Publication Date:
2001-01-01
Description:
A TOBI sidescan sonar survey in the Irish sector of the Rockall Trough reveals the presence of a range of slope failure features of various sizes and extent along both the eastern and western margins. A number of different types are identified. These include incipient cuspate slides, slab failures and evolved slides, and debris flows. It is suggested that the incipient cuspate slides, slab failures and evolved slides represent slope failure of muddy sediments whereas the failures that gave rise to debris flows lie on steeper slopes and may be of less muddy composition. Many of the slope failure features are relatively recent (probably 〈15 ka), although some evidence points towards either a prolonged period of movement or a number of phases of slope movement locally along the margins. A comprehensive understanding of the nature, distribution, age and controls on the formation of the slope failure features will be necessary in planning the likely location of sea-bed structures in the event of petroleum development in the region.
