<p>The sedimentary environment in the continental slope area is complex, with hemipelagic deposition and turbidite deposition overlapping each other. Distinguishing between the two types of sedimentation is a prerequisite for marine geological research. Two gravity cores, collected from the bottom of continental slope of the southeast of Hainan Island (Qiongdongnan) with completely different sedimentary characteristics, were used to analyze the difference between hemipelagic deposition and turbidite deposition during the past 40 ka, and verify the practicality of alternative indicators for turbidite deposition. Gravity Core C01 is mainly composed of hemipelagic deposition, and the computed tomography (CT) scanning shows no obvious sedimentary structure and texture, which was less disturbed by turbidity current and other extrinsic factors. Alternation of planktonic foraminifera species and variation of sediment particle size composition exhibit a good correspondence with the alternation of climate changes. Gravity Core C02 is mainly composed of turbidite deposition sediments, and develops abundant sedimentary structures and texture. There is multiple gradual contacts and sharp contacts in the sediments, containing numerous relatively dense clumps, which exhibit distinct characteristics of turbidite deposition. Compared with Core C01, vertical variation of sedimentary environment indicators does not show obvious periodicity. However, the turbidity deposit layers exhibit characteristics such as reversed sedimentary age, coarsened sediment, appearance of shallow shelf benthic foraminiferal species, and relatively dense clumps. Different alternative indicators for identifying turbidity deposits have clear advantages and disadvantages, but CT scanning can finely identify sedimentary structures, with advantages of fast testing speed, low cost, and no damage to sedimentary structures, which can be used as an important method of identifying turbidity deposit layers.</p>