RECENT SEDIMENTARY PROCESSES IN THE WESTERN GULF OF CORINTH, GREECE: SEISMIC AND ASEISMIC TURBITIDES

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Published: Jul 27, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.11739
Keywords:
marine sediments submarine mass movements seismic and aseismic turbidites age model
S. Sergiou
University of Patras, Department of Geology, Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography
A. Beckers
Department of Geography, University of Liège,
M. Geraga
University of Patras, Department of Geology, Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography
G. Papatheodorou
University of Patras, Department of Geology, Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography
I. Iliopoulos
University of Patras, Department of Geology
H. Papaefthymiou
University of Patras, Department of Chemistry
Abstract

The Corinth rift is counted among the most active tectonic grabens in the world, with extension rates up to 15 mm/yr (Western part). These high extension rates are associated with very strong seismic events that are, occasionally, responsible for submarine mass movements. These movements, their consequential bottom currents, and the differential river-discharging sediment accumulation in the whole gulf, strongly affect the modern marine sedimentary processes. The definition and understanding of these processes is the main aim of this project. This is attempted through via sedimentological, mineral and geochemical analyses on sediment samples from two ~1.1 m long, sediment cores from a WE submarine canyon (10 km long, 3 km wide) that lies in the Western tip of the gulf. The general sedimentation motif reveals the presence of hemipelagic deposits which are occasionally interrupted by sandy turbidites. Occasionally, these turbidites seem to have seismic origin. The sedimentation rates range between 2.57 mm/yr in the western part and 0.67 mm/yr in the eastern part.

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  • Marine Geology and Oceanography
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