Book Description
The purpose of this study was to evaluate porential environmental problems at a seafloor site. The specific environmental problems of concern are: earthquake occurrence and effects, sediment scour and deposition, slope stability, seafloor vehicle trafficability, and turbidity currents. Pertinent information on each problem area is presented including an evaluation of the magnitude, probability of occurrence, and effects on seafllor installations. General information is also presented on the seafloor environment including the geomorphology, bottom currents, and sediments. Guidelines are recommended for evaluating each problem area. Some specific recommendations are to avoid construction sites close to an active fault or on an unstable slope if earthquakes registering 6.0 on the Richter Scale have been recorded within 100 miles; on slopes greater than 10 degrees, and preferably on slopes greater than 5 degrees--to minimize creep movement and earthquake-induced failures; and where there is more than a low probability of occurrence of turbidity currents large enough to damage a structure during its useful life. Another factor is that structures near sediment sources may be subject to long-term burial and to local scour effects running gear for seafloor vehicles. (Author).
