The characteristics and recognition of internal-tide and internal-wave deposits

Internal-tide and internal-wave deposits are a new and important type of de ep-water traction-current deposits. Based on an analysis of documented inte rnal-tide and internal-wave deposits, five facies types can be recognized: (i) bidirectional cross-laminated sandstone facies, (ii) unidirectional cro ss-bedded and cross-laminated sandstone facies, (iii) rhythmic alternating sandstone facies and mudstone, (iV) flaser, wavy and lenticular bedded fora miniferal limestone facies, (V) sandy oolitic limestone facies with flaser, wavy and lenticular bedding and epsilon cross bedding, which formed in sub marine channel, unchannelized continental slope and plateau environments re spectively. Acceding to the available data and knowledge, three sedimentati on models are built; some discriminating characteristics of internal-tide a nd internal-wave deposits, and the distinction between them and contourites and turbidites are summed up.