We present here a study based on the Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) and magnetic mineralogy carried out on the composite core MD17&18taken from the eastern levee of the active channel of the middle Bengal Fan in the Indian Ocean. Based on C-14 dating, the sedimentary sequence covers 9.8 ka in 39 m of sediment. It therefore records at very high resolution the variations in continental material exported to the ocean by the Ganges-Brahmaputra river system during the Holocene.

This sequence was divided into two units according to turbidite activity: Unit 1 from 9.8 to 9.2 ka cal. Representing 39 m of coarse-grained turbidite sequences (coarse silts to fine sands) and extremely high sedimentation rates. Unit 2 of 9.2 ka cal. BP to the present characterized by a sharp decrease in the sedimentation rate, the presence of fine-grained turbidites characterized by strong decrease in the ln(Ti/Ca) ratio.

Our AMS results indicate that the magnetic fabric is highly sensitive to the mode of deposition. The turbidite sequences are clearly characterized by very high F and Pj values, not only of the coarse-grained turbidite levels in unit 1, but also of the fine turbidites in unit 2. We suggest that this strong degree of anisotropy is the result of the strong and rapid deposition during the turbidite sequences which induces an additional compaction effect.

Furthermore, LT SIRM measurements revealed that the magnetic minerals representative of the Ganges and Brahmaputra drainage area are magnetite, hematite and goethite. A higher supply in fine-grained magnetite was observed during the turbidite sequences in phase with an increase in sediment grain size.