ON BED FORMS AND PALAEOCURRENTS

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Bed forms arise by interaction between a fluid flow and the sediment transported over or close to the bed. The geometry of bed forms is two‐dimensional or three‐dimensional. Two‐dimensional bed forms generate two‐dimensional internal sedimentary structures and are adjusted to two‐dimensional flow‐vector fields. Three‐dimensional bed forms generate three‐dimensional internal sedimentary structures and are adjusted to three‐dimensional flow‐vector fields. Many shallow‐water flow systems observable today are each characterised by flow‐vector fields of unequal rank, and hence are hierarchically structured. Hierarchies of bed forms and internal structures which parallel the hierarchies of flow‐vector fields can also be established in the case of these flow systems. A single type of bed form or internal structure from an hierarchically structured flow system cannot specify that system fully with regard to either its directional or flow‐dynamic characteristics. An approach to palaeocurrent analysis that is more flexible and comprehensive than previously attempted may therefore be desirable.

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