PATTERNS AND VARIABILITY IN SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION RATES, FRASER-RIVERDELTA FORESLOPE, BRITISH-COLUMBIA, CANADA

Minimum sediment accumulation rates on the Fraser River delta foreslop e exhibit a high degree of spatial variation, with accumulation rates ranging from 0.50 to 3.0 cm/yr. Accumulation rates generally increase towards Sand Heads channel, the active foreslope depocenter. Sedimenta tion rates and patterns and micropaleontological assemblages are inter preted to reflect reintroduction of older sediment from upslope via sl umping and sediment-gravity flow processes. Such processes account for the bulk of sedimentation in much of the subaqueous delta. These proc esses provide a mechanism for sand bypassing of the delta plain and fo reslope and for delivery of coarse-grained sediment directly to prodel ta and basinal environments.