Formation of submarine canyons on the flanks of the Canary Islands |
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Authors: | S. Krastel H.-U. Schmincke C. Jacobs |
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Affiliation: | GEOMAR, Abteilung Vulkanologie und Petrologie, Wischhofstr. 1–3, 24148 Kiel, Germany, Southampton Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK,
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Abstract: | Detailed morphological data collected from the submarine flanks of the Canary Islands have revealed numerous submarine canyons down to water depths of >3,000 m. These canyons are interpreted to have formed by submarine erosion. We postulate formation of proto-canyons by downslope-eroding mass flows which originate on land, enter the sea, and continue below sea level for several tens of kilometers. Once proto-canyons have been formed, they become deepened by further erosion and failures of the canyon walls and/or floor. Large amounts of sediments, funnelled through the canyons from the islands into the adjacent deep-ocean sedimentary basins, play an important role in the evolution of volcanic aprons surrounding ocean islands. Some major canyon systems appear to have persisted for at least 14 million years. |
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