Sedimentary facies and depositional processes of Gilbert-type deltas, Gulf of Corinth, Greece

Supervision: W. Nemec

Project funding: UiB from Hydro relic-grant, 2 years (2010-2012)

The aim of this project is to recognize the nature of subaqueous depositional processes and their temporal variation in selected Gilbert-type deltas of Pliocene-Pleistocene age in the Corinth Rift Basin. The deltas are well exposed and have previously been described by several authors, but the foreset beds have not been sedimentologically studied in detail and, instead, have all been lumped under the broad label of "delta-slope avalanches". Studies of similar other deltas indicate that the delta-slope avalanches range from low- and high-density turbidity currents to debris falls, flows, slumps and slides, with a possible additional influence of waves and/or tides on the uppermost slope. The relative role of these processes may vary with the regional climatic conditions and relative sea level. This pilot study will show as to what processes were involved in the build-out of deltas in the Gulf of Corinth and how much variation in the processes occurred during the life-span of these deltaic systems.