Part 4. Submarine topography and shoal-water ecology

Professional Paper 280-K
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Abstract

The topography of the sea floor within 10 miles of Saipan broadly resembles that of the land. Eastward, toward the Mariana trench, slopes are about 6°, without prominent benches or scarps. This is inferred to indicate easterly continuation of generally pyroclastic bedrock. The westward slope averages 2° to 3° and consists mainly of nearly flat benches and westfacing scarps. This is taken to imply westward continuation of a limestone bench-and-fault-scarp topography. Projection of known faults to sea and through Tinian, on the basis of topographic trends, suggests a pattern of west-dipping normal faults that parallel the strike of the Mariana ridge and affect the shape and position of islands at the crest of the ridge.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Part 4. Submarine topography and shoal-water ecology
Series title Professional Paper
Series number 280
Chapter K
DOI 10.3133/pp280K
Year Published 1959
Language English
Publisher U.S. Government Printing Office
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Description Report: 134 p.; 4 Plates: 27.31 x 35.94 inches or smaller; Table 6; Chart 1
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title Geology of Saipan, Mariana Islands
First page 361
Last page 445
Country Saipan
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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