3-D Seismic Characterization of Submarine Landslides on a Miocene Carbonate Platform (Luconia Province, Malaysia)

Abstract

3-D seismic reflection data and a variance cube are used to determine the architecture and investigate the triggering processes of submarine landslides affecting the flanks of a Miocene carbonate platform in the Luconia Province, Malaysia. The slide masses exhibit, in time-slice displays, chaotic, patchy seismic patterns, in otherwise smooth reflections. They lie basinward of the slide scar, tend to widen in the transport direction, and end in indistinct lobes. Slide scars appear as crescent-shaped embayments in otherwise straight or oval platform-edge contours. However, slide scars show planar morphology where they coincide with a fault zone. In vertical sections, the basal surfaces of the slides are steep concave slope segments (slide scar) that rapidly flatten where they dip under the slide masses. Slide masses appear as zones of discontinuous wavy reflections that wedge out in both upslope and downslope directions, extend for 1.5 km into the basin, and have a maximum thickness of 130 m. The slide deposit on the western flank is the result of at least two individual sliding events. Two seismically chaotic bodies are separated by a smooth reflection interpreted as an intercalation of hemipelagic mud between carbonaterich slide masses. Syndepositional faulting affects the geometry of the platform and the platform margins, particularly at the time of slope failure. We suggest that the slides were generated by the interplay of steep-slope progradation and faulting accompanied by seismic shocks.

Deep water geomorphology of the mixed siliciclastic‐carbonate system, Gulf of Papua

“…Scalloped margin morphology was originally described on the Florida escarpment [ Mullins et al , 1986]. Similar features have been found along margins of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean region [ Mullins and Hine , 1989; Hine et al , 1992], as well as along ancient margins in the rock record [e.g., Franseen et al , 1989; Bosellini et al , 1993; Stewart et al , 1993; Zampetti et al , 2004]. These features have been interpreted by the above authors as scars from large‐scale mass wasting or slope failure events.…”

“…Slopes with steep gradients are common features along platform margins [e.g., Emery , 1948; Stoddart , 1962; Ball et al , 1969]. Such steep gradients can be conducive to margin failure [e.g., Grammer et al , 1993; Zampetti et al , 2004], generating significant volumes of material that accumulate in deep water environments adjacent to carbonate platforms. Evidence of margin failure can be preserved as “scalloped margin” morphology [ Mullins and Hine , 1989].…”

Seismic geomorphology and growth architecture of a Miocene barrier reef, Browse Basin, NW-Australia

“…Origin of the data is stated as follows: DC ¼ Ditch cuttings; Log ¼ Geophysical well log; SWC ¼ Sidewall core. Zampetti et al, 2004), ancient karst morphologies or buried reefs (Lara, 1993). Still, a topography of 10 m would probably have been enough to trigger the preferential settlement of reef growth.…”

“…Vahrenkamp et al (2004) and Zampetti et al (2005) described the architecture of some of the numerous detached carbonate platforms of the Luconia province. In addition Zampetti et al (2004) focussed on the documentation of landslides at the flanks of one of these platforms. Another prime example documented in 3D is the Eocene to Miocene carbonate buildup of the Malampaya region offshore Palawan (Grötsch and Mercadier, 1999).…”

Geomorphology and Karstification of the Southern Field High Carbonates in Central Luconia Province

“…Time slices on the slope deposits are often too thin to be resolved (Zampetti et al, 2004a). A slump sheet feature resolved on the variance slice shows dispersive lobe shaped splays ponded over an area with a radius up to 1.5 km and 1.02 km in width.…”