Morphogenesis of congo submarine canyon and valley: Implications about the theories of the canyons formation

Abstract

The bottom and edges of the Congo submarine canyon are made of deposits which show morphologies of superposed terraces associated with lense side slope. Using 3D seismic, 3.5 kHz acoustic profiles and core datas, these geometries are interpreted as being mainly the result of the polyphase processes due to the activity of turbidity currents. All the turbidite deposits located below the canyon floor and the actual Congo fan belong to a unique depositional sequence which begun at the early Pliocene. Probably, this sequence has been initiated by an important uplift of the West Africa margin. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.