D3: Submarine geo-hazards: gravitational mass movements, mud volcanoes and melanges

(A. Camerlenghi, Barcelona; K. Huhn, Bremen)

The formation of sedimentary melanges (olistostromes) in convergent margin settings implies both mass wasting processes from destabilisation of submarine slopes and mud volcanic activity. Each of these may contribute to tremendous submarine geo-hazards with potentially large socio-economic importance. All processes show wide temporal and spatial spectra and occur globally in different geological scenarios.
A thorough understanding of processes controlling the stability of slopes, the kinematics of mass movements, the activity of mud volcanoes, or the fluid circulation in sediments and bedrock is essential to estimate the risk potential of these events. Consequently, detailed permanent monitoring by means of geophysical, geological, geochemical, geotechnical and/or modelling techniques become increasingly important. Hence, the major aim of this session is to bring these multi-disciplinary approaches together in order to get a better understanding of ocean-floor phenomena.