Morphological analysis of mass-transport deposits in Cenozoic sediments at the Southern Vøring Margin

Abstract

This thesis builds an evolutionary history of recent times for a region of the Southern Vøring margin west of the Vigrid Syncline, focusing mainly on the morphological traits of mass-transport complexes and selected internal structures. The scenario covers the last 0.8 million years, the three later periods of Naust time. Preliminary research was done on pertinent geological processes and features such as polygonal faulting and submarine landslides, the geohistory of the study area and its broader environment. Results were acquired from seismic interpretation of a three-dimensional data block. Explanation was given concerning used methodology as well as as brief overview of the full work process leading up to seismic interpretation – namely seismic data acquisition and seismic processing. Via examination of seismic sections and attribute maps generated of selected seismic reflectors, certain distinctive sedimentary structures were chosen as an attempt to identify kinematic indicators, features that would provide data regarding the behaviour and characteristics of mass-transport complexes. The lithostrathigrapical units settled in the study area were identified. Previous results were then compared to information gathered during background research and five of the thirteen selected sedimentary structures were determined to be kinematic indicators. Lastly, the concluded sequence of events dominating the study area in the Naust U and Naust S periods was described.