Structure and evolution of mass transport deposits in the South Caspian Basin, Azerbaijan

Steve E.J. Richardson*, Richard J. Davies, Mark B. Allen, Simon F. Grant

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Quaternary to late Pliocene sedimentary succession along the margin of the South Caspian Basin contains numerous kilometre-scale submarine slope failures, which were sourced along the basin slope and from the inclined flanks of contemporaneous anticlines. This study uses three-dimensional (3D) seismic reflection data to visualise the internal structure of 27 mass transport deposits and catalogues the syndepositional structures contained within them. These are used to interpret emplacement processes occurring during submarine slope failure. The deposits consist of three linked structural domains: extensional, translational and compressive, each containing characteristic structures. Novel features are present within the mass transport deposits: (1) a diverging retrogression of the headwall scarp; (2) the absence of a conventional headwall scarp around growth stratal pinch outs; (3) restraining bends in the lateral margin; (4) a downslope increase in the throw of thrust faults. The results of this study shed light on the deformation that occurred during submarine slope failure, and highlight an important geological process in the evolution of the South Caspian Basin margin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)702-719
Number of pages18
JournalBasin Research
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Structure and evolution of mass transport deposits in the South Caspian Basin, Azerbaijan'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this