THE TIDE‐SWEPT CONTINENTAL SHELF SEDIMENTS BETWEEN THE SHETLAND ISLES AND FRANCE

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Extensive data obtained by side‐scan Asdic and echo‐sounder equipments, viewed in conjunction with bottom notations on navigational charts and some seabed samples, show the widespread occurrence of sand ribbons, sand waves and sand patches on the continental shelf west of the British Isles and France. The close similarity of their directional trends with those of the strongest tidal currents strongly suggests a causal relationship which applies to much of the continental shelf, parts of the upper continental slope and also to off‐lying shoals such as Rockall Bank. The sand transport paths broadly parallel the coasts in the epicontinental seas and on the open shelf west of the British Isles. In contrast, the paths are substantially normal to much of the coast of western France.