Knowra Submarine canyon Submarine canyon A steep-sided valley incised into the continental shelf and slope, commonly extending from near shore to deep water. Submarine canyons funnel sediment and water downslope.
Turbidity current : A dense, sediment-laden flow that moves downslope beneath surrounding water. These flows can erode canyon floors and carry sediment into deep basins.
Continental margin : The submerged edge of a continent, including the shelf, slope, and rise. Most submarine canyons dissect this transition from continent to deep ocean.
Subaerial erosion : The wearing away of land by processes operating above sea level. Some canyon forms may inherit features cut by rivers when sea level was lower.
Deep-sea coral : Corals that live in deep, cold, lightless marine environments. Canyon currents and hard surfaces can create habitat for deep-sea coral communities.
Monterey Canyon : A large submarine canyon off central California that extends from Monterey Bay into deep water. It is a well-studied example of a canyon close to shore and accessible for research.
Submarine landslide : A downslope movement of sediment or rock on the seabed. Slope failures can initiate sediment flows that enlarge or traverse canyons.
Continental shelf : The shallow, gently sloping submerged edge of a continent. Some canyon heads begin on shelves, close to shore.
Sea-level change : A rise or fall in the position of the sea surface relative to land. Lower sea levels can bring river mouths closer to canyon heads and alter sediment delivery.
Marine biodiversity : The variety of genes, species, and ecosystems in the ocean. Canyon habitat diversity can support distinctive assemblages of marine life.
Hudson Canyon : A large submarine canyon extending from the New York–New Jersey shelf toward the deep Atlantic. Its shelf-crossing course illustrates canyon links between coastal waters and the deep ocean.
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