Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5784369 | Marine Geology | 2017 | 58 Pages |
Abstract
Slope failures are widespread along the Norwegian-Svalbard passive continental margin. Here, we describe the morphology and sedimentology of a slide area and discuss the potential trigger mechanisms that have led to multiple slope failure events along the NW-Svalbard margin, in close proximity to the tectonically active Spitsbergen Fracture Zone. Bathymetric data reveal a headwall and slide scar of a new slide area of ~Â 230Â km2 and net volume of ~Â 4.5Â km3, which we refer to as the Spitsbergen Fracture Zone Slide (SFZS). Analysis of local earthquake records reveals numerous high magnitude events up to 6.6Â M with extreme peak ground acceleration of 0.16Â g within the slide scars suggesting that such earthquake events are a likely trigger. Results obtained from 14C dating of N. pachyderma sin. from sediments cores acquired at the slide indicate a maximum 14C-age of >Â 43,500Â yr BP that constrains the long-term sedimentation rate to ~Â 6Â cm/ka. Correlation with the regional magnetic susceptibility stratigraphic record suggests an age of ~Â 130,000Â yr BP for the SFZS event. We conclude that despite high seismic activity and local potential for gas-hydrate dissociation, this sector of the Arctic margin has not experienced a major slide for over 100,000Â years due predominantly to low regional sedimentation rates.
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Authors
Giacomo Osti, Peter Franek, Matthias Forwick, Jan Sverre Laberg,