New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

---

THE ORIGIN OF WATER-BORNE DIAMICTONS AND THEIR RELATION TO TURBIDITES

H. M. Pantin

New Zealand Oceanographic Institute, Wellington

Abstract The term "diamicton" has recently been proposed as a non-genetic name for any non-calcareous terrigenous sediment containing a wide variety of grain sizes; the lithified equivalent is a "diamictite." The present paper deals with the origin and classification of water-borne diamictons. The latter have been divided by the writer into three groups: Group I. Diamictons with the coarse and fine fractions deposited simultaneously. Group II. Diamictons with the coarse and fine fractions deposited separately. Group III. Diamictons with the fine fraction derived from the coarse fraction by diagenetic alteration in place. Group I diamictons have been divided into the following types: (i) P-diamictons, in which the fine fraction was deposited from true suspension (the coarser material being transported by suspension, saltation, or traction), (ii) M - diamictons, in which the fine (and coarse) fractions were deposited from mudflows. (iii) K-diamictons, in which the fine fractions were deposited in the form of discrete sand-size or pebble-size fragments composed of lutite. Group II diamictons have been divided into the following types: (i) S-diamictons, consisting of coarse and fine layers mixed by gravity, (ii) B-diamictons, consisting of coarse and fine layers mixed by bioturbation. Group III diamictons, which have not been subdivided, are called D-diamictons. P-, M-, and S-diamictons have been further subdivided, and the different varieties are discussed The scheme of classification and selected examples of diamictons and diamictites are given in appropriate tables.

N.Z. Jl mar. Freshwat. Res. 2: 118-38
Received for publication 24 February 1967

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (2202K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

---

This year's abstracts | Journal home page | All abstracts | Publishing home page