Geomorphic diversity of the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion

Abstract

The Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion, located on the glaciated continental shelf and adjacent continental slope of eastern Canada, is classified into units that reflect its great physiographic diversity. There are ten shelf units: bedrock zone, fiord systems, major inlet, shelf-crossing troughs, four types of offshore banks, basin, and disturbed (glaciotectonic) terrain. There are three units on the continental slope: channelized areas, trough-mouth areas, and large sedimentary drifts. A series of vignettes illustrates both the distinguishing characteristics of the principal geomorphic units and the morphologic diversity within them. A sediment mobility analysis reveals that wave and current-generated disturbance is dominant and largely depth-controlled within the shelf units, while the south-flowing Labrador Current impacts sediment transport and mobility along the continental slope.