submarine canyon

views updated May 08 2018

submarine canyon Deep, steep-sided valley cut into the continental shelf or slope, whose axis slopes seaward at up to 80 m/km. The development of submarine canyons is thought to have originated through erosion by turbidity currents. However, few turbidity currents have been recorded from the submarine canyons that have been studied.

submarine canyon

views updated May 17 2018

submarine canyon A deep, steep-sided valley cut into the continental shelf or slope, the axis of which slopes seaward at up to 80 m/km.

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