Sinuous deep-water channels: Genesis, geometry and architecture

Wynn, Russell B.; Cronin, Bryan T.; Peakall, Jeff

doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2007.06.001

Cited by 272 publications

(212 citation statements)

References 215 publications

(431 reference statements)

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“…The presence of coarsegrained deposits at the base of sandstone beds probably represents lag deposits indicative of sediment bypass and throughgoing turbidity currents. The horizontal and vertical stacking of sandstone beds strongly suggests lateral migration of sandy channel belts in a deep-marine environment (e.g., Beaboef, 2004, Mayall et al, 2006Wynn et al, 2007). The outcrops do not allow for plan view of the sandstone geometries, but the associations have a strong resemblance to sinuous channel systems (e.g., Janocko et al, 2013;Li et al, 2016) (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turbidite and conglomerate successions in an Ordovician back-arc basin, Mid-Norwegian Caledonides: a result of long-term staging followed by catastrophic release of sediments

Henriksen¹,

Roberts²,

Pedersen³

2018

NJG

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The Ordovician metasedimentary rocks in the Caledonian nappes in Mid Norway were deposited in a back-arc setting, following ophiolite obduction, uplift and erosion, related to continental uplift and changing directions of subduction during this period. Deep-water conditions were established in the basin and this accommodated a thick succession of variously coarse-grained, conglomeratic and argillaceous sediments. The conglomerates typically display the well-rounded clast material of variable igneous, volcanic, sedimentary and carbonate origin and alternate between being clast-supported and matrix-supported with interbedded sandstone beds. The rounded clasts suggest significant reworking and long-term storage of sediments in the source area before transport into the deeper part of the basin. The basal surface of conglomerates always shows an erosive contact with underlying shales or coarsening-upward sandstone successions. The basal surfaces probably represent sedimentary fairways, where several conglomerate units separated by erosional contacts are stacked on top of each other. The conglomerate successions likely result from episodic release of large quantities of sediments. Between each burst of release, sediments accumulated in alluvial fans, fan deltas and fluvial delta systems along the basin shoreline and carbonate reefs established on the outer shelf. Laterally accreting channel sandstone beds were probably important in setting up sedimentary fairways for the succeeding conglomerates. In the inferred deepest part of the basin, smaller channellised features and thin-bedded turbidites seem to dominate. Channel features and hummocky cross-stratification in shelf to upper slope sandstone beds are alternatively interpreted to result from unidirectional flows and constitute an integral part of the turbidite system. By including all the observed facies within the turbidite system we invoke a depositional model which does not require a eustacy-driven sequence-stratigraphic model for explanation. We rather suggest a tectonic model involving an elevated source area, either volcanic or continental, where erosional products are stored and reworked in the alluvial accommodation zone. These sediments are built up to a threshold level and flushed to the sea by a sudden availability of large amounts of water. The actual cause of this sudden availability of water remains uncertain, but the consequent mixture of water and sediments resulted in a super-concentrated high-energy density current. Turbidite and conglomerate successions in an Ordovician back-arc basin, Mid-Norwegian Caledonides: a result of long-term staging followed by catastrophic release of sediments IntroductionThe Caledonides of central Norway are especially well known for their fragmented ophiolite assemblages and, in some areas, the overlying, richly fossiliferous, Ordovician to inferred Early Silurian, low-grade metasedimentary rocks (Bergström, 1979(Bergström, , 1997Bruton & Bockelie, 1980;Ryan et al., 1980;Neuman & Bruton, 1989;Neuman et al., 1997). The...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turbidite and conglomerate successions in an Ordovician back-arc basin, Mid-Norwegian Caledonides: a result of long-term staging followed by catastrophic release of sediments

Henriksen¹,

Roberts²,

Pedersen³

2018

NJG

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“…Submarine channels are major conduits for sediment transported from continental shelves to abyssal plains, and their deposits comprise important reservoirs in deep-water basins when filled with sand-or silt-prone sequences (Mayall and Stewart, 2000;Mayall et al, 2006;Wynn et al, 2007). To better organize and compare architectural elements associated with submarine channels, several hierarchical frameworks have been proposed in the literature (Gardner and Borer, 2000;Campion et al, 2000;Sprague et al, 2002Sprague et al, , 2005.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative seismic geomorphology of a submarine channel system in SE Brazil (Espírito Santo Basin): Scale comparison with other submarine channel systems

Qin

Alves

Constantine

et al. 2016

Marine and Petroleum Geology

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Detailed morphological analyses of a Pleistocene-Holocene submarine channel system in terms of its hierarchical framework, were carried out using a 3D seismic volume from offshore Espírito Santo, SE Brazil. The channel morphology shows marked variations, with five segments (Segments a to e) being identified along its full length. For example, the cross-sectional area of the channel decreases by a factor of 70 from Segment a to Segment c, and is then followed by a nearly four-fold increase from Segment c to Segment d. The significant changes in channel morphology relate to temporal and spatial variations in flow volume within the channel. In the same channel system, the valley reveals three distinct segments (Segments A to C), with similar aspect ratios but marked variations in morphology along the valley distance. Valley morphological changes are chiefly affected by erosional processes. Segment B is characterised by the largest valley-base width, valley width, and cross-sectional area compared to the other two segments. Valley enlargement in Segment B results from relatively high degrees of lateral channel migration and associated cut bank erosion, leading to the widening of the valley, especially the valley base. In Segment C, the valley is characterised by inner bank erosion in the form of shallow-seated mass failures, which only enlarged the upper part of the valley wall. The spatial variations in both channel and valley morphology documented here suggest an important role of local factors (e.g. salt diapirs, tributaries, overbank collapse) in the development of channel systems. Hence, the morphological analyses developed in this work provide an effective tool for studying channels and valleys on continental slopes around the world.

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“…Submarine canyons are widespread complex features along continental margins and are pathways for sediment transport to the deep basins (Piper and Savoye, 1993;Wynn et al, 2007;Palanques et al, 2012), They play a key role in hydrography, biogeochemistry and carbon cycle dynamics (Epping et al, 2002;Canals et al, 2006;Huvenne et al, 2011). Despite their importance, the processes of start-up, evolution and maintenance of submarine canyons remain poorly understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Submarine canyons of north-western Sicily (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): Variability in morphology, sedimentary processes and evolution on a tectonically active margin

Iacono

Sulli

Agate

2014

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

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a b s t r a c tSwath-bathymetry, mono-channel and multi-channel seismic reflection records acquired during the last two decades on the northern Sicilian margin have unveiled a dense network of submarine canyons within the depth range of 80-2100 m. The canyons display a relevant variability in their geometry, morphology and sedimentary processes. The margin shows a young, tectonically active shelf to slope setting, linking the Sicilian-Maghrebian Thrust Belt to the Tyrrhenian oceanic realm, developed during the Neogene-Quaternary time span. The aim of this study is to highlight the main governing factors that contributed to the evolution and differentiation of the northern Sicilian canyons, mainly focusing on the Gulf of Palermo and on the Gulf of Castellammare. Tectonic control is more evident in the canyons of the Gulf of Palermo, with submarine landslides retrograding on a steep slope and mainly controlling their evolution. Otherwise, canyons, tributaries and gullies mapped in the Gulf of Castellammare developed on a less steep substrate and display sinuous to meandering paths, with a relevant role of coastal/shelf sedimentary inputs and downslope turbidity processes in their formation. Results suggest that, despite the geographically close proximity of the two study areas, the different structural settings of the Castellammare and Palermo Basins are mainly responsible for canyon variability. Data indicate likely ongoing uplift and tilting movements along the Sicilian margin, influencing the development of the studied canyons, which have probably been more active during the Quaternary glacial maxima than they are in the present day.

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Sinuous deep-water channels: Genesis, geometry and architecture

Cited by 272 publications

References 215 publications

Turbidite and conglomerate successions in an Ordovician back-arc basin, Mid-Norwegian Caledonides: a result of long-term staging followed by catastrophic release of sediments

Turbidite and conglomerate successions in an Ordovician back-arc basin, Mid-Norwegian Caledonides: a result of long-term staging followed by catastrophic release of sediments

Quantitative seismic geomorphology of a submarine channel system in SE Brazil (Espírito Santo Basin): Scale comparison with other submarine channel systems

Submarine canyons of north-western Sicily (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): Variability in morphology, sedimentary processes and evolution on a tectonically active margin

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