Morphodynamics of submarine channel inception revealed by new experimental approach

de Leeuw, Jan; Eggenhuisen, Joris T.; Cartigny, Matthieu J.B.

Abstract

Submarine channels are ubiquitous on the seafloor and their inception and evolution is a result of dynamic interaction between turbidity currents and the evolving seafloor. However, the morphodynamic links between channel inception and flow dynamics have not yet been monitored in experiments and only in one instance on the modern seafloor. Previous experimental flows did not show channel inception, because flow conditions were not appropriately scaled to sustain suspended sediment transport. Here we introduce and apply new scaling constraints for similarity between natural and experimental turbidity currents. The scaled currents initiate a leveed channel from an initially featureless slope. Channelization commences with deposition of levees in some slope segments and erosion of a conduit in other segments. Channel relief and flow confinement increase progressively during subsequent flows. This morphodynamic evolution determines the architecture of submarine channel deposits in the stratigraphic record and efficiency of sediment bypass to the basin floor.

Citation

de Leeuw, J., Eggenhuisen, J. T., & Cartigny, M. J. (2016). Morphodynamics of submarine channel inception revealed by new experimental approach. Nature Communications, 7, Article 10886. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10886

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 29, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Mar 21, 2016
• Publication Date: Mar 21, 2016
• Deposit Date: Nov 8, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 10, 2016
• Journal: Nature Communications
• Electronic ISSN: 2041-1723
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Article Number: 10886
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10886
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1394038