Iceberg ploughmarks in the SW Barents Sea imaged using high-resolution P-Cable 3D seismic data

Abstract

Iceberg ploughmarks are common features of glaciated continental margins worldwide. They form when iceberg keels plough through sediments on the ocean floor. They occur in various sizes and shapes, but generally exhibit a linear or curvilinear geometry. The SW Barents Sea is a heavily glaciated margin and its seafloor shows numerous ploughmarks among other glacial landforms (Andreassen et al. 2008). We present seafloor features formed during the late Weichselian glaciation (Solheim et al. 1990) imaged using high-resolution P-Cable 3D seismic data. P-Cable 3D seismic data have a spatial resolution of 6×6 m which is better than many hull-mounted multibeam systems, particularly in deep water. However, the cumulative seismic response of the seafloor is slightly different due to the lower-frequency bandwidth (30–350 Hz) of P-Cable compared to multibeam systems (up to 500 kHz). In addition, amplitude information is readily available and complements grid-based interpretations. Numerous linear and curvilinear depressions occur on the seafloor near …