Submarine slope failures due to pipe structure formation

Judith Elger (), Christian Berndt, Lars Rüpke, Sebastian Krastel, Felix Gross and Wolfram H. Geissler
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Judith Elger: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research
Christian Berndt: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research
Lars Rüpke: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research
Sebastian Krastel: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Felix Gross: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Wolfram H. Geissler: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract There is a strong spatial correlation between submarine slope failures and the occurrence of gas hydrates. This has been attributed to the dynamic nature of gas hydrate systems and the potential reduction of slope stability due to bottom water warming or sea level drop. However, 30 years of research into this process found no solid supporting evidence. Here we present new reflection seismic data from the Arctic Ocean and numerical modelling results supporting a different link between hydrates and slope stability. Hydrates reduce sediment permeability and cause build-up of overpressure at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. Resulting hydro-fracturing forms pipe structures as pathways for overpressured fluids to migrate upward. Where these pipe structures reach shallow permeable beds, this overpressure transfers laterally and destabilises the slope. This process reconciles the spatial correlation of submarine landslides and gas hydrate, and it is independent of environmental change and water depth.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03176-1

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