Composition, geometry, and emplacement dynamics of a large volcanic island landslide offshore Martinique: From volcano flank-collapse to seafloor sediment failure

Brunet, Morgane; Le Friant, Anne; Boudon, Georges; Lafuerza, Sara; Talling, Peter; Hornbach, Matthew; Ishizuka, Osamu; Lebas, Elodie; Guyard, Hervé. 2016 Composition, geometry, and emplacement dynamics of a large volcanic island landslide offshore Martinique: From volcano flank-collapse to seafloor sediment failure. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 17 (3). 699-724. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GC006034

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2015GC006034

Abstract/Summary

Landslides are common features in the vicinity of volcanic islands. In this contribution, we investigate landslides emplacement and dynamics around the volcanic island of Martinique based on the first scientific drilling of such deposits. The evolution of the active Montagne Pelée volcano on this island has been marked by three major flank-collapses that removed much of the western flank of the volcano. Subaerial collapse volumes vary from 2 to 25 km3 and debris avalanches flowed into the Grenada Basin. High-resolution seismic data (AGUADOMAR – 1999, CARAVAL – 2002 and GWADASEIS – 2009) is combined with new drill cores that penetrate up to 430 m through the three submarine landslide deposits previously associated to the aerial flank-collapses (Site U1399, Site U1400, Site U1401, IODP Expedition 340, Joides Resolution, March-April 2012). This combined geophysical and core data provide an improved understanding of landslide processes offshore a volcanic island. The integrated analysis shows a large submarine landslide deposit, without debris avalanche deposits coming from the volcano, comprising up to 300 km3 of remobilized seafloor sediment that extends for 70 km away from the coast and covers an area of 2100 km2. Our new data suggest that the aerial debris avalanche deposit enter the sea but stop at the base of submarine flank. We propose a new model dealing with seafloor sediment failures and landslide propagation mechanisms, triggered by volcanic flank-collapse events affecting Montagne Pelée volcano. Newly recognized landslide deposits occur deeper in the stratigraphy, suggesting the recurrence of large-scale mass-wasting processes offshore the island and thus, the necessity to better assess the associated tsunami hazards in the region. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GC006034
ISSN:	15252027
Additional Keywords:	submarine landslide; volcano flank-collapse; IODP drilling; Martinique; Lesser Antilles
Date made live:	12 Feb 2016 14:45 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/512952

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GC006034

ISSN:

15252027

Additional Keywords:

submarine landslide; volcano flank-collapse; IODP drilling; Martinique; Lesser Antilles

Date made live:

12 Feb 2016 14:45 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/512952