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
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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.
Suggested Citation
Xu, J.P., Wong, F.L., Kvitek, R., Smith, D., Paull, C.K., 2008, Sandwave migration in Monterey Submarine Canyon, Central California: Marine Geology, v. 248, no. 3-4, p. 193-212, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2007.11.005.
| 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 |