A numerical investigation of sediment destructuring as a potential widespread trigger for large submarine landslides on low gradients.

Urlaub, Morelia , Talling, Peter and Zervos, Antonis (2013) A numerical investigation of sediment destructuring as a potential widespread trigger for large submarine landslides on low gradients. [Talk] In: 6. International Symposium on Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences. , 23.-25.09.2013, Kiel, Germany .

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Abstract

Submarine landslides on open continental slopes can be far larger than any slope failure on land and occur in locations worldwide on gradients of <2°. Significantly elevated pore pressure is necessary to overcome the sediment’s shearing resistance on such remarkably low gradients, but the processes causing such overpressure generation are contentious, especially in areas with slow sedimentation rates. Here we propose that the progressive loss of interparticle bonding and fabric could cause such high excess pore pressure. Slow sedimentation may favour the
formation of a structural framework in the sediment that is load-bearing until yield
stress is reached. The bonds then break down, causing an abrupt porosity decrease and consequently overpressure as pore fluid cannot escape sufficiently rapidly. To test this hypothesis, we implement such a loss of structure into a 2D fully coupled stress-fluid flow Finite Element model of a submerged low angle slope, and simulate consolidation due to slow sedimentation. The results suggest that destructuring could indeed be a critical process for submarine slope stability.

Document Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Talk)
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-GDY Marine Geodynamics
Date Deposited: 12 Jun 2014 11:26
Last Modified: 12 Jun 2014 11:26
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/24698

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