Morphodynamic Preservation of Fluvial Channel Belts

The fluvial sedimentary record is largely composed of deposits from relatively common flow events, rather than more catastrophic scour-and-fill events. At the scales bedforms, such are preserved within stratigraphic because they rapidly accumulate within, and protected by, morphodynamic topographic depressions that occur naturally in system as a result feedbacks between flow, sediment transport, topography. Examples include preservation ripples front dunes, dunes bars, bars channels. Here, we used 3D seismic data images channel belts to test hypothesis alluvial-ridge basins, formed raised beds due decreasing sedimentation rates away channels alluvial settings, source topography driving channel-belt-scale preservation. Using data, measured positions belts, well their lengths, widths, sinuosities, centerline orientations dataset. Results consistent with well-preserved steered by alluvial-ridge-basin Further, thickness channel-belt interval exceeds relief any one basin, suggesting volume records filling multiple basins process common. Characterizing signature necessary for understanding contrasting architectures where external forcings prevented formation.