A Suggested Origin of Continental Slopes and of Submarine Canyons

Abstract Thrusting along a shear plane at the continental margins may result in a temporary up-bulging of the margins above sea-level. During the time of exposure erosion by streams should have incised canyons which now, after isostatic readjustment of the margins, constitute the widely distributed submarine canyons. Known downwarped peneplains below the surface of continental shelves may have been developed on the bulged margins by long continued erosion. The margins may, thus, have served as- sources of some sediments now found on land and believed to have been derived from a seaward direction.