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Longest sediment flows yet measured show how major rivers connect efficiently to deep sea

Author

Listed:
  • Peter J. Talling

    (Durham University)

  • Megan L. Baker

    (Durham University)

  • Ed L. Pope

    (Durham University)

  • Sean C. Ruffell

    (Durham University)

  • Ricardo Silva Jacinto

    (IFREMER Centre de Brest)

  • Maarten S. Heijnen

    (National Oceanography Centre Southampton
    University of Southampton)

  • Sophie Hage

    (University of Brest, CNRS, IFREMER
    University of Calgary)

  • Stephen M. Simmons

    (University of Hull)

  • Martin Hasenhündl

    (TU Wien)

  • Catharina J. Heerema

    (Durham University)

  • Claire McGhee

    (Newcastle University)

  • Ronan Apprioual

    (IFREMER Centre de Brest)

  • Anthony Ferrant

    (IFREMER Centre de Brest)

  • Matthieu J. B. Cartigny

    (Durham University)

  • Daniel R. Parsons

    (University of Hull)

  • Michael A. Clare

    (National Oceanography Centre Southampton)

  • Raphael M. Tshimanga

    (University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN))

  • Mark A. Trigg

    (University of Leeds)

  • Costa A. Cula

    (Angola Cables SA)

  • Rui Faria

    (Angola Cables SA)

  • Arnaud Gaillot

    (IFREMER Centre de Brest)

  • Gode Bola

    (University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN))

  • Dec Wallance

    (Subsea Centre of Excellence Technology, BT)

  • Allan Griffiths

    (Vodaphone Group)

  • Robert Nunny

    (Ambios)

  • Morelia Urlaub

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research)

  • Christine Peirce

    (Durham University)

  • Richard Burnett

    (Newcastle University)

  • Jeffrey Neasham

    (Newcastle University)

  • Robert J. Hilton

    (Department of Earth Sciences)

Abstract

Here we show how major rivers can efficiently connect to the deep-sea, by analysing the longest runout sediment flows (of any type) yet measured in action on Earth. These seafloor turbidity currents originated from the Congo River-mouth, with one flow travelling >1,130 km whilst accelerating from 5.2 to 8.0 m/s. In one year, these turbidity currents eroded 1,338-2,675 [>535-1,070] Mt of sediment from one submarine canyon, equivalent to 19–37 [>7–15] % of annual suspended sediment flux from present-day rivers. It was known earthquakes trigger canyon-flushing flows. We show river-floods also generate canyon-flushing flows, primed by rapid sediment-accumulation at the river-mouth, and sometimes triggered by spring tides weeks to months post-flood. It is demonstrated that strongly erosional turbidity currents self-accelerate, thereby travelling much further, validating a long-proposed theory. These observations explain highly-efficient organic carbon transfer, and have important implications for hazards to seabed cables, or deep-sea impacts of terrestrial climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter J. Talling & Megan L. Baker & Ed L. Pope & Sean C. Ruffell & Ricardo Silva Jacinto & Maarten S. Heijnen & Sophie Hage & Stephen M. Simmons & Martin Hasenhündl & Catharina J. Heerema & Claire McG, 2022. "Longest sediment flows yet measured show how major rivers connect efficiently to deep sea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31689-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31689-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Charles K. Paull & Peter J. Talling & Katherine L. Maier & Daniel Parsons & Jingping Xu & David W. Caress & Roberto Gwiazda & Eve M. Lundsten & Krystle Anderson & James P. Barry & Mark Chaffey & Tom O, 2018. "Powerful turbidity currents driven by dense basal layers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Maarten S. Heijnen & Michael A. Clare & Matthieu J. B. Cartigny & Peter J. Talling & Sophie Hage & D. Gwyn Lintern & Cooper Stacey & Daniel R. Parsons & Stephen M. Simmons & Ye Chen & Esther J. Sumner, 2020. "Rapidly-migrating and internally-generated knickpoints can control submarine channel evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Maarten S. Heijnen & Michael A. Clare & Matthieu J. B. Cartigny & Peter J. Talling & Sophie Hage & D. Gwyn Lintern & Cooper Stacey & Daniel R. Parsons & Stephen M. Simmons & Ye Chen & Esther J. Sumner, 2020. "Author Correction: Rapidly-migrating and internally-generated knickpoints can control submarine channel evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-1, December.
    4. John E. Hughes Clarke, 2016. "First wide-angle view of channelized turbidity currents links migrating cyclic steps to flow characteristics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. M. A. Clare & A. Lichtschlag & S. Paradis & N. L. M. Barlow, 2023. "Assessing the impact of the global subsea telecommunications network on sedimentary organic carbon stocks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. J. Kevin Reece & Robert M. Dorrell & Kyle M. Straub, 2024. "Circulation of hydraulically ponded turbidity currents and the filling of continental slope minibasins," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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