Story: Sea floor geology

Underwater canyon

Underwater canyon

A massive canyon with multiple branches cuts the sea floor off eastern Cook Strait. The branches head off in directions defined by rivers of past ice ages (over 20,000 years ago), which dumped sand and mud off Palliser Bay and Wellington Harbour. Ferocious tides carry sediments from western Cook Strait into the canyon.

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Source: NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page:

Keith Lewis, Scott D. Nodder and Lionel Carter, 'Sea floor geology - Continental slopes, canyons and landslides', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/map/5604/underwater-canyon (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Keith Lewis, Scott D. Nodder and Lionel Carter, published 12 Jun 2006