Academic literature on the topic 'Active margins and subduction'

The development and activity of submarine canyons on continental margins is strongly influenced by temporal and spatial changes in sediment distribution associated with orbitally-forced sea-level cyclicity. On active margins, canyons are also strongly influenced by tectonic processes such as faulting, uplift and earthquakes. Within this framework the role of mass-wasting processes, including sediment failures, bedrock landslides and sediment gravity flows, are to: 1) transport material across the slope; 2) act as intra-slope sediment sources; and 3) shape seafloor morphology. In this project the seafloor-landscape signatures of tectonic and geomorphic processes are analysed to interpret the development of submarine canyon morphology on active margins. Datasets include high-resolution bathymetry data (Simrad EM300), multichannel seismic reflection data (MCS), high-resolution 3.5 kHz seismic reflection data, sediment cores, and dated seafloor samples. High-resolution bathymetric grids are analysed using techniques developed for terrain-roughness analysis in terrestrial landscapes to objectively map and interpret features related to seafloor mass-wasting processes. The Hikurangi subduction margin of New Zealand provides world-class examples of the control of tectonic and sedimentary processes on margin development, hosting multiple examples of deeply-incised canyon systems across a range of scales. Two main study sites, in Poverty Bay and Cook Strait, provide examples of canyon formation. From these examples conceptual and representative models are developed for the spatial and temporal relationships between active tectonic structures, geology, sediment supply, slope- and shelf-incised canyons, slope gully systems, and bedrock mass failures. The Poverty Bay site occurs on the subduction-dominated northern Hikurangi Margin, where the ~3000 km² Poverty re-entrant hosts the large Poverty Canyon system, the only shelf-break-to-subduction-trough canyon on the northern margin. The geomorphic development of the re-entrant is affected by gully development on the upper slope, and multi-cubic-kilometre-scale submarine landslides. From this site the study focuses on the initiation and development of upper-slope gullies and the role of deep-seated slope failure in upper-slope evolution. The Cook Strait site occurs on the southern Hikurangi Margin in the subduction-to-strike-slip transition zone. The 1800 km² Cook Strait Canyon incises almost 50 km into the continental shelf, with a multi-branching canyon head converging to a deeply slope-incised meandering main channel fed by multiple contributing slope canyons. Other medium-sized canyons are incised into the adjacent continental slope. Fluvial sediment supply to the coast is relatively low on the southern margin, but Cook Strait is subject to large diurnal tidal currents that mobilise sediment through the main strait area. Prior to the morphostructural analysis of the Cook Strait and Poverty study sites a revision of the tectonic structure was undertaken. In Cook Strait a revision of the available fault maps was undertaken as part of a wider, related tectonic study of the central New Zealand region. In Poverty Bay very limited prior information was available, and as part of this study the structure and stratigraphy of the entire shelf and upper slope has been interpreted. On active tectonic margins submarine canyons respond to tectonics at: 1) margin-setting scales relating to their ability to become shelf incised; 2) regional scales relating to canyon-incision response to base-level perturbations; and 3) local scales relating to propagating structures affecting canyon location and geometry. Interpretation of the spatial distribution of fluid vent sites, gully development and landslide scars leads to the conclusion that seepage-driven failure is not a primary control on the widespread instances of gully formation and landslide erosion affecting structurally-generated relief across the margin. Rather, the erosion of tectonic ridges is dominated by tectonics by: slope oversteepening; weakening of the rockmass in fault-damage zones; and triggering of slope failure by earthquake-generated cyclic loading. Deep-seated mass failures affect numerous aspects of submarine landscapes and play a major role in the enlargement of canyon systems. They enable the development of slope gully systems and represent a major intra-slope sediment source. Quantitative morphometric analysis together with MCS data indicate that landslides may evolve to be active complexes where landslide debris is remobilized repeatedly, analogous to terrestrial-earthflow processes. This process has not previously been documented on submarine slopes. A model is presented for the evolution of active margin canyons that contrasts highstand and lowstand canyon activity in terms of channel incision, sedimentary processes and slope-erosion processes. During sea-level highstand intervals, canyons become decoupled from their terrestrial/coastal sediment-supply source areas, while during sea-level lowstand intervals, canyons are coupled to fluvial and littoral sediment-supply sources, and top-down (i.e. shelf-to-lower-slope) sediment transport and channel incision is active. Canyon-head areas are incision dominated during the lowstand while mid to lower canyon reaches experience both a transient increase in sediment in storage and canyon-fill degradation and incision into bedrock. Tectonics influences the canyon landscape through both uplift-controlled perturbations to canyon base-levels and earthquake-triggering of mass movement. Following sea-level rise the sediment supply to canyon heads will be switched off at a certain threshold sea level. From this point canyon heads become aggradational. Mid to lower canyon reaches continue to incise due to continuing tectonic uplift and earthquake-triggered slope instability. Knickpoints are propagated up channel and excavate canyon and sub-canyon channels from the bottom up. Thus, while top-down infilling of non-coupled canyons occurs during sea-level highstands, the lower reaches of active margin canyons continue to incise due the influence of tectonic processes.

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- l'Université de Rennes, 2007.<br>"Thése de Doctorat de l'Université de Rennes 1 réalisée en co-tutelle avec l'Université de Canterbury (Christchurch, Nouvelle-Zélande)." "Soutenue le 9 novembre 2007." Includes bibliographical references. Also available via WWW.

L’objectif de cette étude est de contraindre les déformations au cours du Pléistocène d'une marge active à partir de l’analyse sismo-stratigraphique des sédiments conservés sur la plate-forme et la pente supérieure, le long de la marge centrale d’Equateur. A partir les données de sismique haute résolution et de carottage collectées pendant l'expédition Atacames (2012), plusieurs bassins ont été identifiés. La répartition latérale et de la succession des séquences T-R dans ces bassins montrent une distribution complexe des sédiments dans le temps et l'espace. Ce travail montre que, le long des marges actives, l’analyse sismo-stratigraphique de l’enregistrement des séquences liées aux cycles eustatiques du Pléistocène est un outil très puissant. A l'échelle locale, la subduction de seamounts perturbe et renforce l'effet de déformation régionale de la ride de Carnegie<br>The aim of this study is to constrain recent deformation and stratigraphic evolution of an active margin, using sismo-stratigraphic analysis of Pleistocene sediment preserved on the margin shelf and upper slope along of the Central Ecuadorian margin. From the extensive geophysical and sedimentological investigations carried out during the ATACAMES expedition (2012), we are identified serveral basins in the Ecuadorian margin. A detailed analysis of the thickness, the lateral distribution and stacking patterns in these basins show a complex distribution of sediments in time and space. The seismic-sequence stratigraphy analysis related to eustatic cycles of the Pleistocene shows a regional regional unconformity at the base (1782-Ka as minimum age), which can correspond to the signature of the beginning of the Carnegie ridge collision

Bien qu'appartenant à une marge actuellement active (marge hikurangi), le bassin avant-arc de l'île nord de Nouvelle-Zélande émerge largement. Les variations enregistrées par la sédimentation néogène et quaternaire dans le domaine avant-arc émerge (incluant la chaîne côtière, correspondant à la partie haute du prisme d'accrétion) ont permis de mettre en évidence différentes étapes de développement des bassins depuis le début de la subduction hikurangi vers 25 ma. Trois grands ensembles lithologiques, séparés par des discontinuités majeures, ont été reconnus. Le premier ensemble est essentiellement constitué de dépôts silicoclastiques déposés en milieu profond (turbidités et silts massifs). Cette série d'âge miocène (18-6 ma environ) est transgressive et discordante sur une marge déforme lors du démarrage de la subduction. Un deuxième ensemble est représenté par des calcaires et pelites d'âge pliocène (5-3 ma environ) qui marque une diminution des paléotranches d'eau<br>Un dernier ensemble, enfin, d'âge pliocène supérieur - quaternaire (3-0 ma) présente des faciès diversifies de milieux allant de la plate-forme interne au domaine littoral marin voire continental. Ces faciès montrent une cyclicite très nette. Notre étude a permis de mettre en évidence une discontinuité majeure à la limite mio-pliocène (6-4 ma) entre les ensembles (1) et (2). Cette discontinuité s'accompagne le plus souvent d'une lacune sédimentaire qui peut être très importante et d'une durée pouvant atteindre 6 à 8 ma. De plus, la discontinuité est soulignée par une légère discordance angulaire (généralement 5 a 10\). La discontinuité observée entre les ensembles (2) et (3) est marquée par les premières arrivées conglomératiques majeures en provenance du secteur de la chaîne axiale. Les courbes de subsidence réalisées sur une transversale de la marge ont permis de montrer que la période 6-4 ma correspondait a un changement majeur de l'évolution des bassins. Le domaine avant-arc correspond d'abord à une marge en subsidence affectée de failles normales (érosion tectonique probable) puis à une marge en compression sur laquelle va se différencier un véritable bassin avant-arc limité par des bordures en soulèvement (chaîne axiale et chaîne côtière). Cette compression pourrait être liée au passage de la bordure du plateau hikurangi (ou une autre aspérité majeure) dans la subduction puis au développement d'un prisme d'accrétion

Le long des marges actives, la croissance de rides anticlinales chevauchantes et les processus tectoniques associés sont souvent cités comme étant l'une des causes principales entrainant des déstabilisations de pente et du transport en masse de sédiments au dos des prismes de subduction. Les dépôts associés (MTDs) sont très variés, ne serait-ce que le long d'une même marge, et leur nature, origine et expression peuvent témoigner de l'évolution tectonostratigraphique des bassins sédimentaires liés à la subduction (e.g., bassins perchés). Ce travail présente une analyse haute résolution des caractéristiques et mécanismes de mise en place des sédiments déstabilisés en examinant des MTDs miocènes affleurant dans la partie interne émergée de la marge Sud-Hikurangi (Île du Nord, Nouvelle-Zélande). Des données régionales de sismique réflexion marine ont aussi été utilisées afin d’analyser les géométries et architectures de plus grande échelle. Les résultats témoignent de l'importance des rides structurales dans le contrôle du remplissage sédimentaire des bassins. Différents styles de MTDs sont générés en fonction de leur position structurale (forelimb et backlimb) et à des moments spécifiques du développement des rides et des bassins perchés. Ceci suggère que les MTDs sont de puissants marqueurs tectonostratigraphiques. Ici, ils ont aidé à reconstruire, à des périodes clés, l'évolution de deux bassins et de la marge Hikurangi elle-même. Cette étude offre de nouvelles perspectives sur les interactions entre la déformation et la sédimentation pouvant être essentielles pour la compréhension de l’évolution des marges actives, de leurs risques géologiques et pour leur exploration<br>Along active margins, the prevalence of thrust ridges and tectonic processes (e.g., uplift, slope oversteepening) is generally called out as one of the main recurrent reasons for generating slope failures and mass wasting on subduction complexes. The resulting mass-transport deposits (MTDs) are often seen to vary strongly along a single margin and therefore, this research work proposes to investigate their nature, origin and significance in the frame of the tectonostratigraphic evolution of subduction-related sedimentary basins (e.g., trench-slope basins [TSBs]). Here, we present high-resolution outcrop-scale insights on both the characteristics and mechanisms of emplacement of the failed sediments by examining thrust-related MTDs from the Miocene cropping out in the emerged southern portion of the Hikurangi subduction margin (eastern North Island of New Zealand). Regional offshore seismic reflection data are also used to offer a broader overview and understanding of these systems through the study of the larger scale geometries and architectures. Results show the role and importance of the thrust ridges in controlling the TSB infilling. Different styles of MTDs are generated from different structural positions (forelimb and backlimb) and at specific times of thrust-ridge and TSB development. This suggests that MTDs are powerful tectonostratigraphic markers. Here, they help to unravel the evolution of two TSBs and more largely of the Hikurangi Margin at key periods. This study provides new insights on the close interplays between deformation and sedimentation, understandings of which may be key for geohazard, exploration and geodynamic predictions along active margins

Topography growth and sediment fluxes in active subduction margin settings are poorly understood. Geological record is often scarce or hardly accessible as a result of intensive deformation. The Hawke Bay forearc basin of the Hikurangi margin in New Zealand is well suited for studying morphstructural evolution. It is well preserved, partly emerged and affected by active tectonic deformation during Pleistocene stage for which we have well dated series and well-known climate and eustasy. The multidisciplinary approach, integrating offshore and onshore seismic interpretations, well and core data, geological mapping and sedimentological sections, results in the establishment of a detailed stratigraphic scheme for the last 1.1 Ma forearc basin fill. The stratigraphy shows a complex stack of 11 eustasy-driven depositional sequences of 20, 40 and 100 ka periodicity. These sequences are preserved in sub-basins that are bounded by active thrust structures. Each sequence is characterized by important changes of the paleoenvironment that evolves between the two extremes of the glacial maximum and the interglacial optimum. Thus, the Hawke Bay forearc domain shows segmentation in sub-basins separated by tectonic ridges during sea level lows that become submerged during sea level highs. Over 100 ka timescale, deformation along active structures together with isostasy are responsible of a progressive migration of sequence depocenters towards the arc within the sub-basins. Calculation of sediment volumes preserved for each of the 11 sequences allows the estimation of the sediment fluxes that transit throughout the forearc domain during the last 1.1 Ma. Fluxes vary from c. 3 to c. 6 Mt.a⁻¹. These long-term variations with 100 ka to 1 Ma timescale ranges are attributed to changes in the forearc domain tectonic configuration (strain rates and active structure distribution). They reflect the ability of sub-basin to retain sediments. Short-term variations of fluxes (<100 ka) observed within the last 150 ka are correlated to drastic Pleistocene climate changes that modified erosion rates in the drainage area. This implies a high sensitiveness and reactivity of the upstream area to environmental changes in terms of erosion and sediment transport. Such behaviour of the drainage basin is also illustrated by the important increase of sediment fluxes since the European settlement during the 18th century and the following deforestation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2010.<br>Title from first page of PDF file (viewed March 25, 2010). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

I margini passivi, formati durante il processo di rifting, sono caratterizzati da una zona tra continente e oceano costituita da litosfera continentale assottigliata a seguito dell’estensione. La dinamica del rifting influenza le dimensioni e la geometria del margine passivo. Inoltre, i margini passivi denominati magma rich sono associati ad una elevata produzione di magma derivante dalla fusione del mantello e alla conseguente messa in posto di rocce mafiche intrusive ed estrusive, mentre questo non avviene nel caso di margini magma poor. Tutte queste differenze fanno sì che la geometria e la reologia dei margini passivi siano molto varie. In questo progetto ho studiato come i diversi tipi di margini passivi, una volta arrivati alla zona di cerniera, influenzino la dinamica della subduzione e collisione continentale. In particolare, ho studiato la rottura dello slab in profondità e l’accrezione di crosta continentale alla placca sovrascorrente. Questi processi sono influenzati dalle caratteristiche del margine. Ho quindi sviluppato dei modelli bidimensionali di subduzione modellando diversi tipi di margini passivi, utilizzando un codice di modellazione numerica ad elementi finiti (Citcom), per avere una migliore comprensione del processo di subduzione e di capire ed interpretare la geologia delle zone di collisione continentale. I risultati mostrano che la presenza di margini passivi ha un impatto importante sul processo di subduzione. Si vede, infatti, che la variazione di profondità del break-off dello slab varia su 300 km, mentre quella del tempo relativo al break-off è di 50 Myr. I modelli che descrivono i margini magma poor, inoltre, sono consistenti con osservazioni geologiche che mostrano che parte del margine viene trasferito sulla placca sovrascorrente. Quelli che modellano i margini magma rich, invece, mostrano che il break-off avviene al di sopra del margine, in linea con le osservazioni che mostrano che è raro osservare margini di questo tipo in natura.

La péninsule d'hengchun correspond a l'émergence de la zone de collision active. Un ensemble des dernières nouvelles ont été interprétées afin de proposer un schéma structural et un modèle d'évolution de la subduction manilaise a la collision taiwanaise. On considère. 1. La mise en évidence du matériel ophiolitique oligo-miocène, 2. Une déformation majeure d'âge miocène, 3. Un système d'obduction-collision nettement séparé dans le temps, 4. Un dispositif structural avec des phases de structuration. Dans les nombreuses questions restées en suspens, celle relative a la grande chaine centrale est la plus importante