New Constraints on the Failure Mechanism and Kinematics of the Tampen Slide (North Sea) from 3D Seismic Data

Abstract

A series of large-scale submarine landslides have occurred on the Norwegian continentalmargin over the past ∼400 ka. The most recent and well-studied of these "megaslides" is theStoregga Slide (ca. 8 ka), whose resulting tsunami inundated the coastlines of Norway,Scotland, and the Shetland Islands. However, lack of surface exposure means thatsignificantly less is known about the nature and tsunamigenic potential of those Norwegiancontinental megaslides that predate Storegga. The Tampen Slide is thought to have occurred120-130 ka and is buried beneath up to 450 m of glacigenic debris flow and glacimarinedeposits.