First Evidence of Contourite Drifts in the North-Western Sicilian Active Continental Margin (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

We present the results of an integrated geomorphological and seismo-stratigraphic study based on high resolution marine data acquired in north-western Sicilian continental margin. document for first time five contourite drifts (marked as EM1a, EM2b, EM2, EM3a, EM3b), located slope at depths between ca. 400 1500 m. EM1a,b have been interpreted elongated mounded drifts. are 3 km long, 1.3 wide, a maximum thickness 36 m their center that thins northwards, while EM1b is smaller with up to 24 They internally characterized by seismic packages dominated continuous parallel reflectors. EM2 upper depth 1470 m, it 9.3 more than 3.9 has 65 It consists internal aggradational stacking pattern continuous, moderate amplitude composed mix deposits (Holocene) interbedded turbiditic and/or mass flow deposits. deposited top erosional truncation aged 11.5 ka, so they mostly formed during Holocene. EM3a,b 16 6.7 350 Both sheeted drift due morphology features. The spatial distribution suggests likely generated interaction LIW, deep Tyrrhenian water (TDW) seafloor, playing important role shaping this margin since late Pleistocene-Holocene. may help understand oceanic processes affecting