Global distribution of large submarine canyons: Geomorphic differences between active and passive continental margins

Harris, Peter T.; Whiteway, Tanya

doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2011.05.008

Cited by 510 publications

(420 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…The Mediterranean Sea is a semi-enclosed basin characterised by more than 500 submarine canyons widespread along the continental margin (Harris & Whiteway, 2011). Some of them, mostly in the western Mediterranean, have long been investigated in relation to their morpho-sedimentology and oceanographic processes (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macro- and megafauna recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic, Mediterranean Sea) using different tools

et al. 2015

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Macro- and megafauna were recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea) during an oceanographic cruise carried out in May-June 2012 and an experimental fishing survey conducted in November 2013. During the former, a total of 20 benthic samples were taken using a Van Veen grab at depths between 268 and 770 m and 4 deployments of a baited lander, for about 43 hours of video records, were carried out at depths between 443 and 788 m. During the latter, 8 longline fishing operations were conducted from 338 down to 612 m. Eighty-five living benthic and benthopelagic species were recorded: 29 Porifera, 1 Cnidaria, 2 Mollusca, 11 Annelida, 1 Arthropoda, 19 Bryozoa, 3 Echinodermata and 19 Chordata. A total of 51 species are new records for the Bari Canyon, 29 new records for the Adriatic Sea. Among the Porifera Cerbaris curvispiculifer is a new addition for the Italian Sponge Fauna. The first certain record of living specimens for the bryozoan Crisia tenella longinodata is reported. A total of 6 Mediterranean endemic species have been identified: 4 Porifera and 2 Annelida. The bathymetric range of some species has been extended. New information acquired for deep sea species confirms their importance in the structure of cold-water coral communities. This study has updated the knowledge on the biodiversity of the Adriatic Sea, as well as of the Bari Canyon in particular, one of the sites designated as “jewels of the Mediterranean” for which urgent conservation measures are needed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macro- and megafauna recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic, Mediterranean Sea) using different tools

et al. 2015

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“…The top-down processes mainly refer to turbidity and hyperpycnal flows occurring along the shelf margin which generate axial incision down to the slope, in alternating erosive and depositional dynamics (Baztan et al, 2005). At a global scale, top-down processes generally occur in moderate to high sediment-supply margins, alimented by coastal and fluvial sedimentary inputs, and are more frequent and active during the glacial phases (Canals et al, 2000;Baztan et al, 2005;Harris and Whiteway, 2011). Bottom-up processes are governed by the development of stacked mass-movements retrograding through the lower slope to the shelf margin and are more commonly observed in sediment-undersupplied margins, in tectonically active high-gradient bedrock slopes (Lo Iacono et al, 2011;Biscara et al, 2012;Micallef et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Submarine canyons of north-western Sicily (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): Variability in morphology, sedimentary processes and evolution on a tectonically active margin

Iacono

Sulli

Agate

2014

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

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a b s t r a c tSwath-bathymetry, mono-channel and multi-channel seismic reflection records acquired during the last two decades on the northern Sicilian margin have unveiled a dense network of submarine canyons within the depth range of 80-2100 m. The canyons display a relevant variability in their geometry, morphology and sedimentary processes. The margin shows a young, tectonically active shelf to slope setting, linking the Sicilian-Maghrebian Thrust Belt to the Tyrrhenian oceanic realm, developed during the Neogene-Quaternary time span. The aim of this study is to highlight the main governing factors that contributed to the evolution and differentiation of the northern Sicilian canyons, mainly focusing on the Gulf of Palermo and on the Gulf of Castellammare. Tectonic control is more evident in the canyons of the Gulf of Palermo, with submarine landslides retrograding on a steep slope and mainly controlling their evolution. Otherwise, canyons, tributaries and gullies mapped in the Gulf of Castellammare developed on a less steep substrate and display sinuous to meandering paths, with a relevant role of coastal/shelf sedimentary inputs and downslope turbidity processes in their formation. Results suggest that, despite the geographically close proximity of the two study areas, the different structural settings of the Castellammare and Palermo Basins are mainly responsible for canyon variability. Data indicate likely ongoing uplift and tilting movements along the Sicilian margin, influencing the development of the studied canyons, which have probably been more active during the Quaternary glacial maxima than they are in the present day.

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“…MSC is a "Type-2" canyon (Harris and Whiteway, 2011) in that it incises the continental shelf but does not connect to a major river. It extends over 100 km, from the abyssal plain at the base of the continental slope, to within 100 m of Moss Landing in the centre of the Monterey Bay.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transition from partly standing to progressive internal tides in Monterey Submarine Canyon

Hall

Alford

Carter

et al. 2014

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

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Monterey Submarine Canyon is a large, sinuous canyon off the coast of California, the upper reaches of which were the subject of an internal tide observational program using moored profilers and upward-looking moored ADCPs. The mooring observations measured a near-surface stratification change in the upper canyon, likely caused by a seasonal shift in the prevailing wind that favoured coastal upwelling. This change in near-surface stratification caused a transition in the behaviour of the internal tide in the upper canyon from a partly standing wave during pre-upwelling conditions to a progressive wave during upwelling conditions. Using a numerical model, we present evidence that either a partly standing or a progressive internal tide can be simulated in the canyon, simply by changing the initial stratification conditions in accordance with the observations. The mechanism driving the transition is a dependence of down-canyon (supercritical) internal tide reflection from the canyon floor and walls on the depth of maximum stratification. During pre-upwelling conditions, the main pycnocline extends down to 200 m (below the canyon rim) resulting in increased supercritical reflection of the up-canyon propagating internal tide back down the canyon. The large up-canyon and smaller down-canyon progressive waves are the two components of the partly standing wave. During upwelling conditions, the pycnocline shallows to the upper 50 m of the watercolumn (above the canyon rim) resulting in decreased supercritical reflection and allowing the up-canyon progressive wave to dominate.

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Global distribution of large submarine canyons: Geomorphic differences between active and passive continental margins

Cited by 510 publications

References 65 publications

Macro- and megafauna recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic, Mediterranean Sea) using different tools

Macro- and megafauna recorded in the submarine Bari Canyon (southern Adriatic, Mediterranean Sea) using different tools

Submarine canyons of north-western Sicily (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): Variability in morphology, sedimentary processes and evolution on a tectonically active margin

Transition from partly standing to progressive internal tides in Monterey Submarine Canyon

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