Sedimentary model for mixed depositional systems along the Pacific margin of the Antarctic Peninsula: decoding the interplay of deep-water processes

Mixed (turbidite-contourite) depositional systems are formed by a complex interplay of deep-water processes. An evaluation of their morphological elements and their lateral and spatial distribution is crucial to better understand the interplay of transport and depositional processes, involving along-slope bottom currents and down-slope turbidity currents. This work investigates extensive and still active mixed depositional systems developed along the Pacific margin of the Antarctic Peninsula, which comprise large asymmetric mounded drifts, dendritic channel-complex systems and wide trunk channels. These systems offer a unique setting to investigate diverse morphological elements at a high-resolution spatial scale (10–100 m), using multibeam bathymetry and acoustic sub-bottom profiles. Four main seismic units define distinct evolutionary stages for the Pleistocene to present day record: a) 1.3–1 Ma, characterized by aggradational mounded drifts built by a dominant along-slope bottom cur...