Methods and Applications of High-Resolution Stratigraphy on Continental Margins

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263). This special issue belongs to the section "Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeontology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2017) | Viewed by 29956

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Guest Editor
Italian National Research Council, Institute of Environmental Geology and Geo-Engineering (CNR-IGAG), Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: seismic stratigraphy and geomorphology; quaternary tectonics and marine paleoseismology; marine geohazards; history of geology; evolution and biostratigraphy of jurassic ammonites; geohazards
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Continental margins are multi-scale stratigraphic archives of the history of the Earth, where a record of geological and environmental changes can be unveiled. They host continental and marine settings, the study of which has sometimes ensued in a divide of methodologies that has in turn biased research quests and results. In the last two to three decades, the development of very high-resolution techniques and their application to marine settings have considerably improved our capability of investigating depositional/erosional processes controlling the stratigraphic architecture of shelf-slope settings, as well as the geomorphic shaping of the seafloor. In particular, continental margins are now being extensively investigated by means of high-resolution morpho-bathymetry, allowing the placing of seismic-stratigraphic and sedimentological analyses in a geomorphic perspective.

This Special Issue aims at addressing questions lively raised or re-proposed by recent improvements in very high resolution investigation methods, which may deal with: i) the existence of general patterns in stratigraphy; ii) their temporal/spatial scale of occurrence; iii) their relationships with recent/modern processes active at seafloor; and iv) the possible feedbacks with respect to their matching to current conceptual models, which they may contribute to test and refine.

Prof. Dr. Domenico Ridente
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Sequence stratigraphy;
  • Quaternary cyclicity;
  • Deltaic and shelf depositional systems;
  • Continental slope and deep basin stratigraphy;
  • Stratigraphy and geohazards
  • Digital Field Work

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 55342 KiB  
Article
Coastal Evolution, Hydrothermal Migration Pathways and Soft Deformation along the Campania Continental Shelf (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): Insights from High-Resolution Seismic Profiles
by Martina Misuraca, Francesca Budillon, Renato Tonielli, Gabriella Di Martino, Sara Innangi and Luciana Ferraro
Geosciences 2018, 8(4), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8040121 - 4 Apr 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3893
Abstract
A closely spaced set of high-resolution Chirp-Sonar and Sparker profiles and swath bathymetric data was acquired in 2013 for the I-AMICA Project off the Volturno River mouth (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) by the Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC), National Research Council of Italy [...] Read more.
A closely spaced set of high-resolution Chirp-Sonar and Sparker profiles and swath bathymetric data was acquired in 2013 for the I-AMICA Project off the Volturno River mouth (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) by the Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR). The palaeo-topography of three key surfaces, represented by the bounding surfaces of the post-glacial lithosomes, was mapped by the interpolation of seismically detected reflectors. The morphology of the surface related to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) regression revealed the presence of fault linkages which defined a small-scale accommodation zone with an E–W trending interbasinal relative high. The observed set of oppositely dipping faults, NNW- and ENE-directed, locally controlled the deposition of the paralic/deltaic bodies during the post-glacial rise in sea level, as testified by their wedge-shaped geometries and shifting depocentres. The deformation may be linked to the Campi Flegrei caldera collapse following the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (NYT) eruption and aged 15 ka BP. The relevant thickness of the Transgressive System Tract (TST) testifies to an increased sediment yield and intense reworking in coastal areas, probably driven by the high volcanoclastic supply during volcanic paroxysm, almost coeval with the post-glacial transgression. Fluid escape features linked to an E–W striking fluid front at the outer shelf suggest the presence of an hydrothermal system controlled by the predominant direction of normal to oblique Quaternary-active faults and by lithologic discontinuities across the sedimentary pile. Full article
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16 pages, 9085 KiB  
Article
Active Tectonics along the South East Offshore Margin of Mt. Etna: New Insights from High-Resolution Seismic Profiles
by Giovanni Barreca, Marta Corradino, Carmelo Monaco and Fabrizio Pepe
Geosciences 2018, 8(2), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8020062 - 8 Feb 2018
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5335
Abstract
The offshore margin of Mt. Etna has been shaped by Middle Pleistocene to Holocene shortening and extension and, more recently, by gravity-related sliding of the volcanic edifice. These processes have acted contemporaneously although the gravitational component largely prevails over the tectonic one. In [...] Read more.
The offshore margin of Mt. Etna has been shaped by Middle Pleistocene to Holocene shortening and extension and, more recently, by gravity-related sliding of the volcanic edifice. These processes have acted contemporaneously although the gravitational component largely prevails over the tectonic one. In order to investigate this issue, we focused on the main role of active tectonics along the south-eastern offshore of Mt. Etna by means of marine high-resolution seismic data. Seismic profiles revealed post-220 ka sedimentary deposits unconformably overlaying the Lower-Middle Pleistocene Etnean clayey substratum and volcanics of the Basal Tholeiitic phase and the Timpe phase. Offshore Aci Trezza-Catania, the architecture of the sedimentary deposits reflects syn-tectonic deposition occurred into “piggy-back” basin setting. Shortening rate was estimated at ~0.5 mm/a since ~220 ka. Asymmetric folding also involves post Last Glacial Maximum deposits, evidencing that compressional deformation is still active. In the continental slope, a belt of normal faults offset the Lower-Middle Pleistocene Etnean clayey substratum and younger deposits, also producing seafloor ruptures. Thrust and fold structures can be related to the recent migration of the Sicilian chain front, while extensional faults are interpreted as part of a major tectonic boundary located in the Ionian offshore of Sicily. Full article
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20 pages, 31555 KiB  
Article
Late Pleistocene Post-Glacial Sea Level Rise and Differential Preservation of Transgressive “Sand Ridge” Deposits in the Adriatic Sea
by Domenico Ridente
Geosciences 2018, 8(2), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8020061 - 8 Feb 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5086
Abstract
Linear sand bodies with ridged or mounded morphology are commonly referred to as “sand ridges”. Their origin may reflect a great variety of depositional processes and environments, although many examples from modern shelves include near-shore transgressive deposits formed during the last post-glacial sea [...] Read more.
Linear sand bodies with ridged or mounded morphology are commonly referred to as “sand ridges”. Their origin may reflect a great variety of depositional processes and environments, although many examples from modern shelves include near-shore transgressive deposits formed during the last post-glacial sea level rise. These transgressive sand ridges, however, are not present on all the margins drowned during this interval, indicating that local environmental factors contribute to their formation and preservation. Transgressive sand ridges are recognized on the South Adriatic shelf in water depths between 90 and 120 m, where they overlay a major unconformity originated during the last glacial sea level fall and lowstand. In contrast, they are absent on the Central Adriatic shelf, where transgressive deposits above the glacial unconformity fill erosional scours without forming relief on the seafloor. The transgressive sand ridges on the South Adriatic shelf appear roughly elongated parallel to the bathymetric contour and are locally as thick as 15–20 m. Core data indicate an overall coarse-grained composition, with a relevant bioclastic component. Their limited distribution reflects the importance of local variation in shelf morphology and sediment sourcing at the onset of sea level rise. In particular, their deposition and preservation are favored in less subsiding shelf sectors characterized by higher gradients and tectonic relief, where transgressive erosion and reworking of pre-existing lowstand deposits is also more efficient. Full article
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13 pages, 3233 KiB  
Article
Fluid Vents, Flank Instability, and Seafloor Processes along the Submarine Slopes of the Somma-Vesuvius Volcano, Eastern Tyrrhenian Margin
by Salvatore Passaro, Marco Sacchi, Stella Tamburrino and Guido Ventura
Geosciences 2018, 8(2), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8020060 - 8 Feb 2018
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3723
Abstract
We report the geomorphological features of the continental shelf of the Gulf of Naples along the submarine slopes of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex. This area is characterized by seafloor morphologies that are related to mantle degassing. Significant phenomena associated with this process occur. [...] Read more.
We report the geomorphological features of the continental shelf of the Gulf of Naples along the submarine slopes of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex. This area is characterized by seafloor morphologies that are related to mantle degassing. Significant phenomena associated with this process occur. Doming of the seafloor has been detected in the area of Banco della Montagna, whereas a hole-like morphology has formed at Bocca dei Pescatori, likely as a result of a phreatic explosion. Outcropping or partially submerged volcanic bodies are also present as well as two main debris avalanche deposits arising from the main Somma-Vesuvius edifice. A large area characterized by an overall concave external profile and a global sediment wave morphology covers most of the southwestern area of the volcano. Full article
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13 pages, 7835 KiB  
Article
Submarine Depositional Terraces at Salina Island (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) and Implications on the Late-Quaternary Evolution of the Insular Shelf
by Daniele Casalbore, Claudia Romagnoli, Chiara Adami, Alessandro Bosman, Francesco Falese, Alessandro Ricchi and Francesco Latino Chiocci
Geosciences 2018, 8(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8010020 - 13 Jan 2018
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4317
Abstract
The integrated analysis of high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and single-channel seismic profiles around Salina Island allowed us to characterize the stratigraphic architecture of the insular shelf. The shelf is formed by a gently-sloping erosive surface carved on the volcanic bedrock, mostly covered by sediments [...] Read more.
The integrated analysis of high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and single-channel seismic profiles around Salina Island allowed us to characterize the stratigraphic architecture of the insular shelf. The shelf is formed by a gently-sloping erosive surface carved on the volcanic bedrock, mostly covered by sediments organized in a suite of terraced bodies, i.e. submarine depositional terraces. Based on their position on the shelf, depth range of their edge and inner geometry, different orders of terraces can be distinguished. The shallowest terrace (near-shore terrace) is a sedimentary prograding wedge, whose formation can be associated to the downward transport of sediments from the surf zone and shoreface during stormy conditions. According to the range depth of the terrace edge (i.e., 10–25 m, compatible with the estimated present-day, local storm-wave base level in the central and western Mediterranean), the formation of this wedge can be attributed to the present-day highstand. By assuming a similar genesis for the deeper terraces, mid-shelf terraces having the edge at depths of 40–50 m and 70–80 m can be attributed to the late and early stages of the Post-LGM transgression, respectively. Finally, the deepest terrace (shelf-edge terrace) has the edge at depths of 130–160 m, being thus referable to the lowstand occurred at ca. 20 ka. Based on the variability of edge depth in the different sectors, we also show how lowstand terraces can be used to provide insights on the recent vertical movements that affected Salina edifice in the last 20 ka, highlighting more generally their possible use for neo-tectonic studies elsewhere. Moreover, being these terraces associated to different paleo-sea levels, they can be used to constrain the relative age of the different erosive stages affecting shallow-water sectors. Full article
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Review

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25 pages, 8300 KiB  
Review
Variability of Shelf Growth Patterns along the Iberian Mediterranean Margin: Sediment Supply and Tectonic Influences
by Ruth Durán, Francisco José Lobo, Marta Ribó, Marga García and Luis Somoza
Geosciences 2018, 8(5), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8050168 - 7 May 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6690
Abstract
Clinoform depositional features along the Iberian Mediterranean margin are investigated in this study, with the aim of establishing the causes of their varied shapes and other characteristics. We have analyzed the broad-scale margin physiography and seismic stratigraphic patterns based on high-resolution bathymetric data [...] Read more.
Clinoform depositional features along the Iberian Mediterranean margin are investigated in this study, with the aim of establishing the causes of their varied shapes and other characteristics. We have analyzed the broad-scale margin physiography and seismic stratigraphic patterns based on high-resolution bathymetric data and previously interpreted seismic data. In addition, we have evaluated regional supply conditions and the uplift-subsidence regime of the different shelf sectors. The upper Quaternary record is strongly dominated by shelf-margin regressive wedges affected by the prevailing 100 ka cyclicity. However, the margins exhibit considerable lateral variability, as the result of the balance between the amount of sediment supply and the uplift-subsidence relationship. Three major shelf sectors with distinct morpho-sedimentary features have been defined. The relatively narrow northern shelves (Roses, La Planassa and Barcelona) are supplied by discrete river outlets that collectively constitute a linear source and are mainly affected by tectonic tilting. The wide middle shelves (Ebro Shelf, the Gulf of Valencia, and the Northern Arc) receive the sediment supply from the large Ebro River and other medium rivers. Although the tectonic regime changes laterally (strong subsidence in the north and uplift in the south), shelf growth is maintained by lateral advection of sediments. The southern shelves (the Southern Arc and the northern Alboran Shelf) are very abrupt and narrow because of the uplifting Betic Cordillera, and the torrential fluvial regimes that determine a very efficient sediment by-pass toward the deep basin. Submarine canyons deeply incised in the continental margin constitute a key physiographic feature that may enhance the transport of sediment to the deep sea or individualize shelf sectors with specific sedimentation patterns, as occurs in the Catalan margin. Full article
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