The term contour currents was first introduced by Heezen et al in 1966
as bottom currents along the continental shelf driven by
Coriolis effects
In physics, the Coriolis force is an inertial or fictitious force that acts on objects in motion within a frame of reference that rotates with respect to an inertial frame. In a reference frame with clockwise rotation, the force acts to the ...
and temperature/salinity dependent density gradients. Generally, the currents flow along depth contours, hence called contour currents. Sediments deposited and shaped by the contour currents are called contourites,
which are commonly observed in continental rise.
Depositional Processes
Since contour currents generally flow at speed of 2–20 cm/s, their capacity to carry sediments is limited to fine grain particles already in suspension.
Redistribution of sediments by contour currents have, however, been reported as evidenced by the sea floor morphological features parallel to regional
isobaths.
Turbidity currents, on the other hand, flow down slope across regional isobaths and are mainly responsible for supplying
terrigenous sediment
In oceanography, terrigenous sediments are those derived from the erosion of rocks on land; that is, they are derived from ''terrestrial'' (as opposed to marine) environments. Consisting of sand, mud, and silt carried to sea by rivers, their com ...
across
continental margins to deep-water environments, such as continental rise, where fine particles are further carried in suspension by contour currents. The joint depositional processes of the two current systems contribute to the dominant factors influencing the
morphology
Morphology, from the Greek and meaning "study of shape", may refer to:
Disciplines
* Morphology (archaeology), study of the shapes or forms of artifacts
* Morphology (astronomy), study of the shape of astronomical objects such as nebulae, galaxies ...
of the lower continental margins.
References
{{Authority control
Gradient methods
Oceanography
Geology