Articles | Volume 11, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-615-2023
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-615-2023
Research article
 | 
19 Jul 2023
Research article |  | 19 Jul 2023

Confinement width and inflow-to-sediment discharge ratio control the morphology and braiding intensity of submarine channels: insights from physical experiments and reduced-complexity models

Sam Y. J. Huang, Steven Y. J. Lai, Ajay B. Limaye, Brady Z. Foreman, and Chris Paola

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Cited articles

Ashmore, P.: How do gravel-bed rivers braid, Can. J. Earth. Sci, 28, 326–341, https://doi.org/10.1139/e91-030, 1991. 
Ashmore, P.: Intensity and characteristic length of braided channel patterns, Can. J. Earth. Sci, 36, 1656–1666, https://doi.org/10.1139/L09-088, 2009. 
Ashmore, P., Bertoldi, W., and Gardner, J. T.: Active width of gravel-bed braided rivers, Earth Surf. Proc. Land, 36, 1510–1521, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.2182, 2011. 
Babonneau, N., Savoye, B., Cremer, M., and Bez, M.: Sedimentary architecture in meanders of a submarine channel: Detailed study of the present Congo turbidite channel (Zaiango project), J. Sediment. Res., 80, 852–866, https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2010.078, 2010. 
Belderson, R., Kenyon, N., Stride, A., and Pelton, C.: A `braided' distributary system on the Orinoco deep-sea fan, Mar. Geol., 56, 195–206, https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(84)90013-6, 1984. 
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Short summary
We use experiments and a model to study the effects of confinement width and the inflow-to-sediment discharge ratio on the evolution of submarine braided channels. We find that confinement width controls most of the morphological changes. These trends are consistent for submarine braided channels both with and without confinement width effects and similar to fluvial braided rivers. Furthermore, we built a model that can simulate the flow bifurcation and confluence of submarine braided channels.
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