Turbidity Current Processes and Deposits in the Moroccan Turbidite System

Abstract

The Moroccan Turbidite System (MTS), off northwest Africa, is one of the largest modern turbidite systems in the world. Turbidity currents flow westwards from the Morocco Shelf for up to 1,500 km before terminating on the Madeira Abyssal Plain (MAP). The MTS consists of three interconnected deep-water basins (the intraslope Agadir Basin, and the Seine and Madeira Abyssal Plains) separated from each other by distributary channels (Fig. 1, Fig. 2). Individual turbidity currents are derived from multiple source areas, including the Morocco Shelf, the volcanic Canary Islands, and submarine seamounts. Overall, the multiple source areas and arrangement of interconnected basins have produced a highly complex turbidite system, with a wide variety of turbidite depositional architectures. In this study, some of the key features of the MTS are presented using a variety of geophysical and sedimentological data. Open image in new window Fig. 1. Location map showing the main features of the Moroccan Turbidite System. Principal transport directions for turbidity currents are shown by arrows and dashed lines. CS Casablanca seamount, DA debris avalanche, MDCS Madeira distributary channel system, T Tenerife, L Lanzarote, F Fuerteventura