Common origin of coexisting sediment undulations and gullies? Insights from two modern Mediterranean prodeltas (southern Italy and northern Morocco)

Depositional and erosional bedforms that shape prodelta deposits in the Gulf of Patti (southern Tyrrhenian Sea) Al-Hoceima Bay (northern Morocco) were investigated using multibeam bathymetry as a basis for morphometric analysis. The two study areas have comparable structural settings oceanographic regimes share occurrence sediment undulations closely spaced gullies. resulting bedform fields are confined on deposits, from inner to outer shelf. infrequent coexistence these types other Mediterranean margins makes our case an ideal opportunity investigate processes may control combined or independent genesis each type bedform. Whereas gullies more confidently interpreted result erosion seafloor by hyperpycnal flows generated at river mouths and/or triggered settling plumes small-scale instabilities delta front, unveiling genetic mechanism behind is difficult, identifying underlying processes, ranging bottom currents gravity even internal waves, ambiguous. Quantitative measurements main parameters computed resolve relationships between their variability distribution over area. Particular attention was paid statistical analysis multivariate based principal component (PCA) k-mean fuzzy clustering. individual comparative analyses suggest shelf gradients, location distance mouth, supply keys controlling growth scale with respect downslope. Although analysis, stand out most likely triggering generation undulations, alternative causes (i.e., soft-sediment deformation remobilization processes) cannot be ruled out. Our results provide new insights into possible origin under river-driven settings, indicating concomitant not accidental.