Abstract

Sediments from Effingham Inlet, an anoxic fjord on the west coast of Vancouver Island, were studied for their possible relation to paleoseismic activity. Diatomaceous sediments carry a complex history of episodic turbidites and deformation structures set against a background of varved sedimentation. The turbidity currents were initiated as fjord sidewall slope failures many of which were earthquake-induced. Accurate dating of 24 turbidites over approximately 3,300 years of the inner basin record was obtained. Known earthquakes recorded by turbidites include the AD 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake and AD 1700 plate-boundary earthquake. Comparison of this event history and a similar record from Saanich Inlet (130 km away) yielded 8 contemporaneous slope failures over the past 1,500 years.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.