Submarine landslides and fault scarps along the eastern Mediterranean Israeli continental-slope

摘要: Abstract The present work maps and studies the continental slope off southeastern Mediterranean Israeli coast. Bathymetric grids with 15–50 m/pixel resolution were used to map over four hundred submarine landslides numerous fault scarps exposed on sea floor. Landslide scars are found at water depth ranging between 130 m 1000 m, where slopes exceed a critical gradient of about 4°–5°. surface areas range from 0.0024 km2 91 km2, observed size distribution has peak (roll over) showing that most probable landslide area is 1.6 × 10− 2 km2. In general in north studied smaller occur shallower than southern ones. Landslides show hierarchical pattern, resulting sequential, retrograding, slope-failure events also interact group faults oriented sub-parallel These result salt tectonic related extension, their forming elongated step-like morphological features rupturing slope, as well deeper morphology cross cutting relation scarps, suggest these recent, apparently younger 50,000 years. triggering mechanism not clear yet, though several conditions which known promote instability prevail area: gradients close inferred angle; continuous sedimentation increases load slope; active results an overall extension by normal faults; merely 100 km away seismogenic zones; finally, apparent existence gas surface. Hence, it suggested failure possible future.