Five discrete sediment echo patterns were distinguished and mapped on a regional scale. The prolonged and layered echo facies, which mainly reflect sediment filled basins on the ridge flanks, indicate deposition of predominantly fine-grained sediments deposited by the Iceland-Scotland Overflow Water. A combination of westward flowing currents spilling over the ridge crest due to the Coriolis force together with the existing morphology probably caused the N-S trending facies distribution pattern on the northwest flank. The modern surface sediment distribution is controlled by biological productivity, which is closely related to the mixing zone of cold subpolar surface water masses and the warm North Atlantic Current, and bottom water transport processes.