The Weddell Sea: contourites and hemipelagites at the northern margin of the Weddell Gyre
Fine-grained contourites and hemipelagites occur in the northern Weddell Sea, deposited from the Weddell Gyre. Where bottom currents are intensified over the slope, sandy and silty contourites have been deposited above 2000 m water depth. Mudwaves are generally uncommon, but are present in Powell Basin. The area has potential for high-resolution palaeoclimate studies (particularly the history of Antarctic Bottom Water production) if difficulties in dating can be overcome.