Courses:

Course Info

• Course Number / Code:
• 12.09 (Fall 2006) 
• Course Title:
• Special Topics: An Introduction to Fluid Motions, Sediment Transport, and Current-generated Sediment 
• Course Level:
• Undergraduate 
• Offered by :
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  Massachusetts, United States  
• Department:
• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences 
• Course Instructor(s):
• Prof. John Southard 
• Course Introduction:
•  
• 
  
  12.090 Special Topics: An Introduction to Fluid Motions, Sediment Transport, and Current-generated Sedimentary Structures
  
  
  
  

  Fall 2006

  
  
  

  
  
  

  Course Highlights

  
  
  

  
  
  12.090 Special Topics: An Introduction to Fluid Motions, Sediment Transport, and Current-generated Sedimentary Structures
  
  
  
  

  Fall 2006

  
  
  

  

  Block diagram of cross stratification produced by three-dimensional dunes in unidirectional flows. (Image by Prof. John Southard.)

  
  
  

  Course Description

  
  
  

  This course begins by introducing students to aspects of fluid dynamics relevant to transport and deposition of particulate sedimentary materials. Emphasis is on the structure of turbulent shear flows and the forces exerted by fluid motions on bed of loosed sediment. With fluid dynamics as background, the course deals with sediment movement as bed load and suspended load, and with the geometry, kinematics, and dynamics of ripple and dune bed forms. The course concludes with basic material on the styles of current-generated primary sedimentary structures, with emphasis on cross stratification.