FN Archimer Export Format PT J TI Potential role of compressional structures in generating submarine slope failures in the Niger Delta BT AF SULTAN, Nabil VOISSET, Michel MARSSET, Bruno MARSSET, Tania CAUQUIL, E COLLIAT, J AS 1:1;2:1;3:1;4:1;5:2;6:2; FF 1:PDG-DOP-DCB-GM-LES;2:PDG-DOP-DCB-GM-CTD;3:PDG-DOP-DCB-NSE-AS;4:PDG-DOP-DCB-GM-LES;5:;6:; C1 IFREMER, Dept Geosci Marines, F-29280 Plouzane, France. C2 IFREMER, FRANCE TOTAL, FRANCE SI BREST SE PDG-DOP-DCB-GM-LES PDG-DOP-DCB-GM-CTD PDG-DOP-DCB-NSE-AS IN WOS Ifremer jusqu'en 2018 copubli-france IF 1.975 TC 37 UR https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2007/publication-2408.pdf LA English DT Article DE ;Slope stability;Piezometer;Penetrometer;Niger Delta;Modelling;Compressional structures AB The study area, offshore Nigeria, is located in one of the compressional zones within the Niger Delta, which is characterized by imbricate thrust structures. Although the low mean slope angle (around 2°), bathymetry data from the study area have shown the existence of several submarine landslides which coincide with known subsurface faulted compressive features. In this paper, we have focused on a submarine slide occurring in water depths ranging between 1690 and 1750 m. Headwall scars, internal architecture and associated deposits have been characterized using a combination of 3D seismic data, near-bottom echosounder seismic profiles, Kullenberg cores and in-situ geotechnical measurements. The slide shows horseshoe shaped headwall scars and depositional lobes with positive relief. Monitoring of excess pore pressure for 12 months indicates the presence of negative hydraulic gradients, which is either an indication of a local present-day mechanical activity of subsurface faults or related to the regional extension of the Niger Delta and the possible creation of a regional depression in the hydraulic regime. In order to identify the triggering mechanism of the observed landslide, a three-dimensional slope stability model (SAMU-3D) based on the upper bound theorem of plasticity was used. Calculation results have shown that the gravity loading generated by the sediment weight alone is not sufficient to explain the observed submarine slide. Cylindrical cavity expansion theory was used to locally simulate the compressional structure movements and to evaluate the strength generated within the upper sediment layers. Slope stability assessment carried out by considering this additional structural strength has shown that regional compressional gravity driven deformation can explain the observed submarine failures. PY 2007 PD MAR SO Marine Geology SN 0025-3227 PU Elsevier VL 237 IS 3-4 UT 000244822900004 BP 169 EP 190 DI 10.1016/j.margeo.2006.11.002 ID 2408 ER EF