A comparative study on the Late Quaternary stratigraphic architecture and formation of megadeltas in East and South Asia

PAN Dadong; WANG Zhanghua

doi:10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2019012901

Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology > 2020 > 40(1): 12-21. > DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2019012901

PAN Dadong, WANG Zhanghua. A comparative study on the Late Quaternary stratigraphic architecture and formation of megadeltas in East and South Asia[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2020, 40(1): 12-21. DOI: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2019012901

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A comparative study on the Late Quaternary stratigraphic architecture and formation of megadeltas in East and South Asia

PAN Dadong^1,2,,
WANG Zhanghua^1,3, ,

1.
State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
2.
School of History and Geography, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
3.
Institute of Urban Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062 China

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Received Date: January 28, 2019
Revised Date: March 06, 2019
Available Online: February 25, 2020

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Based on the researches on the evolution of megadeltas in East and South Asia since last deglaciation, we carried out a comparative study on the Late Quaternary stratigraphic architecture, sedimentary systems and the initiation time of megadeltas at large river mouths of the region. Major control factors on deltaic evolution are revealed and discussed. Our data suggests that all the river mouths in the region seem having experienced similar evolutionary history, including the infilling of incised palaeo-valleys and estuaries in Early Holocene, and deltaic progradation in Middle to Late Holocene, controlled by the sea-level change. However, there are some differences in the stratigraphic architecture and sedimentary history from river to river. The most remarkable difference is the time of delta initiation, which is related to the geomorphology and geology of the drainage basin and the sedimentary basin at river mouths. Those rivers having short flow paths and erosive bedrocks in the drainage basin, such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra, usually produce a huge amount of sediment load. As a result, the time of the delta initiation was obviously earlier than other rivers. The Pearl River delta is another example. It has a semi-closed shallow sedimentary basin which is beneficial to the formation of delta in the Middle Holocene.
- sedimentary system,
- delta initiation,
- sea level,
- sediment load,
- sedimentary basin

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References (51)

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