Submarine slopes morphogenesis and dynamics of Northern Patagonia fjord coast - Chile

The features of the Northern Patagonia submarine slopes and their relation with the basin bottoms in fjords and channels studied, by means of subbottom profiler records. Two morphogenetic phases show relationships between slope mass movements and bottom structure. The lower phase is represented by

distinct acoustic structures, interpreted as posible debris flows of cohesionless material reaching as far as the slope base.The upper phase produced surface stratified sediments; it shows deformity processes produced by slope slides, which can reach far off the slope base. Resulting landforms of such processes

are known as compressional depression and remoulded sediments, which has been developed at the lower slope angles. The plunge pools are observed at the slope base, but where the slope is steeper and deeper. As it has been verified in the shelf slopes, and in some basins fjords too, the majority of slope activities occur, effectively, on slopes less than 10°. The future employment of new technologies will be able to provide a important insight into landslide dynamics and process in different submarine sedimentary environment.