Intraslope basins, or minibasins, are topographic features of the continental slope that can be filled with sediment transported by submarine flows. These deposits may contain important hydrocarbon reservoirs. Here we present results of two-dimensional numerical simulations of multiple turbidity currents entering two linked minibasins. The numerical model accounts for the non-uniformity of sediment grain size in the flow and the resulting deposit. Model results reasonably reproduce the evolution of linked minibasins illustrated in the field based “fill-and-spill” conceptual model. The conceptual model was developed for the Brazos–Trinity system from field observations. Further, simulations of two linked minibasins show that the upstream basin traps most of the coarse sediment. This material is deposited in the proximal zone of the basin and fine sediment is transported farther downslope, resulting in the formation of a weak pattern of downstream fining. Model results with different initial and boundary conditions reveal that minibasin geometry and turbidity-current characteristics are important controls on the deposit shape and grain-size distribution.

中文翻译：

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海底小流域充填过程的二维数值模拟：沉积构造研究

斜坡内盆地或小盆地是大陆斜坡的地形特征，可以充满海底流动所输送的沉积物。这些矿床可能包含重要的碳氢化合物储层。在这里，我们介绍了进入两个相连的小流域的多个浊流的二维数值模拟结果。数值模型考虑了流中沉积物粒度的不均匀性以及由此产生的沉积物。模型结果合理地再现了基于“填充和溢出”概念模型的字段中所示的链接小流域的演变。通过实地观察为Brazos-Trinity系统开发了概念模型。此外，对两个相连的小流域的模拟表明，上游流域截留了大部分粗沉积物。该物质沉积在盆地的近端区域，细小沉积物被输送到更深的下坡，从而形成了下游细化的弱模式。不同初始条件和边界条件的模型结果表明，小流域的几何形状和浊流特性是控制矿床形状和粒度分布的重要控制因素。