Evolution of complex giant seafloor depressions at the northern Argentine continental margin (SW Atlantic Ocean) under the influence of a dynamic bottom current regime


Contact
Sabine.Kasten [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

Seafloor depressions (SD) are features commonly observed on the ocean floor. They often occur as circular, small-sized (up to 10 s of m) incisions caused by fluid expulsion. Larger depressions (100s m to km) are considerably less abundant, and their origin and development have been scarcely studied. This study investigated two giant morphological depressions (>5 km) using recently acquired multibeam bathymetry and backscatter, sediment echosounder, and high-resolution seismic data. An arc-shaped (SD-N) and a sub-circular depression (SD-S) are located on the Ewing Terrace at the Argentine Continental Margin north and south of the Mar del Plata Canyon, respectively. The study area is influenced by the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence, where major counterflowing ocean currents affect sedimentation, and northward flowing currents form a large contourite depositional system. Using an existing seismo-stratigraphy, the onset of SD-N was dated to the middle Miocene (∼15–17 Ma), whereas SD-S started developing at the Miocene/Pliocene boundary (∼6 Ma). Acoustic anomalies indicate the presence of gas and diffuse upward fluid migration, and therefore seafloor seepage is proposed as the initial mechanism for SD-S, whereas we consider a structural control for SD-N to be most likely. Initial depressions were reworked and maintained by strong and variable bottom currents, resulting in prograding clinoform reflection patterns (SD-N) or leading to the build-up of extensive cut-and-fill structures (SD-S). Altogether, this study highlights the evolution of two unique and complex seafloor depressions throughout the geologic past under intense and variable bottom current activity in a highly dynamic oceanographic setting.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
59282
DOI 10.3389/feart.2023.1117013

Cite as
Warnke, F. , Schwenk, T. , Miramontes, E. , Spiess, V. , Wenau, S. , Bozzano, G. , Baqués, M. and Kasten, S. (2023): Evolution of complex giant seafloor depressions at the northern Argentine continental margin (SW Atlantic Ocean) under the influence of a dynamic bottom current regime , Frontiers in Earth Science, 11 , p. 1117013 . doi: 10.3389/feart.2023.1117013


Download
[thumbnail of Warnke_et_al_2023.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Warnke_et_al_2023.pdf - Other

Download (11MB) | Preview

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item