F-17 

 and conglomerates. Some of the siltstones and sandstones 

 are fossiliferous, containing pelecypod casts and fragments. 

 In the other area of outcrops noted on the west wall mudstones 

 and hard clays were recovered. 



The carbonate content of the core tops is listed in Table 

 F4. In general carbonate values are fairly low, ranging from 

 1% to 14%. The carbonate component is for the most part 

 biogenic (foraminifera, coccoliths, and shell fragments) 

 with minor detrital carbonate. 



Biostratigraphic analysis of dredged material indicates 

 that most sediments are of Quaternary age. The rock samples 

 contain no age diagnostic microfossils. Benthic foraminifera 

 found in a number of samples indicate a mid-bathyal depth range, 

 Oceanographer Canyon 



Figure F-8 shows the distribution of sediment types and 

 outcrops in Oceanographer Canyon based on acoustic profiling 

 and the photographic record. Outcropping strata were noted 

 along the walls of the thalweg and in the tributary channels. 

 Camera runs in the vicinity of the thalweg revealed that 

 the canyon walls are quite steep. Minor areas of exposed 

 outcrop were also noted on the east wall of the canyon. The 

 floor of the thalweg itself is sandy and rippled. Three 

 major areas of avalanche scars were determined with the acoustic 

 record. These are near the base of the canyon. 



As no cores were taken in Oceanographer Canyor^ we were 

 forced to rely on dredged samples to determine the nature of 

 the sediments. This factor introduces a bias into the data 

 in that sandier sediments are lost in the dredging process. 



