Sea-level fluctuations control the distribution of highly liquefaction-prone layers on volcanic-carbonate slopes

Type Article
Date 2023-04
Language English
Author(s) Sultan NabilORCID1, Jouet Gwenael1, Riboulot VincentORCID1, Terzariol MarcoORCID1, Garziglia Sebastien1, Cattaneo AntonioORCID1, Giraudeau J.2, Jorry StephanORCID1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Geo-Ocean, UMR6538, Ifremer, CNRS, UBO, UBS, 29280 Plouzané, France
2 : Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux (EPOC), UMR 5805, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, 33615 Pessac CEDEX, France
Source Geology (0091-7613) (Geological Society of America), 2023-04 , Vol. 51 , N. 4 , P. 402-407
DOI 10.1130/G50785.1
Abstract

Understanding and quantifying the hazards related to earthquake-induced submarine liquefaction and landslides are particularly significant offshore of tropical volcanic-carbonate islands, where carbonate production competes with volcanism to create highly contrasted lithological successions. To improve the detection of liquefaction-prone layers, we analyzed physical properties and mineralogy and performed 70 dynamic triaxial tests on 25 sediment cores offshore of the eastern side of Mayotte (Comoros archipelago in the western Indian Ocean) in an area that has experienced significant seismicity since 2018. We found that the main parameter controlling the liquefaction potential offshore of Mayotte is the presence of low-density layers with high calcite content accumulating along the slope during lowstands. This phasing with sea-level fluctuations implies a significant recurrent geohazard for tropical volcanic-carbonate islands worldwide. Furthermore, the relationship we found between the cyclic resistance of sediment and its density and magnetic susceptibility represents a time-effective approach for identifying the hazards related to earthquake-induced liquefaction.

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Sultan Nabil, Jouet Gwenael, Riboulot Vincent, Terzariol Marco, Garziglia Sebastien, Cattaneo Antonio, Giraudeau J., Jorry Stephan (2023). Sea-level fluctuations control the distribution of highly liquefaction-prone layers on volcanic-carbonate slopes. Geology, 51(4), 402-407. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1130/G50785.1 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00822/93403/