The Var turbidite system (Ligurian Sea, northwestern Mediterranean)—morphology, sediment supply, construction of turbidite levee and sediment waves: implications for hydrocarbon reservoirs

The Var turbidite system is a small sandy system located in the Ligurian Basin. It was deposited during the Pliocene-Quaternary in a flat-floored basin formed during the Messinian salinity crisis. The system was fed through time by the Var and Paillon canyons that connect directly to the Var and Paillon rivers. It is still active during the present sea-level highstand. Two main mechanisms are responsible for gravity-flow triggering in the Var turbidite system: (1) mass-wasting events affect mainly the upper part of the continental slope, in areas where volumes of fresh sediment delivered by rivers are highest, and result from the under-consolidation state of slope sediments and earthquakes, and (2) high-magnitude river floods resulting from melting of snow and convective rainfall during fall and spring seasons, and generating hyperpycnal turbidity currents at river mouths when the density of freshwater transporting suspended particles exceeds that of ambient seawater. Failure- and flood-induced gravity flows are involved through time in the construction of the Var Sedimentary Ridge, the prominent right-hand levee of the Var system, and sediment waves. Processes of construction of both the Var Ridge and sediment waves are closely connected. Sandy deposits are thick and abundant in the eastern (downchannel) part of the ridge. Their distribution is highly constrained by the strong difference of depositional processes across the sediment waves, potentially resulting through time in the individualization of large and interconnected sand bodies.     

The Golo submarine turbidite system (east Corsica margin): morphology and processes of terrace formation from high-resolution seismic reflection profiles

New high-resolution seismic reflection data collected along the eastern margin of Corsica have been analysed to describe the morphology of the turbidite systems located seaward of the Golo River mouth. The boomer data reveal that there is not only one turbidite system directly associated with the river, but four additional, non-coalescing systems which grew simultaneously. In the south, the system has the typical morphology of a turbidite deposit rich in mud and sand with a well-developed meandering canyon and channel morphology. In the north, they have the morphology of sand-rich turbidite systems with shorter straight channels. The southernmost deposits are interpreted to represent a more advanced stage of turbidite system development. Terraces, recognised by their particular seismic facies on boomer profiles which clearly differs from the surrounding levee facies, are observed in the channel meanders. They are interpreted as confined levees built by vertical accretion due to deposition from low-energy flows. Despite limited penetration, boomer seismics are demonstrated to be a useful complement to lower-resolution sparker data. The boomer data are superior (1) for the characterisation of fine-grained turbidite deposits by extending seawards the limits of the turbidite systems commonly defined by the acoustic response of sands, (2) in demonstrating the persistence of turbiditic processes farther towards the basin, and (3) for proposing conceptual models for the formation of terraces in fan valleys.     

Geomorphology, sedimentary processes and development of the Zenisu deep-sea channel, northern Philippine Sea

The Zenisu deep-sea channel originates on the Izu-Ogasawara island arc, and disappears in the Shikoku Basin of the Philippine Sea. The geomorphology, sedimentary processes, and the development of the Zenisu deep-sea channel were investigated on the basis of swath bathymetry, side-scan sonar imagery, submersible observations, and seismic data. The deep-sea channel can be divided into three segments according to the downslope gradient and channel orientation. They are the Zenisu Canyon, the E–W fan channel, and the trough-axis channel. The sediment fill is characterized by turbidite and debrite deposition and blocky–hummocky avalanche deposits on the flanks of the Zenisu Ridge. In the Zenisu Canyon and the Zenisu deep-sea channel, sediment transport by turbidity currents generates sediment waves (dunes) observed during the Shinkai 6500 dive 371. The development of the Zenisu Canyon is controlled by a N–S shear fault, whereas the trough-axis channel is controlled by basin subsidence associated with the Zenisu Ridge. The E–W fan channel was probably affected by the E–W fault and the basement morphology.     

Turbidites deposited on Southern Central Chilean seamounts: Evidence for energetic turbidity currents

Gravity cores obtained from isolated seamounts located within, and rising up to 300 m from the sediment-filled Peru–Chile Trench off Southern Central Chile (36°S–39°S) contain numerous turbidite layers which are much coarser than the hemipelagic background sedimentation. The mineralogical composition of some of the beds indicates a mixed origin from various source terrains while the faunal assemblage of benthic foraminifera in one of the turbidite layers shows a mixed origin from upper shelfal to middle-lower bathyal depths which could indicate a multi-source origin and therefore indicate an earthquake triggering of the causing turbidity currents. The bathymetric setting and the grain size distribution of the sampled layers, together with swath echosounder and sediment echosounder data which monitor the distribution of turbidites on the elevated Nazca Plate allow some estimates on the flow direction, flow velocity and height of the causing turbidity currents. We discuss two alternative models of deposition, both of which imply high (175–450 m) turbidity currents and we suggest a channelized transport process as the general mode of turbidite deposition. Whether these turbidites are suspension fallout products of thick turbiditic flows or bedload deposits from sheet-like turbidity currents overwhelming elevated structures cannot be decided upon using our sedimentological data, but the specific morphology of the seamounts rather argues for the first option. Oxygen isotope stratigraphy of one of the cores indicates that the turbiditic sequences were deposited during the last Glacial period and during the following transition period and turbiditic deposition stopped during the Holocene. This climatic coupling seems to be dominant, while the occurrence of megathrust earthquakes provides a trigger mechanism. This seismic triggering takes effect only during times of very high sediment supply to the shelf and slope.     

Activity of the turbidite levees of the Celtic–Armorican margin (Bay of Biscay) during the last 30,000 years: Imprints of the last European deglaciation and Heinrich events

High-resolution sedimentological and micropaleontological studies of several deep-sea cores retrieved from the levees of the Celtic and Armorican turbidite systems (Bay of Biscay — North Atlantic Ocean) allow the detection of the major oscillations of the British–Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) and ‘Fleuve Manche’ palaeoriver discharges over the last 30,000 years, which were mainly triggered by climate changes.Between 30 and 20 cal ka, the turbiditic activity on the Celtic–Armorican margin was weak, contrasting with previous stratigraphic models which predicted a substantial increase of sediment supply during low sea-level stands. This low turbidite deposit frequency was most likely the result of a weak activity of the ‘Fleuve Manche’ palaeoriver and/or of a reduced seaward transfer of sediments from the shelf to the margin. However, two episodes of turbiditic activity increase were detected in the Celtic–Armorican margin, during Heinrich events (HE) 3 and 2. This strengthening of the turbiditic activity was triggered by the meltwater releases from European ice sheets and glaciers favouring the seaward transfer of subglacial material, at least via ‘Fleuve Manche’ palaeoriver.At around 20 cal ka, a significant increase of turbidite deposit frequency occurred as a response to the onset of the last deglaciation. The retreat of the European ice sheets and glaciers induced a substantial increase of the ‘Fleuve Manche’ palaeoriver discharges and seaward transfer of continentally-derived material into the Armorican turbidite system. The intensification of the turbiditic activity on the Celtic system was directly sustained by the widespread transport of subglacial sediments from the British–Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) to the Celtic Sea via the Irish Sea Basin. A sudden reduction of turbiditic activity in the Armorican system, between ca. 19 and 18.3 cal ka, could have been triggered by the first well known abrupt sea-level rise (‘meltwater pulse’, at around 19 cal ka) favouring the trapping of sediment in the ‘Fleuve Manche’ palaeoriver valleys and the decrease of the seaward transfer of continentally-derived material.The maximum of turbiditic activity strengthening in the Celtic–Armorican margin, between ca. 18.3 and 17 cal ka, was induced by the decay of European ice sheets and glaciers producing the most extreme episode of the ‘Fleuve Manche’ palaeoriver runoff and a great seaward transfer of subglacial material into the Bay of Biscay. Between ca. 17.5 and 16 cal ka, the turbiditic activity significantly decreased in both Celtic and Armorican turbidite systems in response to a global re-advance of glaciers and ice sheets in Europe. The last episode of ice sheet retreat, between ca. 16 and 14 cal ka, is well expressed in the Celtic system by a new increase of the turbiditic activity. The major episode of sea-level rise at around 14 cal ka (‘Meltwater Pulse 1A’), precluding the seaward transfer of sediments, induced the end of turbiditic activity in both the Celtic and the Armorican system.Although two main phases of global sea-level rise seem to have had an effect on the Celtic–Armorican margin, this work proposes the BIIS retreat and associated riverine discharges as the main trigger mechanisms of the turbiditic activity in this region during the last 30,000 years.     

Inversely graded turbidite sequences in the deep Mediterranean: a record of deposits from flood-generated turbidity currents?

Turbidity currents generated during floods of small and medium rivers have been demonstrated to be an important process of sediment transport from continent to abyss. They produce fine-grained turbidite deposits. No deposit related to these flood-related turbidity currents has yet been described in the deep sea. In this paper, we present some unusual sandy to muddy turbidite beds cored in the Var turbidite system (NW Mediterranean). They show a coarsening-upward basal unit capped with a classical fining-upward unit which are related to the periods of increasing and decreasing discharge at the river mouth, respectively. The two units are separated by a contact which can be gradational to erosional. This intrabed contact is interpreted as resulting from erosion during peak flood conditions. This intrabed contact can be confused with classical basal contacts of turbidite beds. The frequency of hyperpycnal turbidite beds can be used to relate climatic changes inland to the deep-sea sedimentary record, as an increase corresponds to periods of enhanced flooding at the river mouth.     

Geotechnical characteristics of deep-sea sediments from the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans

Geotechnical properties from a series of deep-sea sites in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans are examined to evaluate overall trends and to compare with similar fine-grained soils found on land. The study areas encompass a range of sedimentary environments dominated by combinations of turbidite and pelagic deposits. Carbonate content in excess of 20% is seen to result in a decrease in liquid limit and compressibility. Vertical profiles of geotechnical properties in the North Pacific show broader changes in down-core geotechnical properties compared to the North Atlantic and reflect the effects of long-term climatic changes and seafloor spreading. Sediments in the North Atlantic indicate significant differences depending on location, which is attributed to variability in turbidite deposition, water depth, distance from sediment sources, and the effects of bottom currents. Compared to equivalent fine-grained soils on land, deep-sea sediments are generally softer, more compressible and have higher friction angles at comparable Atterberg limits. Deeper and older sediments in the North Pacific are characterized by unusually large plastic limits, which are attributed to the presence of volcanic fractions. Empirical relationships for compression index and friction angle are discussed for sediments from both oceans.     

Side echoes from a sinuous fan channel obscure the structure of submarine fan channel/levee systems,Amazon Fan

A high-resolution bathymetric and seismic study of sinuous midfan channels on the Amazon Fan shows that some common elements of seismic profiles across the channel/levee system may be side echoes (sideswipe) from reflective, coarse channel-floor sediments Which lie to the side of the ship track. This includes portions of a dipping zone of high-amplitude reflectors beneath the channel. If these strong echoes are side echoes rather than buried coarse sediments, there may be less coarse material present within the midfan channel/levee systems than predicted, and channel evolution is still poorly resolved. Side echoes may be common in other areas of complex deep-sea morphology.     

Late Pleistocene channel–levee development on Monterey submarine fan, central California

Much of the modern upper (proximal) Monterey fan is a channel–levee complex, the Upper Turbidite Sequence (UTS), that was deeply eroded after the channel breached a volcanic ridge to reach a deeper base level. Ages of sediment samples collected with the ALVIN submersible from the deepest outcrop within the channel–levee system, 390?m below the adjacent western levee crest, indicate that the UTS deposits accumulated at ≥1?m?ka^?1 during the last 500?ka. Neogene and Early Pleistocene sediment accumulation on the fan prior to the UTS was much slower (<0.03?m?ka^?1), and underlying turbidite systems(?) had substantially different morphologic expression(s).     

Rhone Deep-Sea Fan: A review

The Rhone Fan is a large Plio-Pleistocene turbidite deposit in the western Mediterranean Sea. The fan is fed from the broad Rhone River delta, but only one canyon, the Petit-Rhone, has fed most of the major turbidite depositional sequences that have been mapped. Slumping of sediment from intercanyon areas on the delta slope also has provided much sediment for the fan. The lack of Recent turbidite deposition on the fan suggests that turbidite sedimentation dominates during glacial low stands of sea level, building major leveed valley sequences, while surficial slumping of the valley levee deposits and pelagic sedimentation seem to mark high stands of sea level during interglacial periods.     

Rhone Deep-Sea Fan: A review

The Rhone Fan is a large Plio-Pleistocene turbidite deposit in the western Mediterranean Sea. The fan is fed from the broad Rhone River delta, but only one canyon, the Petit-Rhone, has fed most of the major turbidite depositional sequences that have been mapped. Slumping of sediment from intercanyon areas on the delta slope also has provided much sediment for the fan. The lack of Recent turbidite deposition on the fan suggests that turbidite sedimentation dominates during glacial low stands of sea level, building major leveed valley sequences, while surficial slumping of the valley levee deposits and pelagic sedimentation seem to mark high stands of sea level during interglacial periods. Margin setting represents fan and/or source area     

Anatomy of a submarine channel–levee: An example from Upper Cretaceous slope sediments,Rosario Formation,Baja California,Mexico

To date, facies architecture models of submarine channel–levees have largely been derived from seismic data, isolated core data and limited field studies. We report field observations of an Upper Cretaceous submarine channel–levee complex within the Rosario Formation, Baja California, Mexico, which provide high-resolution data of lithofacies and ichnofacies distribution, and levee depositional thickness decay along transects perpendicular to the channel axis. Within the levee, both sandstone thickness and the overall proportion of sandstone decrease according to a power law away from the channel axis. Spatial variation in sedimentary structures away from the channel axis is predictable and provides an important link to the depositional flow regime. In channel-proximal locations, structureless sands, parallel lamination, overturned ripples, and ripple cross-lamination (including climbing ripple cross-lamination) are common; in channel-distal localities starved ripples are abundant. Sandstone bed thickness generally increases up stratigraphy within the levee succession, which is interpreted to indicate increasing turbidity current magnitude and/or contemporaneous channel floor aggradation reducing relative levee relief. However, in the most channel-proximal location sandstone bed thickness decreases with height; combined with evidence from both facies and palaeocurrent analysis this allows the position of the levee crest to be inferred. The thickest beds occur at higher levels with increasing distance from the channel axis, using this evidence we present a model for levee growth and migration of the crest.Quantitative analysis of ichnofacies distribution reveals that traces typical of the Cruziana and Skolithos ichnofacies are superimposed over the ‘normal’ background Nereites ichnofacies, forming a ‘bioturbation front’ which is indicative of proximity to the channel. By analogy with modern canyons and channels, the association of Cruziana and Skolithos ichnofacies with the channel may be attributed to oxygen and nutrient enrichment and possible turbidity current transport of organisms responsible for these ichnofacies.     

Geological overview of the Angola–Congo margin,the Congo deep-sea fan and its submarine valleys

The Congo deep-sea fan is one of the largest fans in the world still affected by presently active turbidity currents. The present activity of deep-sea sedimentary processes is linked to the existence of a direct connection between the Congo River estuary and the Congo canyon head that allows relatively continuous sediment feeding of the deep-sea environment, in spite of a wide continental shelf (150 km). Because of this important activity in terms of sedimentary processes, the deep-sea environment of the Congo–Angola margin presents major interests concerning physical, chemical and biological studies near the seafloor.The main aim of this paper is to present the initial geological context of the BioZaire Program, showing a synthesis of the major results of the ZaïAngo Project including (1) the brief geological setting of the Congo–Angola margin, (2) the structure of the modern Congo deep-sea fan, (3) the sedimentary architecture of the recent Congo turbidite system (from the canyon to the distal lobes) and (4) the recent and present turbidite sedimentation. In order to provide useful information and advice relevant to biological and geochemical studies across the Congo sedimentary system, this article is particularly focused on the present sedimentary processes and the present activity of turbidity current along the Congo canyon and channel.     

A seismo-stratigraphic analysis of glaciomarine deposits in the eastern Riiser-Larsen Sea (Antarctica)

Multichannel seismic data from the eastern parts of the Riiser-Larsen Sea have been analyzed with a sequence stratigraphic approach. The data set covers a wide bathymetric range from the lower continental slope to the abyssal plain. Four different sequences (termed RLS-A to RLS-D, from deepest to shallowest) are recognized within the sedimentary section. The RLS-A sequence encompasses the inferred pre-glacial part of the deposits. Initial phases of ice sheet arrival at the eastern Riiser-Larsen Sea margin resulted in the deposition of multiple debris flow units and/or slumps on the upper part of the continental rise (RLS-B). The nature and distribution of these deposits indicate sediment supply from a line or a multi-point source. The subsequent stage of downslope sediment transport activity was dominated by turbidity currents, depositing mainly as distal turbidite sheets on the lower rise/abyssal plain (RLS-C). We attribute this to margin progradation and/or a more focussed sediment delivery to the continental shelf edge. As the accommodation space on the lower rise/abyssal plain declined and the base level was raised, the turbidite channels started to backstep and develop large channel–levee complexes on the upper parts of the continental rise (RLS-D). The deposition of various drift deposits on the lower rise/abyssal plain and along the western margin of the Gunnerus Ridge indicates that the RLS-D sequence is also associated with increased activity of contour currents. The drift deposits overlie a distinct regional unconformity which is considered to reflect a major paleoceanographic event, probably related to a Middle Miocene intensification of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.     

Multi-scale slope instabilities along the Nile deep-sea fan,Egyptian margin: A general overview

The Nile deep-sea fan (NDSF), turbiditic system reaching a size of about 90,000 km², has been investigated since 1998 by several geophysical methods (multibeam bathymetry, backscatter imagery, seismic data, 3–5 kHz echo-sounding). The analysis of this important data set evidenced that the NDSF is the locus of numerous multi-scale slope instabilities. Three main types of instabilities have been defined, mainly on the basis of their size or origin. (1) First type of instabilities related to the generalized gravity spreading of the Plio-Quaternary deep-sea fan on Messinian salt layers. This global spreading is accommodated by numerous localized slides. (2) Second type of instabilities correspond to giant mass movements probably triggered either by earthquakes, fluids, or climate and eustatic oscillations. Finally, (3) third type of instabilities correspond either to localized levee liquefactions or to thin-skinned slides on the steep slopes of the Eratosthenes seamount. The deposits generated by these slope movements greatly participate in the building of the NDSF. The characterization of these different instabilities, in a petroleum province as the NDSF, has important implications in terms of risk assessments when considering drilling operations.     

Controls on the development of valleys,canyons, and unconfined channel–levee complexes on the Pleistocene Slope of East Kalimantan,Indonesia

Shallow 3D seismic data show contrasting depositional patterns in Pleistocene deepwater slopes of offshore East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The northern East Kalimantan slope is dominated by valleys and canyons, while the central slope is dominated by unconfined channel–levee complexes. The Mahakam delta is immediately landward of the central slope and provided large amounts of sediments to the central slope during Pleistocene lowstands of sea level. In the central area, the upper slope contains relatively straight and deep channels. Sinuous channel–levee complexes occur on the middle and lower slope, where channels migrated laterally, then aggraded and avulsed. Younger channel–levee complexes avoided bathymetric highs created by previous channel–levee complexes. Levees decrease in thickness down slope. Relief between channels and levees also decreases down slope.North of the Mahakam delta, siliciclastic sediment supply was limited during the Pleistocene, and the slope is dominated by valleys and canyons. Late Pleistocene rivers and deltas were generally not present on the northern outer shelf. Only one lowstand delta was present on the northern shelf margin during the upper Pleistocene, and sediments from that lowstand delta filled a pre-existing slope valley complex and formed a basin-floor fan. Except for that basin-floor fan, the northern basin floor shows no evidence of sand-rich channels or fans, but contains broad areas with chaotic reflectors interpreted as mass transport complexes. This suggests that slope valleys and canyons formed by slope failures, not by erosion associated with turbidite sands from rivers or deltas. In summary, amount of sediment coming onto the slope determines slope morphology. Large, relatively steady input of sediment from the Pleistocene paleo-Mahakam delta apparently prevented large valleys and canyons from developing on the central slope. In contrast, deep valleys and canyons developed on the northern slope that was relatively “starved” for siliciclastic sediment.     

Stratal attributes and evolution of asymmetric inner- and outer-bend levee deposits associated with an ancient deep-water channel-levee complex within the Isaac Formation, southern Canada

Isaac Channel 3 is a rare outcrop example of a perpendicular cut through a sinuous deep-water channel, and also where levee deposits formed on opposite sides of the channel are well exposed. Strata flanking the outer- and inner-bend margin of the channel show important differences in lithofacies, architecture and association with channel-fill strata. Proximal outer-bend levee deposits are sand-rich (N:G up to 0.68) and comprise medium- to thick-bedded, T_a-d turbidites interstratified with thinly-bedded, T_cd turbidites. The thicker-bedded deposits show lateral variation in grain size and thickness over hundreds of meters whereas thin-bedded strata thin and fine negligibly over similar distances. The distal outer-bend levee (up to 700 m laterally away from the channel) consists predominantly of thin-bedded turbidites interstratified with up to 5 m thick coarse-grained splay deposits. In contrast to the outer-bend, the inner-bend levee deposits are significantly more mud-rich (N:G as low as 0.15) and consist mostly of thin-bedded, T_cd turbidites with less common thicker-bedded, T_a-d turbidites. Lateral thinning and fining trends associated with these less common thicker-bedded deposits occur more rapidly than their outer-bend counterparts.Erosion associated with lateral migration of the channel axis produced a sharp contact along the outer-bend channel margin causing coarse-grained channel-fill deposits to be in erosional contact with levee deposits. This suggests that the crest of the outer-bend levee was elevated above the channel floor and produced a channel margin upon which channel-fill strata onlapped. Positive topography is interpreted to have developed by overspilling processes that deposited abundant sand on the outer-bend levee while the majority of the flow continued through the channel bend and bypassed to areas further downslope. In contrast, some thick-bedded, amalgamated channel-fill deposits in the axial channel area grade laterally over 140 m into thinly-bedded turbidites on the inner-bend levee. The lack of channel-fill on lap relationships implies that topography along the inner bend was sufficiently subtle that at least some flows were able to expand laterally and over the overbank area without becoming separated from the main throughgoing channel flow.Stratal relationships observed in Isaac Channel Complex 3 suggests three main episodes of channel-levee growth that were each initiated by a period of increased levee relief followed by channel filling and distal levee deposition. This consistent depositional history points to the regular variations, in both time and space, of sediment transport and deposition in a deep-marine sinuous channel-levee system.     

Late Pleistocene channel–levee development on Monterey submarine fan, central California

 Much of the modern upper (proximal) Monterey fan is a channel–levee complex, the Upper Turbidite Sequence (UTS), that was deeply eroded after the channel breached a volcanic ridge to reach a deeper base level. Ages of sediment samples collected with the ALVIN submersible from the deepest outcrop within the channel–levee system, 390 m below the adjacent western levee crest, indicate that the UTS deposits accumulated at ≥1 m ka^-1 during the last 500 ka. Neogene and Early Pleistocene sediment accumulation on the fan prior to the UTS was much slower (<0.03 m ka^-1), and underlying turbidite systems(?) had substantially different morphologic expression(s). Received: 10 February 1998 / Revision received: 6 July 1998