The Role of Waves in Causing Submarine Landslides

TLDR: The effects of ocean waves on the stability of underwater slopes in soft underconsolidated deltaic sediments are examined in this paper, where the authors show that the pressure changes on the sea floor, associated with the passage of a wave, are able to cause shear failure in soft sediments in water depths up to about 400 ft.

Abstract: Synopsis The effects of ocean waves on the stability of underwater slopes in soft underconsolidated deltaic sediments are examined. The pressure changes on the sea floor, associated with the passage of a wave, are able to cause shear failure in soft sediments in water depths up to about 400 ft. The waves impose an oscillatory motion on the soft sediments which, on sloping ground, leads to a mass transfer of soil down slope. Also the repeated reversals of shear strain in the sediment cause remoulding of the sediment and a reduction in shear strength. Les effets des vagues de I'ocean sur la stabilite des pentes sous-marines dans des sediments deltaiques sous consolides mous sont examines. Les changements de pression sur les fonds des mers, qui s'associent au passage d'une vague, sont capables de provoquer une rupture par cisaillement dans des sediments mous dans des profondeurs d'eau allant jusqu' a 130 m. Les vagues imposent un mouvement oscillatoire aux sediments mous qui, sur un sol en pente, entraine un...