson, I. G. Proc. 10th Conf. Coastal Engng 1, 127–148 (1967).
Manohar, M. Tech. Memo Beach Eros. Bd U.S. Corps Engrs, 75 (1955).
Bagnold, R. A. Proc. R. Soc. A187, 1–15 (1946).
Hallermeier, R. J. Nature 297, 53–55 (1982).
Chan, K. W., Baird, M. H. I. & Round, G. F. Proc. R. Soc. A330, 537–559 (1972).
Kennedy, J. F. & Falcon, M. M.I.T. Dept civ. Engng Hyd. Lab. Rep. 86, 1–55 (1965).
Kamphuis, J. W. J. WatWays Harb. Div. Am. Soc. civ. Engrs 101 (WW2), 135–144 (1975).
Bagnold, R. A. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A249, 235–297 (1956).
Bagnold, R. A. Prof. Pap. U.S. geol. Surv. 422-I (1966).
Miller, M. C. & Komar, P. D. J. sedim. Petrol. 50, 173–182 (1981).
Sleath, J. F. A. Sea Bed Mechanics (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1984).
Sleath, J. F. A. J. hydraul. Res. 14, 69–81 (1975).
Mogridge, G. R. & Kamphuis, J. W. Proc. 13th Conf. Coastal Engng, Vancouver, 1123–1142 (1972).
Bijker, E. W. Delft Hydraul. Lab. Rep. 50, 1–142 (1967).
Csanady, G. T. in Lakes; Chemistry, Geology, Physics, 21–64 (Springer, Berlin, 1978).
Swift, D. J. P. & Rice, D. D. Soc. econ. Paleont. Miner. spec. Publ. 34, 43–62 (1984).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Allen, P. Hummocky cross-stratification is not produced purely under progressive gravity waves. Nature 313, 562–564 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/313562a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/313562a0
This article is cited by
-
Geomorphological and sedimentary records of Late Quaternary activities of Qiaojia-Jinyang segment of Lianfeng fault zone, Southwest China
Environmental Earth Sciences (2022)
-
Demise of an extensive biostromal microbialite in the Furongian (late Cambrian) Chaomidian Formation, Shandong Province, China
Geosciences Journal (2012)
-
Sedimentology: Hummocky sand deposits generated by storms at sea
Nature (1985)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.