Shelf–slope sedimentation during the late Quaternary on the southwestern Kuril forearc margin, northern Japan

Abstract

We studied an active forearc margin off eastern Hokkaido, northern Japan, to identify the main influences on stratigraphic development from the last glacial to the present highstand. This paper presents new data on the environment, texture, and sedimentation rates of forearc shelf–slope sediments, based on more than 300 samples of seafloor sediments and densely gridded sub-bottom profiling records. Lowstand sedimentary wedges developed upon the shelf margins in areas with a large sediment supply and without incising canyons. The transgressive and highstand deposits formed on the shelf in extensive, low-gradient, and topographically low areas. The narrow shelf is covered by sandy sediments, where winnowed fines are likely to have escaped to the slope via gravity-driven across-shelf transport or ocean-current-induced along-shelf transport. The slope has a mid-slope mud belt at water depths of 700–1600 m. The sedimentation rates on the slope subsequent to 15 ka (the late transgressive to highstand stage) were just 10–70% of the rates prior to this period. These changes in sedimentation rates are ascribed to spatially variable topography. High sedimentation rates were maintained at topographically low and gently sloping areas even during highstand periods, due to concentrations of nepheloid layers or deposition via sediment gravity flows. On the other hand, low sedimentation rates were recognized on topographic highs of interfluves on the upper slope or on axes of anticlines, where main flows or overspills of turbidity currents decreased as sealevel rose. These results suggest that sedimentologic and stratigraphic variations are tied to variations in the physical configuration of the shelf/slope system being influenced by the local topography in addition to the climatic and oceanographic processes.