Three-dimensional secondary surface geomorphology of submarine landslides on northwest Pacific plate guyots

Abstract

Slump and debris slides form on seamounts as they grow, age, and are transported across the sea floor. Slump scars, evident as amphitheater headwalls, are a good morphological indicator where a landslide has occurred. Radical changes in the lower flank slope angles are also good indicators. Debris flows can be surmised by hummocky topography, with the larger blocks being nearer the main edifice. A cursory inspection of the Pacific plate from younger to older shows: (1) the Hawaiian-Emperor Ridge from Loihi to Suiko at 65 Ma, where the lower flank slopes increase with age, (2) Mammerickx seamount in the Mapmakers on 140 Ma crust, out of the fractured region, still showing moats and having no sign of landslides, (3) Castor and Pollux guyots of the Michelson Ridge on 150 Ma crust, where the debris field size is added to or overprinted by later volcanics, to (4) Hunk, Jennings, and Jaybee guyots in the Marcus-Wake seamounts on 160 Ma crust, where later fracture zone formation may have helped form landslides. None of the older seamounts have been dated. Three-dimensional views aid in the location and description of landslides.