Sedimentary evolution of modern Huanghe River delta lobe

Abstract

The sedimentary history of a Huanghe (Yellow) River delta lobe can be divided into four stages. In the first stage, the crevasse splays and short-lived distributary channel deposits in the subaerial delta and sheet silt in the subaqueous delta were well developed. In the second stage, further differentiation of sedimentary environments occurred in the subaerial delta lobe (distributary channel, natural levee, flood plain, central lower delta plain and lateral lower delta plain) and the subaqueous delta lobe (prodelta, delta front and delta lateral). In the third stage, crevasse splay and short-lived distributary channel deposits mostly occurred in the lower or lower-middle part of the subaerial delta lobe, and sheet silt, accumulated off the river mouth. In the fourth stage, the abandoned lobe was reworked. The common vertical sequence of the modern Huanghe River delta showed alternating clayey silt and silt layers. A complete sequence from prodelta to upper delta plain was commonly composed of two or more delta lobes.