SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS AND RADIO CARBON AGES ON THE CM CORE AT CA MAU AREA, MEKONG RIVER DELTA

Abstract

The core CM was drilled at the Ca Mau area, Mekong River Delta, to clarify sedimentary environments in relation to Late Quaternary sea-level changes. On the basic of sedimentary properties, X-ray radiographs, diatom analyses and AMS C' ages, the Latest Pleistocene and Holocene deposits are distinguished. The Holocene deposits consist muinly of alternating clay, sandy silt, und parallel laminated dark grey silt and sandy silt to be divided into 4 sedimentary environments: shallow marine, marine-delta, tidal flat and marsh. Formational processes of the Ca Mau area has been reconstructed since 4500 yr. BP. It is involved to evolutionary history of the Mekong River Delta. Due to the ocean current and north-east monsoon controls, the fine grained size sediments such as silt and clay are transported southwards to form the Ca Mau peninsula.