A new scenario for the mass transport deposits west Canary volcanic province

Abstract

A new temporal history of mass wasting processes for the west of the Canary volcanic province is presented. Its onset has been estimated in the middle–upper Miocene (∼13.5 ± 1.2 Ma), matching with a critical period of construction for this volcanic province. Seismic profiles show an emplacement longevity (from the Miocene to Quaternary) in multiple events, defined by stacked lobes of debrites, linked to the flank collapses and volcanic avalanches of the volcanic edifices (islands and seamounts). An evolution of pathways and source areas has been detected from east (Miocene) to west (Quaternary); as well as a migration of the activity to the northwest (west of the Canary Islands: e.g. El Hierro and La Palma). Six connected branches (I–VI), three of them described for the first time here, of Quaternary seismic units of mass transport deposits (MTDs) have been characterized. The Pleistocene makes up a huge buried MTDs system, until now unknown, pointing a new mass transport sedimentological scenario. Finally, the two southernmost branches (V–VI), up to now unknown, are a mainly buried system of stacked and terraced lobes of debrites sourced mainly from the flank collapses of the volcanic seamounts of the Canary Island Seamount Province, apparently inactive from upper Cretaceous.