RIP CURRENTS AS A GEOLOGICAL TOOL

This paper considers the nature and sedimentary significance of rip cu rrents. Rip currents are the main factor responsible for the transport of coarse sediments from the littoral zone to greater depths. Such se diments, deposited outside the zone of wave deformation, may be identi fied as storm rip current increments within sediments deposited during fair weather. Composite beds deposited during a given wave cycle by s torm rip currents are closely similar to 'turbidites' and many so call ed 'fluxo-turbidites' described from flysch deposits. Using data gathe red in studies conducted on the modem Baltic coast, supplemented by ex perimental work and theoretical considerations, a sedimentary model is proposed. The model may be used to interpret possible rip current dep osits among shallow water 'turbidites', and both modem storm sediments and ancient 'tempestites'.