Submarine Mass Movements and their Consequences


Book Description

This book is a comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art studies of seafloor slope instability and their societal implications. The volume captures the most recent and exciting scientific progress made in this research field. As the world’s climate and energy needs change, the conditions under which slope instability occurs and needs to be considered, are also changing. The science and engineering of submarine – or more widely subaqueous – mass movements is greatly benefiting from advances in seafloor and sub-seafloor surveying technologies. Ultra-high-resolution seafloor mapping and 3D seismic reflection cubes are becoming commonly available datasets that are dramatically increasing our knowledge of the mechanisms and controls of subaqueous slope failure. Monitoring of slope deformation, repeat surveying and deep drilling, on the other hand, are emerging as important new techniques for understanding the temporal scales of slope instability. In essence, rapid advances in technology are being readily incorporated into scientific research and as a result, our understanding of submarine mass movements is increasing at a very fast rate. The volume also marks the beginning of the third IGCP project for the submarine mass movement research community, IGCP-640 S4SLIDE (Significance of Modern and Ancient Submarine Slope LandSLIDEs). The Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences symposium is the biannual meeting under the IGCP umbrella.







The Ocean Economy in 2030


Book Description

This report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment creation and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges. Special attention is devoted to the emerging ocean-based industries.




An Outline of the Geology of Indonesia


Book Description

The idea to produce this book originated during the "Tectonics and Sedimentation of Indonesia" seminar, the first regional meeting of the Indonesian Sedimentologists Forum (FOSI), the sedimentological commission of IAGI, in 1999. The meeting was conducted to commemorate the 50 years anniversary of the publication of van Bemmelen's book, entitled "Geology of Indonesia" (1949). This was the first book to deal indepth with Indonesian geology at that time. This work was written before the offshore exploration activities and is now out of print. Van Bem-melen's book is a classic of its type that covers onshore geology and some fields of geological en-quiry that have not been superceded by more modern work. In this volume, we have attempted to compile pre-existing publications. Additional recent insights understandings were added to give an up-to-date picture of the geology of Indonesia. It was found that much of geological data have been gathered since the first exploration activity some 150 years ago but was not utilized or even widely known by geologists recently. "An Outline of the Geology of Indonesia" is a compilation of mainly published materials using post van Bemmelen's concept and understanding. We have incorporated facts, ideas, philosophies, and prejudices of many authors; some are quoted and acknowledged; others have been absorbed and blended. These materials have been bound together to gave readers a regional view of Indonesia. Our main problems have been the selection of material and the need to strike a balance between each chapter. The book is far from perfect and ongoing efforts will be made to upgrade the contents of this book. Suggestions and input are most welcome to improve the next edition. The book is organized geographically into fourteen chapters, starting from the West and ended with Irian Jaya. Each chapter covers general geology, stratigraphy, and tectonic history. We have also endeavored to list as many references as possible in order to enable users to explore for themselves the original works.




Sustainable Ocean Resource Governance


Book Description

In Sustainable Ocean Resource Governance an international group of eminent authors offer perspectives on the legal interface between sustainable economic growth, effective marine resource management and urgent environmental protection of the sea by addressing three key issues: deep sea mining, marine energy generation, and seabed pipeline and cable systems. In light of the sectoral nature of current ocean governance and the existing patchwork of management arrangements for the oceans, this book gives insights in search for a coherent and consistent sustainability approach.




Exploration of the Seas


Book Description

In the summer of 1803, Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on a journey to establish an American presence in a land of unqualified natural resources and riches. Is it fitting that, on the 200th anniversary of that expedition, the United States, together with international partners, should embark on another journey of exploration in a vastly more extensive region of remarkable potential for discovery. Although the oceans cover more than 70 percent of our planet's surface, much of the ocean has been investigated in only a cursory sense, and many areas have not been investigated at all. Exploration of the Seas assesses the feasibility and potential value of implementing a major, coordinated, international program of ocean exploration and discovery. The study committee surveys national and international ocean programs and strategies for cooperation between governments, institutions, and ocean scientists and explorers, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in these activities. Based primarily on existing documents, the committee summarizes priority areas for ocean research and exploration and examines existing plans for advancing ocean exploration and knowledge.




World Atlas of Holocene Sea-Level Changes


Book Description

This timely study is concerned with the current record of sea-level changes during the past 10,000 years; their rates, and our ability to estimate these changes accurately. The author begins with an extensive introduction to the subject, covering the historical background and the possible causes of sea-level changes and the main methods used to reconstruct former sea-level positions. The second and main part of the Atlas provides a worldwide review of Holocene sea level changes by assembling some 800 local relative sea-level curves, deduced from field data from all parts of the world, and comparing these with over 100 curves predicted by geophysical models. This data is compiled in 77 regional plates, each containing 4-20 relative sea-level curves drawn to the same scale. These plates enable a visual assessment of geological trends in sea-level during the Holocene to be made.Comparing this data with trends deduced from tide gauges and near-future trends predicted by climate models, should enable more accurate assessment of near future sea-level changes on a local scale. The regional plates are fully annotated with locations, authors' names, year of publication and some indicative values of the spring tidal range in the region, as well as an accompanying text of comments.Finally, the author provides a state of the art review, proposes improvements in methodology and suggests directions for further study. An extensive bibliography of over 750 references, and two indexes complete the study. This comprehensive work contains data and interpretations of value to all those with an interest in regional geography, climatology, sea-level change, and environmental science.




Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences


Book Description

Submarine mass movements are a hidden geohazard with large destructive potential for submarine installations and coastal areas. This hazard and associated risk is growing in proportion with increasing population of coastal urban agglomerations, industrial infrastructure, and coastal tourism. Also, the intensified use of the seafloor for natural resource production, and deep sea cables constitutes an increasing risk. Submarine slides may alter the coastline and bear a high tsunamogenic potential. There is a potential link of submarine mass wasting with climate change, as submarine landslides can uncover and release large amounts greenhouse gases, mainly methane, that are now stored in marine sediments. The factors that govern the stability of submarine slopes against failure, the processes that lead to slope collapses and the collapse processes by themselves need to be better understood in order to foresee and prepare society for potentially hazardous events. This book volume consists of a collection of cutting edge scientific research by international experts in the field, covering geological, geophysical, engineering and environmental aspects of submarine slope failures. The focus is on understanding the full spectrum of challenges presented by this major coastal and offshore geohazard.