turbidite

noun tur·bi·dite \ ˈtər-bə-ˌdīt \

Definition of turbidite

: a sedimentary deposit consisting of material that has moved down the steep slope at the edge of a continental shelf; also : a rock formed from this deposit

Recent Examples of turbidite from the Web

Nowadays, the bigger the storm, the bigger the grain size of the resultant turbidite.

— The Economist, "PalaeoclimatologyTraces of old hurricanes show how hard climate science is," 19 Oct. 2017
Thus, Dr Toomey argues, these particular turbidites must have been formed, as similar deposits are today, by hurricanes.

— The Economist, "PalaeoclimatologyTraces of old hurricanes show how hard climate science is," 19 Oct. 2017
Dr Toomey looked in the cores for layers of turbidite, a rock that forms when sediment gets disturbed, flows down marine slopes and is deposited as a jumbled mess on the ocean floor.

— The Economist, "PalaeoclimatologyTraces of old hurricanes show how hard climate science is," 19 Oct. 2017
Check out these strikingly rhythmic turbidite beds.

— brian romans, WIRED, "Friday Field Foto #28: Thin-bedded turbidites," 30 Aug. 2007

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turbidite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.