Sediment waves on the Santa Catarina Plateau (western South Atlantic)

High-resolution seismoacoustic and multibeam data revealed a large field of sediment waves covering the Santa Catarina Plateau on the Brazilian Southern Margin. Within the field several zones were determined: a zone of large sediment waves (up to 70 m in height), a zone of smaller sediment waves (15–30 m in height) and a zone of buried sediment waves. The correlation of the seismoacoustic and multibeam data with the results of numerical modeling of bottom current velocities showed a strong influence of bottom currents on the formation of sediment waves. The process of wave burial in the northern part of the field can be caused by the interplay between gravity flows from the continental slope and bottom currents. •Field of sediment waves is mapped on the Santa Catarina Plateau.•Zones of large, small-scale and buried mudwaves are distinguished within the field.•Sediment waves were formed under the influence of bottom currents.•Burial of sediment waves is a result of the interplay between gravity flows and bottom currents.