Some questions and answers about the accumulation of fine-grained sediment in continental margin environments

Accumulation rates (100-yr time scale) in proximal regions of allochthonous dispersal systems range from centimeters to millimeters per year, depending primarily on fluvial discharge of sediment. A general decrease in accumulation rate occurs from proximal to distal regions, and the across-shelf maximum rate is in the mid-shelf region. Sedimentary structure generally changes from stratified in proximal deposits to homogeneous in distal deposits. Although the content of sand and coarse silt commonly decreases along dispersal systems, progressive fining of clay and fine silt is not as obvious. Deposition rates (100-day time scale) in proximal deposits can be significantly more rapid (centimeters per month) than longer-term accumulation rates. Rapid sedimentation does not necessarily produce mass movement.     

Complex sedimentation of the Holocene mud deposits in a ria-type coastal area,eastern Korea Strait

The innermost shelf of the eastern Korea Strait is a ria-type coastal sea comprising islands, intervening passageways and embayments. A detailed analysis of high-resolution (1−10 kHz) subbottom profiles and core sediments from this area reveals complicated depositional and distributional patterns of the Holocene mud deposits related to complex topography with varying supply of the adjacent Nakdong riverine sediments. Sediments from the Nakdong River were bifurcated around Gadeok Island, forming two proximal systems: Nakdong and western Gadeok systems. These proximal systems prograded offshore (southward) by active sediment supply from the Nakdong River in the early stage. Suspended sediments passing through the Nakdong system formed the distal (Gadeok Waterway and eastern Geoje) systems in the area between the northern Geoje and Gadeok islands. These distal systems show a northwestward (onshore) prograding tendency to Jinhae Bay, the biggest bay in the vicinity of the Nakdong estuary in which the Jinhae Bay system developed. In the late stage, a remarkable decrease of sediment supply from the Nakdong River has caused retrograding geometry of the two proximal systems. However, the most distal (Jinhae Bay) system has continuously prograded bayward due to the persistent supply of sediments resuspended by strong tidal currents from nearby distal (Gadeok Waterway and eastern Geoje) systems. These complex depositional features indicate that topography has an important influence on depositional developments of the Holocene mud deposits by controlling path and intensity of sediment dispersal and resuspension processes.     

Recent sediment accumulation and origin of shelf mud deposits in the Yellow and East China Seas

Modern (last 100 yr) accumulation rates of shelf mud deposits in the Yellow and East China Seas were investigated using the distribution of excess ²¹⁰Pb (²¹⁰Pb_ex) in sediment core samples. Compilation and merger of new and previously published data helped clarify sediment accumulation in these seas. The estimated accumulation rates, together with data of suspended sediment concentrations, provided findings on the sediment budget, origin, and transport pathway of the mud deposits. The overall accumulation distribution in the Yellow and East China Sea shelf revealed a general, cross-shelf decreasing trend along the sediment dispersal system away from the rivers, except for the South Sea (SSM) and southeastern Yellow Sea (SEYSM) mud patches found along the Korean coast. Notably, ²¹⁰Pb_ex activity profiles within the SSM and the SEYSM yielded a relatively high accumulation rate of 2-5 mm/yr, implying a sedimentation rate of 4-15 × 10⁷ tons per year in this coastal zone. Such an annual accumulation rate is about one order of magnitude greater than the total sediment discharge (6-20 × 10⁶ tons/yr) from Korean rivers, suggesting an additional offshore source. The distribution pattern of the well-defined suspended plume clearly showed the possible transport and exchange of fine-grained sediments between the ECS shelf and the coastal area of Korea, especially during winter. Such a high accumulation in Korean coastal areas is attributable to the sediments supplied from the mud deposit of the ECS (i.e., SWCIM), with origins in Chinese rivers. Therefore, the Korean coastal area may be an important sink for some of Chinese river sediments being transported from the south by the Yellow Sea Warm Current.     

济州岛西北部的反气旋型涡旋沉积

利用９９２年以来采自南黄海的沉积物样品和１９９御的南黄海水文调查资料,采用地层对比、沉积动力及环境分析等方法,研究了济州岛西北海域反气旋型涡旋流型的环流性质、其下方泥质沉积物的特征以及它们之间的因果关系,并与南黄海中部的气旋型涡旋沉积进行也深入的对比。结果表明,反气旋和气旋型沉积物翥阳细粒的泥质沉积,是在沉积动力较弱的低能环境下生成的,但它们之间 存在明显的差异,特别是反气旋型涡旋的沉积厚度大、粒     

Facies, internal structures and sequences of modern Gironde-derived muds on the Aquitaine inner shelf, France

Seventy cores from the Aquitaine continental shelf were examined using radiographic and grain-size techniques in order to describe the sedimentary structures of the muddy deposits, and to evaluate their depositional processes. Four lithofacies are identified in this fine-grained deposit: (a) homogeneous silty sand, (b) interbedded homogeneous mud and sand, (c) silty-clayey mud, and (d) mottled mud. They show a logical pattern in relationship to the water depth and the distance from the coast.

Primary structures are present particularly in the landward and central portion of the mud fields, where the sediment is organized into sequences with a sharp-based erosional contact, overlain by a fining-up succession (centimetre to decimetre scale). The beginning of each of these is characteristic of a high-energy storm event, which is common on this shelf. The settling of suspended fine sediment corresponds to the flood estuarine discharge during quiet periods. Primary sedimentary structures decrease in the distal area where the muddy sediment is frequently reworked by infauna. Finally, primary structures and their preservation depend on the relative magnitudes of surface waves, storms, infaunal mixing and fluvial sediment deposition rates (i.e. floods).     

An overview of sedimentation on the amazon continental shelf

Sedimentological, geochemical, and physical-oceanographic studies of the Brazilian continental shelf near the Amazon River help provide a broad understanding of this major sediment dispersal system. Amazon River sediment accumulates as a subaqueous delta, with the most rapid accumulation (10 cm/yr) occurring near the seaward edge of the topset beds and in the foreset beds. Amazon River sediment is dispersed northwestward along the shelf and is transported beyond the Brazilian border. Radiographic studies of sediment cores delineate three sedimentary environments: interbedded mud and sand, faintly laminated mud, and bioturbated mud. The distribution of these environments is a function of proximity to the river mouth and of sediment accumulation rate.     

东海内陆架泥质沉积体研究进展

陆架海现代泥质沉积研究具有重要的地质学、环境科学和气候学意义,数十年来一直受到海洋科学家的关注,尤其是近年来在我国兴起了一股研究陆架泥质沉积体的热潮,取得一大批重要成果。本文对我国最大的东海内陆架泥质沉积体的研究进展进行回顾,作为典型区域呈献给读者。东海内陆架泥质沉积区从长江口水下三角洲向南,沿闽浙近岸浅海一直延伸到台湾海峡中部,全长800km,宽约100km,面积约80000km2,相当于两个台湾岛的大小,实属我国乃至亚洲浅海规模最大(体积排第二)的楔式泥质沉积体和现代沉积区。该区中晚全新世沉积地层厚度较大,局部厚达40—80m,总体上呈近岸厚、向海方向逐渐变薄,一般在50—60m等深线、局部可达75m甚至90m等深线附近尖灭。该区泥质沉积物粒度较细,主要由黏土和粉砂组成(大于90%),砂含量很低(小于10%),黏土和粉砂含量在泥质沉积区外缘急剧降低,而砂含量突然增加。沉积物类型为粉砂质黏土和黏土质粉砂,外侧与黏土-粉砂-砂(混合沉积)或泥质砂为界。粒度分布南北有一定差异,北段(长江口外至瓯江口外)近岸较粗外侧较细,近岸为黏土质粉砂,外侧为粉砂质黏土;而南段(自瓯江口至台湾海峡北部)则相反;深入台湾海峡中部的远端泥质沉积也较粗,为黏土质粉砂。现代沉积速率从长江口水下三角洲至闽浙沿岸近海以及从近岸向外陆架方向逐渐降低,与地层厚度分布相一致。悬浮体浓度空间分布,尤其是冬季悬浮体的分布与沉积速率的分布基本一致,表明沉积物是从长江口沿闽浙近海向南和从近岸向海输运的。矿物、化学和环境磁学指标等均显示沉积物主要来自长江,老黄河对该区北部,台湾物质对南部有一定影响,闽浙沿岸河流在局部也有少量贡献。该泥质沉积体的形成与全新世中期约7.3ka BP以来持续高海面及相应的总体沉积动力过程密切相关,主要包括闽浙沿岸流将长江物质源源不断地向南输送和沉积过程、台湾暖流、上升流在其外侧的阻挡作用,以及下降流和穿刺锋的横向输运等动力控制因素。沉积物输运主要发生在冬季,冬季风导致海洋动力加强的作用功不可没,热带气旋-台风风暴对泥质体起到了一定助长与破坏的双重作用。由于该泥质沉积体的形成与季风和沿岸流的密切关系,在形成过程中打上了气候环境的烙印,是冬季风和夏季风演化记录的良好载体,近年来的研究成果很好地揭示了中晚全新世以来千年、百年、十年尺度甚至更高分辨率的气候演化历史及气候突变事件。该泥质沉积区对人类活动的响应也较敏感,自3.0ka BP以来对长江流域燃火变化以及历史上中国人口的几次大迁徙均显现在沉积记录中,特别是对近几十年,尤其是三峡水库蓄水以来,长江来沙的变化也有明显的响应。未来的研究需要进一步澄清泥质体形成发育过程不同阶段中长江、黄河、台湾、闽浙河流物质以及残留区物质的定量贡献及时空差异;深入了解人类活动的响应及环境记录研究;加强现代沉积动力过程的观测和精细的数值模拟研究,揭示泥质积区动力背景的空间差异性,这不仅是深化泥质沉积形成机制的需要,也可为古环境恢复提供科学支撑。     

Sedimentary evolution of the northwestern Alboran Sea during the Quaternary

Five depositional bodies occur within the Quaternary deposits of the northwestern Alboran Sea: Guadalmedina-Guadalhorce prodelta, shelf-edge wedges, progradational packages, Guadiaro channel-levee complex, and debris flow deposits. The sedimentary structure reflects two styles of margin growth characterized: 1) by an essentially sediment-starved outer, shelf and upper slope and by divergent slope seismic facies; 2) by a prograding sediment outer shelf, and parallel slope seismic facies. Eustatic oscillations, sediment supply, and tectonic tilting have controlled the type of growth pattern, and the occurrence of the depositional bodies. Debris flows were also controlled locally by diapirism.     

南黄海陆架沉积学研究

黄海中部、济州岛西南,存在厚层的泥质沉积,它们分别与上述地区的冷涡活动区相对应。在两个泥质沉积区之间又出现连接它们的通道,形成别有特征的“冷涡-通道”沉积体系。经分析发现,这个沉积体系,完全受控于黄海暖流、冷涡及其相关的环流体系。此外,在黄海西南部及东海北部海底发现大面积砂岩及其砾石,揭示了黄、东海陆架沉积物的新源地。     

长江口及邻近海域细颗粒沉积物中重金属的空间分布及沉积通量

长江每年输送大量的泥沙进入东海,其中细颗粒沉积物具有搬运距离远、扩散范围大的特点,成为示踪河口及近海沉积物源汇过程的良好载体。本文基于采自长江口及邻近海域的44个表层沉积物样品,分析了细颗粒组分中重金属的空间分布和沉积通量,探讨了重金属来源和搬运沉积过程。研究表明:长江口及邻近海域细颗粒沉积物中Cu、Cr、Ni、V和Zn含量、沉积通量的空间分布具有高度的相似性,总体表现为长江口及浙闽沿岸高,向外急剧降低;该区细颗粒沉积物中的重金属主要来自长江,入海后向两个方向扩散,其一为向西南方向扩散,沉积于内陆架泥质区;其二是向东的跨陆架输送,沉积于长江冲淡水影响的海域。从长江口向西南方向的输送和沉积是长江入海重金属最重要的汇。     

气候变化和人类活动影响下黄河远端泥北支粒度组分变化及其区域沉积效应

受限于海洋动力条件的复杂性,基于陆架泥质沉积重建的古气候或古环境一直存在争议。为此,本文在北黄海地区沿沉积物输运路径采集3根柱样,通过沉积物粒度及其端元组分和基于器测数据的东亚冬季风指数和黄海暖流强度,分析了不同泥区沉积物粒度端元组分对冬季风暴和黄海暖流变化的响应机理和强度,揭示了上述变化在不同区域产生的沉积效应。结果表明,近百年以来黄河远端泥北支的沉积物组分变化受到了自然因素和人类活动的共同影响。1980年以后,人类活动对黄河沉积物入海通量及其组成的影响开始增强,并掩盖了自然演化信息。而1980年以前,不同泥区的不同端元组分对冬季风暴和黄海暖流的响应机理和强度存在差异,具有显著的区域沉积效应：粗端元组分受冬季风暴强度变化主导,能够反映山东半岛北岸跨锋面物质输运强度的变化;细端元组分受到黄海暖流强度变化主导,反映沉积物从北黄海西部泥区到辽东半岛东岸泥区的输运过程。上述结论说明,虽然粒度是表征古气候和古环境变化的重要标志物,但应根据不同泥区沉积物来源和沉积动力环境的特点,谨慎选择敏感端元组分,正确地使用粒度指标。     

Seismic expressions of deep-shelf depositional and erosional morphologies,Miocene Utsira formation,North Sea Basin

The Middle–Late Miocene Utsira Formation of the North Sea Basin contains a fully preserved, regional marine sand deposit that records a stable paleogeographic setting of sand transport and accumulation within a deep, epeiric seaway which persisted for >8 Ma. The sediment dispersal system was defined by (1) input through a marginal prograding strandplain platform, coast-to-basin bypass, transport along a narrow strait, and accumulation in strait-mouth shoal complexes within a shelf sea; (2) a high-energy marine regime; (3) very low time-averaged rates of sediment supply and accumulation; and (4) consequent high sediment reworking ratio. Sand distribution and stratal architectures reflect regional along-strike sediment transport and local to sub-regional landward sediment transport. Plume-shaped, south-building, submarine sand shoals that formed along the recurved arc of the strandplain margin nourished the shoal system. Very low-angle sigmoid clinoforms and down-stepping, aggradational top sets are distinctive architectures of these strike-fed sand bodies. The combination of strong marine currents and slow but long-lived sand supply from the Shetland strandplain created regional, sandy shelf shoal depositional systems that individually covered 3,500 to 6,000 km² of the basin floor. Defining attributes of the shelf shoal systems include their location within the basin axis, abundance of autochthonous sediment, and sandy marine facies composition. Diagnostic depositional architectures include the along-strike-dipping sigmoidal clinoforms, poly-directional low-angle accretionary bedding at both regional and local scales, and mounded depositional topography. Erosional features include regional hummocky, low-relief shelf deflation surfaces, broad, elongate scours and sub-circular scour pits.     

The impact of syn- and post-extension prograding sedimentation on the development of salt-related rift basins and their inversion: Clues from analogue modelling

Various studies have demonstrated the intrinsic interrelationship between tectonics and sedimentation in salt-related rift basins during extension as well as during their inversion by compression. Here, we present seven brittle–ductile analogue models to show that the longitudinal or transverse progradation of sediment filling an elongate extensional basin has a substantial impact on the growth of diapirs and their lateral geometrical variations. We use five extensional models to reveal how these prograding systems triggered diapir growth variations, from proximal to distal areas, relative to the sedimentary source. In the models, continuous passive diapir walls developed, after a short period of reactive–active diapiric activity, during syn-extensional homogeneous deposition. In contrast, non-rectilinear diapir walls grew during longitudinal prograding sedimentation. Both longitudinal and transverse post-extensional progradation triggered well-developed passive diapirs in the proximal domains, whereas incipient reactive–active diapirs, incipient roller-like diapirs, or poorly developed diapirs were generated in the distal domains, depending on the modelled sedimentary pattern. Two models included final phases of 6% and 10% shortening associated with basin inversion by compression, respectively, to discriminate compressional from purely extensional geometries. With the applied shortening, the outward flanks of existing diapir walls steepened their dips from 8°–17° to 30°–50°. Likewise, 6% of shortening narrowed the diapir walls by 32%–72%, with their fully closing (salt welds) with 10% of shortening. We compare our results with the distribution of salt walls and minibasins of the Central High Atlas diapiric basin in Morocco, which was infilled with a longitudinally prograding mixed siliciclastic and carbonatic depositional sequence during the Early–Middle Jurassic with a minimum thicknesses of 2.5–4.0 km.     

Oligocene sequence stratigraphy and basin development in the Danish North Sea sector based on log interpretations

Five sequences are defined in the Oligocene succession of the Danish North Sea sector. Two of the sequences, 4.1a and 4.3, have been identified onshore Denmark.Two types of prograding lowstand deposits are recognized. Sand-dominated deposits occur proximally, comprising sharp-based forced regressive deposits covered with prograding low-stand deposits. Clay-dominated prograding lowstand deposits occur distally in the sequences. The highstand deposits are proximally represented by thick prograding sandy deposits and distally by thin and condensed intervals.The main sediment input direction was from the north and the northeast. A succession oif lithofacies, from shallow marine facies dominated by sand to outer shelf facies dominated by clay, is mapped in each of the sequences. An overall southward progradation of the shoreline took place during the Oligocene, interrupted only by minor shoreline retreats.     

浙闽沿岸泥质区沉积物粒度组分对长江入海输沙量减少的响应

自1950年以来,长江入海输沙量呈阶段性减少趋势;作为长江远端泥,长江入海输沙量的"减沙"效应在浙闽沿岸泥质区是否有相应的沉积信号?若有,该如何进行提取和解译?为探讨以上问题,在浙闽沿岸泥质区采集柱状样5根,进行了高分辨率(2 mm)的粒度测试,并通过端元分析手段分离出4个端元.结合研究区物源及水动力的空间差异,发现各...     

Dispersal of the Zhujiang River (Pearl River) derived sediment in the Holocene

High-resolution Chirp profiling and coring reveals an elongated(ca. 400 km) Holocene Zhujiang River(Pearl River)-derived mud area(maximum thickness 20 m) extending from the Zhujiang River Delta, southwestward off the Guangdong coast, to the Leizhou Peninsula. Two depo-centers, one proximal and one distal, are identified. On the continental shelf off the west Guangdong Province, the mud is deposited in water depth shallower than 50 m; while to the southeast of the Zhujiang River Estuary, the mud area can extend to the-120 m isobath. A combined analysis with the stratigraphic sequences of other muddy deposits in the Western Pacific marginal seas(mainly Changjiang(Yangtze) and Huanghe(Yellow) Rivers derived) indicates that the initiation of the Zhujiang River muddy deposit can be further divided into two stages: Stage 1 is before the mid-Holocene sea-level highstand(ca. 7.0 cal. ka BP), the proximal mud was mostly deposited after 9.0 cal. ka BP, when the sea-level rose slowly after the Meltwater Pulse-1C; Stage 2, after the mid-Holocene sealevel highstand, clinoform developed on the continental shelf off the west Guangdong Province, extending ca. 400 km from the Zhujiang River Estuary. The proximal clinoform thins offshore, from ca. 10 m thickness around 5–10 m water depth to less than 1–2 m around 20–30 m water depth. In addition, we also find a developed distal clinoform in the east of the Leizhou Peninsula.     

Hybrid sediment gravity flow deposits – Classification, origin and significance

The deposits of subaqueous sediment gravity flows can show evidence for abrupt and/or progressive changes in flow behaviour making them hard to ascribe to a single flow type (e.g. turbidity currents, debris flows). Those showing evidence for transformation from poorly cohesive and essentially turbulent flows to increasingly cohesive deposition with suppressed turbulence ‘at a point’ are particularly common. They are here grouped as hybrid sediment gravity flow deposits and are recognised as key components in the lateral and distal reaches of many deep-water fan and basin plain sheet systems. Hybrid event beds contain up to five internal divisions: argillaceous and commonly mud clast-bearing sandstones (linked debrite, H3) overlie either banded sandstones (transitional flow deposits, H2) and/or structureless sandstones (high-density turbidity currents, H1), recording longitudinal and/or lateral heterogeneity in flow structure and the development of turbulent, transitional and laminar flow behaviour in different parts of the same flow. Many hybrid event beds are capped by a relatively thin, well-structured and graded sand–mud couplet (trailing low-density turbulent cloud H4 and mud suspension fallout H5). Progressive bed aggradation results in the deposits of the different flow components stacked vertically in the final bed. Variable vertical bed character is related to the style of up-dip flow transformations, the distance over which the flows can evolve and partition into rheological distinct sections, the extent to which different flow components mutually interact, and the rate at which the flows decelerate, reflecting position (lateral versus distal) and gradient changes. Hybrid beds may inherit their structure from the original failure, with turbidity currents outpacing debris flows from which they formed via partial flow transformation. Alternatively, they may form where sand-bearing turbidity currents erode sufficient substrate to force transformation of a section of the current to form a linked debris flow. The incorporation of mud clasts, their segregation in near-bed layers and their disintegration to produce clays that can dampen turbulence are inferred to be key steps in the generation of many hybrid flow deposits. The occurrence of such beds may therefore identify the presence of non-equilibrium slopes up-dip that were steep enough to promote significant flow incision. Where hybrid event beds dominate the entire distal fan stratigraphy, this implies either the system was continually out of grade in order to freight the flows with mud clasts and clays, or the failure mechanism and transport path repeatedly allowed transmission of components of the initial slumps distally. Where hybrid beds are restricted to sections representing fan initiation, or occur more sporadically within the fan deposits, this could indicate shorter episodes of disequilibrium, due to an initial phase of slope re-adjustment, or intermittent tectonically or gravity-driven surface deformation or supply variations. Alternatively, changes between conventional and hybrid event beds may record changes in the flow generation mechanism through time. Thus the vertical distribution of hybrid event beds may be diagnostic of the wider evolution of the fan systems that host them.     

长江口和东海海域沉积物粒径对有机质分布的影响

利用2007年11月采集于长江口和东海陆架区域的78个站位的表层沉积物样品,以及2007年11月、2008年4月采集于长江口东南和浙江近岸泥质区的悬浮物样品,对长江口和东海海域表层沉积物以及部分站位的悬浮物进行了粒度、有机碳和总氮的分析和研究,探讨了沉积物粒径对有机质运移和沉积过程的影响.结果表明:(1)水体中悬浮物的...     

Evaluation of conditions along the grounding line of temperate marine glaciers: an example from Muir Inlet, Glacier Bay, Alaska

In the marine environment, stability of the glacier terminus and the location of subglacial streams are the dominant controls on the distribution of grounding-line deposits within morainal banks. A morainal bank complex in Muir Inlet, Glacier Bay, SE Alaska, is used to develop a model of terminus stability and location of subglacial streams along the grounding line of temperate marine glaciers. This model can be used to interpret former grounding-line conditions in other glacimarine settings from the facies architecture within morainal bank deposits.The Muir Inlet morainal bank complex was deposited between 1860 A.D. and 1899 A.D., and historical observations provide a record of terminus positions, glacial retreat rates and sedimentary sources. These data are used to reconstruct the depositional environment and to develop a correlation between sedimentary facies and conditions along the grounding line.Four seismic facies identified on the high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles are used to interpret sedimentary facies within the morainal bank complex. Terminus stability is interpreted from the distribution of sedimentary facies within three distinct submarine geomorphic features, a grounding-line fan, stratified ridges, and a field of push ridges. The grounding-line fan was deposited along a stable terminus and is represented on seismic-reflection profiles by two distinct seismic facies, a proximal and a distal fan facies. The proximal fan facies was deposited at the efflux of subglacial streams and indicates the location of former glacifluvial discharges into the sea. Stratified ridges formed as a result of the influence of a quasi-stable terminus on the distribution of sedimentary facies along the grounding line. A field of push ridges formed along the grounding line of an unstable terminus that completely reworked the grounding-line deposits through glacitectonic deformation.Between 1860 A.D. and 1899 A.D. (39 years),

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m³ of sediment were deposited within the Muir Inlet morainal bank complex at an average annual sediment accumulation rate of

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m³/a. This rate represents the annual sediment production capacity of the glacier when the Muir Inlet drainage basin is filled with glacial ice.     

Geotechnical properties of sediment on the Kodiak continental shelf and upper slope,gulf of Alaska

Abstract

Fine‐grained sedimentary deposits on the Kodiak continental shelf and upper slope comprise three distinct compositional types: terrigenous mud, diatomrich mud, and ash‐rich sandy mud. The sediment types can be distinguished on the basis of geotechnical properties as well as by composition. The terrigenous mud has properties largely within the normal range for fine‐grained marine sediment, except for the low compressibility of many samples. This sediment underlies the walls of canyons that incise the upper slope, and analyses of undrained static and cyclic loading indicate potential instability in the steepest areas. The diatom‐rich mud has high water content, plasticity index, and compression index but low grain specific gravity. The ash‐rich sandy mud is nonplastic and has low water content and compressibility. It has high drained and undrained static strength but is extremely weakened by cyclic loading. Extensive deposits of sedimentary bedrock and coarsegrained glacial sediment in the region apparently are relatively stable, but low sediment strength or high compressibility may be encountered at the local sites of soft sedimentary deposits.