MUDWAVES ON THE GARDAR SEDIMENT DRIFT, NE ATLANTIC

Small-amplitude (< 15 m) mudwaves were mapped on the Gardar Sediment D rift using the Hydrosweep DS multibeam echosounder system on the R/V M aurice Ewing. Improved data processing techniques allowed the swath ma pped bathymetry to image features smaller than the nominal resolution (similar to 14 m) of Hydrosweep. Mudwave heights, wavelengths, and ori entations were determined from the Hydrosweep data and in conjunction with 3.5-kHz profiles, these mudwave fields were analyzed with regard to present models of mudwave formation. Mudwave crest orientation was clockwise to mean bottom flow direction and migration was to the right of measured currents for two areas on the drift. This is consistent w ith models developed on large-amplitude mudwaves. Using mudwave orient ation and migration direction in a third area, bottom current directio ns were inferred.