Abstract
Although northern Baffin Bay is recognized as one of the most active seismic zones in Canada, there is limited evidence of Holocene earthquake-triggered mass transport deposits (MTDs) or turbidites in the marine record. Here, we present a record of MTDs and turbidites in two areas of Baffin Bay where earthquakes are the most likely triggering mechanism. Our study focuses on a submarine channel system in Scott Trough (proximal to the Baffin Bay seismic zone – BBSZ) and on MTDs identified from the Home Bay slope, distal to the BBSZ. The channel system in Scott Trough is a sediment-starved relict system from deglaciation, which is now at 200 m water depth, precluding many turbidity current triggers normally associated with active submarine channels. Instead, we propose that the Holocene turbidites in Scott Trough are a result of seismic activity. This hypothesis is further supported by the presence of a turbidite dated at ca 1933 CE resulting from an M 7.4 earthquake. Three other turbidites are recorded in the Scott Trough channel system at ca 9.3, 4.3-3.6 and 2.4 cal ka BP. In Home Bay, two distinct MTDs were dated at just older than 9.1 cal ka BP, which suggests they were triggered by an earthquake during post-glacial, glacio-isostatic adjustment. There is limited evidence for more recent Holocene MTDs in Home Bay, which is consistent with lower seismic activity in the region when compared to Scott Trough. These results provide convincing evidence for a marine record of Holocene earthquakes but should be considered an initial study upon which future Holocene sediment records can be compared.
Published Version
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