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The Relation Between Flow Regimes and Sedimentary Structure
The Relation Between Flow Regimes and Sedimentary Structure
Bedforms are primary sedimentary structures that form at the time of deposition of the
sediment in which they occur and they reflect some characteristics of the depositional
environment. In addition, bedforms produce a variety of forms of cross-stratification also
primary sedimentary structures that are very common in the geologic record. Because bedforms
and their behaviour are governed by fluid processes and stratification that provide an
unequalled basis for making paleohydraulic interpretations of ancient depositional
environments. The aspects of paleohydraulics that can be inferred from the forms of cross-
stratification include the relative flow strength, the direction of the current, type of current (e.g.,
upper or lower flow regime). However, the broadest classification of unidirectional flow
bedforms is based on the flow regime under which the bedforms develop.