Coastal to offshore submarine channel sediment transport system: Savary Island, British Columbia, Canada

Multibeam bathymetry, coupled with seismic reflection profiles and sediment cores, was collected to understand the sediment process mechanisms for active onshore-offshore sediment transfer system from coastal erosion to nearshore transfer of sediment into a submarine channel and fan system. Savary I...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geo-marine letters 2019-12, Vol.39 (6), p.435-446
Main Authors: Barrie, J. Vaughn, Conway, Kim W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bathymeters
Bathymetry
Channels
Coastal erosion
Deep-sea fans
Deglaciation
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Erosion mechanisms
Geology
Gravity
Holocene
Hydrodynamics
Meltwater
Offshore
Original
Profiles
Progradation
Sediment
Sediment transport
Sediments
Seismic reflection profiles
Seismic surveys
Soil erosion
Storms
Tidal currents
Tidal flow
Transport
Transportation systems
Turbidity
Turbidity flow
Winter storms
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Summary:Multibeam bathymetry, coupled with seismic reflection profiles and sediment cores, was collected to understand the sediment process mechanisms for active onshore-offshore sediment transfer system from coastal erosion to nearshore transfer of sediment into a submarine channel and fan system. Savary Island in the northern Salish Sea of British Columbia, Canada, emerged immediately after deglaciation and became exposed to winter storms that began a continual modification of the island. Subsequent to coastal erosion, sediments are moved from the south side of the island, by strong tidal currents and longshore drift, to the island’s north side. The mobilized sands are then entrained into and swept down submarine channels during gravity flows, likely a response to enhanced hydrodynamic tidal flow. Downslope progradation within the channels is primarily a result of downslope migrating submarine dunes that transfer sand to small submarine fans. Further transport beyond the channels into the deeper basin occurs via turbidity flows that have been active throughout the late Holocene. The prospect for Savary Island is grim, as this sediment transfer system will likely continue until the island disappears altogether.
ISSN:0276-0460
1432-1157
DOI:10.1007/s00367-019-00602-1