The close relation of carbonate platforms and ocean currents

Ocean currents control the growth style of isolated tropical carbonate platforms because surface and contour currents shape the flanks of these edifices. Currents redistribute the off-bank–transported sediment, reduce sedimentation by particle sorting or winnowing, erode slopes, and even are a major driver of carbonate platform drowning. The flanks of isolated carbonate platforms are not only shaped by mass gravity deposits, but equally by contourites with distinct drift and moat geometries which produce specific stacking patterns of platform flank deposits reflecting combined current and gravity processes. This talk will illustrate several examples of such current-controlled tropical carbonate platform systems.