Hazard of Submarine Slides West of the Spitsbergen Archipelago

Abstract

The paper presents description of the relief, open fracture system, and submarine slides west of the Spitsbergen Archipelago in the Vestnesa Ridge area based on the data collected during cruises of the R/V Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov. Data pertaining to seismicity, as well as gas flares, chimneys, and holes are given based on the published sources. Analysis of the full information suggests the development of conditions favorable for large submarine landslides west of the Spitsbergen Archipelago.