Looking for clues to paleoceanographic imprints: A diagnosis of the Gulf of Cadiz contourite depositional systems

Abstract

A new morphosedimentary map of the Gulf of Cadiz is presented, showing the contourite depositional system on the gulf's middle slope. This map is constructed from a broad da- tabase provided by the Spanish Research Council and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Our map shows that this contourite depositional system comprises five morphosedimentary sectors: (1) proximal scour and sand ribbons; (2) overflow sedimentary lobe; (3) channels and ridges; (4) contourite deposition; and (5) submarine canyons. The Gulf of Cadiz con- tourite depositional system stems directly from the interaction between Mediterranean Out- flow Water and the seafloor; its morphosedimentary sectors are clearly related to the sys- tematic deceleration of the Mediterranean Outflow Waters westward branches, bathymetric stress on the margin, and the Coriolis force. The slope's depositional system can be consid- ered as a mixed contourite and turbidite system, i.e., a detached combined drift and fan.