Rock-magnetostratigraphy of hawaiian archipelagic sediments: Timing of giant submarine landslides of the hawaiian ridge

Abstract

Volcaniclastic layers deposited on an abyssal plain to the south of Oahu Island, by distal turbidity currents from Hawaiian giant submarine landslides are studied by the means of paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic stratigraphy. The established stratigraphy reveals intervals of high magnetite mineral concentration in the volcaniclastic layers due to these submarine landslides. Two major time intervals of the volcaniclastic layers are recognized in the upper Brunhes Chron (0-250 ka). The correlation between magnetic susceptibility and the global benthic 18O stack record indicates that two time intervals of volcaniclastic layers are about 91-114 ka, and 216-245 ka in age. The Alika and South Kona landslides in the submarine west flank of Hawaii Island are the most likely candidate events for the source of these volcaniclastic layers which traveled long distances from the source area. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.