The Monterey Canyon system is composed of Soquel, Monterey, and
Carmel Canyons. There are several distinct meanders, including
Gooseneck, Monterey, and San Gregorio. The axis of the canyon
contains a relatively flat floor that is approximately 250
meters wide with a down canyon gradient of 1.8° and local wall
gradients as steep as 33° to 35°, but with typical wall slopes
of between 10° and 25°. Soquel Canyon joins Monterey Canyon
approximately 18 kilometers seaward of Monterey Canyon’s head at
a depth of 1,000 meters. Further offshore and approximately 30
kilometers down canyon from its head, Monterey Canyon joins
Carmel Canyon in 1,970 meters of water. The headward parts of
Monterey Canyon and its tributaries (less than 2,000 meters
deep) generally have steep walls and narrow floors. A fairly
large field of landslides occurs along the northern wall of
Monterey Canyon, at the apex of the Monterey Meander and
positioned between several linear faults in the Monterey Bay
fault zone. This field is composed of mul