Turbidity currents generated by Hurricane Iwa

Off southwest Oahu, Hawaii, an array of current sensors recorded four successive episodes of downslope displacement associated with high-speed near-bottom currents of up to 200 cm/s and elevated water temperatures. These episodes coincided with the maximum storm effects of hurricane Iwa. Sensors from four moorings recorded increases in depth of as much as 220 m, implying downslope movement of as much as 2.4 km at speeds up to 300 cm/s. A succession of slope failures at or above the 110-m shelf break, each resulting in a turbidity current event, is the favored explanation. ?? 1984 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.