Carbonate gravity flow deposition along a platform margin scarp (Silurian, North Greenland)

In Silurian times a huge, elongate, sand-rich submarine fan developed in the deep-water basin north of the platform, sourced from the rising Caledonian mountain belt to the east. Longitudinal siliciclastic turbidite deposition in the basin was punctuated by coarse-grained carbonate debris flows and turbidity currents derived from the carbonate platform. Four main episodes of carbonate sedimentation are recognized, represented by composite sheets tens of meters thick. Transport mechanisms included rock-fall, grain flow, debris flow, sandy turbidity current, and dilute low-density muddy turbidity current. The four conglomerate units span a period during which the height of the scarp decreased from 1300 to 0 m due to progressive infilling of the basin by turbidites. The carbonate conglomerates deposited when scarp relief was at a maximum primarily record rock-fall and viscous debris flow processes. -from Authors