Sediment deposition on continental slopes from combined bottom currents and sediment gravity flows.

Submarine avalanches transport sediment down continental slopes to the bottom of the oceans. Various ocean currents whirl and twirl around these avalanches. However, the interaction between sediment avalanches and ocean currents has hardly been studied. This omission has resulted in contradictory explanations for observed continental slope deposits. This research will combine experiments, computer simulations, and oceanographic measurements to configure a new integrated model for ocean sedimentation from avalanches influenced by ocean currents. The model will enable future research into the history of the world’s oceans, and prediction of distribution of pollutants in ocean environments.