What
projects are up right now in the Eurotank Laboratories in
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Experimental sequence stratigraphyTectonicsFluvial and delta response to sea-level change and growth fault tectonics are studied conceptually. Subsequent height models of phases of development are recorded, while lacquer peels of cross-sections were made for detailed study of sequence-stratigraphic architecture by Max Van Heijst (pdf). ClimateClimate varies at various
frequencies, and is likely to produce pulses of discharge and/or sediment
load in the fluvial system with consequences for resultant fluvial stratigraphy. Dr. AartPeter van
den Berg van Saparoea, who has just completed his
PhD, has studied these effects by means of flume experiments (pdf). Recently
we started NEW experimental studies in collaboration with Prof. Ron Steel (The University
of Texas, Austin) to understand the response of sedimentary systems to
supply that is in-phase and out-phase (mpg movies) with
creation of accommodation. The studies verify numerical studies by Dr.
Johan ten Veen ( |
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Autogenic behavior of alluvial fan and delta systemsThe extent to which alluvial fan and delta evolution is driven by autogenic processes cannot be easily observed in nature. Yet, knowledge of the self-regulating behaviour of these systems will improve our stratigraphic interpretations and numerical simulations of these environments. In collaboration with Dr. M. Kleinhans from Physical Geography, we examined the autogenic behaviour of deltas and fans by keeping all variables (water and sediment discharge, sediment calibre, and sea level) constant in each run, but allowing the alluvial and delta system to grow. Water and sediment were fed into a small trunk river that debouched onto a shallow flat plain or shelf. Experimental studies were performed by Maurits van Dijk (PhD) and publications are in progress. There appears to be cyclic alternation between sheet flow and channelised flow for alluvial fan and fan delta (mpg movies). |
Alternating sheet- and channelised flow on alluvial fan surfaces |
Deposition in the hydraulic jump settingAims of the study: 1. defining bed form development, sedimentary structures and erosion phenomena in relation to hydraulic jumps and supercritical flow in turbidity currents; 2. improving mathematical models of turbidity flow for supercritical conditions and internal hydraulic jumps (in collaboration with WL Delft). ONGOING experimental studies are performed by ir. Matthieu Cartigny (PhD) making use of high speed digital cameras, and high precision velocity and concentration meters. The first results show spectacular pictures of the hydraulic jump. In
collaboration with the department of Physical Geography, THIS PROJECT
IS A PART OF Teams, Ifremer
(France), Utrecht University (Netherlands), University of Leeds (United
Kingdom), Delft Hydraulics (Netherlands), University of Oslo (Norway),
Complex Flow Design AS, Trondheim (Norway) |
Deposition
from super-critical particulate density flows
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Experimental studies of dynamic morphology of fans and deltas establishing time constraints for water release required for formation of similar-shaped fans and deltas in craters of Mars movieSedimentary
fan features (deltas and alluvial fans) provide an important record of
surface water flow. Understanding the
defining characteristics (particularly the duration) of this flow is integral
to understanding the history of water and, potentially, life on Mars. Studies
of fan morphology can provide constraints on some of these defining
characteristics. The unique morphology of some Martian stepped (terraced)
fans allow us to put minimum and maximum time constraints on water flow on
Mars. The studies are done in collaboration with Dr. Erin Kraal, Virginia Tech
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Flume modeling of river-delta-shelf systems at geological relevant time scales: Solution space for relative sea-level induced flux for river shelf systemsAt a basin scale, systematic experiments have been carried out to investigate, conceptually, the effect of the rate of change of sea level, tectonics and climate (discharge and sediment yield) on the dynamics of the sedimentary system. The diagram shows a solution space (pdf) that shows the expected yield at the river outlet and at the shelf-edge. The diagram shows three axes 1) transport efficiency, 2) amplitude of the relative sea-level variation (accommodation) and 3) basin response factor (factor that determines a timescale for the filling of the available accommodation). All data is stored in a data base and can be retrieved.
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Tectonics
Climate
