In October and December 2024, a geomorphological study was conducted in the upper Monterey Canyon, in Monterey Bay, California, to monitor the geomorphic impacts of turbidity currents. Bathymetric and backscattering data were acquired through boat-based repeated multibeam echosounder (MBES) surveys along the canyon, in 5-236 m water depth. A R2Sonic 2022 MBES was pole mounted and the data were georeferenced thanks to a Trimble positioning system with an RTK connection. During the reference period, MBES survey campaigns were conducted on October 14th and on December 5th and 19th, generating three overlapping Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) covering the canyon head and upper canyon. These DTMs were subsequently used to generate difference maps, allowing for a detailed assessment of the morphological changes the seafloor underwent over time. Turbidity currents affecting the Monterey Canyon are known to cause both erosion and deposition over short timescales. The difference maps reveal that the northern tributary showed pronounced erosion between October 14th and December 5th, while no significant morphological change—either erosional or depositional—was detected between December 5th and 19th. The southern tributary showed evidence of slight erosion between October and early December, followed by a more pronounced one in the month of December. Moreover, the alternation of erosional and depositional features observed mostly in the upper canyon, downslope from the areas where the aforementioned changes occurred, suggests upcanyon migration of bedforms. Monthly measurements at fine spatial scales are proving to bear the potential of highlighting the significant morphological changes that can occur in submarine canyons over short timescales. By linking these changes to specific flow events, we can better understand the cause-and-effect relationships governing canyon morphodynamics, and the geomorphic impact of such flows.
Marino, L., Rossi, S., Savini, A., Caress, D., Figurski, J., Micallef, A. (2026). Depositional and erosional dynamics at fine spatial and temporal scales: Insights from Monterey Canyon, offshore California. Intervento presentato a: 11th IAG International Conference on Geomorphology, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Depositional and erosional dynamics at fine spatial and temporal scales: Insights from Monterey Canyon, offshore California
Marino, L
Primo
;Savini, A;
2026
Abstract
In October and December 2024, a geomorphological study was conducted in the upper Monterey Canyon, in Monterey Bay, California, to monitor the geomorphic impacts of turbidity currents. Bathymetric and backscattering data were acquired through boat-based repeated multibeam echosounder (MBES) surveys along the canyon, in 5-236 m water depth. A R2Sonic 2022 MBES was pole mounted and the data were georeferenced thanks to a Trimble positioning system with an RTK connection. During the reference period, MBES survey campaigns were conducted on October 14th and on December 5th and 19th, generating three overlapping Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) covering the canyon head and upper canyon. These DTMs were subsequently used to generate difference maps, allowing for a detailed assessment of the morphological changes the seafloor underwent over time. Turbidity currents affecting the Monterey Canyon are known to cause both erosion and deposition over short timescales. The difference maps reveal that the northern tributary showed pronounced erosion between October 14th and December 5th, while no significant morphological change—either erosional or depositional—was detected between December 5th and 19th. The southern tributary showed evidence of slight erosion between October and early December, followed by a more pronounced one in the month of December. Moreover, the alternation of erosional and depositional features observed mostly in the upper canyon, downslope from the areas where the aforementioned changes occurred, suggests upcanyon migration of bedforms. Monthly measurements at fine spatial scales are proving to bear the potential of highlighting the significant morphological changes that can occur in submarine canyons over short timescales. By linking these changes to specific flow events, we can better understand the cause-and-effect relationships governing canyon morphodynamics, and the geomorphic impact of such flows.
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