Image from ROV Argus showing bedforms in the proximal region of the southern channel eroded by the Mediterranean Outflow Water in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz. Indurated sedimentary outcrop, muddy in composition (grey in colour), located on the internal margin of the southern contouritic channel. This outcrop indicates intense current flow erosion. The mudstone is covered partially by sand with ripples.

Image from ROV Argus showing bedforms in the proximal region of the southern channel eroded by the Mediterranean Outflow Water in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz. Sinuous sand wave on the channel floor. The sand wave contains superimposed linguoid to sinuous asymmetrical ripples on the stoss side and rectilinear to sinuous ripples in the trough area between the sand waves. The crestlines of the ripples in the trough area are obliqueto the sand wave crestline. The wavelength of the ripples in the trough area is < 10 cm (the two laser lines are separated 50 cm).

Image from ROV Argus showing bedforms in the proximal region of the southern channel eroded by the Mediterranean Outflow Water in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz. Linear erosive furrows excavated on the muddy seafloor channel located adjacent to the previous internal margin. These furrows are covered partially by sandy sediment with starved rectilinear to sinuous asymmetric ripples. This starvation allows for the exposure of the mudstone surface over which the ripples are moving. Note that the furrows and ripples in the bottom current agree with the current direction inferred by tracking the suspended particles.

Image from ROV Argus showing bedforms in the distal furrow area of the upper contouritic terrace eroded by the Mediterranean Outflow Water in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz. Ripple distribution with different crestlines, rectilinear to sinuous. Interaction between ripples with coalescing crescent shaped crestlines and small-scale furrows.

Image from ROV Argus showing bedforms in the proximal region of the southern channel formed by the Mediterranean Outflow Water in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz. Irregular patches of sandy sediment with ripples over a gravelly seafloor.

Image from ROV Argus showing bedforms in the distal furrow area of the upper contouritic terrace eroded by the Mediterranean Outflow Water in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz. Fine sandy dune showing smaller-scale slightly sinuous ripples superimposed on the stoss side and rectilinear chutes incising the lee side. The sand waves and ripples show coherence with a similar bottom current direction.

Image from ROV Argus showing bedforms in the distal furrow area of the upper contouritic terrace eroded by the Mediterranean Outflow Water in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz. Section of a sandy dune with superimposed sinuous to linguoid ripples several centimetres in height. The ripples are roughly perpendicular to the dune crestline and flow in different directions. The differences in the sediment colour are explained by different sand fraction compositions, whereby the lighter particles are composed of biogenic debris.

Videoframe of seafloor displaying bedforms affecting sandy deposits in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz, just downstream of the Strait of Gibraltar: isolated rocky boulder on a gravelly seafloor. The boulder acts as an obstacle to the bottom current, favouring the formation of a longitudinal sandy ribbon superimposed on a small scale and transverse asymmetric ripples. Note the sandy accumulation lee side of the obstacle as well as the two ripple patterns drawing a fishbone feature produced by secondary flows formed on both sides of the boulder. Additionally, note the fast transport and armouring by the MOW toward the ROV

Videoframe of seafloor displaying bedforms affecting sandy deposits in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz, just downstream of the Strait of Gibraltar: starved sand ribbons with superimposed ripples resting on the rocky surface that are also colonized by sponges. This image highlights obstacle marks formed by sponges.. Note that current direction is responsible for tails, bars and ripples formation and is coincident with suspended sediment transport direction.

Videoframe of seafloor displaying bedforms affecting sandy deposits in the continental slope of the Gulf of Cadiz, just downstream of the Strait of Gibraltar: A starved sand ribbon in a rocky area with superimposed smaller regular and asymmetric transverse ripples in centimetres. The sediment composition is mixed (biogenoeus and terrigenous) as is revealed by the different colours; the lighter colours comprise bioclastic debris located lee side of the ripples