Lithofacies Types and Vertical Profile Models in Braided River Deposits: A Summary

TLDR

The article introduces braided river deposits and sets the context for the volume. The study proposes the Trollheim type model to represent gravelly deposits with abundant debris flows. The authors expanded an existing lithofacies code and vertical profile models, adding matrix‑supported gravel, low‑angle cross‑stratified sand, erosion surfaces with intraclast conglomerates, massive mud deposits, and new Trollheim, Donjek, and South Saskatchewan types, while retaining the Scott, Platte, and Bijou Creek models.

Abstract

Abstract This article serves as an introduction to the papers dealing with braided river deposits in this volume. A lithofacies code erected earlier by the writer is expanded to include matrix-supported gravel, low-angle cross stratified sand, erosion surfaces with intraclast conglomerates, and massive mud deposits. The four vertical profile models erected by the writer are expanded to six. A new model, the “Trollheim type” is proposed, to include gravelly deposits characterized by abundant debris flows. The Donjek sequence type is restricted to gravel-dominated cyclic deposits and a new model, the “South Saskatchewan type”, is erected for sand dominated cyclic deposits. The Scott, Platte and Bijou Creek models remain essentially unchanged.