Quantifying the relationship between structural deformation and the morphology of submarine channels on the Niger Delta continental slope
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Published version
Author(s)
Mitchell, W Hamish
Whittaker, Alexander C
Mayall, Mike
Lonergan, Lidia
Pizzi, Marco
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The processes and deposits of deep‐water submarine channels are known to be influenced by a wide variety of controlling factors, both allocyclic and autocyclic. However, unlike their fluvial counterparts whose dynamics are well‐studied, the factors that control the long‐term behaviour of submarine channels, particularly on slopes undergoing active deformation, remain poorly understood. We combine seismic techniques with concepts from landscape dynamics to investigate quantitatively how the growth of gravitational‐collapse structures at or near the seabed in the Niger Delta have influenced the morphology of submarine channels along their length from the shelf edge to their deep‐water counterpart. From a three dimensional (3D), time‐migrated seismic‐reflection volume, which extends over 120 km from the shelf edge to the base of slope, we mapped the present‐day geomorphic expression of two submarine channels and active structures at the seabed, and created a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). A second geomorphic surface and DEM raster—interpreted to closer approximate the most recent active channel geometries—were created through removing the thickness of hemipelagic drape across the study area. The DEM rasters were used to extract the longitudinal profiles of channel systems with seabed expression, and we evaluate the evolution of channel widths, depths and slopes at fixed intervals downslope as the channels interact with growing structures. Results show that the channel long profiles have a relatively linear form with localized steepening associated with seabed structures. We demonstrate that channel morphologies and their constituent architectural elements are sensitive to active seafloor deformation, and we use the geomorphic data to infer a likely distribution of bed shear stresses and flow velocities from the shelf edge to deep water. Our results give new insights into the erosional dynamics of submarine channels, allow us to quantify the extent to which submarine channels can keep pace with growing structures, and help us to constrain the delivery and distribution of sediment to deep‐water settings.
Date Issued
2021-02-01
Date Acceptance
2020-03-17
Citation
Basin Research, 2021, 33 (1), pp.186-209
ISSN
0950-091X
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
186
End Page
209
Journal / Book Title
Basin Research
Volume
33
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2020 The Authors. Basin Research published by International Association of Sedimentologists and European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000537713300001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Geology
sedimentology
structure
tectonic geomorphology
tectonics and sedimentation
SEDIMENT DENSITY FLOWS
TURBIDITY CURRENTS
DEPOSITIONAL PROCESSES
SEISMIC GEOMORPHOLOGY
WATER
EVOLUTION
ARCHITECTURE
SYSTEMS
CANYON
MIGRATION
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-04-30