Abstract
Autosuspension is defined as a condition whereby turbidity currents can persist indefinitely if the external conditions are constant. The criteria for achieving autosuspension include erosion and an increase in flow density. Theoretically, most of the turbidity currents flowing down through submarine canyons are considered to be autosuspended currents. However, the theory of autosuspension has not been sufficiently verified through experiments, despite it being essential for understanding the origin of turbidity currents and the evolution of submarine fans. It is necessary to improve the theory by incorporating many other natural conditions, such as the cohesiveness of mud. Experimental investigations of autosuspension would provide advances in our understanding of the sedimentology of turbidity currents.
