Abstract
Based on high-resolution bathymetric records, sub-bottom profiles and sediment cores, we study postglacial mass transport deposits, slide scar complexes, cyclic steps and rockfall deposits as indicators of mass failures in the inner Hardangerfjorden system, western Norway. The stacked mass transport deposits show thicknesses of up to 4 m and witness that the inner Hardangerfjorden has been a site of repetitive mass failure events, potentially triggered by earthquakes related to glacioisostatic uplift. The cyclic steps, affecting an area of about 2 km2 in the innermost fjord, have wave lengths of 40 m, heights of 5 m and are most likely related to fluvial sediment supply. Seven slide scar complexes, with stratigraphy-cutting scar heights of 6–34 m, are identified on the basin plain of the fjord. These are all associated with large depocenters along the fjord flanks, suggesting a link between locations of high sediment supply and mass failure. Although rapid deposition might, by itself, induce failures, an external trigger mechanism, such as an earthquake, should also be considered.
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Acknowledgements
We acknowledge Statnett and DOF Subsea Norway AS for access to high-resolution bathymetric data and thank Oddvar Longva and Jasper Moernaut for revision of the paper. The research leading to these results has received funding from the People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007–2013/ under REA grant agreement n° 317217. The research forms part of the GLANAM (GLAciated North Atlantic Margins) Initial Training Network.
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Bellwald, B., Hjelstuen, B.O., Sejrup, H.P., Haflidason, H. (2016). Postglacial Mass Failures in the Inner Hardangerfjorden System, Western Norway. In: Lamarche, G., et al. Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences. Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research, vol 41. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20979-1_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20979-1_7
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