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The Cosmonaut Sea Wedge

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Abstract

A set of multi-channel seismic profiles (∼15,000 km) is used to study the depositional evolution of the Cosmonaut Sea margin of East Antarctica. We recognize a regional sediment wedge, below the upper parts of the continental rise, herein termed the Cosmonaut Sea Wedge. The wedge is situated stratigraphically below the inferred glaciomarine section and extends for at least 1,200 km along the continental margin with a width that ranges from 80 to about 250 km. The morphology of the wedge and its associated depositional features indicate a complex depositional history, where the deep marine depositional sites were influenced by both downslope and alongslope processes. This interaction resulted in the formation of several proximal depocentres, which at their distal northern end are flanked by elongated mounded drifts and contourite sheets. The internal stratification of the mounded drift deposits indicates that westward flowing bottom currents reworked the marginal deposits. The action of these currents together with sea-level changes is considered to have controlled the growth of the wedge. We interpret the Cosmonaut Sea Wedge as a composite feature comprising several bottom current reworked fan systems. The wide spectrum of depositional geometries in the stratigraphic column reflects dramatic variations in sediment supply from the continental margin as well as varying interaction between downslope and alongslope processes.

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Acknowledgements

This contribution is part of a joint research project between the University of Bergen and PMGRE/VNIIOkeangeologia in St. Petersburg. Project support was provided by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD). We thank Morten Sand, Harald Brekke and Olvar Løvås of NPD for their support and encouragement during the project. We thank Geoscience Australia and Howard Stagg for generously providing us with migrated versions of the GA-228 data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, 5007, Bergen, Norway

    K. Solli, B. Kuvaas & Y. Kristoffersen

  2. VNIIOkeangeologia, 1, Angliysky Ave., 190 121, St. Petersburg, Russia

    G. Leitchenkov

  3. PMGRE, 24, Pobedy Street, 189510, Lomonosov, Russia

    J. Guseva & V. Gandjukhin

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  1. K. Solli
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  2. B. Kuvaas
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  4. G. Leitchenkov
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  5. J. Guseva
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  6. V. Gandjukhin
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Correspondence to K. Solli.

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Solli, K., Kuvaas, B., Kristoffersen, Y. et al. The Cosmonaut Sea Wedge. Mar Geophys Res 29, 51–69 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-008-9045-x

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