Sub-decadal turbidite frequency during the early Holocene: Eel Fan, offshore northern California

Geology Today
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Abstract

Remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicle technologies were used to image and sample exceptional deep sea outcrops where an ∼100-m-thick section of turbidite beds is exposed on the headwalls of two giant submarine scours on Eel submarine fan, offshore northern California (USA). These outcrops provide a rare opportunity to connect young deep-sea turbidites with their feeder system. 14C measurements reveal that from 12.8 ka to 7.9 ka, one turbidite was being emplaced on average every 7 yr. This emplacement rate is two to three orders of magnitude higher than observed for turbidites elsewhere along the Pacific margin of North America. The turbidites contain abundant wood and shallow-dwelling foraminifera, demonstrating an efficient connection between the Eel River source and the Eel Fan sink. Turbidite recurrence intervals diminish fivefold to ∼36 yr from 7.9 ka onward, reflecting sea-level rise and re-routing of Eel River sediments.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Sub-decadal turbidite frequency during the early Holocene: Eel Fan, offshore northern California
Series title Geology Today
DOI 10.1130/G35768.1
Volume 42
Issue 10
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Geological Society of America
Publisher location Boulder, CO
Contributing office(s) Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 4 p.
First page 855
Last page 858
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details