Modeling of Flow and Morphodynamics of Sinuous Submarine Channels

蜿蜒海底航道的流动和形态动力学建模

• 批准号: 1061244
• 负责人: Jasim Imran
• 金额: $ 26万
• 依托单位: University South Carolina Research Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-04-01 至 2016-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1061244&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Modeling; Flow; Morphodynamics; Sinuous; Submarine

Vertically aggrading large sinuous channels constitute the basic building blocks of modern submarine fans. In recent years, 3D high resolution seismic data have also revealed numerous small scale subsurface sinuous channels on continental slopes. Recent studies have contributed new insights, but have also led to strongly opposing views, specifically on the helical flow structure in sinuous channels and its effect on channel morphology. A clear picture of intra-channel and over-bank processes of submarine channels can emerge through a comprehensive approach involving carefully designed experimental and numerical modeling efforts and close collaboration with marine geologists involved in the study of seafloor morphology. The PI will pursue laboratory and numerical modeling with primary focus on the following issues: (i) geometric and inflow constraints on the flow distribution at submarine channel bends; (ii) relationships between helical flow, bed-load transport, cross sectional variability and migration tendency of submarine channels; (iii) and overbank processes including grain size distribution and lobe formation due to flow splitting at channel bends. Experiments will be conducted in a 12.2 m × 6.1 m × 1.5 m laboratory tank, and numerical simulations at both laboratory and field scales will be conducted using 3D models of density and turbidity currents. The broader impacts relate to developing better landscape evolution models for submarine environments that would aid interpretation of seismic data sets by both academic and industry researchers. In addition to this the PIs outline a plan to increase minority involvement in geoscience research through funding of a program that the University of South Carolina already has in place. He also plans to hold a workshop.

垂直侵蚀的大型蜿蜒河道构成了现代海底强扇的基本组成部分。近年来，3D 高分辨率地震数据还揭示了大陆坡上的许多小规模地下蜿蜒河道。不同的观点，特别是关于蜿蜒河道的螺旋流结构及其对河道形态的影响，可以通过精心设计的综合方法（包括仔细的实验​​和数值模拟工作以及密切的研究）得出海底河道的河道内和越岸过程的清晰图像。与参与海底形态研究的海洋地质学家合作，主要关注以下问题进行实验室和数值模拟：（i）海底航道弯曲处流量分布的几何和流入限制；（ii）螺旋线之间的关系。海底河道的水流、底质输送、横截面变化和运移趋势；(iii) 以及漫滩过程，包括由于河道弯曲处的水流分裂而导致的颗粒尺寸分布和波瓣形成。 6.1 m × 1.5 m 实验室水箱以及实验室和现场尺度的数值模拟将使用密度和浊流的 3D 模型进行，更广泛的影响涉及针对海底环境开发更好的景观演化模型，这将有助于解释地震数据集。除此之外，PI 还概述了一项计划，通过资助南卡罗来纳大学已有的项目来增加少数群体对地球科学研究的参与。他还计划举办一个研讨会。