A5026730892- Geological formations and processes
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes
- Geological and Geophysical Studies
- Reservoir Engineering and Simulation Methods
- Geological and Geophysical Studies Worldwide
- earthquake and tectonic studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Landslides and related hazards
- Underwater Acoustics Research
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes
- Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods
- Oil and Gas Production Techniques
National Oceanography Centre
2017-2024
University of Southampton
2017-2024
Delft University of Technology
2019-2022
Runaway turbidity currents stretch into the deep ocean to form largest sediment accumulations on Earth.
Submarine channels have been important throughout geologic time for feeding globally significant volumes of sediment from land to the deep sea. Modern observations show that submarine can be sculpted by supercritical turbidity currents (seafloor flows) generate upstream-migrating bedforms with a crescentic planform. In order accurately interpret flows and depositional environments in record, it is able recognize signature bedforms. Field geologists commonly link scour fills containing...
Rivers (on land) and turbidity currents (in the ocean) are most important sediment transport processes on Earth. Yet how rivers generate as they enter coastal ocean remains poorly understood. The current paradigm, based laboratory experiments, is that triggered when river plumes exceed a threshold concentration of ~1 kg/m3. Here we present direct observations an exceptionally dilute plume, with concentrations 1 order magnitude below this (0.07 kg/m3), which generated fast (1.5 m/s), erosive,...
Abstract Turbidity currents transport prodigious volumes of sediment to the deep sea. But there are very few direct measurements from oceanic turbidity currents, ensuring they poorly understood. Recent studies have used acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) measure velocity profiles currents. However, were no detailed concentration, which is a critical parameter because it provides driving force and debate centers on whether flows dilute or dense. Here we provide most yet concentration...
This study analyzes turbidity currents across multiple systems using high-resolution oceanographic datasets and laboratory experiments. By comparing velocity trends throughout the currents, we identify two end-member types: short surge flows where peak is followed by rapid decay in sustained a prolonged near constant velocity. Variability explored key parameters, including trigger, system type, slope, grain size, distance offshore. The findings demonstrate that no single parameter explains...
Abstract Meandering channels formed by geophysical flows (e.g., rivers and seafloor turbidity currents) include the most extensive sediment transport systems on Earth. Previous measurements from show how helical flow at meander bends plays a key role in deposition. Turbidity currents differ both density velocity profiles. These differences, lack of field currents, have led to multiple models for their around bends. Here we present first submarine currents. 10 lasted 1–10 days, were up ~80 m...
Abstract Submarine channels deliver globally important volumes of sediments, nutrients, contaminants and organic carbon into the deep sea. Knickpoints are significant topographic features found within numerous submarine channels, which most likely play an role in channel evolution behaviour sediment‐laden flows (turbidity currents) that traverse them. Although prior research has linked supercritical turbidity currents to formation both knickpoints smaller crescentic bedforms, relationship...
Offshore geological hazards can occur in any marine domain or environment and represent a serious threat to society, the economy, environment. Seismicity, slope sedimentary instabilities, submarine volcanism, fluid flow processes, bottom currents are considered here because they most common hazardous processes; tsunamis also examined secondary hazard generated mostly by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions. The co-occur interact, inducing cascading sequence of events, especially certain contexts,...
We present a multidisciplinary study of morphology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, tectonic structure, and physical oceanography to report that the complex geomorphology Palomares continental margin adjacent Algerian abyssal plain (i.e., Gulf Vera, Western Mediterranean), is result sedimentary response Aguilas Arc indentation in Eurasian–Africa plate collision. The imprinted on basement with elongated metamorphic antiforms are pierced by igneous bodies, synforms accommodate deformation create...
Two Quaternary plastered contourite drifts, with terraced and low-mounded morphologies, make up the continental slope base-of-slope in northwestern Alboran Sea, respectively, between Guadiaro Baños turbidite systems, close to Strait of Gibraltar. Considering their significant lateral extent, link drift deposits landslides may be particularly important for hazard assessment. The physical properties, composition geometry drifts have been proposed as key factors stability, although this...
Abstract Submarine channels are key features for the transport of flow and nutrients into deep water. Previous studies their morphology channel evolution have treated these systems as abiotic, therefore assume that physical processes solely responsible morphological development. Here, a unique dataset is utilised includes spatial measurements around bend hosts active sediment gravity flows. The data include velocity density, alongside bed grain size channel‐floor benthic macrofauna. Analysis...
Meandering channels host geophysical flows that form the most extensive sediment transport systems on Earth (i.e. rivers and submarine channels). Measurements of helical flow structures in bends have been key to understanding rivers. Turbidity currents differ from both density velocity profiles. These differences, lack field measurements turbidity currents, led multiple models for their flow. Here we present first ocean. ten lasted between one days, had up ~80-metre thickness, all displayed...
Earth and Space Science Open Archive This preprint has been submitted to is under consideration at Geophysical Research Letters. ESSOAr a venue for early communication or feedback before peer review. Data may be preliminary.Learn more about preprints preprintOpen AccessYou are viewing the latest version by default [v1]Global monitoring data shows grain size controls turbidity current structureAuthors Daniela Vendettuoli iD Michael Andrew Clare Esther Joanne Sumner Matthieu J.B. Cartigny...
<p>Turbidity currents are powerful submarine density flows that travel towards the deep-sea carrying huge amounts of suspended sediment. The flow capacity keeping sediment in turbidity controls duration, which can last from minutes to days. Sediment is entrained when triggered, or erode seafloor and suspend additional their downslope path. Eventually, settles form deposits on seafloor. Therefore, composition after passage current depends initial erosion, reworking bed...
The scale of submarine channels can rival or exceed those formed on land and they form many the largest sedimentary deposits Earth. Turbidity currents that carve pose a major hazard to offshore cables pipelines, transport globally significant amounts organic carbon. Alongside primary channels, systems also exhibit range headless which often abruptly terminate at steep headscarps. These enigmatic features are widespread in lakes ocean floors, either as branches off main channel thalweg...