西南印度洋洋中脊热液活动区综合地质地球物理特征

西南印度洋洋中脊(SWIR)是超慢速扩张洋脊的代表,是海洋地学研究热点.本文从SWIR多波束水深数据、重、磁数据和地震结构等几方面,阐述了SWIR热液活动区(49°39′ E)的综合地质地球物理特征.SWIR热液活动不仅与扩张速率有关,构造作用更是一个重要控制因素;热液活动区位于Indomed和Gallieni转换断层之间,从水深地形上看,该区段洋脊是SWIR上水深最浅的区域之一,水深与MBA存在良好的镜像关系,MBA和RMBA低值意味着较厚的地壳厚度与较高的地幔温度,洋脊段27地壳厚度大于9 km,可能是受到Crozet热点的影响;磁条带数据表明,此区段洋脊南北两翼呈不对称扩张,形成南翼的浅离轴域比北翼宽;在洋脊段28发现的活动热液喷口刚好位于热液蚀变形成的低磁强区内,具有良好的硫化物资源.这些认识必将为在该区首次实施的三维地震探测研究的地质地球物理解释及活动热液喷口的动力学机制研究打下坚实基础.     

超慢速扩张西南印度洋中脊硫化物成矿模型

洋中脊多金属硫化物已经成为人类重要的战略资源,科学的成矿模型是对其调查研究和勘探的重要依据.相较快速、慢速扩张洋中脊,超慢速扩张洋中脊在岩浆供给、构造和围岩等特征均存在明显差异,但目前对其热液循环及硫化物成矿模型缺乏系统梳理,制约了其资源勘探评价与研究的有效进程.本文系统总结了超慢速扩张西南印度洋中脊热液活动分布以及典型热液区的构造、热源、热液通道、围岩类型、流体性质和硫化物等特征,根据其成矿地质背景的差异性特点将该洋中脊赋存的热液系统分为局部强岩浆控制型、单向拆离/高角度大偏移距断层控制型以及双向拆离控制型三类,根据岩浆供给率(M值)的大小进一步将其划分为五种类型,从而建立了超慢速扩张西南印度洋中脊的局部强热供给-深大断裂控制硫化物成矿模型.超慢速扩张西南印度洋中脊扩张速率整体变化不大(14～18mm/a),岩浆供给呈分段不均匀性.通过近20年的调查研究,发现其发育类型多样的热液系统和硫化物.在岩浆供给充足的洋脊段,发育局部强岩浆供给条件下的深部岩浆房(4～9km).而在岩浆供给贫瘠的洋脊段,发育长期持续活动的深大拆离断层(可达13km),并沿拆离断层形成成矿带.因而超慢速扩张洋脊具...     

西南印度洋中脊49.5°E离轴地壳结构

超慢速扩张西南印度洋中脊岩浆的集中供给在空间维度上表现为岩浆扩张段（NVR）与相邻的非转换断层不连续带（NTD）地壳结构的差异,而在时间维度上表现为离轴与沿轴地壳结构的差异.为了进一步揭示岩浆集中供给的时空分布特征,本文选取西南印度洋中脊热液区2010年海底地震仪深部探测中平行于洋中脊距轴部偏北约10 km的离轴测线d0d10,使用射线追踪正演和反演的方法,得到了NVR和NTD北侧离轴区域的地壳及上地幔P波速度结构,并与轴部速度结构进行了对比分析.研究结果表明：（1）NTD北侧离轴区域的地壳厚度约5.2 km,其厚度明显大于轴部NTD下方地壳厚度（~3.2 km）,由此推测洋脊轴部NTD区域形成的地壳在不断减薄;（2）NVR北侧离轴区域的地壳厚度约7.0 km,其厚度亦大于轴部NVR地壳厚度（~5.8 km）,表明在洋中脊演化过程中洋脊轴区域的岩浆供给在不断减少,其活动性在不断减弱.     

洋中脊构造及地震调查现状

介绍了洋中脊的全球分布和构造特征,对全球主要的、不同扩张速率的洋中脊进行了分类和列表描述;对洋中脊的构造特征,如地形特征、地壳厚度与扩张速率的关系及扩张轴下的岩浆房的特征、洋中脊与地幔柱的相互作用进行了阐述。回顾了海底地震仪在洋中脊构造调查中的应用及取得的主要成果。简要介绍了我国将用海底地震仪开展洋中脊构造调查的技术路线。     

西南印度洋超慢速扩张洋脊的岩浆一构造旋回：来自轴部火山洋脊地形变化和深海丘陵样式的证据

综合利用洋脊轴部的深拖侧扫声纳资料和轴外的水深数据,研究了超慢速扩张的西南印度洋洋脊处洋壳增生过程的瞬时变化。在洋脊各段的侧扫声纳图像中可以观察到轴部火山洋脊的长度与高度的差异,及这些火山建造不同的变形程度。这些差异是由于轴部火山洋脊处于其生命演化周期的不同发育阶段,包括火山建造期和构造裂解期。利用轴外侧的水深数据确定了每个洋脊段中许多大小均匀的深海丘陵。这些深海丘陵均显示不对称的形状,面向轴部为陡峭的断层崖,背向轴部为平缓倾斜的火山岩斜坡。这些深海丘陵是被运移到两翼的、已被裂解的早期轴部火山洋脊的残留,它们形成于连续的岩浆建造期和构造裂解期之中,即一个岩浆-构造旋回。在厚地壳的洋脊区段观察到大型深海丘陵,而在薄地壳的洋脊区段观察到小型深海丘陵。这说明岩浆供给量控制着深海丘陵的大小。在薄地壳的洋脊区段,深海丘陵有规律地等间隔排列,表明岩浆一构造循环的伪周期性过程持续约0．4ma,比厚地壳的洋脊区段的周期时间短4～6倍。我们认为,有规律的深海丘陵样式与长寿命洋脊段下部几乎恒定的岩浆持续供给有关。相比之下,在岩浆供给急剧减少并极不连续的情况下,不再存在有规律的深海丘陵样式。     

西南印度洋构造地貌与构造过程

基于高精度地形数据,将西南印度洋中脊（11.88°E—66.75°E）分为6个区域,按不同区域分析洋脊轴部形态及其两侧基底沉降曲线的变化,由此探讨西南印度洋中脊的岩浆活动及其受热点影响的机制。结果显示：① 对于整个西南印度洋中脊,轴部隆起占13.38%,轴部裂谷占82.8%,平坦过渡形占3.82%,其中19°E,36°E,41.2°E,43.7°E,50.4°E和64.5°E等处为较集中的洋脊轴部隆起;② 埃里克辛普森—英多姆转换断层之间的区域（39.4°E—45.77°E）显示出异常浅的轴部裂谷和异常小且南北不对称的基底沉降速率,这表明埃里克辛普森—英多姆转换断层之间的区域是热点对洋中脊影响较为明显的区域,南侧较北侧异常小的基底沉降速率表明热点与洋中脊的相互作用主要表现为热点岩浆从洋中脊南部向上流动到岩石圈底部,然后与岩石圈发生相互作用。     

西南印度洋中脊地质构造特征及其地球动力学意义

西南印度洋中脊（SWIR）增生的洋壳面积仅占印度洋的15%左右,但其具有比东南印度洋中脊和西北印度洋中脊更悠久而复杂的演化历史.基于已有的地质、地球物理和地球化学等资料,系统总结了SWIR的地质构造特征,并讨论了SWIR的演化过程、洋脊地幔的不均一性、洋脊周边海底高原成因等核心问题.SWIR地形中段高、东西两段低,空间重力异常基本与地形变化一致.按转换断层一级边界可将SWIR划分为20个一级段.SWIR的磁异常条带呈现两端渐进式分布和中段带状分布特征,对应洋脊的三期演化历史.SWIR的地幔源区极不均一,尤其是中新元古代造山带根部集中拆离的中段.源区地幔的不均一性与大陆裂解和洋脊演化过程密切相关.SWIR的东端与西北印度洋中脊和东南印度洋中脊的邻近洋脊段具有地球化学亲缘性,西端与大西洋中脊和南美洲—南极洲洋中脊的邻近洋脊段具有地球化学亲缘性,这与SWIR的渐近式扩张有关.SWIR周边海底高原普遍具有较大的地壳厚度,其成因除了陆壳基底之外,可能与热点火山作用、热点-洋脊相互作用或热点-三联点相互作用有关,目前尚未形成统一的认识.SWIR的形成演化及其作用域内的熔融异常（如海底高原）是冈瓦纳大陆裂解、残留岩石圈地幔、软流圈地幔和深部地幔热柱物质共同作用的结果.了解SWIR的演化过程对揭示冈瓦纳大陆的裂解过程和印度洋的演化具有重要意义.

     

西南印度洋中脊地质构造特征及其地球动力学意义

西南印度洋中脊（SWIR）增生的洋壳面积仅占印度洋的15%左右,但其具有比东南印度洋中脊和西北印度洋中脊更悠久而复杂的演化历史.基于已有的地质、地球物理和地球化学等资料,系统总结了SWIR的地质构造特征,并讨论了SWIR的演化过程、洋脊地幔的不均一性、洋脊周边海底高原成因等核心问题.SWIR地形中段高、东西两段低,空间重力异常基本与地形变化一致.按转换断层一级边界可将SWIR划分为20个一级段.SWIR的磁异常条带呈现两端渐进式分布和中段带状分布特征,对应洋脊的三期演化历史.SWIR的地幔源区极不均一,尤其是中新元古代造山带根部集中拆离的中段.源区地幔的不均一性与大陆裂解和洋脊演化过程密切相关.SWIR的东端与西北印度洋中脊和东南印度洋中脊的邻近洋脊段具有地球化学亲缘性,西端与大西洋中脊和南美洲—南极洲洋中脊的邻近洋脊段具有地球化学亲缘性,这与SWIR的渐近式扩张有关.SWIR周边海底高原普遍具有较大的地壳厚度,其成因除了陆壳基底之外,可能与热点火山作用、热点-洋脊相互作用或热点-三联点相互作用有关,目前尚未形成统一的认识.SWIR的形成演化及其作用域内的熔融异常（如海底高原）是冈瓦纳大陆裂解、残留岩石圈地幔、软流圈地幔和深部地幔热柱物质共同作用的结果.了解SWIR的演化过程对揭示冈瓦纳大陆的裂解过程和印度洋的演化具有重要意义.     

90Ma以来热点与西南印度洋中脊的交互作用：海台与板内海山的形成

本文研究了西南印度洋底地幔热点．洋中脊交互作用与海台、海山形成的关系．先利用板块重构确定了西南印度洋区域中热点与洋中脊相对位置及海台、海山的形成年代,然后通过水深异常和艾里均衡模式计算了相应热点的岩浆熔融通量．计算结果显示,自90Ma以来,马里昂（Marion）热点的活动可分为三个阶段：与古罗德里格斯（Rodrigues）三联点相互作用阶段（90～73．6Ma）、与西南印度洋中脊相互作用阶段（73．6～42．7Ma）及板内火山活动阶段（42．7～0Ma）．这三个阶段分别对应于德尔卡诺隆起（Del Cano Rise）的东部、中部和西部区域洋底海台的形成．马里昂热点的活动强度和周期性明显受到了热点离洋中脊距离的影响．马里昂热点的活动周期约为25Ma,长过夏威夷和冰岛热点的活动周期（约15Ma）．     

Geochemistry of basalts from the Indian Ocean triple junction: implications for the generation and evolution of Indian Ocean ridge basalts

Basalts dredged from ridge axes within 70 km of the Indian Ocean triple junction in the western Indian Ocean have many geochemical and petrologic characteristics in common with depleted mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) from the Atlantic and Pacific. For example there is overlap in major and trace element abundances, and in diagnostic ratios such as K/Rb (700–925) and La/Sm (less than chondritic). Also, glass inclusions in calcic plagioclase (An_89–90) provide evidence for a primitive high Mg/Fe, low TiO₂ melt. In contrast, basalts dredged from 250 to 400 km southwest of the triple junction on the Southwest Indian Ridge are compositionally distinct from depleted MORB. They are nepheline-normative or slightly hypersthene normative and have higher alkali metal and incompatible element abundances than depleted MORBs with similar MgO contents.All of these Indian Ocean basalts have Sr, Nd and Pb isotope ratios which corroborate previous studies showing that relative to depleted Atlantic and Pacific MORB, many Indian Ocean MORBs have low²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and high⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. However, individual Indian Ocean ridges have different radiogenic isotope characteristics, and basalts from the vicinity of the triple junction have unusually high⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (∼ 0.7032) at low²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios (17.3–18.2). Moreover, the shallow axial region of the Central Indian Ridge from ∼ 12°S to the triple junction (26°S) has high⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (> 0.7030). Apparently, the depleted component of Indian Ocean MORBs has been contaminated by an isotopically unusual component which does not occur in Pacific and Atlantic MORBs, and is not dominant in basalts from many Indian Ocean islands. The degree of this contamination is not uniform in western Indian Ocean MORB; the most contaminated basalts occur from 12°S on the Central Indian Ridge to the triple junction (∼ 26°S) and easterly along the Southeast Indian Ridge to ∼ 72°E.     

The Reykjanes Ridge: structure and tectonics of a hot-spot-influenced, slow-spreading ridge, from multibeam bathymetry, gravity and magnetic investigations

We report a comprehensive morphological, gravity and magnetic survey of the oblique- and slow-spreading Reykjanes Ridge near the Iceland mantle plume. The survey extends from 57.9°N to 62.1°N and from the spreading axis to between 30 km (3 Ma) and 100 km (10 Ma) off-axis; it includes 100 km of one arm of a diachronous ‘V-shaped' or ‘chevron' ridge. Observed isochrons are extremely linear and 28° oblique to the spreading normal with no significant offsets. Along-axis there are ubiquitous, en-echelon axial volcanic ridges (AVRs), sub-normal to the spreading direction, with average spacing of 14 km and overlap of about one third of their lengths. Relict AVRs occur off-axis, but are most obvious where there has been least axial faulting, suggesting that elsewhere they are rapidly eroded tectonically. AVRs maintain similar plan views but have reduced heights nearer Iceland. They are flanked by normal faults sub-parallel to the ridge axis, the innermost of which occur slightly closer to the axis towards Iceland, suggesting a gradual reduction of the effective lithospheric thickness there. Generally, the amplitude of faulting decreases towards Iceland. We interpret this pattern of AVRs and faults as the response of the lithosphere to oblique spreading, as suggested by theory and physical modelling. An axial, 10–15 km wide zone of high acoustic backscatter marks the most recent volcanic activity. The zone's width is independent of the presence of a median valley, so axial volcanism is not primarily delimited by median valley walls, but is probably controlled by the lateral distance that the oblique AVRs can propagate into off-axis lithosphere. The mantle Bouguer anomaly (MBA) exhibits little mid- to short-wavelength variation above a few milliGals, and along-axis variations are small compared with other parts of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Nevertheless, there are small axial deeps and MBA highs spaced some 130 km along-axis that may represent subdued third-order segment boundaries. They lack coherent off-axis traces and cannot be linked to Oligocene fracture zones on the ridge flanks. The surveyed chevron ridge is morphologically discontinuous, comprising several parallel bands of closely spaced, elevated blocks. These reflect the surrounding tectonic fabric but have higher fault scarps. There is no evidence for off-axis volcanism or greater abundance of seamounts on the chevron. Free-air gravity over it is greater than expected from the observed bathymetry, suggesting compensation via regional rather than pointwise isostasy. Most of the observed variation along the ridge can be ascribed to varying distance from the mantle plume, reflecting changes in mantle temperature and consequently in crustal thickness and lithospheric strength. However, a second-order variation is superimposed. In particular, between 59°30′N and 61°30′N there is a minimum of large-scale faulting and crustal magnetisation, maximum density of seamounts, and maximum axial free-air gravity high. To the north the scale of faulting increases slightly, seamounts are less common, and there is a relative axial free-air low. We interpret the 59°30′N to 61°30′N region as where the latest chevron ridge intersects the Reykjanes Ridge axis, and suggest that the morphological changes that culminate there reflect a local temperature high associated with a transient pulse of high plume output at its apex.     

西南印度洋岩浆补给特征研究:来自洋壳厚度的证据

西南印度洋中脊为典型的超慢速扩张洋中脊,其岩浆补给具有不均匀分布的特征.洋壳厚度是洋中脊和热点岩浆补给的综合反映,因此反演洋壳厚度是研究大尺度洋中脊和洋盆岩浆补给过程的一种有效方法.本文通过对全球公开的自由空气重力异常、水深、沉积物厚度和洋壳年龄数据处理得到剩余地幔布格重力异常,并反演西南印度洋地区洋壳厚度,定量地分析了西南印度洋的洋壳厚度分布及其岩浆补给特征.研究发现,西南印度洋洋壳平均厚度7.5 km,但变化较大,标准差可达3.5 km,洋壳厚度的频率分布具有双峰式的混合偏态分布特征.通过分离双峰统计的结果,将西南印度洋洋壳厚度分为0~4.8 km的薄洋壳、4.8~9.8 km的正常洋壳和9.8~24 km的厚洋壳三种类型,洋中脊地区按洋壳厚度变化特征可划分为7个洋脊段.西南印度洋地区薄洋壳受转换断层控制明显,转换断层位移量越大,引起的洋壳减薄厚度越大,减薄范围与转换断层位移量不存在明显相关性.厚洋壳主要受控于该区众多的热点活动,其中布维热点、马里昂热点和克洛泽热点的影响范围分别约340 km,550 km和900 km.Andrew Bain转换断层北部外角形成厚的洋壳,具有与快速扩张洋中脊相似的转换断层厚洋壳特征.

     

Late amagmatic extension along the central and eastern segments of the West Philippine Basin fossil spreading axis

The spreading processes within the West Philippine Basin (WPB) remain partly unknown. This study presents an analysis of the tectono-magmatic processes that happened along its spreading axis during the conclusion of the last spreading phase at 33/30 Ma. We demonstrate that the late episode of N-S opening from an E-W-trending spreading system has been followed by a late tectonic event occurring in the central and eastern parts of the basin. This event was responsible for transtensional strain accommodated along the NW-SE faults cutting through the former E-W rift valley in the central part of the basin. In its eastern part, the same event occurred at a larger extent and led to the creation of a new NW-SE axis, obliquely cutting the older E-W spreading segments and their associated spreading fabrics. At this location, several tens of kilometers of slightly oblique amagmatic extension occurred following a ∼60° direction. We propose that this late event is associated with the onset of E-W opening of the Parece-Vela Basin located along the eastern border of the WPB at 30 Ma. Extensive stresses within this basin were probably transmitted to the hot and easily deformable rift zone of the WPB. The newly-created NW-SE axis most likely propagated from east to west, being responsible for scissors opening within the WPB. NE-SW extension ceased when well-organized spreading started at 26 Ma in Parece-Vela Basin, accommodating entirely the global extensive stress pattern.     

Melt-filled hybrid fractures in the oceanic mantle: Melt enhanced deformation during along-axis flow beneath a propagating spreading ridge axis

Mid-ocean ridges represent important locations for understanding the interactions between deformation and melt production, transport, and emplacement. Melt transport through the mantle beneath mid-ocean ridges is closely associated with deformation. Currently recognized transport and emplacement processes at ridges include: 1) dikes and sills filling stress-controlled fractures, 2) porous flow in a divergent flow field, 3) self-organizing porous dunite channels, and 4) shear zones. Our recent observations from the sub-oceanic mantle beneath a propagating ridge axis in the Oman ophiolite show that gabbronorite and olivine gabbro dikes fill hybrid fractures that show both shear and extensional components of strain. The magnitudes of shear strain recorded by the dikes are significant and comparable to the longitudinal extensions across the dikes. We suggest that the hybrid dikes form from the interactions between shear deformation and pressurized melt in regions of along-axis flow at mid-ocean ridges. The displacement across the dikes is kinematically compatible with high temperature flow recorded by plastic fabrics in host peridotites. Field observations and mechanical considerations indicate that the dikes record conditions of higher stress and lower temperature than those recorded by the plastic flow fabrics. The features of hybrid dikes suggest formation during progressive deformation as conditions changed from penetrative plastic flow to strain localization along melt-filled fractures. The combined dataset indicates that the dikes are formed during along-axis flow away from regions of diapiric upwelling at propagating ridge segments. Hybrid dikes provide a potentially powerful kinematic indicator and strain recorder and define a previously unrecognized mechanism of melt migration. Our calculations show that hybrid dikes require less melt pressure to form than purely tensile dikes and thus may provide a mechanism to tap melt reservoirs that are under-pressurized with respect to lithostatic pressure.     

Normal faults in an accretionary complex formed at trench-trench-ridge triple junction, as an indicator of angle between the trench and subducted ridge

Abstract Normal faults parallel to the trend of an active ridge are formed in the accretionary prism at trench-trench-ridge triple junction, due to continuous spreading of the subducted ridge. Normal faults are observed in the Nabae and Mugi sub-belts, accretionary zones formed by ridge subduction in the Shimanto Belt. Igneous and sedimentary dykes intrude through the previous normal faults. Using these fault and dyke data, intermediate principal axis of stress relating to the normal faulting is determined, and is fitted to the trend of the subducted ridge. Normal faults formed by ridge subduction are useful for plate reconstruction.     

Sulfide metallogenic model for the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge

Polymetallic sulfides present in mid-ocean ridges(MORs) have become important strategic resources for humans, and a scientific metallogenic model is necessary for the investigation and exploration of these resources. Compared to fast-and slow-spreading MORs, ultraslow-spreading MORs show substantial differences in magma supply, tectonic activity, and oceanic crust structures. However, information on hydrothermal circulation and a metallogenic model related to sulfides along the ultraslow-spreadi...     

Preliminary analysis of the Knipovich Ridge segmentation: influence of focused magmatism and ridge obliquity on an ultraslow spreading system

Bathymetry, gravity and deep-tow sonar image data are used to define the segmentation of a 400 km long portion of the ultraslow-spreading Knipovich Ridge in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea, Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Discrete volcanic centers marked by large volcanic constructions and accompanying short wavelength mantle Bouguer anomaly (MBA) lows generally resemble those of the Gakkel Ridge and the easternmost Southwest Indian Ridge. These magmatically robust segment centers are regularly spaced about 85-100 km apart along the ridge, and are characterized by accumulated hummocky terrain, high relief, off-axis seamount chains and significant MBA lows. We suggest that these eruptive centers correspond to areas of enhanced magma flux, and that their spacing reflects the geometry of underlying mantle upwelling cells. The large-scale thermal structure of the mantle primarily controls discrete and focused magmatism, and the relatively wide spacing of these segments may reflect cool mantle beneath the ridge. Segment centers along the southern Knipovich Ridge are characterized by lower relief and smaller MBA anomalies than along the northern section of the ridge. This suggests that ridge obliquity is a secondary control on ridge construction on the Knipovich Ridge, as the obliquity changes from 35° to 49° from north to south, respectively, while spreading rate and axial depth remain approximately constant. The increased obliquity may contribute to decreased effective spreading rates, lower upwelling magma velocity and melt formation, and limited horizontal dike propagation near the surface. We also identify small, magmatically weaker segments with low relief, little or no MBA anomaly, and no off-axis expression. We suggest that these segments are either fed by lateral melt migration from adjacent magmatically stronger segments or represent smaller, discrete mantle upwelling centers with short-lived melt supply.     

The impact of internal waves on upper continental slopes: insights from the Mozambican margin (southwest Indian Ocean)

Evidences of sedimentation affected by oceanic circulation, such as nepheloid layers and contourites are often observed along continental slopes. However, the oceanographic processes controlling sedimentation along continental margins remain poorly understood. Multibeam bathymetry and high-resolution seismic reflection data revealed a contourite depositional system in the Mozambican upper continental slope composed of a contourite terrace (a surface with a gentle seaward slope dominated by erosion) and a plastered drift (a convex-shape sedimentary deposit). A continuous alongslope channel and a field of sand dunes (mainly migrating upslope), formed during Holocene, were identified in the contourite terrace at the present seafloor. Seismic reflection data of the water column show internal waves and boluses propagating in the pycnocline near the upper slope. The channel and the dunes are probably the result of the interaction of the observed internal waves with the seafloor under two different conditions. The alongslope channel is located in a zone where intense barotropic tidal currents may arrest internal solitary waves, generating a hydraulic jump and focused erosion. However, upslope migrating dunes may be formed by bottom currents induced by internal solitary waves of elevation propagating landwards in the pycnocline. These small-scale sedimentary features generated by internal waves are superimposed on large-scale contouritic deposits, such as plastered drifts and contourite terraces, which are related to geostrophic currents. These findings provide new insights into the oceanographic processes that control sedimentation along continental margins that will help interpretation of palaeoceanographic conditions from the sedimentary record. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd