ABSTRACT

Quartz samples from density flow deposits from the Colombia Basin (Caribbean Sea) were analyzed for surficial microtextural associations using the scanning electron microscope. Microtextural abrasion patterns were found to vary in the "A" divison of turbidites, grain flow deposits, debris flow deposits, and in material resulting from washover on the Magdalena deep sea fan. The observed microtextural patterns are useful criteria for the identification of the transport mechanisms of other deposits assumed to have resulted from density flows.

It was additionally determined that relative distances of travel of contemporaneous turbidites could be ascertained from impact densities on "A" division sand grains. The limiting conditions on such analyses are a minimum of post depositional alteration of the mechanical textures of the grains and a lack of intense abrasion features received during episodes of pre-density flow transport.

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