Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 26 April 2002:
Vol. 296. no. 5568, pp. 724 - 727
DOI: 10.1126/science.1069803
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Reports

The Shaping of Continental Slopes by Internal Tides

D. A. Cacchione,1 L. F. Pratson,2 A. S. Ogston3

The angles of energy propagation of semidiurnal internal tides may determine the average gradient of continental slopes in ocean basins (~2 to 4 degrees). Intensification of near-bottom water velocities and bottom shear stresses caused by reflection of semi-diurnal internal tides affects sedimentation patterns and bottom gradients, as indicated by recent studies of continental slopes off northern California and New Jersey. Estimates of bottom shear velocities caused by semi-diurnal internal tides are high enough to inhibit deposition of fine-grained sediment onto the slopes.

1 Coastal and Marine Geology MS-999, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA.
2 Earth & Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
3 University of Washington, Box 357940, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

Read the Full Text


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Oceanographic Currents and the Convexity of the Uppermost Continental Slope.
N. C. Mitchell and J. M. Huthnance (2008)
Journal of Sedimentary Research 78, 29-44
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Summary of progress in geomorphologic modelling of continental slope canyons.
N. C. Mitchell (2008)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 296, 183-194
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The economic importance of contourites.
A. R. Viana, W. Almeida Jr, M. C. V. Nunes, and E. M. Bulhoes (2007)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 276, 1-23
   Abstract »    PDF »
Depositional Turbidity Currents in Diapiric Minibasins on the Continental Slope: Formulation and Theory.
H. Toniolo, M. Lamb, and G. Parker (2006)
Journal of Sedimentary Research 76, 783-797
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Erosion of canyons in continental slopes.
N. C. Mitchell (2005)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 244, 131-140
   Abstract »    PDF »
Form of submarine erosion from confluences in Atlantic USA continental slope Canyons.
N. C. Mitchell (2004)
Am J Sci 304, 590-611
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)