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Wave-generated tidal bundles as an indicator of wave-dominated tidal flats

¹ Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada
² Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada

Detailed observations of the intertidal deposits from two open-coast tidal flats (the Baeksu tidal flat, Korea, and Parksville Bay, Canada) suggest that wave-generated tidal bundles are created by the interaction of tidal currents and waves on the tidal flats. A complete wave bundle is composed of three distinctive rippled intervals: (1) a basal interval consisting of landward-dipping, ripple cross lamination that is formed in response to a combined-flow regime during rising tide; (2) a middle interval with symmetrical buildup of wave-ripple cross lamination that is deposited during high tide when currents are weak and oscillatory motion is dominant; and (3) a top interval having seaward-dipping, ripple cross lamination that is formed as a result of a combined-flow regime during falling tide. The formation of such wave bundles results from the interaction of waves and reversing tidal currents over a single tidal cycle. Therefore, the presence of wave bundles indicates a very specific depositional environment—an area with significant tides, weak tidal currents and considerable wave energy. The finding of such structures may indicate the presence of open-coast tidal flats (i.e., wave-dominated tidal flats) in ancient deposits.

Key Words: Open-coast tidal flat • wave-generated tidal rhythmite • swash bar • storm sedimentation • tidal prism

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