- 1Technische Universität Wien , Institut fuer Wasserbau und Ingenieurhydrologie, E222/1, Austria (daniela.vendettuoli@tuwien.ac.at)
- 2Departments of Earth Sciences and Geography, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
- 3National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
- 4Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
- 5Canaria Submarine Link
- 6Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
- 7Southern University of Science and Technology, Guangdong, China
- 8Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Sidney, BC, Canada
- 9Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Hull, UK
- 10MS Amlin
- 11Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
- 12Ocean Data Tech, 31 School Street Hyannis, MA 02601
This study analyzes turbidity currents across multiple systems using high-resolution oceanographic datasets and laboratory experiments. By comparing velocity trends throughout the turbidity currents, we identify two end-member types: short surge flows where peak velocity is followed by rapid decay in velocity and sustained flows where peak velocity is followed by a prolonged near constant velocity. Variability is explored across key parameters, including trigger, system type, slope, grain size, and distance offshore. The findings demonstrate that no single parameter explains all observed variations, with only grain size and distance offshore showing some degree of correlation with the type. Improved data quality, particularly on grain size variability within systems and individual flows, will be essential to understand the different types of flows and their relative process.
How to cite: Vendettuoli, D., Cartigny, M. J. B., Clare, M. A., Sumner, E. J., Talling, P. J., Blanckaert, K., Azpiroz–Zabala, M., Paull, C. K., Gwiazda, R., Xu, J. P., Stacey, C., Lintern, G. D., Simmons, S., Pope, E. L., Bailey, L. P., and Wood, J.: What controls the structure of turbidity currents?, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-4294, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-4294, 2025.
