CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Clark, J.I.; Landva, J.; Collins, W.T.; and Barrie, J.V.
Date : 1986.
Title : The geotechnical aspects of seabed pits in the Grand Banks area
Publication : Paper presented at the Third Canadian Conference on Marine Geotechnical Engineering, Memorial University, St. John's, Nfld., June 11-13, 1986.
Issue :
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Abstract
Ice-created seabed pits found on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland are the only finite features that can be analyzed in terms of probable range of soil strength properties and failure mechanisms to determine the ice loads transmitted to the seabed. Almost all pits are less than 3 m deep; their existence can be explained by indentation failures caused by rolling icebergs. About 3.5 percent of the pits are more than 5 m deep and cannot be explained by iceberg impact. This paper presents a probable mechanism for their formation which consists of two actions: (1) the hard grounding of an iceberg, such that the keel becomes embedded in the seabed to a depth of about 3 metres and (2) the passive failure of the soil after the grounding event, caused by wave action on the iceberg.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology