Abstract
The study area is located in western Pacific Ocean, Mariana Trench. The aim of the data analysis is to analyze the potential influence of how various geological and tectonic factors may affect the geomorphological shape of the Mariana Trench. Statistical analysis of the data set in marine geology and oceanography requires an adequate strategy on big data processing. In this context, current research proposes a combination of the Python-based methodology that couples GIS geospatial data analysis. The Quantum GIS part of the methodology produces an optimized representative sampling dataset consisting of 25 cross-section profiles having in total 12,590 bathymetric observation points. The sampling of the geospatial dataset are located across the Mariana Trench. The second part of the methodology consists of statistical data processing by means of high-level programming language Python. Current research uses libraries Pandas, NumPy and SciPy. The data processing also involves the subsampling of two auxiliary masked data frames from the initial large data set that only consists of the target variables: sediment thickness, slope angle degrees and bathymetric observation points across four tectonic plates: Pacific, Philippine, Mariana, and Caroline. Finally, the data were analyzed by several approaches: 1) Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) for analysis of the probability of data distribution; 2) stacked area chart for visualization of the data range across various segments of the trench; 3) spacial series of radar charts; 4) stacked bar plots showing the data distribution by tectonic plates; 5) stacked bar charts for correlation of sediment thickness by profiles, versus distance from the igneous volcanic areas; 6) circular pie plots visualizing data distribution by 25 profiles; 7) scatterplot matrices for correlation analysis between marine geologic variables. The results presented a distinct correlation between the geologic, tectonic and oceanographic variables. Six Python codes are provided in full for repeatability of this research.
Highlights
There are various geodynamic processes that influence tectonic rift dynamics and structure as well as and rifted margin geomorphology
The steps include following approaches of the statistical data analysis: 1) Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) for analysis of the probability of data distribution; 2) stacked area chart for visualization of the data range across various segments of the trench; 3) spacial series of radar charts; 4) stacked bar plots showing the percentage of data distribution by tectonic plates; 5) stacked bar charts for correlation of sediment thickness by profiles, versus distance from the igneous volcanic areas; 6) circular pie plots visualizing data distribution by 25 profiles
Applied methods of Python programming defines the variability in the local geomorphological structure of the Mariana Trench, Pacific Ocean
Summary
There are various geodynamic processes that influence tectonic rift dynamics and structure as well as and rifted margin geomorphology. The interest towards the geodynamics, the drivers and consequences of these processes was implemented as key target goals of the oceanographic research in China (Cui et al, 2014; Cui & Wu, 2018). Knowing and proper understanding of the driving factors affecting the ocean ecosystems gives an understanding of the possible dynamics, accumulation, and location of the target ocean resources that are crucial for economic development. Understanding the bathymetry of the ocean is crucial for the marina geological research. Given the importance of the hadal areas, the study of the ocean trenches geomorphology and distribution of its features with regards to the bathymetry seems to be obvious
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