Records of submarine natural hazards off SW Taiwan

• DOI: 10.1144/sp361.5
• Publication Date: 2012-01-03T18:16:33Z
• Authors: Chih-Chieh Su; Jing-Yi Tseng; Ho-Han Hsu; Cheng-Shing Chiang; Ho-Shing Yu; Saulwood Lin; James T. Liu
• Keywords: Natural hazard

Abstract In the past few years, large earthquakes and torrential rain hit southern Taiwan induced severe submarine hazards off SW coast. Marine sediments (turbidites) provide valuable records with which to study understand formation of these geo-hazards. The Pingtung Earthquake (two major events ( M L =7.0) plus many aftershocks), on 26 December 2006, triggered turbidity currents that severed cables in Fangliao Gaoping canyons. This caused significant economic loss. addition earthquake activity, typhoons rains flooding are also important mechanisms responsible for turbidites. On 8–9 August 2009 Typhoon Morakot brought heavy Taiwan, causing serious landslides land. typhoon cable breaks Canyon. All such likely be recorded marine canyon system, by analysing we may able reconstruct history floods region. Chirp sonar profiles, conjunction core analysis, including X-ray radiographs, grain size 210 Pb used identify sources, transport deposition turbidites (or hyperpycnite) area. Results indicate not only related but unique geological hydrological setting plays an role initiation