| Title | Seismic stratigraphy and deep-water sedimentary evolution of the southern Mozambique margin: Central Terrace and Mozambique Fracture Zone |
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| Author | Gao, Y; Stow, D; Tang, Y; Xie, X; Piper, D J W |
| Source | Marine Geology vol. 427, 106187, 2020 p. 1-18, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106187 |
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| Year | 2020 |
| Alt Series | Natural Resources Canada, Contribution Series 20200084 |
| Publisher | Elsevier Ltd. |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf; html |
| Area | Mozambique Channel; Mozambique |
| Lat/Long WENS | 30.0000 49.0000 -14.0000 -36.0000 |
| Subjects | marine geology; stratigraphy; sedimentology; geophysics; Science and Technology; Nature and Environment; geophysical surveys; seismic surveys, marine; seismic reflection surveys; seismic
interpretations; geological evolution; continental margins; continental slope; continental shelf; geological evolution; depositional environment; sedimentation; landslides; creep; submarine features; submarine canyons; submarine terraces; submarine
fans; sedimentary structures; bedrock geology; structural features; fracture zones; folds; bottom currents; water temperature; salinity; stratigraphic analyses; Neogene; Miocene; Paleogene; Eocene; Paleocene; Central Terrace; Mozambique Margin;
Mozambique Fracture Zone; Mozambique Basin; Limpopo Cone; Mozambique Ridge; Inharrime Terrace; Phanerozoic; Cenozoic; Tertiary; Mesozoic; Cretaceous |
| Illustrations | location maps; geoscientific sketch maps; profiles; tables; seismic sections; seismic profiles; 3-D models |
| Released | 2020 04 27 |
| Abstract | Based upon new seismic reflection data, this study reveals the development of a complex sedimentary system on the lower-slope terrace off Maputo on the southern Mozambique margin. The deep-water
sedimentary system clearly shows the interaction of downslope and alongslope processes. Downslope features include: a pronounced canyon, slope creep, submarine slides, and multi-stage mass-transport deposits. Alongslope features include: contourite
drifts and sediment waves, erosional moats, valleys, erosive surfaces and a distinctive contourite terrace. We show an evolution through time as follows: (1) restricted marine sedimentation during the Early Cretaceous after the initial break-up, with
slope progradational clinoforms and hemipelagite drape developed; (2) open marine sedimentation characterized by the onset of alongslope sedimentary processes during the Late Cretaceous and development of a contourite depositional system; (3)
downslope gravity processes dominated sedimentation during the Paleocene-Eocene, including development of a canyon and submarine fan; and (4) an alongslope contourite depositional system was re-established on the lower slope in the Middle Miocene,
while turbidites (from a northern source) covered the Mozambique Basin. The Mozambique Fracture Zone marks a distinct and steep slope seaward of the contourite terrace, and has significantly influenced both contourite and turbidite deposition. Our
study provides new insights into the onset and evolution of bottom current control on margin sedimentation, the interaction of downslope and alongslope processes and how these processes have jointly sculpted this part of the southern Mozambique
margin. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 326164 |
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