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Contourite sedimentation in an intraoceanic forearc system: Eastern Sunda Arc, Indonesia
Reed, D.L.; Meyer, A.W.; Silver, E.A.; Prasetyo, H. (1987). Contourite sedimentation in an intraoceanic forearc system: Eastern Sunda Arc, Indonesia. Mar. Geol. 76: 223-241. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(87)90031-4
In: Marine Geology. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0025-3227; e-ISSN 1872-6151, more
Peer reviewed article  

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  • Reed, D.L.
  • Meyer, A.W.
  • Silver, E.A.
  • Prasetyo, H.

Abstract
    Combined analyses of bathymetry, piston cores, 3.5-kHz echograms, and seismic reflection data reveal that sedimentation patterns in the eastern Sunda forearc are strongly influenced by vigorous deep- and bottom-water circulation. The affected region is located at the intersection of the Sumba Ridge and the Sawu-Timor Ridge, which together form a barrier to the outflow of Pacific Ocean Deep Water from the Sawu Sea to the eastern Indian Ocean. Bottom currents associated with the outflow have eroded a gap in the sill at a water depth of 1150 m, between the islands of Sumba and Sawu. Southwest of the gap, the widespread exposure of well-consolidated, middle Miocene to Pliocene foraminiferal chalks and oozes along the Sumba Ridge suggests that up to 1 km of overburden has been removed by the deep (1–1.5 km) currents. The eroded sediments have been subsequently deposited as muddy contourites in a thick (> 1km) sediment drift in the adjacent Sumba Basin. The drift consists of an elongated mound composed of reworked calcareous ooze and is bounded by moat-like channels. The influence of contour currents on trench-slope sedimentation can be significant and should be considered during studies of modern forearc systems and ancient subduction complexes on land.

Datasets (2)
  • Global contourite distribution database, version 2, more
  • Global contourite distribution database, version 3, more

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