Morphology and sediment structures in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

Abstract

Sediment echosounder records (18 KHz) of 14 profiles were made in the fjord-like embayment of Golfo Dulce. Pacific of Costa Rica. to investigate morphology and sediment structure. The NW-SW section includes an oriental fault that is the main internal tectonic characteristic of the Gulf; that has a very steep slope and reaches 170 m in height. Two parallel. but less prominent tectonic faults are also evident on the echographs. The sediments in the flat inner basin consist mainly of turbidites, which reach the deepest part of Golfo Dulce by channels. leaving most of the slope sediments unaffected.

En 14 barridos del " fiordo tropical" Golfo Dulce en la costa del Pacifico de Costa Rica se hicieron registros de ecosonda de 18 kHz para evaluar la morfología y estructura sedimentaria. La sección NW-SE incluye una falla oriental de l Golfo Dulce como principal característica tectónica interna. con una altura de 170 m y una cuesta muy empinada. También se detectaron dos fallas paralelas menos prominentes. Los sedimentos de la parte interna plana son principalmente turbiditas y alcanzan las partes mas profundas del golfo mediante canales, sin afectar la mayoría de los sedimentos de la parte inclinada.