Kühn, Michel , Berndt, Christian , Watt, Sebastian F. L., Hornbach, Matthew J., Krastel, Sebastian , Sass, Kristina, Kutterolf, Steffen , Freudenthal, Tim, Huhn, Katrin, Karstens, Jens , Schramm, Bettina, Elger, Judith , Böttner, Christoph and Klaeschen, Dirk (2024) Volcanic flank collapse, secondary sediment failure and flow-transition: multi-stage landslide emplacement offshore Montserrat, Lesser Antilles. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 25 (6). e2024GC011564. DOI 10.1029/2024GC011564.

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Abstract

Volcanic flank collapses, especially those in island settings, have generated some of the most voluminous mass transport deposits on Earth and can trigger devastating tsunamis. Reliable tsunami hazard assessments for flank collapse-driven tsunamis require an understanding of the complex emplacement processes involved. The seafloor sequence southeast of Montserrat (Lesser Antilles) is a key site for the study of volcanic flank collapse emplacement processes that span subaerial to submarine environments. Here, we present new 2D and 3D seismic data as well as MeBo drill core data from one of the most extensive mass transport deposits offshore Montserrat, which exemplifies multi-phase landslide deposition from volcanic islands. The deposits reveal emplacement in multiple stages including two blocky volcanic debris avalanches, secondary seafloor failure and a late-stage erosive density current that carved channel-like incisions into the hummocky surface of the deposit about 15 km from the source region. The highly erosive density current potentially originated from downslope-acceleration of fine-grained material that was suspended in the water column earlier during the slide. Late-stage erosive turbidity currents may be a more common process following volcanic sector collapse than has been previously recognized, exerting a potentially important control on the observed deposit morphology as well as on the runout and the overall shape of the deposit.

Key Points

Landslide emplacement offshore Montserrat included volcanic flank collapses, sediment incorporation, and a late-stage erosive flow

Highly erosive flows are likely to be common processes during volcanic flank collapse deposition

Pre-existing topography plays a major role in shaping flank collapse-associated mass transport deposits

Plain Language Summary

Disintegration of volcanic islands can cause very large landslides and destructive tsunamis. To assess the tsunami hazard of such events, it is crucial to understand the processes that are involved in their formation. We present new insights from seismic data and drill cores from a landslide deposit offshore Montserrat, a volcanic island in the Lesser Antilles Arc in the Caribbean. Our analysis reveals the emplacement of landslide material in several stages, including multiple volcanic flank collapses, incorporation of seafloor sediments and an erosive flow that carved channels into the top of the deposit right after its emplacement. We suggest that highly erosive flows are a common process during volcanic flank collapse deposition and that they play a significant role in the shaping of the deposit's appearance.

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