Basement-controlled multiple slope collapses, Rockall Bank Slide Complex, NE Atlantic

Aggeliki Georgiopoulou, Patrick M. Shannon, Fabio Sacchetti, Peter D.W. Haughton, Sara Benetti

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The eastern flank of the Rockall Bank is dominated by the scarps of a large slide complex with unusual low aspect ratio (120km wide and 150km long). With the use of an extensive 2D seismic dataset, re-processed high-resolution multibeam bathymetry, a TOBI mosaic and one piston core we demonstrate that the headwall of the Rockall Bank Slide Complex (previously referred to as the Rockall Bank Mass Flow) may have occurred as a multiphase slope collapse in at least three episodes of instability since 16ka BP, with each of the events generating a slide with a more typical elongate morphology. Reconstructions of the pre-slide seafloor suggest a volume of collapsed sediments in the range265-765km3. Seismic facies investigation indicates that the slope and failed sediments comprise almost exclusively contourites that are prone to failure due to their well sorted character and high water content. A systematic examination of the slope morphology, seismic facies and sub-seafloor structures demonstrates a direct relationship between the RBSC seafloor scarps and the basement morphology. Focused fluid flow along basement-bounding faults, and/or differential compaction across the scarps, are considered to have had an important role in slope failure. This study highlights the importance of deeply-buried structures in the stability of slopes. It also shows how detailed examination of high-resolution data across large areas of slope instability can reveal smaller-scale multiple events. We believe that where contour-swept slopes are steep, the resulting intensification of near-bottom velocities prevents healing slope processes and as a result steep slope gradients remain steep and thus unstable.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)198-214
    Number of pages17
    JournalMarine Geology
    Volume336
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2013

    Keywords

    • Contourite
    • Differential compaction
    • Focused fluid flow
    • Gravity flow
    • Rockall Bank Mass Flow
    • Scarp
    • Slide
    • Structural control

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