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Climate-controlled submarine landslides on the Antarctic continental margin

Author

Listed:
  • Jenny A. Gales

    (University of Plymouth)

  • Robert M. McKay

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Laura De Santis

    (National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics—OGS)

  • Michele Rebesco

    (National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics—OGS)

  • Jan Sverre Laberg

    (UIT—The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Amelia E Shevenell

    (University of South Florida)

  • David Harwood

    (University of Nebraska)

  • R. Mark Leckie

    (University of Massachusetts)

  • Denise K. Kulhanek

    (Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
    Binghamton University, State University of New York)

  • Maxine King

    (University of Plymouth)

  • Molly Patterson

    (Binghamton University, State University of New York)

  • Renata G. Lucchi

    (National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics—OGS
    UIT—The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Sookwan Kim

    (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology)

  • Sunghan Kim

    (Korea Polar Research Institute)

  • Justin Dodd

    (Northern Illinois University)

  • Julia Seidenstein

    (University of Massachusetts
    U.S. Geological Survey, National Center)

  • Catherine Prunella

    (University of South Florida
    National Science Foundation)

  • Giulia M. Ferrante

    (National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics—OGS)

Abstract

Antarctica’s continental margins pose an unknown submarine landslide-generated tsunami risk to Southern Hemisphere populations and infrastructure. Understanding the factors driving slope failure is essential to assessing future geohazards. Here, we present a multidisciplinary study of a major submarine landslide complex along the eastern Ross Sea continental slope (Antarctica) that identifies preconditioning factors and failure mechanisms. Weak layers, identified beneath three submarine landslides, consist of distinct packages of interbedded Miocene- to Pliocene-age diatom oozes and glaciomarine diamicts. The observed lithological differences, which arise from glacial to interglacial variations in biological productivity, ice proximity, and ocean circulation, caused changes in sediment deposition that inherently preconditioned slope failure. These recurrent Antarctic submarine landslides were likely triggered by seismicity associated with glacioisostatic readjustment, leading to failure within the preconditioned weak layers. Ongoing climate warming and ice retreat may increase regional glacioisostatic seismicity, triggering Antarctic submarine landslides.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenny A. Gales & Robert M. McKay & Laura De Santis & Michele Rebesco & Jan Sverre Laberg & Amelia E Shevenell & David Harwood & R. Mark Leckie & Denise K. Kulhanek & Maxine King & Molly Patterson & Re, 2023. "Climate-controlled submarine landslides on the Antarctic continental margin," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-38240-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38240-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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