Geological Features of The Near-Surface in Vostochno-Prinovozemelsky Area in The Kara Sea

Abstract

Summary The paper is dedicated to the analysis of 2D high, very high, ultrahigh resolution seismic and multibeam echo-sounder surveys data. Near-surface section (NSS) geological features were studied based on acquired data analysis on the example of three separated regions of Vostochno-Prinovozemelsky area. The main goal was clarification of NSS and geological hazards identification inside studied area. Gas-saturated sediments, paleovalleys and faults were distinguished in each region. Faults genesis and morphological traits issues, definition of deformation nature of NSS and geological hazards identification at the bottom and in near-bottom sediments were studied. Similarities and differences in studied section structure were found. In the first two regions Touronian-Santonian seismic sequence complicated by series of faults formed due to clay dehydration was defined. In the second region deformations inside Oligocene-Miocene seismic sequence were found. They were likely formed by glacial activity. Moreover, there were paleovalleys that had different nature compared to the one that depressions in the third region had. In general, glacial sediments wide spread was defined in the first two regions, which was unnatural for the third region. That means that Barentsevo-Kara glacial boundary, reviewed in the work ( Svendsen et al., 2004 ), is located between the second and the third regions.