Deciphering the sedimentary imprint of tsunamis and storms in the Lesser Antilles (Saint Martin): A 3500-year record in a coastal lagoon

IF 2.6 3区 地球科学 Q2 GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY Marine Geology Pub Date : 2024-04-05 DOI:10.1016/j.margeo.2024.107284
Stefano C. Fabbri , Pierre Sabatier , Raphaël Paris , Simon Falvard , Nathalie Feuillet , Amélie Lothoz , Guillaume St-Onge , Audrey Gailler , Louise Cordrie , Fabien Arnaud , Maude Biguenet , Thibault Coulombier , Saptarshee Mitra , Eric Chaumillon
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Abstract

Our study aims at identifying and characterizing tsunami and storm deposits by combining sedimentological, geochemical, and radiocarbon dating analyses. X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) is used to characterize the sedimentary fabric of the deposits. The study was conducted on a transect of oriented short sediment cores from a small lagoon at Saint Martin (Lesser Antilles), where both event types could be observed. Using micro-CT data of different event deposits, we were able to derive paleo-flow orientations and directions and compare the dynamics of the events to their environmental setting. The results showed that seven extreme-wave event (EWE) deposits, originating from hurricanes or tsunamis, had the highest Ca/Fe ratios, distinctive for marine input to the lagoon, and were characterized by coarser grains. Some also presented above the sandy part of the event deposit a siliciclastic geochemical signal rich in fine siliciclastic sediment with organic matter, which might correspond to backwash deposits. The thickness and frequency of these sandy EWE deposits in our cores decreased from the proximal to the distal zone in the center of the lagoon, with high lateral and vertical variability in sediment thickness. The youngest EWE deposit relates to the unprecedentedly powerful Category 5 Hurricane Irma, which barely left a fine layer of sand in the lagoon, demonstrating the lagoon's resilience to tropical storms. Five of the six other EWEs, characterized by micro-CT-derived sedimentary fabric, likely originated from tsunamis and occurred over the last 3500 years BP with a recurrence interval of 300–400 years, based on radiocarbon dating. A well-studied tsunami deposit from Pre-Columbian times (∼400 years BP) showed oriented sedimentary fabric, which could be used for paleo-flow reconstruction and EWE-type distinction in the Lesser Antilles, suggesting the use of an additional method for identifying EWE-type deposits in the geological record rather than other methods alone. To develop effective strategies for mitigating the natural hazards faced by communities in the coastal areas of the Lesser Antilles, it will be crucial to examine EWEs in the Caribbean region beyond historic times successfully.

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解读小安的列斯群岛(圣马丁岛)海啸和风暴的沉积印记:沿海泻湖 3500 年的记录
我们的研究旨在通过结合沉积学、地球化学和放射性碳测年分析,确定海啸和风暴沉积物的特征。X 射线计算机显微层析技术(micro-CT)用于描述沉积物的沉积结构。这项研究是在圣马丁岛(小安的列斯群岛)一个小泻湖的定向短沉积岩芯横断面上进行的,在这里可以观察到两种事件类型。利用不同事件沉积物的微型计算机断层扫描数据,我们能够推导出古生物流向和方向,并将事件的动态与其环境背景进行比较。结果表明,源于飓风或海啸的七个极端波事件(EWE)沉积物具有最高的钙/铁比,是泻湖海洋输入的独特特征,并且具有颗粒较粗的特点。有些事件沉积物的沙质部分上方还出现了硅质地球化学信号,富含有机质的细硅质沉积物,这可能与反冲沉积物相对应。在我们的岩芯中,这些砂质 EWE 沉积的厚度和频率从泻湖中心的近端向远端区域递减,沉积厚度的横向和纵向变化很大。最年轻的 EWE 沉积物与威力空前的 5 级飓风 "艾尔玛 "有关,飓风几乎没有在泻湖中留下一层细沙,这表明泻湖对热带风暴的适应能力很强。根据放射性碳测年法,其他六个 EWE 中的五个以微型 CT 衍生沉积结构为特征,很可能源于海啸,发生于公元前 3500 年,重现间隔为 300-400 年。早在前哥伦布时代(公元前 400 年),一种经过深入研究的海啸沉积物就显示出定向沉积结构,可用于小安的列斯群岛的古水流重建和 EWE 类型的区分,这表明在地质记录中识别 EWE 类型沉积物时,应使用一种额外的方法,而不是仅使用其他方法。为了制定有效的战略,减轻小安的列斯群岛沿海地区社区面临的自然灾害,成功地研究加勒比地区历史时期之后的 EWE 至关重要。
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来源期刊
Marine Geology
Marine Geology 地学-地球科学综合
CiteScore
6.10
自引率
6.90%
发文量
175
审稿时长
21.9 weeks
期刊介绍: Marine Geology is the premier international journal on marine geological processes in the broadest sense. We seek papers that are comprehensive, interdisciplinary and synthetic that will be lasting contributions to the field. Although most papers are based on regional studies, they must demonstrate new findings of international significance. We accept papers on subjects as diverse as seafloor hydrothermal systems, beach dynamics, early diagenesis, microbiological studies in sediments, palaeoclimate studies and geophysical studies of the seabed. We encourage papers that address emerging new fields, for example the influence of anthropogenic processes on coastal/marine geology and coastal/marine geoarchaeology. We insist that the papers are concerned with the marine realm and that they deal with geology: with rocks, sediments, and physical and chemical processes affecting them. Papers should address scientific hypotheses: highly descriptive data compilations or papers that deal only with marine management and risk assessment should be submitted to other journals. Papers on laboratory or modelling studies must demonstrate direct relevance to marine processes or deposits. The primary criteria for acceptance of papers is that the science is of high quality, novel, significant, and of broad international interest.
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