Turbidity current

A suspension flow or turbidity current is a current of fast-flowing, heavily sediment- water masses of submarine slopes. The sediments in suspension are increasing the density of the current compared to the surrounding water and speed it up that way. Suspenssionströme occur mainly on the slopes of the continental shelf and in deep-sea trenches, where they lead to canyon -like depressions. Triggered they are terrestrial or undersea earthquake. This sediment layers on slopes start to slip. Increasing gap increases the velocity of the stream. This in turn leads to an increase in turbulence and a further reception of loose sediments. The effect is similar to a self-reinforcing avalanche.

Suspenssionsströme can reach speeds of up to 100 km / hr. For the rest they are usually only in the deep sea in a flat or nearly flat bottom. The case resulting sediments are called turbidites.

• Sedimentation
• Erosion