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Giant landslides

Giant landslides

Nic Scarselli

I learned geology starting from the field, and I am now an experienced geoscientist interested in understanding how tectonic and sedimentary processes work, and how this may help us to better explore for geo-resources. In my research, I often use seismic reflection data that give geoscientists the remarkable capability of imaging strata and structures in the deep subsurface underneath our feet. Recently I used seismic to unravel how thick sedimentary successions offshore Africa collapsed under the effect of gravity and formed giant submarine landslides. The study has found that these 'megalides' can form large folded features that may represent effective hydrocarbon traps.

NC-res1

Three-dimensional visualisation of seismic data showing a megaslide offshore West Africa. The magaslide is ~1 km thick and exhibits a prominent rollover anticline ~10 km across at the headwall of the slide. These large closures have the potential to host substantial amount of hydrocarbons.

 

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