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The study combines interpretation of 3D seismic imagery of submarine sinuous channel belts in offshore West Africa with observations from a range of outcrop analogues. Five main architectural elements of slope channel belts are recognized: lateral-accretion packages (LAPs), channel-bend mounds, levées, non-turbiditic mass-transport deposits (MTDs) and last-stage channel-fills. Channel belts differ in their planform, cross-section and the range of architectural elements involved. Four end-member types of sinuous channel belts are distinguished, formed by meandering non-aggradational channels, levéed aggradational channels, erosional cut-and-fill channels and hybrid channels. Analysis indicates that meandering channels form when system is near its potential equilibrium profile. They evolve from nearly straight to highly sinuous by increasing first the bend amplitude and then the conduit length. Levéed …