We have measured the relative abundances of smectite, illite, chlorite, and kaolinite in a composite section of the distal Bengal Fan. Two sources of sediment appear to dominate, a smectite-poor, illite-rich source associated with rapid denudation of the Himalayas and a smectite-rich, illite-poor source probably on the continental margin of the Indian sub-continent. Changes in source appear to be related to uplift in the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau both directly and through the climatic and oceanographic consequences of uplift.

Supplement to: Brass, Garrett W; Raman, C V (1990): Clay mineralogy of sediments from the Bengal Fan. In: Cochran, JR; Stow, DAV; et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program), 116, 35-41