1. n. [Geology]

Sedimentary deposits formed by turbidity currents in deep water at the base of the continental slope and on the abyssal plain. Turbidites commonly show predictable changes in bedding from coarse layers at the bottom to finer laminations at the top, known as Bouma sequences, that result from different settling velocities of the particle sizes present. The high energy associated with turbidite deposition can result in destruction of earlier deposited layers by subsequent turbidity currents.

See related terms: abyssal,  Bouma sequence,  lamination,  turbidity current