of different thickness are at least as common as the full
sequence. The complete absence of certain divisions can
be related to an increase in bottom-current velocity,
resulting in a prolonged phase of nondeposition and/or
erosion.
Consequently,
gravel-lag
deposits,
manganiferous horizons, and phosphatized hardgrounds
can be produced.
The standard contourite sequence is interpreted to
reflect at least sub-regular periodicity in mean bottomcurrent velocity (and/or in variation in sediment supply),
related to climate variation or other external factors. Based
on modern age data, Stow et al. (2002a) calculate approximate sequence periodicities for a variety of marginal
drifts of terrigenous to mixed composition (Gulf of Cadiz,
Rockall Margin, West Shetlands, and Norwegian Margin).
In each case, they obtained a periodicity of between 5,000
and 20,000 years (Stow and Faugères, 2008).
Summary
Contourites are generally not easily recognized because of
the lack of unambiguous diagnostic criteria. Their deposition involves multiphase entrainment of sedimentary particles and long-distance transport and furthermore
depends on the interaction among the depositional processes induced by the various types of bottom currents
operating in the deep sea. Hydrodynamic sedimentary
structures are usually obliterated by coeval, permanent
bioturbational mottling. Therefore, a composite triplestage approach is recommended for the identification of
sediments deposited by bottom currents (Stow et al.,
1998). The analysis must include small-scale criteria
(sedimentary facies and sequences), medium-scale criteria
(drift geometry and internal architecture, facies distribution and trends, bottom-current activity, unconformities),
and large-scale criteria (oceanographic features and continental reconstruction, basin configuration, drift location)
in order to unambiguously identify a contourite.
Bibliography
Faugères, J. C., and Mulder, T., 2011. Contour currents and
contourite drifts. In Hüneke, H., and Mulder, T. (eds.), DeepSea Sediments. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 149–214.
Faugères, J.-C., and Stow, D. A. V., 2008. Contourite drifts: nature,
evolution and controls. In Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi,
A. (eds.), Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 257–288.
Faugères, J.-C., Gonthier, E., and Stow, D. A. V., 1984. Contourite
drift moulded by deep Mediterranean outflow. Geology, 12,
296–300.
Faugères, J.-C., Mezerais, M. L., and Stow, D. A. V., 1993.
Contourite drift types and their distribution in the North and
South Atlantic Ocean basins. Sedimentary Geology, 82,
189–203.
Faugères, J.-C., Stow, D. A. V., Imbert, P., and Viana, A. R., 1999.
Seismic features diagnostic of contourite drifts. Marine Geology,
162, 1–38.
Hüneke, H., 2013. Bioclastic contourites: depositional model for
bottom-current redeposited pelagic carbonate ooze (Devonian,
Moroccan Central Massif). Z. dt. Ges. Geowiss. (German Jour.
Geosci.), 164, 253–277.
Hüneke, H., and Stow, D. A. V., 2008. Identification of ancient
contourites: problems and palaeoceanographic significance. In
Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.), Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 323–344.
Martín-Chivelet, J., Fregenal-Martínez, M. A., and Chacón, B.,
2008. Traction structures in contourites. In Rebesco, M., and
Camerlenghi, A. (eds.), Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier,
pp. 159–182.
McCave, I. N., and Tucholke, B. E., 1986. Deep current-controlled
sedimentation in the western North Atlantic. In Vogt, P. R., and
Tucholke, B. E. (eds.), The Geology of North America, The Western North Atlantic Region. Decade of North American Geology.
Boulder: Geology Society of America, pp. 451–468.
Mulder, T., Faugères, J.-C., and Gonthier, E., 2008. Mixed turbiditecontourite systems. In Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.),
Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 435–456.
Rebesco, M., 2005. Contourites. In Selley, R. C., Cocks, L. R. M.,
and Plimer, I. R. (eds.), Encyclopedia of Geology. Oxford:
Elsevier, Vol. 4, pp. 513–527.
Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.), 2008. Contourites.
Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Rebesco, M., Camerlenghi, A., and VanLoon, A. J., 2008. Contourite
research: a field in full development. In Rebesco, M., and
Camerlenghi, A. (eds.), Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 1–10.
Shanmugam, G., 2008. Deep-water bottom currents and their
deposits. In Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.),
Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 59–81.
Stow, D. A. V., and Faugères, J.-C. (eds.), 1993. Contourites and
Bottom-Currents. Amsterdam/New York: Elsevier. Sedimentary
Geology, Vol. 82, pp. 1–310.
Stow, D. A. V., and Faugères, J.-C. (eds.), 1998. Contourites, Turbidites and Process Interaction. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
Sedimentary Geology, Vol. 115, pp. 1–384.
Stow, D. A. V., and Faugères, J. C., 2008. Contourite facies and the
facies model. In Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.),
Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 223–256.
Stow, D. A. V., Reading, H. G., and Collinson, J. D., 1996. Deep sea. In
Reading, H. G. (ed.), Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies
and Stratigraphy. London: Blackwell Science, pp. 395–453.
Stow, D. A. V., Faugères, J.-C., Viana, A. R., and Gonthier, E.,
1998. Fossil contourites: a critical review. Sedimentary Geology,
115, 3–31.
Stow, D. A. V., Faugères, J. C., Howe, J. A., Pudsey, C. J., and
Viana, A. R., 2002a. Bottom currents, contourites and deep-sea
sediment drifts: current state-of-the-art. In Stow, D. A. V.,
Pudsey, C. J., Howe, J. A., Faugères, J.-C., and Viana, A. R.
(eds.), Deep-Water Contourite Systems: Modern Drifts and
Ancient Series, Seismic and Sedimentary Characteristics. London: Geological Society. Memoir (Geological Society of London), Vol. 22, pp. 7–20.
Stow, D. A. V., Faugères, J.-C., Gonthier, E., Cremer, M., Llave, E.,
Hernandez-Molina, F. J., Somoza, L., and Diaz-Del-Rio, V.,
2002b. Faro-Albufeira drift complex, northern Gulf of Cadiz.
In Stow, D. A. V., Pudsey, C. J., Howe, J. A., Faugères, J.-C.,
and Viana, A. R. (eds.), Deep-Water Contourite Systems: Modern Drifts and Ancient Series, Seismic and Sedimentary Characteristics. London: Geological Society. Memoir (Geological
Society of London), Vol. 22, pp. 137–154.
Stow, D. A. V., Pudsey, C. J., Howe, J. A., Faugères, J.-C., and
Viana, A. R. (eds.), 2002c. Deep-Water Contourite Systems:
Modern Drifts and Ancient Series, Seismic and Sedimentary
Characteristics. London: Geological Society. Memoir
(Geological Society of London), Vol. 22, pp. 1–464.
CONTOURITES
131
sequence. The complete absence of certain divisions can
be related to an increase in bottom-current velocity,
resulting in a prolonged phase of nondeposition and/or
erosion.
Consequently,
gravel-lag
deposits,
manganiferous horizons, and phosphatized hardgrounds
can be produced.
The standard contourite sequence is interpreted to
reflect at least sub-regular periodicity in mean bottomcurrent velocity (and/or in variation in sediment supply),
related to climate variation or other external factors. Based
on modern age data, Stow et al. (2002a) calculate approximate sequence periodicities for a variety of marginal
drifts of terrigenous to mixed composition (Gulf of Cadiz,
Rockall Margin, West Shetlands, and Norwegian Margin).
In each case, they obtained a periodicity of between 5,000
and 20,000 years (Stow and Faugères, 2008).
Summary
Contourites are generally not easily recognized because of
the lack of unambiguous diagnostic criteria. Their deposition involves multiphase entrainment of sedimentary particles and long-distance transport and furthermore
depends on the interaction among the depositional processes induced by the various types of bottom currents
operating in the deep sea. Hydrodynamic sedimentary
structures are usually obliterated by coeval, permanent
bioturbational mottling. Therefore, a composite triplestage approach is recommended for the identification of
sediments deposited by bottom currents (Stow et al.,
1998). The analysis must include small-scale criteria
(sedimentary facies and sequences), medium-scale criteria
(drift geometry and internal architecture, facies distribution and trends, bottom-current activity, unconformities),
and large-scale criteria (oceanographic features and continental reconstruction, basin configuration, drift location)
in order to unambiguously identify a contourite.
Bibliography
Faugères, J. C., and Mulder, T., 2011. Contour currents and
contourite drifts. In Hüneke, H., and Mulder, T. (eds.), DeepSea Sediments. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 149–214.
Faugères, J.-C., and Stow, D. A. V., 2008. Contourite drifts: nature,
evolution and controls. In Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi,
A. (eds.), Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 257–288.
Faugères, J.-C., Gonthier, E., and Stow, D. A. V., 1984. Contourite
drift moulded by deep Mediterranean outflow. Geology, 12,
296–300.
Faugères, J.-C., Mezerais, M. L., and Stow, D. A. V., 1993.
Contourite drift types and their distribution in the North and
South Atlantic Ocean basins. Sedimentary Geology, 82,
189–203.
Faugères, J.-C., Stow, D. A. V., Imbert, P., and Viana, A. R., 1999.
Seismic features diagnostic of contourite drifts. Marine Geology,
162, 1–38.
Hüneke, H., 2013. Bioclastic contourites: depositional model for
bottom-current redeposited pelagic carbonate ooze (Devonian,
Moroccan Central Massif). Z. dt. Ges. Geowiss. (German Jour.
Geosci.), 164, 253–277.
Hüneke, H., and Stow, D. A. V., 2008. Identification of ancient
contourites: problems and palaeoceanographic significance. In
Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.), Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 323–344.
Martín-Chivelet, J., Fregenal-Martínez, M. A., and Chacón, B.,
2008. Traction structures in contourites. In Rebesco, M., and
Camerlenghi, A. (eds.), Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier,
pp. 159–182.
McCave, I. N., and Tucholke, B. E., 1986. Deep current-controlled
sedimentation in the western North Atlantic. In Vogt, P. R., and
Tucholke, B. E. (eds.), The Geology of North America, The Western North Atlantic Region. Decade of North American Geology.
Boulder: Geology Society of America, pp. 451–468.
Mulder, T., Faugères, J.-C., and Gonthier, E., 2008. Mixed turbiditecontourite systems. In Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.),
Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 435–456.
Rebesco, M., 2005. Contourites. In Selley, R. C., Cocks, L. R. M.,
and Plimer, I. R. (eds.), Encyclopedia of Geology. Oxford:
Elsevier, Vol. 4, pp. 513–527.
Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.), 2008. Contourites.
Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Rebesco, M., Camerlenghi, A., and VanLoon, A. J., 2008. Contourite
research: a field in full development. In Rebesco, M., and
Camerlenghi, A. (eds.), Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 1–10.
Shanmugam, G., 2008. Deep-water bottom currents and their
deposits. In Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.),
Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 59–81.
Stow, D. A. V., and Faugères, J.-C. (eds.), 1993. Contourites and
Bottom-Currents. Amsterdam/New York: Elsevier. Sedimentary
Geology, Vol. 82, pp. 1–310.
Stow, D. A. V., and Faugères, J.-C. (eds.), 1998. Contourites, Turbidites and Process Interaction. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
Sedimentary Geology, Vol. 115, pp. 1–384.
Stow, D. A. V., and Faugères, J. C., 2008. Contourite facies and the
facies model. In Rebesco, M., and Camerlenghi, A. (eds.),
Contourites. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 223–256.
Stow, D. A. V., Reading, H. G., and Collinson, J. D., 1996. Deep sea. In
Reading, H. G. (ed.), Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies
and Stratigraphy. London: Blackwell Science, pp. 395–453.
Stow, D. A. V., Faugères, J.-C., Viana, A. R., and Gonthier, E.,
1998. Fossil contourites: a critical review. Sedimentary Geology,
115, 3–31.
Stow, D. A. V., Faugères, J. C., Howe, J. A., Pudsey, C. J., and
Viana, A. R., 2002a. Bottom currents, contourites and deep-sea
sediment drifts: current state-of-the-art. In Stow, D. A. V.,
Pudsey, C. J., Howe, J. A., Faugères, J.-C., and Viana, A. R.
(eds.), Deep-Water Contourite Systems: Modern Drifts and
Ancient Series, Seismic and Sedimentary Characteristics. London: Geological Society. Memoir (Geological Society of London), Vol. 22, pp. 7–20.
Stow, D. A. V., Faugères, J.-C., Gonthier, E., Cremer, M., Llave, E.,
Hernandez-Molina, F. J., Somoza, L., and Diaz-Del-Rio, V.,
2002b. Faro-Albufeira drift complex, northern Gulf of Cadiz.
In Stow, D. A. V., Pudsey, C. J., Howe, J. A., Faugères, J.-C.,
and Viana, A. R. (eds.), Deep-Water Contourite Systems: Modern Drifts and Ancient Series, Seismic and Sedimentary Characteristics. London: Geological Society. Memoir (Geological
Society of London), Vol. 22, pp. 137–154.
Stow, D. A. V., Pudsey, C. J., Howe, J. A., Faugères, J.-C., and
Viana, A. R. (eds.), 2002c. Deep-Water Contourite Systems:
Modern Drifts and Ancient Series, Seismic and Sedimentary
Characteristics. London: Geological Society. Memoir
(Geological Society of London), Vol. 22, pp. 1–464.
CONTOURITES
131