The influence of oceanographic processes on contourite features: A multidisciplinary study of the northern South China Sea

Yin, Shaoru; Hernández-Molina, F. Javier; Zhang, Wenyan; Li, Jiabiao; Li, Zhiwei; Ding, Weifeng; Ding, Weiwei

doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2019.105967

Cited by 43 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 113 publications

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“…Thus, other processes have to be taken into consideration. Previous research reported that internal waves can form sediment waves and dunes (Hand, 1974;Reeder et al, 2011;Droghei et al, 2016;Ribó et al, 2016;Reiche et al, 2018;Yin et al, 2019;Miramontes et al, 2020). Internal waves can propagate at density discontinuities and have been previously proposed as a cause for the development of the Ewing Terrace and the La Plata Terrace (Hernández-Molina et al, 2009;Preu et al, 2013).…”

Section: Sediment Wavesmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The initiation of the formation of the contouritic terraces was suggested by some authors to be related to internal waves propagating at water mass interfaces (Hernández-Molina et al, 2009;2016b;Preu et al, 2013;Ercilla et al, 2016;Yin et al, 2019;Llave et al, 2020). Other authors proposed that internal waves may be secondary processes that can form channels and dune fields on contourite terraces, but are not responsible for the original formation of the contourite terrace, which they argued is probably related to strong currents (Miramontes et al, 2019;Miramontes et al, 2020).…”

Section: Terrace Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The erosive power of the Malvinas Current: Influence of bottom currents on morpho-sedimentary features along the northern Argentine margin (SW Atlantic Ocean)

et al. 2021

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Section: Sediment Wavesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Terrace Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The erosive power of the Malvinas Current: Influence of bottom currents on morpho-sedimentary features along the northern Argentine margin (SW Atlantic Ocean)

et al. 2021

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“…This suggest that these eddies can lead to local erosion because shear stress can be much higher in turbulent flow compared to laminar flow (Fig. 14; Schlichting and Gersten, 2016;Yin et al, 2019). However, this change in flow direction was not observed at all ADCP profiles and is not apparent in the model derived 25year average bottom currents at the Ewing Terrace.…”

Section: Sediment Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The initiation of the contouritic terraces formation was suggested by some authors to be related to internal waves propagating at water mass interfaces (Hernández-Molina et al, 2009;2016b;Preu et al, 2013;Ercilla et al, 2016;Yin et al, 2019;Llave et al, 2020). Other authors proposed that internal waves may be secondary processes that can form channels and dune fields on contourite terraces, but are not responsible for the original formation of the contourite terrace, which they argued is probably related to strong along-slope currents .…”

Section: Terrace Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The erosive power of the Malvinas Current: Influence of bottom currents on morpho-sedimentary features along the northern Argentine margin (SW Atlantic Ocean)

Wilckens¹,

Miramontes²,

Schwenk³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Sediment deposits formed mainly under the influence of bottom currents (contourites) are widely used as high-resolution archives for reconstructing past ocean conditions. However, the driving processes of Contourite Depositional Systems (CDS) are not entirely understood.The aim of this study is to establish a clearer link between contourite features and the oceanographic processes that form them. The morphosedimentary characteristics of a large CDS were analysed together with the current dynamics along the northern Argentine continental margin. This study combines multibeam bathymetry, seismo-acoustic data, sediment samples, vessel-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (VM-ADCP) data and numerical modelling of ocean currents. The contouritic features include large contourite terraces (La Plata Terrace, Ewing Terrace) and an abraded surface between the terraces, as well as smaller erosional and Preprint submitted to Marine Geology 2021 2 depositional features like moats, erosion surfaces on the Ewing Terrace, sediment waves and contourite drifts. Measured and modelled near-bottom currents are vigorous (up to 63 cm/s at 150 -200 m above the seafloor) where abraded surfaces and moats are present, and relatively weak (below 30 cm/s) on the La Plata Terrace and the Ewing Terrace. Generally, bottom currents follow the upper and middle slope morphology. Decreasing velocity of water masses flowing northward leads to less erosion and finer sediment deposits. ADCP data and the hydrodynamic model show the formation of eddies near the seafloor which probably lead to the small erosion surfaces on the Ewing Terrace, even though it is mainly a depositional environment. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the formation of CDS and can help future reconstructions of past ocean conditions based on sedimentary structures.

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“…The isolation of the South China Sea exemplifies that restriction of a small marginal sea by plate tectonics can influence both regional circulation in marginal seas and open ocean circulation. It is noteworthy that all the small-scale depressions occur in SU2, most likely formed by erosion and deposition involving sub-mesoscale currents triggered by mesoscale eddies 17 , 42 , although fluid flow activity may also have contributed to the depression formation 35 . Accordingly, isolation might have significantly enhanced the activity of mesoscale eddies in the sea.…”

Section: Isolation Of the South China Sea From The North Pacific Subtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolation of the South China Sea from the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre since the latest Miocene due to formation of the Luzon Strait

Yin

Hernández-Molina

Lin

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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The North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG) plays a major role in present global ocean circulation. At times, the gyre has coursed through the South China Sea, but its role in the evolutionary development of that Sea remains uncertain. This work systematically describes a major shift in NPSG paleo-circulation evident from sedimentary features observed in seismic and bathymetric data. These data outline two contourite depositional systems—a buried one formed in the late Miocene, and a latest Miocene to present-day system. The two are divided by a prominent regional discontinuity that represents a major shift in paleo-circulation during the latest Miocene (~ 6.5 Ma). The shift coincides with the further restriction of the South China Sea with respect to the North Pacific due to the formation of the Luzon Strait as a consequence of further northwest movement of the Philippine Sea plate. Before that restriction, data indicate vigorous NPSG circulation in the South China Sea. Semi-closure, however, established a new oceanographic circulation regime in the latest Miocene. This work demonstrates the significant role of recent plate tectonics, gateway development, and marginal seas in the establishment of modern global ocean circulation.

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The influence of oceanographic processes on contourite features: A multidisciplinary study of the northern South China Sea

Cited by 43 publications

References 113 publications

The erosive power of the Malvinas Current: Influence of bottom currents on morpho-sedimentary features along the northern Argentine margin (SW Atlantic Ocean)

The erosive power of the Malvinas Current: Influence of bottom currents on morpho-sedimentary features along the northern Argentine margin (SW Atlantic Ocean)

The erosive power of the Malvinas Current: Influence of bottom currents on morpho-sedimentary features along the northern Argentine margin (SW Atlantic Ocean)

Isolation of the South China Sea from the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre since the latest Miocene due to formation of the Luzon Strait

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