LAUSR

Abstract Sediment waves are common on the seafloor, but large-scale ones developed in submarine canyons are rarely reported. In this study, we document for the first time the Quaternary deep-water canyon-confined large-scale sediment waves developed on the northern South China Sea margin based on the analysis of a high-quality 3-D seismic reflection volume combined with a 2-D multichannel seismic reflection profile and three wells. Results show that the onset of these canyon-confined large-scale sediment waves can be dated back to the Penultimate Glacial Maximum (PGM)(ca.140 ka). This was the last period for the Pearl River Delta to prograde over the shelf edge. And these sediment waves have continued to develop and migrate upslope until present. The large-scale sediment waves pertaining to the PGM have a dominant down-slope asymmetrical 2-D morphology with wavelengths of 1.059–6.090 km and wave heights of 3.3–32.5 m. The present large-scale sediment waves show an up-slope asymmetrical 2-D morphology with dimensions of 0.667–5.628 km wavelength and 2.7–14.0 m wave height, which are smaller relative to those at the PGM. Grain sizes of the sediment waves at the PGM and present are interpreted to be coarse, inferred from seismic reflection data by high amplitude reflections (HARs). After a comprehensive analysis of the types of sediment-laden flows, the sediment provenances, the seafloor topography and the features of the sediment waves, these large-scale sediment waves might be interpreted as cyclic steps generated by the down-slope flowing supercritical turbidity currents and associated internal hydraulic jumps along high gradient (approximately greater than 1.28°) canyon thalwegs characterized by numerous slope breaks. The evolution of the large-scale sediment waves from partially depositional at the PGM to erosion-dominated at the present is controlled by variations of the sediment supply and the submarine slope accommodation along the canyon thalweg, which is manifested in the co-evolution of the sediment waves with the canyon. The findings of this study tell us that in addition to axial channels and mass-transport complexes, large-scale sediment waves can also develop on the canyon floor, which helps to improve our understanding of the complex canyon processes. The ‘large-scale sediment waves’ described here may be a new potential deepwater-reservoir element for the deep-water hydrocarbon exploration associated with submarine canyons.