Deep-sea contourites drifts, erosional features and bedforms

Citation

Smillie Z, Stow D & Esentia I (2019) Deep-sea contourites drifts, erosional features and bedforms. In: Cochran JK, Bokuniewicz H & Yager P (eds.) Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences, Vol. 4. 3rd edn ed. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. Academic Press, pp. 97-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.11590-8

Abstract
Contourite drifts are large sediment bodies, comprising mainly contourite sediments, which build up on the deep seafloor over several millions of years. They form under the direct influence of semi-permanent bottom currents, as elongate mounded drifts oriented in a down-flow direction, parallel to the continental margin, as broad sheeted drifts, and as smaller patch drifts. They are mainly mud-rich under low velocity currents and sand-rich under stronger currents. Higher velocity currents scour and erode the seafloor, creating contourite erosional elements and widespread hiatuses. Both drifts and erosional elements are typically covered by a range of bottom-current bedforms.

Keywords
Ancient; Contourite; Bedforms; Bedform-velocity matrix; Bottom current; Calcareous contourite; Contourite; Contourite channel; Contourite depositional system; Contourite drift; Contourite significance; Erosional elements; Hiatuses; Sediment drift; Seismic characteristics; Seismic stratigraphy