בחינה מחודשת של הסעת סדימנטים במזרח הלבנט

Sedimentary development of a continental margin is directly related to seaﬂoor current dynamics. Yet the linkage between the processes remains vague due to the different time scales they represent. To narrow this gap the talk focuses on the thoroughly studied distribution system of Nile derived sediments across the Levant continental margin (eastern Mediterranean). These sediments dominate the Late Quaternary stratigraphy of the entire margin. Their mobilization has been explained exclusively by longshore transport, while oceanographic evidence from the basin and margin are not incorporated in the known mechanism. New data indicates that longshore mechanism is part of a much larger system. Based on integrated interpretation of multibeam bathymetry, high-resolution single-channel and multi-channel seismic reﬂection and oceanographic (temperature, salinity and chlorophyll) data the talk suggests a jet current system mobilizes the Levant Surface Water (LSW), Levant Intermediate Water (LIW) and Atlantic Water (AW) northwards along the margin, between 0 and 400 m water depths. On the seaﬂoor of the continental shelf and upper slope, contourite currents form elongated along-strike morphologies. Below 400 m along-dip gravity ﬂows dominate sediment transport to down the slope into the deep basin, below the Eastern Mediterranean Deep Water (EMDW). Initiation of this mechanism during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition and not at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) indicates a gradual recovery of the thermo-haline circulation. Current intensiﬁcation in the early Holocene may have also increased water stratiﬁcation. This comprehensive mechanism explains sediment transport along the entire depth range of the continental margin, while integrating seaﬂoor currents, morphology, as well as their relation to sea level rise and stratigraphy of water masses in the Levant basin since the LGM. Given the consistency of seaﬂoor currents throughout the Holocene we propose to address them as the Levant Jet System. The talk also discusses the sedimentary contribution of this system to the accumulation patterns across basin floor.



תאריך 6/03/2016 10:30 12:00
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