Characterization of the Brazilian continental shelf adjacent to Rio Grande do Norte state, NE Brazil

Authors

  • Helenice Vital Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico; Departamento de Geologia
  • Moab Praxedes Gomes Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geodinâmica e Geofísica
  • Werner Farkatt Tabosa Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico; Departamento de Geologia
  • Eugênio Pires Frazão Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geodinâmica e Geofísica
  • Claude Luiz Aguilar Santos Museu Câmara Cascudo
  • José Saraiva Plácido Júnior Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geodinâmica e Geofísica

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592010000500005

Keywords:

NE Brazilian shelf, High resolution seismic profiles, Bedforms, Incised valleys, Beachrocks

Abstract

This study focuses on the analysis of high-resolution seismic profiles, integrated with sedimentological, echosounder, SRTM and satellite image datasets, of the Brazilian continental shelf adjacent to the Rio Grande do Norte State, NE Brazil. Located in the northeast of Brazil, the State of Rio Grande do Norte is bounded by two main coastal and shelf systems: the eastern coastal-shelf, from the Sagi River to the Touros High, and the northern coastal-shelf, extending from Touros High to Tibau. This shelf represents a modern, highly dynamic mixed carbonate-siliciclastic system characterized by reduced width and shallow depths as compared with other parts of the Brazilian shelf. It has an average width of 40 km, the shelf-break lying at a depth of ~ 60 m. This shelf is subject to the full strength of the westerly South Equatorial current combined with high winds and moderate to high tides and waves. A sharply defined stratigraphic boundary, probably between the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits, is clearly to be observed in the seismic record. Incised-valleys extending from the main river mouths (e.g.the Potengi, Açu, and Apodi) to the shelf break dominate the area investigated and may indicate periods of lower sea level.

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Published

2010-01-01

Issue

Section

naodefinida

How to Cite

Characterization of the Brazilian continental shelf adjacent to Rio Grande do Norte state, NE Brazil . (2010). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 58(spe1), 43-54. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592010000500005