Geomorphic diversity of the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion
The Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion, located on the glaciated continental shelf and adjacent continental slope of eastern Canada, is classified into units that reflect its great physiographic diversity. There are ten shelf units: bedrock zone, fjord systems, major inlet, shelf-crossing t...
Published in: | Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
2023
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2022-0080 https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/cjes-2022-0080 https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjes-2022-0080 |
Summary: | The Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion, located on the glaciated continental shelf and adjacent continental slope of eastern Canada, is classified into units that reflect its great physiographic diversity. There are ten shelf units: bedrock zone, fjord systems, major inlet, shelf-crossing troughs, four types of offshore banks, basin, and disturbed (glaciotectonic) terrain. There are three units on the continental slope: channelized areas, trough-mouth areas, and large sedimentary drifts. A series of vignettes illustrates both the distinguishing characteristics of the principal geomorphic units and the morphologic diversity within them. A sediment mobility analysis reveals that wave- and current-generated disturbances are dominant and largely depth-controlled within the shelf units, while the south-flowing Labrador Current impacts sediment transport and mobility along the continental slope. |
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