Holocene neoglacial events in the Bransfield Strait (Antarctica). Paleogeographic and paleoclimatic significance

The morphological characterisation of the western submarine island flanks of El Hierro and La Palma differentiates four type-zones that may give new insights into the evolution of oceanic island slopes. The different type-zones result from the interplay between constructive volcanic processes, hemip...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inScientia marina
Main Authors Bárcena, María Ángeles, Fabrés Francés, Joan, Isla, Enrique, Flores Villarejo, José Abel, Sierro Sánchez, Francisco Javier, Canals Artigas, Miquel, Palanques Monteys, Albert
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) 01.12.2006
Subjects
Antarctica
Antàrtida
Estrets
Holocene
Holocè
Paleoclimatologia
Paleoclimatology
Paleogeografia
Paleogeography
Straits
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The morphological characterisation of the western submarine island flanks of El Hierro and La Palma differentiates four type-zones that may give new insights into the evolution of oceanic island slopes. The different type-zones result from the interplay between constructive volcanic processes, hemipelagic settling and volcano collapses. The latter results in massive debris avalanche deposits, which form large volcaniclastic aprons. In most cases, the headwall scarps are clearly exposed on the emerged part of the islands. The events that occurred in the youngest and westernmost islands of El Hierro and La Palma have vertical runouts exceeding 6,000 m and volumes that can reach several hundred km3. The landslide frequency for the entire Canaries is one major event per 90 ka. Triggering mechanisms are closely related to magmatic processes. The increase in the shear stress is directly linked with the forceful intrusion of magma along ridge-rift systems, while in the western Canary Islands it seems that the main process reducing shear resistance may be related to the rise in pore pressure due to hydrothermal circulation.
ISSN:0214-8358