Quantifying the role of MAss WAsting in submarine CAnyons on Active and Passive margins (waiting for shiptime schedule)

Funding by Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung)

Submarine canyons incise active and passive continental margins around the world. They are highly dynamic submarine systems forming complex seafloor structures. Mass transport and mass wasting are dominant processes in formation of canyon topography. Canyon head and flank failures often progress upslope forming retrogressive terraces. Usually being located close to populated areas, such failures in canyons do have a hazard potential to settlement and submarine installations. Canyons have been investigated in active and passive margin settings but direct comparisons based on field data are rare. This proposal aims in comparing canyon systems from a passive and an active margin off New Zealand (Palliser and Pegasus Canyon). We propose to develop frequency-volume relationships of landslides in canyons with special focus on systematic differences between active and passive margin settings. In addition, we will investigate factors controlling the size and location of failures including topographic amplification effects of canyons for earthquake waves. The integrated analysis of the data shall lead to an improved assessment of hazards and risks related to sediment failures in canyons at active and passive margins.

Partner: CAU Kiel; MARUM, Bremen; GNS & NIWA, Wellington