Glacial, fluvial and contour-current-derived sedimentation along the northern North Sea margin through the Quaternary

The thick sequence of Quaternary sediments preserved within the northern North Sea contains important information about glacial history, palaeo-oceanographic conditions and slope stability this region during last 2.6 million years. interplay between glacial, fluvial contouritic processes can be determined from seismic stratigraphic studies. Here, horizon, attribute geomorphological interpretations an extensive 2D dataset (?100,000 km2) two 3D cubes (?18,400 are integrated with lithological data eight exploration wells to map sandy sedimentary units. Mapping horizons facies reveals that, in addition prograding derived Norwegian mainland, succession includes wedge-shaped units internal clinoforms building out East Shetland Platform, relatively flat-lying acoustically stratified central Sea, aggrading low-amplitude reflections on continental slope. lowermost unit sediment is interpreted as ?800 km3 earliest Pleistocene (?2.6 Ma) turbidite-contourite deposit, which turbidites a delta Platform transition seaward into Drift. intercalated glacigenic showing that was major source area for delivery coarse-grained Early (?2.6–0.8 Ma). distribution geometries suggests contourites continued develop slope, including trough-mouth fan, throughout Quaternary. These constrain new model evolution reconciles development eastern western sides margin, shows importance fluvial-deltaic sedimentation periods reduced input. Our also provides high-resolution analogue architectures produced by down-slope along-slope other margins.