The western part of the Gulf of Cadiz: contour currents and turbidity currents interactions
| Type | Article | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 2006-03 | ||||||||
| Language | English | ||||||||
| Author(s) | Mulder Thierry1, Lecroart P1, Hanquiez V1, Marches E1, Gonthier E1, Guedes J2, Thiebot E3, Jaaidi B4, Kenyon N5, Voisset Michel6, Perez C7, Sayago M8, Fuchey Y9, Bujan S1 | ||||||||
| Affiliation(s) | 1 : Univ Bordeaux 1, EPOC, UMR 5805, Dept Geol & Oceanog, F-33405 Talence, France. 2 : Genavir, F-83500 LA Seyne Sur Mer, France. 3 : IUEM, F-29280 Plouzane, France. 4 : Univ Rabat, Dept Sci Terre, Unite Format & Rech Oceanol Geol Environm Amenage, Rabat, Morocco. 5 : Southampton Oceanog Ctr, Challanger Div Seafloor Proc, Southampton SO14 3ZH, Hants, England. 6 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, DRO GM, F-29280 Plouzane, France. 7 : Univ Cadiz, Fac Ciencias Mar, Puerto Real 11510, Spain. 8 : Univ Geneva, Dept Geol, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland. 9 : Univ Geneva, Dept Geol, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland. |
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| Source | Geo-Marine Letters (0276-0460) (Springer), 2006-03 , Vol. 26 , N. 1 , P. 31-41 | ||||||||
| DOI | 10.1007/s00367-005-0013-z | ||||||||
| WOS© Times Cited | 58 | ||||||||
| Keyword(s) | Contour current, Interaction, Turbidity current, Geomorphology, Gulf of Cadiz | ||||||||
| Abstract | Recent multibeam bathymetry and acoustic imagery data provide a new understanding of the morphology of the western part of the Gulf of Cadiz. The gulf is under the influence of a strong current, the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW). This current is at the origin of the construction of the giant Contourite Depositional System. Canyons and valleys with erosive flanks are observed. Only the Portimao Canyon is presently connected to the continental shelf. Channels occur on the continental shelf but are presently disconnected from the deeper network of channels and valleys. Slumps are localized in steep slope areas. They are caused by oversteepening and overloading, sometimes probably associated with earthquake activity. Slumps transform sharply into turbidity currents, depositing turbidites on the floor of deep valleys. Interaction of the MOW and gravity currents is suggested by the filling of the incisions located on the drifts below the present seafloor, the shifting of valleys and canyons in the direction of the MOW flow inducing an unusual phenomenon of capture of submarine valleys. | ||||||||
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