Nested Submarine-Fan Channels in the Capistrano Formation, San Clemente, California

At San Clemente State Beach, eight turbidite-filled channels are exposed in a 550-m-long, 30-m-high sea cliff. The channel margins show a progressive northwestward lateral shift in position and thus are nested one alongside another. Three adjacent channels trend between 270° and 300°, with west-northwest turbidity-current flow. Four other adjacent channels trend between 230° and 240°, with southwest flow. Seven of the eight channels received …