Rapidly-migrating and internally-generated knickpoints can control submarine channel evolution

Maarten S. Heijnen (), Michael A. Clare, Matthieu J. B. Cartigny, Peter J. Talling, Sophie Hage, D. Gwyn Lintern, Cooper Stacey, Daniel R. Parsons, Stephen M. Simmons, Ye Chen, Esther J. Sumner, Justin K. Dix and John E. Hughes Clarke
Additional contact information
Maarten S. Heijnen: National Oceanography Centre
Michael A. Clare: National Oceanography Centre
Matthieu J. B. Cartigny: University of Durham
Peter J. Talling: University of Durham
Sophie Hage: University of Southampton
D. Gwyn Lintern: Geological Survey of Canada
Cooper Stacey: Geological Survey of Canada
Daniel R. Parsons: University of Hull
Stephen M. Simmons: University of Hull
Ye Chen: University of Hull
Esther J. Sumner: University of Southampton
Justin K. Dix: University of Southampton
John E. Hughes Clarke: University of New Hampshire

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Submarine channels are the primary conduits for terrestrial sediment, organic carbon, and pollutant transport to the deep sea. Submarine channels are far more difficult to monitor than rivers, and thus less well understood. Here we present 9 years of time-lapse mapping of an active submarine channel along its full length in Bute Inlet, Canada. Past studies suggested that meander-bend migration, levee-deposition, or migration of (supercritical-flow) bedforms controls the evolution of submarine channels. We show for the first time how rapid (100–450 m/year) upstream migration of 5-to-30 m high knickpoints can control submarine channel evolution. Knickpoint migration-related changes include deep (>25 m) erosion, and lateral migration of the channel. Knickpoints in rivers are created by external factors, such as tectonics, or base-level change. However, the knickpoints in Bute Inlet appear internally generated. Similar knickpoints are found in several submarine channels worldwide, and are thus globally important for how channels operate.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16861-x

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