Forces Shaping the Incredible Steep Slopes of Carbonate Platforms

Explore the fascinating world of carbonate platform slopes in this 50-minute video lecture. Delve into the unique characteristics that allow these geological formations to develop incredibly steep slopes, including microbially mediated grain fusion and early cementation processes. Examine the various forces shaping these impressive structures, such as rock falls, margin collapses, slope canyons, and slope failures. Investigate the often-overlooked role of cascading density currents and ocean currents in sediment distribution along the slope and adjacent basin. Learn about depositional slope models and their limitations in accounting for current-related deposition. Gain insights into the extreme heights of carbonate escarpments and related processes through examples from the Florida-Bahamas region. Engage with topics such as slope architecture, hurricane disturbances, and current shaping. Participate in a Q&A session addressing sea level changes, mud transport, cementation processes, microbial precipitation, channel formation, and drift deposits.