A river mouth submarine channel and failure complex, Fraser Delta, Canada

High-resolution seismic and side-scan sonar surveying, combined with coring, of the Fraser Delta slope seaward of the main fluvial distributary has revealed a complex suite of morphologic units which include undisturbed delta slope sediments, shallow rotational slides, relict and active slope channels, debris accumulations and ponded turbidites. Sediment transport through the main submarine channel is thought to be primarily by debris flows, rather than by turbidity currents. Although this is a seismically active region, the instability related features described here are probably due primarily to rapid sediment deposition on the upper delta slope at the river mouth.