Self-accelerating turbidity currents.

Turbidity currents are sediment laden underflows that occur in the ocean and lakes and are important mechanisms for the transport of littoral drift to deeper waters. In the process, scouring of subaqueous canyons occurs. A self accelerating mechanism is postulated as the means of attaining swift velocities. The equations are presented for a steady continuous current developing in the downstream direction. Predictions are made for the Scripps Submarine Canyon from models of turbidity currents known to occur there. (A.J.)