Powerful turbidity currents driven by dense basal layers

Charles K. Paull (), Peter J. Talling, Katherine L. Maier, Daniel Parsons, Jingping Xu, David W. Caress, Roberto Gwiazda, Eve M. Lundsten, Krystle Anderson, James P. Barry, Mark Chaffey, Tom O’Reilly, Kurt J. Rosenberger, Jenny A. Gales, Brian Kieft, Mary McGann, Steve M. Simmons, Mike McCann, Esther J. Sumner, Michael A. Clare and Matthieu J. Cartigny
Additional contact information
Charles K. Paull: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Peter J. Talling: Durham University
Katherine L. Maier: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Daniel Parsons: University of Hull
Jingping Xu: Southern University of Science and Technology of China
David W. Caress: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Roberto Gwiazda: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Eve M. Lundsten: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Krystle Anderson: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
James P. Barry: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Mark Chaffey: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Tom O’Reilly: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Kurt J. Rosenberger: U.S. Geological Survey
Jenny A. Gales: University of Southampton Waterfront Campus
Brian Kieft: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Mary McGann: U.S. Geological Survey
Steve M. Simmons: University of Hull
Mike McCann: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Esther J. Sumner: University of Southampton
Michael A. Clare: University of Southampton Waterfront Campus
Matthieu J. Cartigny: Durham University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Seafloor sediment flows (turbidity currents) are among the volumetrically most important yet least documented sediment transport processes on Earth. A scarcity of direct observations means that basic characteristics, such as whether flows are entirely dilute or driven by a dense basal layer, remain equivocal. Here we present the most detailed direct observations yet from oceanic turbidity currents. These powerful events in Monterey Canyon have frontal speeds of up to 7.2 m s−1, and carry heavy (800 kg) objects at speeds of ≥4 m s−1. We infer they consist of fast and dense near-bed layers, caused by remobilization of the seafloor, overlain by dilute clouds that outrun the dense layer. Seabed remobilization probably results from disturbance and liquefaction of loose-packed canyon-floor sand. Surprisingly, not all flows correlate with major perturbations such as storms, floods or earthquakes. We therefore provide a new view of sediment transport through submarine canyons into the deep-sea.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06254-6

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