page_title: Contourite
section_title: Contourite sheets
hierarchical_section_title: Contourite / Geomorphology / Contourite sheets
caption_attribution_description: Contourite sheet deposits from seismic reflection data in the gulf of cadiz
context_page_description: A contourite is a sedimentary deposit commonly formed on continental rise to lower slope settings, although they may occur anywhere that is below storm wave base. Countourites are produced by thermohaline-induced deepwater bottom currents and may be influenced by wind or tidal forces. The geomorphology of contourite deposits is mainly influenced by the deepwater bottom-current velocity, sediment supply, and seafloor topography.
context_section_description: Contourite sheets are broad, low-relief features that extend through very large areas (i.e. ~1,000,000 km2) and are seen covering the abyssal plains or even plastered against the continental margins. They are characteristic of very deep water. They have a relatively constant thickness of up to a few hundred meters with a slight thinning towards the continental margin.
  Sediment wave fields are a variety that is generally located near the rise to slope transition. Seismic reflection profiles show that the sediment waves tend to migrate up-slope.
caption: Contourite sheets shown in reflection seismic data off the coast of Portugal[7]
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