Sedimentary signatures of tidal bores: a brief synthesis

Abstract

This article aims at presenting a brief synthesis of sedimentary signatures assigned to tidal bore dynamics and impacts. According to the few studies published until now on tidal bore-induced facies within inner estuarine tidal channel infilling successions, only two major signatures can be reported: (1) soft sediment deformations (SSDs) due to overpressure linked to sudden water level elevation, high shear stress and vertical velocity acceleration below the tidal bore front and secondary waves; SSDs may be present throughout the channel infill succession, with the general exception of the uppermost part; tidal bore-induced SSDs have been described only in modern facies; (2) tidal bore couplets (TBCs) formed by an erosional surface overlain by massive sand drapes, related to the reworking of the sediment bottom during tidal bore passage; TBCs were first described in the ancient record. Studies in modern estuaries demonstrate that TBCs evolve towards tidal bore sequences from the tidal channel bottom (subtidal to low intertidal facies) to tidal channel bank (low to mid intertidal facies). In mid to upper intertidal facies, the occurrence of thicker-than-average tidal rhythmites, reflecting higher-than-average suspended sediment concentrations, are also considered as a possible signature of tidal bore dynamics.