Publication Date:
2021-02-14
Description:
Off French Guiana and Surinam, NADW and AABW oceanic currents contour the Demerara marginal plateau, which promotes the formation of contourites. We have studied these contourites thanks to a new compilation of high-resolution sub-bottom profiles calibrated by sedimentary cores. The echo-facies and isopach maps we constructed highlight a sedimentary distribution parallel to the isobaths. The presence of moats along the slope is confirmed by the observation of parallel, elongated, sedimentary depleted zones and echo-facies strongly affected by diffraction hyperbola and transparent echo-facies. We interpret these features to be related to eroded slopes and Mass Transport Deposits. In contrast, the sedimentary drifts we mapped are characterized by elongated and thick slope-parallel depocentres displaying bedded echo-facies with wave-like bedforms. According to our interpretation, they result from interactions between currents and the seafloor. Seismic wipe-outs frequently affect those drifts, possibly resulting from high water or organic contents.
Print ISSN:
2324-8858
Electronic ISSN:
2324-8866
Topics:
Geosciences
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