Distributary channel meandering and bifurcation patterns on the Amazon deep-sea fan as revealed by long-range side-scan sonar (GLORIA)

Research Article| February 01, 1983 Distributary channel meandering and bifurcation patterns on the Amazon deep-sea fan as revealed by long-range side-scan sonar (GLORIA) John E. Damuth; John E. Damuth 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Venkatarathnam Kolla; Venkatarathnam Kolla 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Roger D. Flood; Roger D. Flood 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Renato O. Kowsmann; Renato O. Kowsmann 2CENPES/PETROBRAS, Rio de Janeiro 21910, Brazil Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marcelo C. Monteiro; Marcelo C. Monteiro 2CENPES/PETROBRAS, Rio de Janeiro 21910, Brazil Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marcus A. Gorini; Marcus A. Gorini 3Institute de Geociências da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21910, Brazil Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jorge J. C. Palma; Jorge J. C. Palma 4Departamento Nacional da Producão Mineral, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert H. Belderson Robert H. Belderson 5Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Wormley, Surrey GU8 5UB, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information John E. Damuth 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Venkatarathnam Kolla 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Roger D. Flood 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Renato O. Kowsmann 2CENPES/PETROBRAS, Rio de Janeiro 21910, Brazil Marcelo C. Monteiro 2CENPES/PETROBRAS, Rio de Janeiro 21910, Brazil Marcus A. Gorini 3Institute de Geociências da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21910, Brazil Jorge J. C. Palma 4Departamento Nacional da Producão Mineral, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Robert H. Belderson 5Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, Wormley, Surrey GU8 5UB, England Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1983) 11 (2): 94–98. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1983)11<94:DCMABP>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation John E. Damuth, Venkatarathnam Kolla, Roger D. Flood, Renato O. Kowsmann, Marcelo C. Monteiro, Marcus A. Gorini, Jorge J. C. Palma, Robert H. Belderson; Distributary channel meandering and bifurcation patterns on the Amazon deep-sea fan as revealed by long-range side-scan sonar (GLORIA). Geology 1983;; 11 (2): 94–98. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1983)11<94:DCMABP>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We mapped the distributary channel system of the Amazon deep-sea fan using the GLORIA long-range side-scan sonar. Individual channels were continuously traced for distances of up to 150 km. Channel bifurcation, although observed in only a few places, results in many cases from breaching of channel levees on the outsides of meander loops. Whether both channels remain active after branching or the original channel is abandoned by avulsion generally cannot be determined. The most striking channel characteristic is high sinuosity that results in extensive, intricate, often recurving meanders. Cutoffs and abandoned meander loops (oxbows) are observed in a few places. These meandering channels are comparable in size and appearance to those of mature fluvial systems on land, such as on the lower Mississippi River. The formation, maintenance, and modification of such extensive, well-developed meander systems would seem to require large volumes of continuous turbidity flow through the channels for relatively long time periods. This may challenge the traditional concept that channel formation and modification are accomplished by intermittent or sporadic turbidity-current events. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.