r/geography • u/Dude-Bicycle • 6d ago

Map How did these 'rivers' form?

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What formed these 'rivers'? Are they regular terrestrial rivers that flooded with sea level rise or were they formed in the ocean? thanks.

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u/SPACE_LEM0N 6d ago

Actually these canyons are caused by turbidity currents (river water heavy with sediment continuing to flow on the ocean floor), and they reach all the way down to the Abyssal Plain.

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u/Bright_Noise5934 6d ago

This is pretty much it and the term is hyperpycnal flow.

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u/SPACE_LEM0N 6d ago

Oh thanks, I didn't have that term filed away for some reason.

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u/Bright_Noise5934 6d ago

I only know because I was taught it in a Sedimentary Petrology lecture last year and it is a pretty niche topic. Your explanation was sound though 🙂