ancient turbidites

Ancient turbidites are layers of sediment that formed underwater when fast-moving flows of water, called turbidity currents, swept down continental slopes into deep ocean basins. These currents carry mixed sediments—clay, sand, and gravel—delivering them in a turbulent, turbulent manner. When the flow slows, it deposits these sediments in distinct, layered structures. Over millions of years, these layers become solid rock, preserving a record of past underwater landslides and sediment movements. Studying turbidites helps geologists understand ancient submarine environments, sedimentation processes, and the history of Earth's underwater landscapes.