To examine the transitional sequence of bedforms occurring along a traverse from the South Western Approaches into the Western English Channel. Bedform distribution maps of the area show a central zone of sand patches with adjacent zones of rippled sand sheet to the West and large sand waves to the East. The upper and lower threshold conditions for the formation of these sand patches was examined by measuring the flow conditions close to the seabed using both recording and ultrasonic current meters and Bristol University's Velocity Gradient Units. Use was also made of sidescan sonar, sediment sampling, seabed photography and TV survey.
Chief scientist
Douglas Hamilton (University of Bristol Geology Department)
Cruise report
(0.19 MB)
Ocean/sea areas
General
Celtic Sea
Specific
W. English Channel
Track charts
Measurements
Physical oceanography
Current meters
Quantity: number of deployments = 12 Description: 12 c.m.recovered;200 hours
Other physical oceanographic measurements
Quantity: number of deployments = 2 Description: vertical gradient units
Geology and geophysics
Grab
Quantity: number of samples = 46 Description: physical analysis of sediments