Two fundamentally different types of submarine canyons along the continental margin of Equatorial Guinea

Most submarine canyons are erosive conduits cut deeply into the world’s continental shelves through which sediment is transported from areas of high coastal sediment supply onto large submarine fans. However, many submarine canyons in areas of low sediment supply do not have associated submarine fans and show significantly different morphologies and depositional processes from those of ‘classic’ canyons. Using three-dimensional seismic reflection and core data, this study contrasts these two types of submarine canyons and proposes a bipartite classification scheme.The continental margin of Equatorial Guinea, West Africa during the late Cretaceous was dominated by a classic, erosional, sand-rich, submarine canyon system. This system was abandoned during the Paleogene, but the relict topography was re-activated in the Miocene during tectonic uplift. A subsequent decrease in sediment supply resulted in a drastic transformation in canyon morphology and activity, initiating the ‘Benito’ canyon system. This non-typical canyon system is aggradational rather than erosional, does not indent the shelf edge and has no downslope sediment apron. Smooth, draping seismic reflections indicate that hemipelagic deposition is the chief depositional process aggrading the canyons. Intra-canyon lateral accretion deposits indicate that canyon concavity is maintained by thick (>150 m), dilute, turbidity currents. There is little evidence for erosion, mass-wasting, or sand-rich deposition in the Benito canyon system. When a canyon loses flow access, usually due to piracy, it is abandoned and eventually filled. During canyon abandonment, fluid escape causes the successive formation of ‘cross-canyon ridges’ and pockmark trains along buried canyon axes.Based on comparison of canyons in the study area, we recognize two main types of submarine canyons: ‘Type I’ canyons indent the shelf edge and are linked to areas of high coarse-grained sediment supply, generating erosive canyon morphologies, sand-rich fill, and large downslope submarine fans/aprons. ‘Type II’ canyons do not indent the shelf edge and exhibit smooth, highly aggradational morphologies, mud-rich fill, and a lack of downslope fans/aprons. Type I canyons are dominated by erosive, sandy turbidity currents and mass-wasting, whereas hemipelagic deposition and dilute, sluggish turbidity currents are the main depositional processes sculpting Type II canyons. This morphology-based classification scheme can be used to help predict depositional processes, grain size distributions, and petroleum prospectivity of any submarine canyon.     

珠江口盆地陆架坡折带海底滑坡及其影响因素

为了解海底滑坡在陆架坡折演化过程中所起的作用并分析影响海底滑坡发育的因素,以最新采集的二维和三维地震资料为基础,综合运用了地貌分析和地震解释技术,通过对滑坡的地貌形态特征及地震响应特征进行详细刻画,在珠江口盆地陆架坡折带新近纪地层中识别出多处海底滑坡,明确了其分布范围并建立了滑坡发育的地质模式。分析认为,珠江口盆地相对海平面变化和流体活动的综合作用是导致研究区海底不稳定的主要因素。海底滑坡发源于海底峡谷的朔源侵蚀,向上陆坡扩展并终止于陆架坡折带。     

莺歌海油气资源开发区工程地质和灾害地质特征

根据单道地震、浅地层剖面、旁扫声纳和海底取样等实测资料,分析和评价了莺歌海油气资源开发区的工程地质和灾害地质环境。研究结果表明,研究区海底地形地貌较为复杂,存在潮流沙脊、侵蚀冲沟、海底沙波、麻坑、埋藏古河道和古湖泊、浅层气、埋藏珊瑚礁和滑塌断层等潜在的灾害地质因素,对海上石油平台和输油管线等工程设施构成直接或潜在的危害。根据地形、地貌和沉积物物理力学特征,将研究区划分为内陆架堆积平原区、陆架潮流沙脊区、内陆架侵蚀平原区、外陆架平原区和大陆坡区5个工程地质区。其中研究区东部的潮流沙脊区和东南部的陆坡区,海底地形复杂,活动性的潮流沙脊和断层发育,是海底工程建设的危险区,应引起高度重视。     

Structure and morphology of the west Reykjanes basin and the southeast Greenland continental margin

The continental-shelf morphology is dominated by glacial erosion and deposition. Erosion is prominent on the near-shore shelf and deposition along the outer shelf edge. The continental slope is characterized by delta-shaped progradations (glaciomarine-sediment fans) seaward of the shelf channels. Canyons cross the continental slope only in the region southeast of Cape Farewell. The continental rise is incised by a number of submarine canyons. Broad sediment ridges on the upper continental rise are probably canyon-eroded remains of extensive Plio-Pleistocene fans. A mid-ocean channel which crosses the continental rise is possibly related to the axis of maximum depth of Denmark Strait. Despite the presence of strong bottom currents, there is no indication of depositional sediment drifts along the continental margin of Greenland between Cape Farewell and Denmark Strait. This may be a function of high current velocity or low sediment load.Sea floor older than 60 m.y. B.P. is present just seaward of the Greenland continental margin implying either downwarped continental material or an early rift formed prior to the separation of Greenland from the European plate. A left lateral offset of anomalies 20 and 21 at 65°N indicates a major fracture zone related to the Greenland continental margin offset nearby.     

Geomorphic setting and geohazard-related features along the Ionian Calabrian margin between Capo Spartivento and Capo Rizzuto (Italy)

The aim of this work is to describe the morpho-dynamic processes of coastal and submarine areas based on morpho-bathymetric data and sub-bottom acoustic profiles from the Calabrian Ionian margin (from Capo Spartivento to Capo Rizzuto). We describe some of the most significant geo-hazard features and show some examples of their complex interactions and related potential risk. The relationship between these geo-hazard features and the active tectonics and some severe historical earthquakes and tsunamis is also discussed. The studied area is characterized by several well developed canyon systems. The retrogressive erosion of the canyon heads affects the continental shelf and interacts with the coastal morpho-sedimentary processes, evidencing the intense geomorphic activity of this sector of Ionian margin. The widespread evidence of mass wasting processes and slope instability, together with the historical seismicity, makes this area also an ideal case study for investigating on the possible relationship between earthquakes and landslide-triggered tsunamis and assessing the potential risk.     

Combining field observations and modeling approaches to examine Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) early life ecology in the southeastern Bering Sea

Spawning in Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) occurs along the continental slope and in submarine canyons in the eastern Bering Sea. It is assumed that these bathymetric features and their associated circulation patterns deliver eggs and larvae to suitable nursery habitats over the continental shelf. However, there have been no directed field studies examining spawning areas or transport of Greenland halibut early life stages in the Bering Sea, nor is it known how large-scale oceanographic forcing modulates specific physical mechanisms of delivery. The present study was undertaken to: better define spawning areas of Greenland halibut, examine development and distribution of larvae, and understand the influence of climate variations on interannual patterns of transport, distribution and abundance. Eggs were found in Bering and Pribilof Canyons and over the adjacent slope in February and early March, confirming that spawning occurs in these regions. Larvae were present over the slope, outer shelf and middle shelf in winter and spring, and settled juveniles were collected over the shelf in September. Oceanographic modeling approaches that simulate larval advection from spawning to nursery habitats indicate that depth-discrete variations in transport pathways from submarine canyons to the adjacent shelf contribute to interannual variability in transport trajectories. Overall, our results highlight specific physical mechanisms of delivery that are modulated by large-scale atmospheric and oceanographic forcing, potentially varying the degree of slope–shelf connectivity for Greenland halibut and other slope-spawning species.     

Evidence for erosion and deposition by the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami on the nearshore shelf of Sendai Bay,Japan

Ongoing geological research into processes operating on the nearshore continental shelf and beyond is vital to our understanding of modern tsunami-generated sediment transport and deposition. This paper investigates the southern part of Sendai Bay, Japan, by means of high-resolution seismic surveys, vibracoring, bathymetric data assimilation, and radioisotope analysis of a core. For the first time, it was possible to identify an erosional surface in the shallow subsurface, formed by both seafloor erosion and associated offshore-directed sediment transport caused by the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami. The area of erosion and deposition extends at least 1,100 m offshore from the shoreline down to water depths of 16.7 m. The tsunami-generated sedimentological signature reaches up to 1.2 m below the present seafloor, whereas bathymetric changes due to storm-related reworking over a period of 3 years following the tsunami event have been limited to the upper ~0.3 m, despite the fact that the study area is located on an open shelf facing the Pacific Ocean. Tsunami-generated erosion surfaces may thus be preserved for extended periods of time, and may even enter the rock record, because the depth of tsunami erosion can exceed the depth of storm erosion. This finding is also important for interpretation of modern submarine strata, since erosion surfaces in shallow (depths less than ~1 m) seismic records from open coast shelves have generally been interpreted as storm-generated surfaces or transgressive ravinement surfaces.     

台湾海峡南部海底地形的新发现

我们于1975年对台湾海峡南部进行海底地形和底质调查研究时发现:1.台湾浅滩发育着水下沙丘群。2.陆架地形受现代环境的作用,正经历着冲刷、侵蚀和堆积的再改造过程。3.陆架边缘曾发生了巨大的滑坡。其原因是陆源物质供应严重缺乏,在风浪和各种流系作用下,使沉积物不断进行分异作用,再加上自1938年以来多次发生5—7级海底地震而导致滑坡,滑坡又促使沉积物向深水搬运,加速陆架地形的冲刷。     

The western part of the Gulf of Cadiz: contour currents and turbidity currents interactions

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.     

Zambezi continental margin: compartmentalized sediment transfer routes to the abyssal Mozambique Channel

Sediment delivery to the abyssal regions of the oceans is an integral process in the source to sink cycle of material derived from adjacent continents and islands. The Zambezi River, the largest in southern Africa, delivers vast amounts of material to the inner continental shelf of central Mozambique. The aim of this contribution is to better constrain sediment transport pathways to the abyssal plains using the latest, regional, high-resolution multibeam bathymetry data available, taking into account the effects of bottom water circulation, antecedent basin morphology and sea-level change. Results show that sediment transport and delivery to the abyssal plains is partitioned into three distinct domains; southern, central and northern. Sediment partitioning is primarily controlled by changes in continental shelf and shelf-break morphology under the influence of a clockwise rotating shelf circulation system. However, changes in sea-level have an overarching control on sediment delivery to particular domains. During highstand conditions, such as today, limited sediment delivery to the submarine Zambezi Valley and Channel is proposed, with increased sediment delivery to the deepwater basin being envisaged during regression and lowstand conditions. However, there is a pronounced along-strike variation in sediment transport during the sea-level cycle due to changes in the width, depth and orientation of the shelf. This combination of features outlines a sequence stratigraphic concept not generally considered in the strike-aligned shelf-slope-abyssal continuum.     

New insights into slide processes and seafloor geology revealed by side-scan imagery of the massive Hinlopen Slide, Arctic Ocean margin

The submarine Hinlopen Slide, located along the Arctic Ocean margin, is one of the largest known mass movements on Earth. The slide scar has several unusual morphometric characteristics, including headwalls up to 1,500 m high and spectacularly large, steep-sided rafted megablocks. The slide processes and continental margin properties that produced these features are not well known. A new high-resolution TOBI (towed ocean bottom instrument) side-scan sonar dataset reveals information about the detailed seafloor morphology and, therefore, slide dynamics during the final stages of sliding. First, the headwall area was efficiently and almost completely evacuated of slide debris, which is unusual for large submarine slides. Second, features relating to the propagation of extension to the shelf behind the headwall are absent, suggesting “strong” cohesive shelf material here or that a very stable shelf configuration was reached, possibly defined by NE-SW-trending faults. Third, there is little evidence for the translation of shelf material, again uncommon for submarine slides. Taken together with the occurrence of massive megablocks in the slide debris, Hinlopen Slide is distinct because of the juxtaposition of apparently “stronger” shelf material that has remained intact (headwalls, megablocks), and “weaker” shelf material that disaggregated fully during slope failure. Nevertheless, there is sonograph evidence of variable post-slide disintegration of the megablocks. Contrary to previous interpretations, this suggests that the blocks comprise sedimentary lithologies that are prone to failure, a key aspect awaiting confirmation.     

Scenarios of local tsunamis in the China Seas by Boussinesq model

The Okinawa Trench in the East China Sea and the Manila Trench in the South China Sea are considered to be the regions with high risk of potential tsunamis induced by submarine earthquakes. Tsunami waves will impact the southeast coast of China if tsunamis occur in these areas. In this paper, the horizontal two-dimensional Boussinesq model is used to simulate tsunami generation, propagation, and runnp in a domain with complex geometrical boundaries. The temporary varying bottom boundary condition is adopted to describe the initial tsunami waves motivated by the submarine faults. The Indian Ocean tsunami is simulated by the numerical model as a validation case. The time series of water elevation and runup on the beach are compared with the measured data from field survey. The agreements indicate that the Boussinesq model can be used to simulate tsunamis and predict the waveform and runup. Then, the hypothetical tsunamis in the Okinawa Trench and the Manila Trench are simulated by the numerical model. The arrival time and maximum wave height near coastal cities are predicted by the model. It turns out that the leading depression N-wave occurs when the tsunami propagates in the continental shelf from the Okinawa Trench. The scenarios of the tsunami in the Manila Trench demonstrate significant effects on the coastal area around the South China Sea.     

近百年来渤、黄、东海陆架冲淤作用强度数值研究

数值模拟了渤，黄，东海陆架区潮流动力场作用下9种无黏性单粒径泥沙的冲淤作用强度，计算所得渤，黄，东海陆架近百年来的冲淤分布与实测底质类型的分布多数海区相一致，这表明渤，黄，东海陆架的潮流动力场在该区泥沙输运与淤积中起着主导作用，是该区近百年来冲淤作用强度分布格局的主要控制因素。     

太平洋海底光缆中国段路由条件及评价

根据在太平洋海底光缆中国段路由勘察中所获得的多波束、侧扫声呐、浅地层剖面、海洋磁力、柱状取样等资料,结合勘察区的自然环境特征,对路由区的自然环境条件、海底工程地质条件进行了详细的分析,并对该段路由条件进行了综合评价。研究发现,此段路由在大陆架路由区海底地形平缓,平均坡度小于2°,其中发现沙波、麻坑、冲刷沟等轻微不良地貌因素,跨越了黏土/粉砂、砂砾、砾/固结砂海底,地震活动少,地壳稳定性好,适合海底光缆铺设;在大陆架与大陆坡结合带地形起伏大,最大落差达500 m,发育有海底峡谷、海槽、陡坎等海底地形,路由条件相对较差,综合所获资料,针对路由不良区域进行了适当调整,并提出应对措施。调整后的路由基本适合海底光缆的铺设。     

海南岛东部陆架海底地貌

通过二十多条测线的测深、旁测声纳和浅地层连续测量的调查以及底质等资料，概述了海南岛东部陆架海底堆积平原地貌及其上的地貌类型，其中海底沟，坎、岗阜等地貌类型的线性排列和古海岸线的位置相应。     

Continental margin off Sergipe and Alagoas, northeastern Brazil: A reconnaissance geophysical study of morphology and structure

The stable continental margin of northeastern Brazil is unusually narrow, probably because of the small size and tropical character of the drainage basins of the hinterland, and correspondingly low rates of land erosion and marine sedimentation. The continental shelf, which is mainly a marine erosion surface, is also remarkably shallow, either because of upwarping or, more probably, because of the ineffectiveness of Pleistocene marine erosional processes on steeply sloping continental margins. Sediment accumulation is confined to the Sāo Francisco delta, seaward of which are fossil (?) lagoonal deposits, and to a poorly developed nearshore sand prism.The margin formed by seaward progradation of sediment on a subsiding basement, but the present morphology of the continental slope reflects chiefly Pleistocene canyon cutting and mass gravitational movements of sediment, which have exposed older strata in the upper slope. Beneath the continental slope is a magnetic anomaly (like the slope anomaly off the eastern U.S.A.), probably caused by a deeply buried dike of oceanic basalt, and apparently associated with a buried ridge which may have formed the seaward margin of the Sergipe—Alagoas Basin during the early history of the South Atlantic. Similar structures may be typical of the narrow easternmost part of the Brazilian margin.     

Pleistocene glacial history of the NW European continental margin

In this paper new and previously published data on the Pleistocene glacial impact on the NW European margin from Ireland to Svalbard (between c. 48°N–80°N) are compiled. The morphology of the glaciated part of the European margin strongly reflects repeated occurrence of fast-moving ice streams, creating numerous glacial troughs/channels that are separated by shallow bank areas. End-moraines have been identified at several locations on the shelf, suggesting shelf-edge glaciation along the major part of the margin during the Last Glacial Maximum. Deposition of stacked units of glacigenic debris flows on the continental slope form fans at a number of locations from 55°N and northwards, whereas the margin to the south of this is characterised by the presence of submarine canyons. Glaciation curves, based primarily on information from the glacial fed fan systems, that depict the Pleistocene trends in extent of glaciations along the margin have been compiled. These curves suggest that extensive shelf glaciations started around Svalbard at 1.6–1.3 Ma, while repeated periods of shelf-edge glaciations on the UK margin started with MIS 12 (c. 0.45 Ma). The available evidence for MIS 2 suggest that shelf-edge glaciation for the whole margin was reached between c. 28 and 22 ¹⁴C ka BP and maximum positions after this were more limited in some regions (North Sea and Lofoten). The last glacial advance on the margin has been dated to 15–13.5 ¹⁴C ka BP, and by c. 13 ¹⁴C ka BP the shelf areas were completely deglaciated. The Younger Dryas (Loch Lomond) advance reached the coastal areas in only a few regions.     

Evolution of Interface Soliton over Topography

Several ray-type 1D and 2D KdV equations for two-layer stratified ocean with topographic effect are derived in detail in the present study.A simplified version of these equations,ray type 1D KdV equation,is used to calculate numerically the disintegration of initial interface soliton from the deep sea to the continental shelf.At the same time,a laboratory experiment is carried out in a 2D stratified flow and internal wave tank to examine the numerical results.A comparison of the numerical results with the experimental results shows that they are in good agreement.The numerical results also show that the ray-type KdV equation has high accuracy in describing the evolution of initial interface waves in shelf/slope regions.Form these results,it can be concluded that the fission process is a dominant generating mechanism of interface soliton packets on the continental shelf.     

Morphosedimentary features and recent depositional architectural model of the Cantabrian continental margin

Multibeam bathymetry, high (sleeve airguns) and very high resolution (parametric system-TOPAS-) seismic records were used to define the morphosedimentary features and investigate the depositional architecture of the Cantabrian continental margin. The outer shelf (down to 180–245 m water depth) displays an intensively eroded seafloor surface that truncates consolidated ancient folded and fractured deposits. Recent deposits are only locally present as lowstand shelf-margin deposits and a transparent drape with bedforms. The continental slope is affected by sedimentary processes that have combined to create the morphosedimentary features seen today. The upper (down to 2000 m water depth) and lower (down to 3700–4600 m water depth) slopes are mostly subject to different types of slope failures, such as slides, mass-transport deposits (a mix of slumping and mass-flows), and turbidity currents. The upper slope is also subject to the action of bottom currents (the Mediterranean Water — MW) that interact with the Le Danois Bank favouring the reworking of the sediment and the sculpting of a contourite system. The continental rise is a bypass region of debris flows and turbidity currents where a complex channel-lobe transition zone (CLTZ) of the Cap Ferret Fan develops.The recent architecture depositional model is complex and results from the remaining structural template and the great variability of interconnected sedimentary systems and processes. This margin can be considered as starved due to the great sediment evacuation over a relatively steep entire depositional profile. Sediment is eroded mostly from the Cantabrian and also the Pyrenees mountains (source) and transported by small stream/river mountains to the sea. It bypasses the continental shelf and when sediment arrives at the slope it is transported through a major submarine drainage system (large submarine valleys and mass-movement processes) down to the continental rise and adjacent Biscay Abyssal Plain (sink). Factors controlling this architecture are tectonism and sediment source/dispersal, which are closely interrelated, whereas sea-level changes and oceanography have played a minor role (on a long-term scale).     

Geological structures of ridges with relation to the definition of three types of seafloor highs stipulated in Article 76

The ridge like seafloor highs with various geological origins can be classed into mid-ocean ridges,transverse ridges related to transform faults,hot spot/mantle plume originated ridges,microcontinent rifted from major continent,intra-plate arc formed by interaction of two oceanic plates,and tectonic ridges uplifted by later tectonic activity.Those ridges moved towards the convergent continental margins along with the underlain plate drifting and formed so-called accreted ridges commonly trending at a high angle to the continental margins.At divergent continental margins,the continental crusts were extended and thinned accompanying with magmatism,which formed high terrains protruding or parallel to the coastal line.The ridges worldwide have various origins and the crustal thicknesses and structures of them are diversity.The crusts beneath the microcontinents,and the transverse ridges along the transform margin,and the seafloor highs beside the passive continental margins are continental,while the crusts of other ridges are oceanic.Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has classed the seafloor highs worldwide into three legal categories,namely oceanic ridges,submarine ridges and submarine elevations,for the purpose to delineate the outer limit of the coastal States’ continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.To define the categories of the legal seafloor highs to which the ridges with various geological origins belong,the continuities in morphology and geology including the rock types,crustal structures,origins and tectonic setting of the ridges and the coastal States’ land mass with its submerged prolongation should be taken into account.If a ridge is continuous both in morphology and geology with the coastal States’ land mass and its submerged prolongation,it is a submarine elevation stipulated in Article 76.If it is discontinuous in morphology,the ridge should be regarded as oceanic ridges.If a ridge is continuous in morphology but discontinuous in geology with the coastal States’ land mass and its submerged prolongation,then it is a submarine ridge as stipulated in Article 76.