Reply to the Comment by Tan Mingxuan et al. (2017), on “A new Discovery of the Early Cretaceous Supercritical Hyperpycnal Flow Deposits on the Lingshan Island, East China”

comments stimulated by our short paper in the recent Acta Geologica Sinica (English edition). We are grateful for the opportunity to expand on the model of the supercritical hyperpycnal flow deposits in the Beilaishi section on the Lingshan Island, and to explain why the model proposed by Tan Mingxuan et al. (2017) cannot explain the bulk of the deposits in the Beilaishi section. We do not dispute that the recognition of supercritical flow deposits remains ambiguous (Ono and Plink-Björklund, 2017). To some extent, the morphology of deep-water supercritical flow deposits is similar to hummocky and swaley crossstratification (Ono and Plink-Björklund, 2017). Besides, distinguishing the deposits laid down by gravity flows in deep-water systems from those produced by storm-related combined flows in continental shelf systems is not an easy task (Ono and Plink-Björklund, 2017). However, a correct interpretation is crucial for understanding the paleogeographic and depositional model. Tan Mingxuan et al. (2017) pointed out that several features they found “do not match” the supercritical hyperpycnal flow deposits model. These include the interpretation of the suspended/bed-load-dominated hyperpycnites, the interpretation of the supercritical flow related deposits (antidunes, chutes-and-pools, and cyclic steps), and the overall sedimentary environment. All of them are key aspects of the supercritical hyperpycnal flow deposits model we have described and for which we provided explanations (Yang Tian et al., 2017). For the interpretation of the suspended/bed-load-dominated hyperpycnites, Tan Mingxuan et al. (2017) emphasize the interface existing in the lower part of the bed in Yang Tian et al. (2017, fig. 1c therein). It is common to observe this kind of internal erosional surface in hyperpycnites, which is determined by the discharge of the flow (Mulder and Chapron, 2011). As to the bed-load-dominated hyperpycnites (Yang Tian et al., 2017, fig. 1f therein), it’s an interesting question to make clear the genesis of this kind of massive pebbly coarse-grained sandstones with floating pebbles (Kenller and Branney, 1995; Zavala et al., 2011; Talling et al., 2013; Cartigny et al., 2013). We agree with Tan Mingxuan et al. (2017) that the high-density turbidity current deposits (according to vertical suspension fallout, traction carpets, and sustained liquefied) is one of the reasons for these massive pebbly coarse-grained sandstones, apart from poorly cohesive debris flow deposits (sandy debris flow) and cohesive debris flow deposits (Cartigny et al., 2013; Talling et al., 2013). For the present authors, the bed-load-dominated hyperpycnal flow is a generalized concept, which contains the mean of high-density turbidity current, or quasi-steady highdensity turbidity current (Kenller and Branney, 1995; Mutti et al., 1996; Mulder and Chapron, 2011). Terminology can be a trap, and this concept may indicate those density flow is mainly caused by flooding rivers. Thus, the massive pebbly coarse-grained sandstones with floating pebbles caused by bed-load-dominated hyperpycnites is acceptable in the Beilaishi section. We have different opinions about the grain size spectrum of hyperpycnites with Tan Mingxuan et al. (2017). As mentioned by Talling (2014), hyperpycnal flows have been monitored directly in only two locations. It is unfair to draw the conclusion that hyperpycnal flows usually have limited run-out behaviors and low sediment-carrying potentials for generating bed-load-dominated deposits, and the flow is dominated by fine-grained sediments (e.g. silt and clay). Instead, we emphasize the source of the sediments may be one of the most important reasons that control the grain size of hyperpycnites (Zavala et al., 2011; Mulder and Chapron, 2011). Additionally, Reply to the Comment by Tan Mingxuan et al. (2017), on “A new Discovery of the Early Cretaceous Supercritical Hyperpycnal Flow Deposits on the Lingshan Island, East China”