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Southern Dead Sea Transform paleoseismicity from the northern Gulf of Aqaba
The aim of this ongoing research is to study the Late Quaternary tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the Northern Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat by identifying and dating evidence for seismically induced submarine mass transport deposits (MTD) in offshore cores from across the gulf.
The research was part of Mor Kanari’s PhD
Preservation state of Large Benthic Foraminifera (LBF) – biological proxies for mass transport events
Submarine mass transport deposits (MTDs) are a well-known phenomenon in tectonically active regions. Evidence for such deposits is commonly found in the continental slope sedimentary records, as distinct units with coarser grain size compared to the usual and continuous pelagic sedimentation. In this study, an innovative approach symbiont-bearing Larger Benthic Foraminifera (LBF) are identified in MTDs in the sedimentary record. Their abundance, size and preservation state was described to characterize the transport energy and triggering mechanism involved in the displacement of the sediments. Radiocarbon dating of the MTDs presented correlation with historical and pre-historical earthquakes.
Anat Ash-Mor conducted this as her PhD research in collaboration with Dr. Ahuva Almogi-Labin from the GSI
Applications of Lead 210Pb to understand storm events and bioturbation in the marine environment
The sedimentary record is strongly influenced by processes such as organic matter re-mineralization, sediment mixing by burrowing organisms, physical sediment transport processes and variations in sediment accumulation rates. Lead-210 analysis is a powerful tool for decoding these processes for better understanding of paleo-climatic and -oceanographic records.
An opportunity to investigate the impact of a strong storm was possible during the strong March 2020 storm in the Gulf of Aqaba. Geochemical and sedimentological analysis on surface and near surface sediments and pore waters along a depth transect from the shelf to ~700 m was accomplished before and after the storm event. The results illustrated how these events can modify the sediment and pore water state near the sediment water interface. Furthermore, any abrupt change in the record, such as turbidity currents, flash floods, anoxia, and post depositional removal can be detected using Lead 210 that can resolve the latest event history and resolve the ratio between bioturbation and sedimentation rates.
These studies were led by Or Bialik, Gilad Antler (IUI), and Zvika Steiner (GEOMAR) using our 210Pb facility.
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