Detailed studies of submarine canyons off the Southern California coast have been started. Work includes detailed mapping of topographic features, sediment studies (including structures), sparker profiling of sub-bottom features, and examination of transport regimes in the water column. Results indicate that the location and relatively small size of the canyons on the California Continental Borderland may not be typical of the much larger structures on other continental margins, but that the basic physical processes are probably similar. It is also possible to trace much of the geologic history from evidence gathered at Newport and Redondo canyons. (Author).