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

The western part of the Gulf of Cadiz: contour currents and turbidity currents interactions
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.
0276-0460
31-41
Mulder, T.
d7427cfd-88d1-48c3-89d8-d286a399ecac
Lecroart, P.
062413b1-45f8-4867-a4fe-23c62c52ea0b
Hanquiez, V.
05032c8e-6334-42cc-9474-5870fbde2532
Marches, E.
77aa1f5f-b556-424a-83c6-578f69d48e9f
Gonthier, E.
513c897a-bce9-4532-a8e7-bc664614ede7
Guedes, J.C.
e1e9b9f5-8e7a-4ece-835b-89cfa4805e9c
Thiebot, E.
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Jaaidi, B.
76744a96-69b8-48f8-8ff0-ddada1eb56e7
Kenyon, N.
c6183990-a813-4e47-ae32-6f5dfba80d45
Voisset, M.
981556fd-5b78-4fd2-a06e-610e8141f36a
Perez, C.
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Sayago, M.
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Fuchey, Y.
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Bujan, S.
bd30050b-d567-4243-940b-931fd4dca920
Mulder, T.
d7427cfd-88d1-48c3-89d8-d286a399ecac
Lecroart, P.
062413b1-45f8-4867-a4fe-23c62c52ea0b
Hanquiez, V.
05032c8e-6334-42cc-9474-5870fbde2532
Marches, E.
77aa1f5f-b556-424a-83c6-578f69d48e9f
Gonthier, E.
513c897a-bce9-4532-a8e7-bc664614ede7
Guedes, J.C.
e1e9b9f5-8e7a-4ece-835b-89cfa4805e9c
Thiebot, E.
8322af77-f099-46ae-8d0e-8fc88ad99105
Jaaidi, B.
76744a96-69b8-48f8-8ff0-ddada1eb56e7
Kenyon, N.
c6183990-a813-4e47-ae32-6f5dfba80d45
Voisset, M.
981556fd-5b78-4fd2-a06e-610e8141f36a
Perez, C.
48c10912-3582-4bc0-9f81-f0cc5856770f
Sayago, M.
34ffa345-9285-42f4-bf4a-f0ec23c902b2
Fuchey, Y.
0b492277-9d42-4a13-b457-c58de814a7fc
Bujan, S.
bd30050b-d567-4243-940b-931fd4dca920

Mulder, T., Lecroart, P., Hanquiez, V., Marches, E., Gonthier, E., Guedes, J.C., Thiebot, E., Jaaidi, B., Kenyon, N., Voisset, M., Perez, C., Sayago, M., Fuchey, Y. and Bujan, S. (2006) The western part of the Gulf of Cadiz: contour currents and turbidity currents interactions. Geo-Marine Letters, 26 (1), 31-41. (doi:10.1007/s00367-005-0013-z).

Record type: Article

Abstract

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.

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Published date: 2006

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 24573
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/24573
ISSN: 0276-0460
PURE UUID: b8f01756-47b3-4264-8726-9c50cdf0d1ce

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Date deposited: 29 Mar 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 06:56

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Contributors

Author: T. Mulder
Author: P. Lecroart
Author: V. Hanquiez
Author: E. Marches
Author: E. Gonthier
Author: J.C. Guedes
Author: E. Thiebot
Author: B. Jaaidi
Author: N. Kenyon
Author: M. Voisset
Author: C. Perez
Author: M. Sayago
Author: Y. Fuchey
Author: S. Bujan

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