The Oceans - Chapter 1: Submarine Canyons and Turbidity Currents

Question 1

What are submarine canyons?

Answer 1

They are deep steep sided valleys that originate on the continental slope and may extend to depths of 3 km

Question 2

Downslope movements of dense, sediment - laden water created when sand and mud are dislodged and thrown into the suspension

Answer 2

Turbidity currents

Question 3

Why are turbidity currents agents of erosion?

Answer 3

The water flowing downslope erodes and accumulates more sediment as it goes because it is denser than normal sea water

Question 4

What is thought to be the major cause of submarine canyons?

Answer 4

Turbidity currents

Question 5

As turbidity currents slow, suspended sediments begin to ___

Answer 5

settle out

Question 6

What is dropped from a turbidity current first?

Answer 6

coarser sand

followed by finer accumulation of silt and then clay

Question 7

What are the early deposits called from turbidity currents?

Answer 7

turbites

Question 8

What is it called when turbidites are characterized from bottom to top to have a decrease in sediment grain size

Answer 8

graded bedding