The Nazaré and Setúbal Canyons of the west Iberian margin are highly complex seafloor environments, displaying a range of sedimentary features and processes that reflect the transition from erosive upper to depositional lower canyon. Upper sections are characterised by a deeply incised, narrow, V-shaped thalweg, and frequent localised intra-canyon slope failures. Lower sections have a U-shaped floor with heterogeneous sediment distribution. Two types of gravity flow are observed: thin-bedded, finegrained deposits that may be the result of frequent turbidity currents generated by high sediment supply to canyon heads, and thicker, siliciclastic coarse sandy turbidites, probably generated by larger earthquake-triggered slope failures on much longer timescales. Our results highlight the complex interplay of sedimentary processes operating within major canyon systems.
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Arzola, R.G., Wynn, R.B., Masson, D.G., Weaver, P.P.E., Lastras, G. (2007). Landslide And Gravity Flow Features And Processes Of The Nazaré And Setúbal Canyons, West Iberian Margin. In: Lykousis, V., Sakellariou, D., Locat, J. (eds) Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences. Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research, vol 27. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6512-5_10
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