The natural range of submarine canyon-and-channel longitudinal profiles

We differentiated 20 submarine canyonand-channel longitudinal profi les across various types of continental margins on the basis of relative convexity or concavity, and according to their similarities to best-fi tting mathematical functions. Profi les are visually differentiated into convex, slightly concave, and very concave groups, each of which generally corresponds with a continental-margin type and distinct depositional architecture. Profi le groups generally refl ect the competing infl uences of uplift and construction of depositional relief of the seafl oor and its degrada tion by erosion related to mass wasting. Longitudinal-profi le shape provides a basis for classifying deep-sea sedimentary systems, linking them to the geomorphic processes that shape continental margins.