Sandwave migration in Monterey Submarine Canyon, Central California
Marine Geology
By: J. P. Xu, F. L. Wong, R. Kvitek, D.P. Smith, and C. K. Paull
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Repeated high-resolution multibeam bathymetric surveys from 2002 through 2006 at the head of the Monterey Submarine Canyon reveal a sandwave field along the canyon axis between 20 and 250??m water depth. These sandwaves range in wavelength from 20 to 70??m and 1 to 3??m in height. A quantitative measure was devised to determine the direction of sandwave migration based on the asymmetry of their profiles. Despite appreciable spatial variation the sandwaves were found to migrate in a predominantly down-canyon direction, regardless of season and tidal phases. A yearlong ADCP measurement at 250??m water depth showed that intermittent internal tidal oscillations dominated the high-speed canyon currents (50-80??cm/s), which are not correlated with the spring-neap tidal cycle. Observed currents of 50??cm/s or higher were predominantly down-canyon. Applying a simple empirical model, flows of such magnitudes were shown to be able to generate sandwaves of a size similar to the observed ones. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Sandwave migration in Monterey Submarine Canyon, Central California |
| Series title | Marine Geology |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.margeo.2007.11.005 |
| Volume | 248 |
| Issue | 3-4 |
| Year Published | 2008 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Marine Geology |
| First page | 193 |
| Last page | 212 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |