Just to follow on from the discussion re. accommodation space. The current layout of tectonic plates means that very little accommodation space is being created in the continental realm. So the vast majority of modern rivers are reworking, eroding and transporting sediment into the marine realm.
For accommodation space to be created in the continental realm, the continental part of a tectonic plate needs to break apart, known as a rift basin. The East African rift system is one example we can study today. Go have a look on Google Earth and you’ll see the alluvial fans, fluvial systems, sabkhas forming etc
There have been periods in Earth’s geological history where continental rift basins formed everywhere and vast continental sediments were deposited. This happened throughout the Permo-Triassic when the supercontinent Pangaea broke-up. Across Europe these sediments are known as the Buntsandstein or New Red Sandstone. These sequences are usually followed by marine sediments called the Muschelkalk when the accommodation space fell below sea level.
Over time these sediments were buried to a depth where they were lithified but not beyond the point where they are metamorphosed. Staying in Europe, if it wasn’t for the Alpine orogeny (mountain building event), these sediments would have stayed buried. Instead they have been uplifted and exposed. Once you see one Buntsandstein-Muschelkalk sequence, you’ll start to recognise them everywhere!
d49s00 t1_j5r35og wrote
Reply to Can sedimentary rock for on land? by 24_Elsinore
Just to follow on from the discussion re. accommodation space. The current layout of tectonic plates means that very little accommodation space is being created in the continental realm. So the vast majority of modern rivers are reworking, eroding and transporting sediment into the marine realm.
For accommodation space to be created in the continental realm, the continental part of a tectonic plate needs to break apart, known as a rift basin. The East African rift system is one example we can study today. Go have a look on Google Earth and you’ll see the alluvial fans, fluvial systems, sabkhas forming etc
There have been periods in Earth’s geological history where continental rift basins formed everywhere and vast continental sediments were deposited. This happened throughout the Permo-Triassic when the supercontinent Pangaea broke-up. Across Europe these sediments are known as the Buntsandstein or New Red Sandstone. These sequences are usually followed by marine sediments called the Muschelkalk when the accommodation space fell below sea level.
Over time these sediments were buried to a depth where they were lithified but not beyond the point where they are metamorphosed. Staying in Europe, if it wasn’t for the Alpine orogeny (mountain building event), these sediments would have stayed buried. Instead they have been uplifted and exposed. Once you see one Buntsandstein-Muschelkalk sequence, you’ll start to recognise them everywhere!