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doi:10.2204/iodp.proc.340.111.2013

Site U1401¹

Expedition 340 Scientists²

Background and objectives

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Site U1401 (proposed Site CARI-12A; 14.39.10°′N, 61.25.08°′W; 2590 meters below sea level [mbsl]) is west of Martinique (Fig. F1). Site U1401 was dedicated to the characterization of debris avalanche deposits and study of their emplacement processes. The Montagne Pelée Volcano has experienced at least three major flank-collapse events, which systematically destroyed the western flank of the volcano. Previous studies revealed the presence of a debris avalanche deposit with hummocky morphology associated with the 9000-year-old flank collapse (Le Friant et al., 2003; Boudon et al., 2007). Seismic site survey data indicated that Site U1401 could penetrate volcanic and biogenic sediment with intercalated large chaotic units (interpreted as debris avalanche deposits). We expected to drill through mass-wasting Deposit 3 and mass-wasting Deposit 2 from the Montagne Pelée Volcano with the aim of distinguishing the two deposits and also identifying erosive levels or frictional interactions between them. In addition, we expected to recover sediment from the top of the debris avalanche deposit which would allow better age constraint of the event. The data obtained from the sampled sediment will provide valuable insights into the chronology (one or several pulses), the mobility of debris avalanches, and the processes of possible syntransport flow transformation.

¹ Expedition 340 Scientists, 2013. Site U1401. In Le Friant, A., Ishizuka, O., Stroncik, N.A., and the Expedition 340 Scientists, Proc. IODP, 340: Tokyo (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International, Inc.). doi:10.2204/​iodp.proc.340.111.2013

² Expedition 340 Scientists’ addresses.

Publication: 17 August 2013
MS 340-111

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