Abstract:Cyclic steps are upstream migrating bedforms associated with slopes and cyclic hydraulic jumps broadly including chutes and pools. It can be roughly classified into netdepositional or neterosional one according to the predominance of aggradation at the stoss side or erosion at the lee side. Cyclic step is a longwave bedform with the aspect ratio of wavelength to height over 10.Specially, the formation of submarine (sublacustrine) cyclic step is strongly linked with slope gradient. The forming slope gradient usually varies from 0.25°~2°, while less would exceed 10°. Their associated deposits generally show asymmetrical lenticular or spoonshape in the longitudinal section, and they are usually characterized by the occurrence of structureless or coarsetail graded bedding and backset stratification. The supercritical turbidities and largescale, upstream migrating sediment waves are most representative ones. This bedform is widely distributed in most worldwide depositional environments, thus morphdynamics and sedimentological study is very meaningful for sourcetosink system as well as process and product.