Nazaré Canyon: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 39°31′N 9°55′W / 39.51°N 9.92°W / 39.51; -9.92
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[[Category:Landforms of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Landforms of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Submarine canyons of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Submarine canyons of the Atlantic Ocean]]


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Revision as of 17:52, 17 November 2020

The Nazaré Canyon in Portugal coast.
Praia do Norte, Nazaré (North Beach) was listed on the Guinness World Records for the biggest waves ever surfed (formed under the influence of the Nazaré Canyon).

The Nazaré Canyon is an undersea canyon just off the coast of Nazaré in Oeste region of Portugal, in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest submarine canyon in Europe[1] going down to around 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) deep and about 230 kilometres (140 mi) long.[2]

The canyon is being studied as part of the EU HERMES project using a remotely operated vehicle. The project is investigating the specialised canyon ecosystems, sediment transport and deposition, and the way in which the canyon influences and is affected by local ocean circulation.[3]

Sections

Depending on the regions it crosses, it is possible to distinguish three sections of the canyon. The initial section that extends from about 1 km (0.62 mi) off Nazaré to the edge of the continental shelf (up to 60 kilometres (37 mi)), composed of ravines and has a distinct "V" shape. The middle section of the canyon, defined by a tear in the 57 km (35 mi) long continental slope, going from the edge of the platform to a dept of 4,050 m (13,290 ft). Throughout this section the cannon still retains a V shape, very sinuous, with large ravines on the walls next to the deepest part that defines its axis (called the thalweg). The bottom section is the deepest end of the canyon, located at depths greater than 4,050 m (13,290 ft). In Nazaré Canyon this area extends for about 94 km (58 mi). There, the central part of the canyon - the thalweg - loses its abrupt characteristics of the shallower sections, moving from a "V" profile to a flat and slightly sinuous bottom. At 4,970 m (16,310 ft) deep, 211 kilometres (131 mi) from the headland, the canyon reaches the Iberian Abyssal Plain.

Dynamics

Geomorfology of the submarine canyon.

The Nazaré Canyon also functions as a ripple polarizer.[4] The waves are able to travel at a much greater speed due to the geological fault, arriving at the coast with virtually no dissipation of energy. Praia do Norte consistently presents waves significantly larger than the rest of the Portuguese coast due to the canyon. The predominant northern currents function as sedimentary ducts, along which there is an intensification of the particle transport processes between the coastal zone and the deep sea domain, the transport of particulate matter (sediments) throughout the entire canyon is very efficient.[5] This underwater gorge causes major changes in the level of coastal sedimentary traffic, since this valley is an authentic sink for sediments from the north, from the coastal drift, which justifies the absence of large stretches of sand on the beaches south of Nazaré.[6]

The importance and interest in the natural phenomenon led the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute (IH), in collaboration with the Municipality of Nazaré, to install an exhibition that illustrates the knowledge acquired from the research carried out in the area. The Nazaré Canyon Interpretive Center, installed in one of the fort's rooms, offers visitors the possibility to read and observe various posters, a three-dimensional model of the underwater valley and also images and information about the German submarine U-963, who sunk in Nazaré's waters at the end of World War II.[7]

Surfing

See also: List of surfing records

One of the most distinct features of this canyon are the very high breaking waves it forms.[8] This makes Nazaré, specifically Praia do Norte, a hotspot for big wave surfing.

In November 2011, Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara surfed a record breaking giant wave: 24 metres (79 ft) from trough to crest, at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal.[9] In January 2013 it was reported that he successfully rode a wave measuring a maximum estimate of 30 metres (98 ft) at the same location and possibly exceeding the size of his previous record-breaking wave.[10]

In January 2018, Hugo Vau could have smashed a world record amid claims he surfed one of the biggest waves ever seen at Nazaré, Portugal. The wave — nicknamed ‘Big Mama’ — was reported to be up to 35-metres-high, which, if confirmed, would beat current Guinness Book of Records holder Garrett McNamara.[11][12]

Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa has officially broken the world record for the world's biggest wave ever to have been surfed, with his incredible run at Nazare beach in Portugal being recognized as a Guinness World Record.[13]

In May 2018, the World Surf League confirmed this achievement at its Big Wave Awards in Santa Monica, California, with the official height of the wave registered at 24.38 m (80.0 ft).[14]

References

  1. ^ Inês Martins, João Vitorino, Sara Almeida. "The Nazare Canyon observatory (W Portugal) real-time monitoring of a large submarine canyon". IEEE. Retrieved 17 November 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "NAZARÉ CANYON". Portuguese Hydrographic Institute. Archived from the original on 2012-01-23. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
  3. ^ "Submarine canyons". eu-hermes.net. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  4. ^ Santos (2010), Luís dos. "Observação de ondas internas não-Lineares geradas sobre o canhão submarino da Nazaré" (PDF). Instituto Hidrográfico, University of Lisbon theme Oceanography. Retrieved 16 November 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Jesus (2011), Carlos César Dias de. "Vias de transporte de sedimentos finos recentes na margem continental central portuguesa". University of Aveiro (thesis). Retrieved 16 November 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Canhão de Nazaré". Câmara Municipal of Nazaré. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Centro Interpretativo dá a conhecer fenómeno do Canhão da Nazaré". Região de Leiria. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  8. ^ "The Mechanics of the Nazaré Canyon wave". surfertoday.com.
  9. ^ "McNamara Claims Record For Biggest Wave Ever Surfed". 8 May 2012.
  10. ^ "Surfer rides 'highest ever' wave". 30 April 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  11. ^ "Biggest wave surfed: has Hugo Vau set a new world record in Portugal?". euronews. 2018-01-19. Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  12. ^ portugal-press (2018-01-19). "Portuguese surfer conquers 35-metre "wave of all waves" in Nazaré". Portugal Resident. Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  13. ^ https://www.surfer.com/videos/world-record-wave-80-ft/
  14. ^ https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rodrigo-koxa-video-surf-biggest-wave-world-record-surfing-watch-nazare-beach-portugal-a8329466.html

See also

External links

39°31′N 9°55′W / 39.51°N 9.92°W / 39.51; -9.92

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