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sea floor are observed only in the abyssal-plain provinces.<br />

Although the transparent layer normally exhibits no<br />

internal reflectors in seismic reflection profiles, discrete<br />

. segments of reflective sediments, termed layered valleys, do<br />

appear (Figs. 3.10, 3.11, 3.12). They probably result from<br />

small turbidity currents. generated by slumping of sediment<br />

from nearby slopes, with subsequent deposition of graded<br />

material in depressions of the outer ridge (Chase and others,<br />

1966; Bunce and others, 1973). These features are restricted<br />

enti rely to the western sector of the Greater Anti 11 es Outer.<br />

Ridge (Fig. 3.3), suggesting that this area is characterized<br />

by rapid sedimentation and consequent slope instability.<br />

In certain instances where the characteristics of the<br />

re cordi ng sys tem we re so adap ted, some se i smi c pro fi 1 es show<br />

layering within the transparent layer that is conformable<br />

wit h n e i the r the sea f 1 00 r nor the un de r 1 y i n~ s t r 0 n g e r<br />

reflectors. The pattern of reflectors often suggests migra-<br />

tion of sediment swells during the process of deposition<br />

(Fig. 3.13). Ewing and others (1971) have inferrèd that<br />

similar features in the Argentine Basin have been produced<br />

by abyssal currents.<br />

The apparent mi gratory pattern of the sedi ment swell s,<br />

their orientation at right angles to the sinuous axis of<br />

the outer ri dge, and the rel ati vely undi sturbedatti tude of<br />

the underlying stratified layer argue against compressional<br />

deformation as an agent in forming the swells.<br />

56<br />

j

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