Vertical tectonics in northern Escanaba Trough as recorded by thick late Quaternary turbidites

Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth
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Abstract

Escanaba Trough, the southernmost segment of the Gorda Ridge, is filled by as much as 500 m of late Quaternary turbidite and hemipelagic sediment. Coring at Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 35 and Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Sites 1037 and 1038 together with 4.5-kHz deep-tow and 3.5-kHz surface-ship seismic reflection profiles enable a distinct pattern of reflections to be mapped throughout Escanaba Trough in the upper part of this sediment fill. The uppermost 80 m of turbidite sediment, which includes at least 11 turbidity current events, were deposited in <7 kyr. Nine of these turbidites are found throughout Escanaba Trough at water depths >3200 m. The turbidity currents were trapped upon entering Escanaba Trough, resulting in all of the sediment in suspension in the flows being deposited. The thickness of the turbidite layers reflects both the flow thickness and the vertical grain concentration within the flow that deposited the layer. Variations in the turbidite thickness with respect to water depth can be used to estimate the degree of relative vertical movement within the floor of Escanaba Trough. In the area of hydrothermal activity near ODP Site 1038, uplift of as much as 140 m has occurred over the past 8 kyr.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Vertical tectonics in northern Escanaba Trough as recorded by thick late Quaternary turbidites
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth
DOI 10.1029/2001JB000341
Volume 106
Issue B7
Year Published 2001
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Description 10 p.
First page 13793
Last page 13802
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Escanaba Trough, Gorda Ridge, Pacific Ocean
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