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1. Large seafloor rupture caused by the 1956 Amorgos tsunamigenic earthquake, Greece

Author

Frédérique Leclerc, Sylvain Palagonia, Nathalie Feuillet, Paraskevi Nomikou, Danai Lampridou, Paul Barrière, Alexandre Dano, Eduardo Ochoa, Nuno Gracias, and Javier Escartin

Subjects
Geology, QE1-996.5, Environmental sciences, GE1-350
Abstract

Abstract In the Mediterranean Sea, the probability that a large earthquake-triggered tsunami will occur in the coming decades is high. Historical tsunami database informs us on their geographical occurrence but their sources, i.e., the faults that slipped during earthquakes and displaced the seafloor to generate tsunamis, are often unknown. Here we identify the submarine rupture of the Amorgos earthquake that on July 9, 1956, triggered the largest mediterranean tsunami in the past two centuries. Using submarines, we explored major normal faults in the epicentral area, and discovered a large surface rupture along the 75-km long Amorgos fault. The 9.8-16.8-m large seafloor offset is compatible with a Mw7.5 event. This finding prompts a reassessment of the largest (≥20 m) tsunami wave origin, previously attributed to earthquake-triggered submarine mass-wasting. It demonstrates that tsunami source can be determined several decades after an event, a key information to better assess future seismic and tsunami hazards.

Published
2024
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2. Seafloor earthquake ruptures and mass wasting from the 2004 Mw 6.3 Les Saintes submarine earthquake

Author

Alex Hughes, Javier Escartín, Jeremy Billant, Frédérique Leclerc, Muriel Andreani, Jean-Arthur Olive, Aurélien Arnaubec, Alexandre Dano, Arthur Delorme, Christine Deplus, Nathalie Feuillet, Caroline Gini, Nuno Gracias, Cédric Hamelin, Klemen Istenič, Jean-Christophe Komorowski, Anne Le Friant, Claire Marchand, Catherine Mével, Solveig Lie Onstad, and Xavier Quidelleur

Subjects
Geology, QE1-996.5, Environmental sciences, GE1-350
Abstract

Abstract The seismic hazard posed by submarine faults and the capacity of submarine earthquakes to trigger mass wasting are poorly understood because we lack detailed characterizations of coseismic ruptures at the seafloor. Here, we present comprehensive mapping of a seafloor rupture caused by the 2004 M w 6.3 Les Saintes earthquake on the Roseau normal fault in the Lesser Antilles. We report the visual characteristics, displacement profile, and note pronounced asymmetry of the rupture that bears similarities with well-studied subaerial normal fault ruptures. We also identify footwall-derived mass wasted debris that locally cover the coseismic rupture, and show that ground accelerations of 0.1–0.2 g can trigger submarine mass wasting events in well consolidated bedrock along unstable, over-steepened, scarps. Our study demonstrates the potential of underwater vehicles for detailed mapping of seafloor ruptures and hints at a key role for earthquakes in shaping submarine bedrock landscapes by triggering mass wasting events.

Published
2023
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3. Crue du 23 novembre 2019 sur la Côte d’Azur : comparaison de débits estimés par analyse d’images et par modélisation hydrologique

Author

Sarah Vigoureux, Pierre Brigode, Léa-Linh Liebard, Aubin Chonoski, Étienne Robert, Louis Torchet, Valentin Poveda, Frédérique Leclerc, Jérémy Billant, Gauthier Rousseau, and Olivier Delestre

Subjects
hydrométrie, jaugeage, LSPIV, modélisation pluie débit, crue-éclair, hydrometry, Hydraulic engineering, TC1-978, Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering, TD1-1066
Abstract

Les précipitations courtes et violentes observées sur la Côte d’Azur conduisent souvent à des crues-éclairs sur les bassins versants côtiers : lors de la crue du 2 octobre 2015, un débit de pointe compris entre 185 et 295 m3/s a été estimé sur la Brague à Biot vers 20h00, alors que le débit y était d’environ 1 m3/s à 17h30 . Si les mesures de tel débits sont très importantes (pour l’analyse statistique des crues, la modélisation des crues, la conception d’ouvrages hydrauliques), elles sont dangereuses lorsqu’elles nécessitent qu’un opérateur manipule un instrument dans ou à proximité de la rivière. Des méthodes alternatives peuvent être utilisées, comme l’analyse de vidéo. Dans ce travail, nous avons appliqué deux algorithmes différents de vélocimétrie d’images (LSPIV) (Fudaa-LSPIV et OpyFlow) à plusieurs vidéos des inondations du 23 novembre 2019 sur le bassin versant de la Brague, afin d’estimer les débits. Les valeurs de débit obtenues sont ensuite comparées aux débits mesurés, ainsi qu’aux résultats de la modélisation pluie-débit sur les mêmes sections. Les estimations LSPIV, les simulations de débits et les observations sont cohérentes sur les sections étudiées, montrant l’intérêt de combiner des techniques aussi différentes et indépendantes pour estimer les valeurs de débit de crue.

Published
2022
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4. Semiautomatic Algorithm to Map Tectonic Faults and Measure Scarp Height from Topography Applied to the Volcanic Tablelands and the Hurricane Fault, Western US

Author

Chelsea P. Scott, Tiziano Giampietro, Cassandra Brigham, Frédérique Leclerc, Isabelle Manighetti, J Ramon Arrowsmith, Daniel A. Laó-Dávila, and Lionel Mattéo

Subjects
Geology, QE1-996.5
Abstract

AbstractObservations of fault geometry and cumulative slip distribution serve as critical constraints on fault behavior over temporal scales ranging from a single earthquake to a fault’s complete history. The increasing availability of high-resolution topography (at least one observation per square meter) from air- and spaceborne platforms facilitates measuring geometric properties along faults over a range of spatial scales. However, manually mapping faults and measuring slip or scarp height is time-intensive, limiting the use of rich topography datasets. To substantially decrease the time required to analyze fault systems, we developed a novel approach for systematically mapping dip-slip faults and measuring scarp height. Our MATLAB algorithm detects fault scarps from topography by identifying regions of steep relief given length and slope parameters calibrated from a manually drawn fault map. We applied our algorithm to well-preserved normal faults in the Volcanic Tablelands of eastern California using four datasets: (1) structure-from-motion topography from a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS; 20 cm resolution), (2) airborne laser scanning (25 cm), (3) Pléiades stereosatellite imagery (50 cm), and SRTM (30 m) topography. The algorithm and manually mapped fault trace architectures are consistent for primary faults, although can differ for secondary faults. On average, the scarp height profiles are asymmetric, suggesting fault lateral propagation and along-strike variations in the fault’s mechanical properties. We applied our algorithm to Arizona and Utah with a specific focus on the normal Hurricane fault where the algorithm mapped faults and other prominent topographic features well. This analysis demonstrates that the algorithm can be applied in a variety of geomorphic and tectonic settings.

Published
2022
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5. Quantification of gravitational mass wasting and controls on submarine scarp morphology along the Roseau fault, Lesser Antilles

Author

Alex Hughes, Javier Escartín, Frédérique Leclerc, Christine Deplus, Luca C. Malatesta, Jean-Arthur Olive, Jérémy Billant, N. Feuillet, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP (UMR_7154)), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Laboratoire de géologie de l'ENS (LGENS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Département des Géosciences - ENS Paris, École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL), Centre européen de recherche et d'enseignement des géosciences de l'environnement (CEREGE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Collège de France (CdF (institution))-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Géoazur (GEOAZUR 7329), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences [Pasadena], California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), ANR-17-CE31-0020,SerSurF,Rupture Sismique des Faille Normales Sous-marines(2017), Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Paris (UP), and Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])

Subjects
geography, geography.geographical_feature_category, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Submarine, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-GEO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph], Mass wasting, Fault (geology), 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, Fault scarp, Mass mass wasting, Submarine submarine landslides, 01 natural sciences, Lesser Antillies, Geophysics, 13. Climate action, Roseau Faultfault, Submarine submarine landscape evolution, 14. Life underwater, Geology, Seismology, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Earth-Surface Processes, Submarine landslide, Normal normal faults
Abstract

Due to challenges involved in mapping the seafloor at high‐resolution (e.g., < 2 m), data are lacking to understand processes that control the evolution of submarine normal fault scarps, which cover large parts of the global seafloor. Here, we use data from autonomous deep‐sea vehicles to quantify local erosion and deposition associated with a pronounced tectonic surface scarp formed by slip on the submarine Roseau normal fault (Lesser Antilles). We use high‐resolution video imagery, photomosaics, and high‐resolution bathymetry data (0.1–10 m/pixel) to identify active erosional features on the scarp including channels, steep gullies, small scarps, and debris cones. We compare volumes of erosion and deposition and find that under certain depositional conditions, debris cones effectively record the erosion signal of mass wasting from the footwall with a ratio of hanging wall deposition to footwall erosion of 0.80. We use eroded volumes to estimate earthquake‐induced landslide erosion rates for the Roseau fault of 14–46 m Ma‐1. Assuming mass wasting of the Roseau fault scarp is mostly coseismic, the erosion rates for the Roseau fault imply that submarine earthquake induced mass‐wasting can occur at similar rates to various terrestrial lithological and tectonic settings. We present a process‐based model of submarine scarp degradation via retrogressive erosion in basement lithology where scarps have a gravitational stability threshold height of 20–40 m and a long‐term average slope of 30–40°. More generally, the results presented here may be applicable to develop models of submarine landscape evolution based on degradation of normal fault scarps on the seafloor.

Published
2021
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6. New perspectives in studying active faults in metropolitan France: the 'Active faults France' (FACT/ATS) research axis from the Resif-Epos consortium

Author

Jean-François Ritz, Stéphane Baize, Laurence Audin, Christine Authémayou, Fabien Graveleau, Caroline Kaub, Pierre Lacan, Frédérique Leclerc, Christophe Larroque, Kevin Manchuel, Jean-Louis Mugnier, Maria Ortuño, Magali Rizza, Riccardo Vassallo, Pierre Antoine, Pierre Arroucau, Jérémy Billant, Laurent Bollinger, Matthieu Ferry, Charlotte Fillon, Laurent Geoffroy, Hervé Jomard, Pascal Le Roy, Jean-Luc Locht, Sébastien Migeon, Clément Perrin, Julie Perrot, Gueorgui Ratzov, Klaus Reicherter, Olivier Soubigou, Christophe Vergniault, Marc Viaplana-Muzas, Jérôme Van der Woerd, Géosciences Montpellier, Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles (UA), Bureau d'évaluation des risques sismiques pour la sûreté des installations (IRSN/PSE-ENV/SCAN/BERSSIN), Service de caractérisation des sites et des aléas naturels (IRSN/PSE-ENV/SCAN), Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN)-Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Institut des Sciences de la Terre (ISTerre), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UR219-Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Gustave Eiffel-Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Laboratoire Géosciences Océan (LGO), Université de Bretagne Sud (UBS)-Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)-Université de Brest (UBO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire d’Océanologie et de Géosciences (LOG) - UMR 8187 (LOG), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale (ULCO)-Université de Lille-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Nord]), SEISTER SAS, France, Centro de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México = National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Géoazur (GEOAZUR 7329), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), EDF (EDF), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Centre européen de recherche et d'enseignement des géosciences de l'environnement (CEREGE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Collège de France (CdF (institution))-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Laboratoire de géographie physique : Environnements Quaternaires et Actuels (LGP), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (UP1)-Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne - Paris 12 (UPEC UP12)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique [UMR 6112] (LPG), Université d'Angers (UA)-Université de Nantes - UFR des Sciences et des Techniques (UN UFR ST), Université de Nantes (UN)-Université de Nantes (UN)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), and TotalEnergies

Subjects
França, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Terratrèmols, [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences, Mainland France, Stable continental region, 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, Active fault, 01 natural sciences, Earthquakes, [SDU.STU.GM]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Geomorphology, Paleoseismogy, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, General Environmental Science, ddc:910, [SDU.STU.TE]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Tectonics, Paleosismologia, Earthquake geology, Paleoseismology, Falles (Geologia), [SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics], Faults (Geology), General Earth and Planetary Sciences, France, FACT research axis (ATS-RESIF), Plate interior
Abstract

Comptes rendus geoscience 353(S1), 381-412 (2021). doi:10.5802/crgeos.98 special issue: "Seismicity in France = Sismicit�� en France / guest editors/r��dacteurs en chef invit��s: Carole Petit, St��phane Mazzotti, Fr��d��ric Masson", Published by Institut de Frances, Acad��mie des sciences, Paris

Published
2021
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7. Tsunami earthquakes : vertical pop-up expulsion at the forefront of subduction megathrust

Author

M. Etchebes, Frédérique Leclerc, L. Li, Shengji Wei, Yanfang Qin, Nugroho D. Hananto, Praditya Avianto, Helene Carton, S. C. Singh, Paul Tapponnier, Asian School of the Environment, Earth Observatory of Singapore, Research Center for Deep Sea, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Géoazur (GEOAZUR 7329), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Geodynamics and Geohazards, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Schlumberger Doll Research, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-IPG PARIS-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Institute of Crustal Dynamics (ICD), China Earthquake Administration (CEA), Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Nanyang Technological University [Singapour], Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), Institute of Crustal Dynamics [Beijing] (ICD), China Earthquake Administration (CEA), Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris), Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), and Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Subjects
Décollement, Accretionary wedge, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Subduction, Seafloor Uplift Source, [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences, Slip (materials science), 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, 01 natural sciences, Seafloor spreading, Geophysics, [SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics], Space and Planetary Science, Geochemistry and Petrology, Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous), Submarine pipeline, Thrust fault, 14. Life underwater, Tsunami Earthquakes, Tsunami earthquake, Geology::Volcanoes and earthquakes [Science], Seismology, Geology, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

Published slip distribution models, based on geodetic, seismological and tsunami data, of the Mw 7.8, 2010 Mentawai tsunami earthquake offshore south-central Sumatra, suggest that the large tsunami wave was generated by a narrow swath of high seafloor uplift along the accretionary wedge front, implying higher vertical throw than that consistent with slip on the shallow-dipping megathrust. Here we present high-resolution seismic reflection profiles across the 2010 rupture zone that image the youngest deformation at the accretionary wedge front. The profiles reveal conjugate, steeply-dipping, active thrust faults that branch upwards from the megathrust and bound triangular pop-ups. The seismologically determined co-seismic slip (≥10 m) on the 6°-dipping decollement probably caused a comparable amount of upward expulsion of these ∼3 km–wide, flat-topped pop-ups. Co-seismic throw on the ≈60° dipping thrusts that bound the pop-up plateaus maximize the uplift of the seafloor and overlying water-column, providing an additional localised tsunami source. Tsunami simulations show that such combined deformation, i.e. the broad-scale seafloor displacement caused by slip on the megathrust and the localized 8–10 m seafloor uplift across a 6–9 km-wide pop-up belt involving up to three pop-ups, is able to reproduce the 2010 tsunami amplitude measured by a DART buoy, and observed run-up heights in the Mentawai Islands. This simple mechanism, observed in analogue sandbox shortening experiments, may thus efficiently generate the oversize waves that characterize Tsunami-Earthquakes. Systematic mapping of pop-ups along accretionary wedge fronts may help identify trench segments prone to produce the special class of seismic events that spawn exceptionally large tsunamis. Published version The Mega-Tera experiment is an international project between the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) and the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris. SOI provided the R/V Falkorfor the experiment and EOS funded the renting of the seismic equipment. The French participation was funded by IPG Paris and INSU-CNRS. This study is also supported by Guangdong Province Introduced In-novative R&D Team of Geological Processes and Natural Disasters around the South China Sea (2016ZT06N331), the National key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFC1500101) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (41976197). We would like to thank the Captain and the team of R/V Falkorfor their help and support during the experiment. We thank B. Be-unaiche, E. Duyck and C. Deplus for discussions and help with backscatter data processing. We thank G. Lamarche for com-ments on an earlier version of the manuscript, as well as two anonymous reviewers and editor J.P. Avouac for their construc-tive comments on this version, and E. Hill for discussions. Raw and processed EM302 (multibeam echo-sounder) data are avail-able at http://www.marine -geo .org /tools /new _search /index .php ?&output _info _all =on &entry _id =FK150523. Seismic reflection data are available upon request. SRTM and GEBCO data were accessed in October 2014 here: http://www2 .jpl .nasa .gov /srtmand http://www.gebco .net. This is Earth Observatory of Singapore publication number 287.

Published
2020
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8. Quaternary coral reef complexes as powerful markers of long-term subsidence related to deep processes at subduction zones: Insights from Les Saintes [Guadeloupe, French West Indies]

Author

Frédérique Leclerc and Nathalie Feuillet

Subjects
geography, geography.geographical_feature_category, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Subduction, Stratigraphy, Geology, Subsidence, Coral reef, 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, 01 natural sciences, Term (time), Oceanography, 14. Life underwater, Quaternary, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, West indies
Abstract

Geodetic measurements reveal modern rates of tectonic deformation along subduction zones, but the kinematics of long-term deformation are typically poorly constrained. We explore the use of submarine coral reefs as a record of long-term coastal vertical motion in order to determine deformation rate and discuss its origins. The Lesser Antilles arc results from the subduction of the American plates beneath the Caribbean plate and undergoes regional vertical deformation. Uplifted reefs along forearc islands are markers of the interplay between tectonics and sea-level variations since the late Pleistocene. We compared results from a numerical model of reef-island profile development to high-resolution marine geophysical measurements of Les Saintes reef plateau (Guadeloupe, French West Indies), a ∼20-km-wide, 250-m-thick submerged platform that lies at 45 m below sea level along the volcanic arc, to constrain its vertical deformation history. Models explore different scenarios over wide parameter domains including start time, basement morphology, sea level variations, reef growth rate, subaerial erosion rate, and vertical motion history. The major features of the plateau (its depth, internal structure, unusual double-barrier) is only reproduced in a context of subsidence, with a constant rate of −0.3 to −0.45 mm/yr since the late Pleistocene, or in a context of increasing subsidence, presently of ∼–0.2 mm/yr. Discussed in the framework of the forearc vertical deformation history, this result indicates subsidence is promoted by local faulting, volcanic, and deep subduction processes. Coseismic deformation accumulation could be a mechanism by which deformation builds up in the long-term. We show that subduction can drive long-term subsidence of a volcanic arc, and demonstrate that submarine reefs are powerful markers of long-term vertical motion.

Published
2019

9. Performing submarine field survey without scuba gear using GIS-like mapping in a Virtual Reality environment

Author

Julia Bozzinio, Klemen Istenic, Javier Escartín, Frédérique Leclerc, Aurélien Arnaubec, Nuno Gracias, Jérémy Billant, Rafael Garcia, Université de Bordeaux (UB), Géoazur (GEOAZUR 7329), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Universitat de Girona (UdG), Universitat de Girona [Girona], Research institute of Computer Vision and Robotics [Girona] (VICOROB), Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-IPG PARIS-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, and Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)

Subjects
Geographic information system, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Computer science, business.industry, [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences, Shapefile, computer.file_format, Virtual reality, 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, Remotely operated underwater vehicle, 01 natural sciences, Visualization, Data visualization, Software, Computer graphics (images), User interface, business, computer, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

Geomorphological and geological studies of the seafloor benefit today from both ROV exploration and from acquisition of high resolution bathymetric data. Although both represent significant improvements to study submarine domains, the understanding of the studied objects is made more difficult than on land given the limited visual perception provided by the ROV camera due to the attenuation of light in the water and the need to use artificial illumination. Likewise, mapping can be performed using GIS software for digital elevation models and its derivatives (e.g. slope or shade raster), mostly in a 2D map view only. So, the submarine studies lack the field survey stage performed in classical onshore works that allows clear visualization and appreciation of the studied objects.Our aim is to develop a solution allowing the visualization of Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and 3D models derived from Structure-from-Motion (SfM) within a virtual reality environment, and to use these data for geomorphological and geological analysis. For this, we use an Oculus Rift headset, Touch controllers, and the Unity game engine, with GIS-like interaction capabilities.The free and open Unity package that we are developing allows, at this stage, data visualization and working at a 1:1 scale in a georeferenced system. The user can therefore move freely within a 3D immersive environment that includes custom topographic data. For quantitative observations, we develop tools (ruler, compass) allowing measurements similar to those performed during geomorphological or geological field work. We also add the possibility to map objects. Digitizing in 3D is achieved with a laser pointed towards the data, providing great precision. The user can thus create pseudo shapefiles using the same three graphic primitives, and that are compatible with standard GIS software. Beside these functionalities, we also implement a spatial user interface displaying help and information and a teleportation tool preventing motion sickness.The users that have tested this solution are enthusiastic and agree that it helps to better appreciate and understand the shape and geometry of the studied objects. It was also used to present and explain 3D models of outcrops to master students. Further developments will port the solution for other headsets, facilitate the data import (e.g., standard file formats for 3D objects and DEMs), create and manage of multiple layers of shapefiles, and include multiplayer online gaming capabilities to allow remote co-working with colleague(s) at other distant locations, or a whole classroom.

Published
2019
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10. Stratigraphic Control of Frontal Décollement Level and Structural Vergence and Implications for Tsunamigenic Earthquake Hazard in Sumatra, Indonesia

Author

Yanfang Qin, Kerry Sieh, Wei Shengji, Helene Carton, Fernando Villanueva-Robles, S. C. Singh, Frédérique Leclerc, Paul Tapponier, Nugroho D. Hananto, Kyle Bradley, Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University [Singapour], ASIAN SCHOOL OF THE ENVIRONMENT, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), LIPI (Indonesian Institute of Sciences), Géoazur (GEOAZUR 7329), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), Asian School of the Environment (ASE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-IPG PARIS-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), Asian School of the Environment, Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, and Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)

Subjects
Décollement, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Subduction, Tsunami, [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences, Fracture zone, 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, 01 natural sciences, Seafloor spreading, Geophysics, Geochemistry and Petrology, Oceanic crust, Bathymetry, Submarine pipeline, Science::Geology [DRNTU], 14. Life underwater, Tsunami earthquake, Geology, Seismology, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Abstract

Propagation of fault rupture to the seafloor is a likely cause of enhanced tsunami generation during megathrust earthquakes. New, high‐resolution seismic reflection profiles and swath bathymetry collected across the northern limit of the Mw 7.8, 25 October 2010 Mentawai tsunami earthquake rupture reveal significant and systematic lateral variations in both the stratigraphic level of the frontal Sunda megathrust and the vergence of its frontal ramp faults. Where ramp faults are uniformly seaward vergent, the décollement resides on top of a strong reflector marking the inferred top of pelagic sediments. Where ramp faults are bivergent (both landward and seaward), the décollement is localized within the subducting clastic sequence, above a xseismically transparent unit inferred to be distal fan muds. Where ramp faults are uniformly landward vergent, the décollement is directly on top of the oceanic crust of the subducting Investigator Fracture Zone. Enhanced surface uplift and tsunamigenesis during the 2010 tsunamigenic earthquake appear to have coincided with propagation of rupture into frontal areas with well‐developed structural bivergence. Frontal bivergence is a geological signal of low basal traction during accrual of slip, and offshore of Sumatra this structural style may mark areas of enhanced tsunami hazard posed by small‐magnitude, shallow megathrust ruptures that propagate into the incoming terrigenous sequence at near‐trench levels. NRF (Natl Research Foundation, S’pore) MOE (Min. of Education, S’pore) Published version

Published
2019
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11. From prodigious volcanic degassing to caldera subsidence and quiescence at Ambrym (Vanuatu): the influence of regional tectonics

Author

Valérie Ballu, Marie Boichu, Yves Moussallam, Sandrine Cevuard, Raphaël Grandin, Dan Tari, Bernard Pelletier, Tara Shreve, Francisco Delgado, Martin Vallée, Pierre Lebellegard, Esline Garaebiti, Frédérique Leclerc, Nicolas Henriot, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-IPG PARIS-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Laboratoire d’Optique Atmosphérique - UMR 8518 (LOA), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de Lille-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans (LMV-ENSMSE), École des Mines de Saint-Étienne (Mines Saint-Étienne MSE), Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] (IMT)-Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] (IMT)-SPIN-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans (LMV), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Jean Monnet [Saint-Étienne] (UJM)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement et la société-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Jean Monnet [Saint-Étienne] (UJM)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement et la société-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), LIttoral ENvironnement et Sociétés - UMRi 7266 (LIENSs), Université de La Rochelle (ULR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Géoazur (GEOAZUR 7329), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) (COMUE UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), National Geographic grant number CP-122R-17, ANR-15-CE04-0003,VOLCPLUME,Les panaches volcaniques: emissions, chimie/transport et impact sur l'atmosphère et le climat(2015), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-SPIN-École des Mines de Saint-Étienne (Mines Saint-Étienne MSE), Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] (IMT)-Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] (IMT)-Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans (LMV), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Jean Monnet [Saint-Étienne] (UJM)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement et la société-Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Jean Monnet [Saint-Étienne] (UJM)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement et la société-Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA)-Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), LIttoral ENvironnement et Sociétés - UMR 7266 (LIENSs), Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne (UJM)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement et la société-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne (UJM)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement et la société-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand (OPGC), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] (UCA [2017-2020])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), LIttoral ENvironnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), and La Rochelle Université (ULR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Subjects
bepress|Physical Sciences and Mathematics, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Lava, [SDU.STU.GP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph], Geochemistry, bepress|Physical Sciences and Mathematics|Earth Sciences|Tectonics and Structure, lcsh:Medicine, Volcanology, bepress|Physical Sciences and Mathematics|Earth Sciences, EarthArXiv|Physical Sciences and Mathematics|Earth Sciences, 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, 01 natural sciences, Article, bepress|Physical Sciences and Mathematics|Earth Sciences|Volcanology, [SDU.STU.VO]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Volcanology, Caldera, lcsh:Science, EarthArXiv|Physical Sciences and Mathematics|Earth Sciences|Volcanology, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, [SDU.STU.TE]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Tectonics, geography, Multidisciplinary, geography.geographical_feature_category, Rift, lcsh:R, Tectonics, Natural hazards, Subsidence, EarthArXiv|Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Submarine eruption, Volcano, 13. Climate action, Magma, EarthArXiv|Physical Sciences and Mathematics|Earth Sciences|Tectonics and Structure, lcsh:Q, Rift zone, Geology
Abstract

Eruptive activity shapes volcanic edifices. The formation of broad caldera depressions is often associated with major collapse events, emplacing conspicuous pyroclastic deposits. However, caldera subsidence may also proceed silently by magma withdrawal at depth, more difficult to detect. Ambrym, a basaltic volcanic island, hosts a 12-km wide caldera and several intensely-degassing lava lakes confined to intra-caldera cones. Using satellite remote sensing of deformation, gas emissions and thermal anomalies, combined with seismicity and ground observations, we show that in December 2018 an intra-caldera eruption at Ambrym preceded normal faulting with >2 m of associated uplift along the eastern rift zone and 2.5 m of caldera-wide subsidence. Deformation was caused by lateral migration of >0.4 cubic kilometers of magma into the rift zone, extinguishing the lava lakes, and feeding a submarine eruption in the rift edge. Recurring rifting episodes, favored by stress induced by the D’Entrecasteaux Ridge collision against the New Hebrides arc, lead to progressive subsidence of Ambrym’s caldera and concurrent draining of the lava lakes. Although counterintuitive, convergent margin systems can induce rift zone volcanism and subsequent caldera subsidence.

Published
2019
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13. The discovery of a conjugate system of faults in the Wharton Basin intraplate deformation zone

Author

Paul Tapponnier, Frédérique Leclerc, Praditya Avianto, Yanfang Qin, S. C. Singh, Adam B. Nugroho, Nugroho D. Hananto, Helene Carton, Kerry Sieh, Wishnu A. Gemilang, Sylvain Barbot, Shengji Wei, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-IPG PARIS-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), Nanyang Technological University [Singapour], Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Géoazur (GEOAZUR 7329), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), and Earth Observatory of Singapore

Subjects
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences, Fault (geology), Deformation (meteorology), Wharton Basin, 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, Intra-plate deformation, 01 natural sciences, Great earthquakes, Earthquakes, Humans, Indian Ocean, Developing Countries, Research Articles, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, geography, Health Services Needs and Demand, Multidisciplinary, geography.geographical_feature_category, Plate tectonics, SciAdv r-articles, Geology, Moment magnitude scale, FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences, Active Tectonics, [SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics], Faults (Geology), Reflection (physics), Fracture (geology), Intraplate earthquake, Earth Sciences, Shear zone, human activities, Seismology, Research Article
Abstract

A conjugate system of faults (shear and reactivated fracture zones) accommodates intraplate deformation in the Wharton Basin., The deformation at well-defined, narrow plate boundaries depends on the relative plate motion, but how the deformation takes place within a distributed plate boundary zone remains a conundrum. This was confirmed by the seismological analyses of the 2012 great Wharton Basin earthquakes [moment magnitude (Mw) 8.6], which suggested the rupture of several faults at high angles to one another. Using high-resolution bathymetry and seismic reflection data, we report the discovery of new N294°E-striking shear zones, oblique to the plate fabric. These shear zones are expressed by sets of normal faults striking at N335°E, defining the direction of the principal compressional stress in the region. Also, we have imaged left-lateral strike-slip faults along reactivated N7°E-oriented oceanic fracture zones. The shear zones and the reactivated fracture zones form a conjugate system of faults, which accommodate present-day intraplate deformation in the Wharton Basin.

Published
2017
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14. Identification of deep subaqueous co-seismic scarps through specific coeval sedimentation in Lesser Antilles: implication for seismic hazard

Author

Christine Deplus, C. Vidal, François Beauducel, A. Nercessian, Georges Boudon, J. L. Reyss, A. Le Friant, Nathalie Feuillet, T. Pichot, Frédérique Leclerc, Martine Paterne, E. Moreno, L. Barrier, N. Gallou, V. Clement, C. Beck, J-F Lebrun, Institut des Sciences de la Terre (ISTerre), Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF)-Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UR219-PRES Université de Grenoble-Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement [Gif-sur-Yvette] (LSCE), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Océan et Interfaces (OCEANIS), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de tectonique, mécanique de la lithosphère (LTML (UMR_7578)), Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat : Expérimentations et Approches Numériques (LOCEAN), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL (FR_636)), École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Vert-Pré, Laboratoire de Recherche en Géosciences et Energies [UR2_1] (LARGE), Université des Antilles (UA), Géochrononologie Traceurs Archéométrie (GEOTRAC), Laboratoire de Géodynamique et Géophysique (LGG), Géosciences Marines (GM), Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)-Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry])-PRES Université de Grenoble-Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UR219-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)-Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF), Université Paris-Saclay-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de tectonique, mécanique de la lithosphère (LTML), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-IPG PARIS, Centre de recherche sur la Paléobiodiversité et les Paléoenvironnements (CR2P), Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de Géodynamique et de Géophysique (LGG), Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-PRES Université de Grenoble-Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF)-Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UR219-Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry]), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL (FR_636)), École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS Paris), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS Paris), Laboratoire de Recherche en Géosciences et Energies (LARGE), Laboratoire de Géodynamique et Géophysique, Institut des Sciences de la Terre [2011-2015] (ISTerre [2011-2015]), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry])-PRES Université de Grenoble-Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UR219-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)-Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris-Saclay-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris-Saclay-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris-Saclay-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Sciences de la Terre, and Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)

Subjects
Redonda, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, [SDU.STU.GP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph], [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences, Fault (geology), 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, Fault scarp, 01 natural sciences, lcsh:TD1-1066, lcsh:Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering, Geomorphology, lcsh:Environmental sciences, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, [SDU.STU.TE]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Tectonics, lcsh:GE1-350, geography, geography.geographical_feature_category, Volcanic arc, biology, lcsh:QE1-996.5, lcsh:Geography. Anthropology. Recreation, Aseismic creep, biology.organism_classification, lcsh:Geology, Seismic hazard, lcsh:G, 13. Climate action, General Earth and Planetary Sciences, Sedimentary rock, Quaternary, Geology
Abstract

During the GWADASEIS cruise (Lesser Antilles volcanic arc, February–March 2009) a very high resolution (VHR) seismic-reflection survey was performed in order to constrain Late Quaternary to Present faulting. The profiles we obtained evidence frequent "ponding" of reworked sediments in the deepest areas, similar to the deposition of Mediterranean "homogenites". These bodies are acoustically transparent (few ms t.w.t. thick) and are often deposited on the hanging walls of dominantly normal faults, at the base of scarps. Their thickness appears sufficient to compensate (i.e. bury) co-seismic scarps between successive earthquakes, resulting in a flat and horizontal sea floor through time. In a selected area (offshore Montserrat and Nevis islands), piston coring (4 to 7 m long) was dedicated to a sedimentological analysis of the most recent of these particular layers. It corresponds to non-stratified homogenous calcareous silty sand (reworked calcareous plankton and minor volcanoclastics). This layer can be up to 2 m thick, and overlies fine-grained hemipelagites. The upper centimeters of the latter represent the normal RedOx water/sediment interface. 210Pb and 137Cs activities lack in the massive sands, while a normal profile of unsupported 210Pb decrease is observed in the hemipelagite below, together with a 137Cs peak corresponding to the Atmospheric Nuclear Experiments (1962). The RedOx level was thus capped by a recent instantaneous major sedimentary event considered as post-1970 AD; candidate seismic events to explain this sedimentary deposits are either the 16 March 1985 earthquake or the 8 October 1974 one (Mw = 6.3 and Mw = 7.4, respectively). This leads to consider that the syntectonic sedimentation in this area is not continuous but results from accumulation of thick homogenites deposited after the earthquakes (as observed in the following weeks after Haiti January 2010 event, McHugh et al., 2011). The existence of such deposits suggests that, in the area of study, vertical throw likely results from cumulated effects of separated earthquakes rather than from aseismic creep. Examination of VHR profiles shows that all major co-seismic offsets are recorded in the fault growth sequence and that co-seismic offsets can be precisely estimated. By using a sedimentation rate deduced from 210Pb decrease curve (0.5 mm yr−1) and taking into account minor reworking events detected in cores, we show that the Redonda system may have been responsible for five >M6 events during the last 34 000 yr. The approach presented in this work differs from fault activity analyses using displaced sets of isochronous surfaces and postulating co-seismic offsets. Combining VHR seismic imagery and coring we can decipher co-seismic vs. slow continuous displacement, and thus actually estimate the amplitude and the time distribution of major co-seismic offsets.

Published
2012
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15. The reef platform of Martinique: Interplay between eustasy, tectonic subsidence and volcanism since Late Pleistocene

Author

Nathalie Feuillet, Guy Cabioch, Frédérique Leclerc, Jean-Marie Saurel, Sara Bazin, Jean-Frédéric Lebrun, Marie Perret, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-IPG PARIS-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat : Expérimentations et Approches Numériques (LOCEAN), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN), Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Géosciences Montpellier, Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles (UA), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-IPG PARIS-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL (FR_636)), École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS Paris), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS Paris), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL (FR_636)), École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL), and Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL)

Subjects
Reef stratigraphy, Lesser Antilles, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Carbonate platform, Fringing reef, 010502 geochemistry & geophysics, Oceanography, 01 natural sciences, Paleontology, Volcanism, Geochemistry and Petrology, 14. Life underwater, Reef, Sea level, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Reef morphology, [SDU.STU.TE]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Tectonics, geography, Tectonic subsidence, geography.geographical_feature_category, Volcanic arc, Seismic profiles, Geology, Interglacial, Martinique submarine carbonate platform, Martinique, Drowned reefs
Abstract

International audience; Reef positions record the interaction between eustasy and tectonics, and have been used worldwide to characterize vertical deformations of upper-plates at different time-scales and constrain the seismic behavior of megathrusts. Along the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc, high-resolution marine geophysical data were collected on the 2–20 km wide eastern Martinique reef platform to reconstruct its stratigraphic and morphologic history, and understand the influence of local normal faulting, volcanism and plate-scale subduction processes on Holocene and Late Pleistocene reef development. The subsiding Martinique platform's stratigraphy is composed of multiple superimposed sea-level highstand deposits separated by subaerial exposure surfaces of sea-level low stands. The carbonate platform consists of two laterally-extensive carbonate units (unit U2 overlying unit U3) that extend to the platform edge to a depth of − 95 m MSL (mean sea level), and form two morphologic terraces, M2 and M3 respectively. The landward portion of unit U2 is partially overlain between 0 and − 60 m MSL by the living reef tract U1. The current reef is composed of a landward fringing reef, a lagoon and a seaward barrier reef, the latter forming a double-bank barrier around the Caravelle Peninsula. In near-shore multi-channel seismic profiles, a distinct reflector at ~− 35 m MSL, probably a subaerial exposure surface E1, separates the reef sequence formed during the last transgression from a Pleistocene fossil reef tract forming unit U2. Offshore of Mount Pelée volcano (Late Pleistocene), the Holocene reef did not develop above unit U2, whose upper surface is incised by channels and apparent sinkholes. During the Holocene transgression, the possibility of excessive turbidity due to volcanic activity may have inhibited reef development in this area. The un-dated unit U2 probably developed 120–130 ka ago during the last interglacial (MIS 5.5) + 6 m MSL highstand as thick, extensive reefs deposited all along the Lesser Antilles arc. Due to subsidence, MIS 5.5 reefs are not represented by onshore facies, except along the southern Sainte Anne Peninsula where normal faulting and uplift balances island-scale subsidence. Based on unit U2's present elevation and assuming an MIS 5.5 age and + 6 m MSL sea level, Martinique has subsided at maximum 0.3 m/ky, likely due to subduction processes that question the coupling state of the megathrust.

Published
2015
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16. The Holocene drowned reef of Les Saintes plateau as witness of a long-term tectonic subsidence along the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc in Guadeloupe

Author

L. De Min, Frédérique Leclerc, D. Melezan, François Beauducel, Jean-Frédéric Lebrun, A. Lefriant, Christine Deplus, Guy Cabioch, Sara Bazin, Nathalie Feuillet, Georges Boudon, Biogéochimie-Traceurs-Paléoclimat (BTP), Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat : Expérimentations et Approches Numériques (LOCEAN), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN), Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-IPG PARIS-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Laboratoire de Recherche en Géosciences et Energies (LARGE), Université des Antilles (UA), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL (FR_636)), École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS-PSL), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL (FR_636)), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPG Paris)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de Recherche en Géosciences et Energies [UR2_1] (LARGE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL (FR_636)), École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS Paris), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École normale supérieure - Paris (ENS Paris), and Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-École polytechnique (X)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut Pierre-Simon-Laplace (IPSL (FR_636))

Subjects
geography, Tectonic subsidence, Plateau, geography.geographical_feature_category, Volcanic arc, Geology, [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-GEO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph], Fault (geology), Oceanography, Graben, Tectonics, Paleontology, Geochemistry and Petrology, Archipelago, 14. Life underwater, Reef, Geomorphology, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS
Abstract

Resulting from the interplay between tectonics and eustatism, reef terraces are powerful markers of vertical movements at a scale of 1000 to 100,000 years. In the Lesser Antilles, they grow around every island of the archipelago and record both local and subduction-related tectonics. The recent acquisition and interpretation of very high-resolution bathymetry of Les Saintes submarine plateau, French West Indies, together with seismic reflection profiles, are a unique opportunity to study one of these submarine structures, at metric to kilometric scales, addressing the questions of its nature, age and growth environment, but also of the control of active tectonics on its formation. The 20 km wide Les Saintes reef plateau lies at about 45 mbsl. It is crosscut by NW–SE striking, north-dipping normal faults that belong to Les Saintes fault system and graben, which produced a Mw 6.3 earthquake in 2004. The plateau is composed of four 20 m thick reef units, piled up in “layer cake” morphology down to 110 mbsl. The upper unit has a fresh morphology and presents typical reef features, like barrier and lagoon, spurs and grooves, pinnacles, etc. From its morphology we propose that it grew during the Holocene last transgression. Below, the three other units likely formed during Pleistocene sea level highstands and were eroded during the low stands, as evidenced in seismic reflection profiles. This scenario would imply that Les Saintes plateau formed in a context of subsidence with a rate we evaluate to be of the order of tenths of mm/yr. Probably linked to local tectonics, we believe that this deformation is also related to plate-scale subduction processes, similarly to deformations occurring on the other islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago.

Published
2014
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