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Creep deformation of slope sediments in the Canadian Beaufort Sea

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Abstract

High resolution seismic profiles from the Canadian Beaufort Sea continental slope characteristically show a surficial 50 m thick conformably stratified unit overlying an irregular erosion surface. This stratified unit appears to be compressionally folded and associated with minor faults. At the shelf break, there are numerous indicators of a tensional regime, such as a large, slope-parallel graben and numerous mud diapirs. Although a large-scale slide-scar was mapped in one area, most of the slope is interpreted to be deforming by a creep mechanism. Preliminary calculations can provide reasonable values for the fold wave length and rate of deformation, supporting the suggestion that time dependent creep deformation has occurred in this area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Canada Atlantic Geoscience Centre, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 1006, B2Y 4A2, Dartmouth, N.S., Canada

    P. R. Hill, K. M. Moran & S. M. Blasco

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  1. P. R. Hill
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  2. K. M. Moran
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  3. S. M. Blasco
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Hill, P.R., Moran, K.M. & Blasco, S.M. Creep deformation of slope sediments in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. Geo-Marine Letters 2, 163–170 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02462758

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02462758

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