Submarine slope failures due to pipe structure formation.

Elger, Judith , Berndt, Christian , Rüpke, Lars , Krastel, Sebastian , Gross, Felix and Geissler, Wolfram H. (2018) Submarine slope failures due to pipe structure formation. Open Access Nature Communications, 9 (Art.No. 715). DOI 10.1038/s41467-018-03176-1.

[thumbnail of s41467-018-03176-1.pdf]
Preview
Text
s41467-018-03176-1.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0.

Download (1MB) | Preview

Supplementary data:

Abstract

There is a strong spatial correlation between submarine slope failures and the occurrence of gas hydrates. This has been attributed to the dynamic nature of gas hydrate systems and the potential reduction of slope stability due to bottom water warming or sea level drop. However, 30 years of research into this process found no solid supporting evidence. Here we present new reflection seismic data from the Arctic Ocean and numerical modelling results supporting a different link between hydrates and slope stability. Hydrates reduce sediment permeability and cause build-up of overpressure at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. Resulting hydro-fracturing forms pipe structures as pathways for overpressured fluids to migrate upward. Where these pipe structures reach shallow permeable beds, this overpressure transfers laterally and destabilises the slope. This process reconciles the spatial correlation of submarine landslides and gas hydrate, and it is independent of environmental change and water depth.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: GAS HYDRATE STABILITY; STOREGGA SLIDE; CONTINENTAL-MARGIN; LANDSLIDE COMPLEX; FLUID MIGRATION; SEA-FLOOR; SEDIMENTS; SVALBARD; SYSTEM; RIDGE
Research affiliation: Kiel University > Kiel Marine Science
OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence
HGF-AWI
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-GDY Marine Geodynamics
Kiel University
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-MUHS
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: Yes
Publisher: Nature Research
Expeditions/Models/Experiments:
Date Deposited: 20 Feb 2018 14:30
Last Modified: 19 Mar 2021 10:58
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/41938

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item