Shelf morphology and surficial sediment off Central and Northern South West Africa (Namibia)

The continental margin is divisible in two at latitude 18°40/S based on the shelf morphology and the composition of the surficial sediment. North of this latitude, the Kunene Shelf is narrow (Av. 44 km) with a terrigenous sediment cover whereas southwards from there, the Walvis Shelf is wide (Av. 119 km), deep (Av. shelf-break depth 361 m), and dominated by biogenic components. Locally, the Walvis Shelf is sculptured by basement faulting and marginal fractures and the inner shelf has been modified by upbuilding. Sediment slumping on the slopes of both regions was a common phenomenon during the Quaternary. Reproduced under Copyright Authority 7628 of 26/2/81 of the Government Printer of the Republic of South Africa.