Contourite Systems in the Region of the Southern So Paulo
Plateau Escarpment, South Atlantic

D. G. Borisov^a, I. O. Murdmaa^a, E. V. Ivanova^a, O. V. Levchenko^a, V. V. Yutsis^b, and T. N.
Frantseva^c

^a Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

e-mail: dborisov@ocean.ru

^b University of Nuevo Leon, Linares, Mexico

^c All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean (VNIIOkeangeologia),
St. Petersburg, Russia

Received February 6, 2013; in final form March 4, 2013

Abstract—Seismoacoustic investigations with a high-resolution parametric echo-sounder “SES 2000 deep”
carried out on cruises 33, 35, and 37 of the R/V Akademik Ioffe revealed several erosional–depositional contou-
rite systems on the São Paulo Plateau escarpment and its toe in the South Atlantic. Two contourite terraces
related to interfaces between different water masses are observable on the escarpment. These terraces presum-
ably reflect the activity of internal waves and turbulent eddies. The São Paulo contourite channel and genetically
related drift are traceable along the escarpment toe. Changes in planktonic foraminiferal assemblages in Core
AI-2563 retrieved from the summit of the São Paulo contourite drift suggest a shallowing of the Weddell Sea
Deep Water mass during glacial times. It is established that the contour current of the Weddell Sea Deep Water
and Lower Circumpolar Water considerably affect the formation of contourite depositional systems on the
escarpment and its toe.

10.1134/S0001437013040012

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