HR: 1400h
AN: T43B-02    [Abstracts]
TI: 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami sediment characteristics along the Malaysia-Thailand Peninsula
AU: * Hawkes, A D
EM: hawkesa@sas.upenn.edu
AF: University of Pennsylvania, Earth and Environmental Sciences 240 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
AU: Horton, B P
EM: bphorton@sas.upenn.edu
AF: University of Pennsylvania, Earth and Environmental Sciences 240 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
AB: In spring 2005, we analyzed stratigraphy, grain size distribution and foraminiferal assemblages of pre-tsunami and tsunami sediment from Pulau Penang and Langkawi, Malaysia, and Khao Lak, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, Thailand to gain information on tsunami sediment source and deposition style. Between three and five stratigrahic units identified at each site, contain between one and three fining upward sequences. Fining upward sequences likely reflect waning flow and/or pre-backwash deposition. Coarser sand layers reflecting high-energy forewash flow separate the fining upward sequences, with the exception of Pulau Penang, which contained a coarsening upward sequence. All contacts between the pre-tsunami and tsunami sediments were sharp. Medium and coarse sand dominated all of the tsunami sediment deposits and often contained shell fragments. Between two and four foraminiferal zones were identified at each of the five sites and provided estimates of sediment source and wave characteristics. Backwash flow and deposition occurred at Pulau Penang. Foraminiferal assemblages were also capable of distinguishing pre-tsunami sediment from tsunami sediment where no stratigraphic or lithologic boundary was evident.
DE: 3030 Micropaleontology (0459, 4944)
DE: 4564 Tsunamis and storm surges
SC: Tectonophysics [T]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly