Project description
Seismic geomorphology is a rapidly evolving discipline that facilitates the study of the subsurface using plan view images, and has revolutionized our understanding of basin evolution over the last decades. A multitude of high-quality datasets have been collected offshore the Netherlands, an area with a complex geological evolution in the mid- and late Quaternary. Located at or close to the southern extent of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet, the processes that form the subsurface offshore the Netherlands are dominated by the built-up and melting of these ice masses.
Here, we use an open-access Extremely-High-Resolution three-dimensional (EHR3D) seismic dataset (called TNW) to test a variety of analytical techniques to image and visualize depositional environments and features relevant for offshore infrastructure. We integrate the identified geomorphological expressions with already existing geotechnical cone penetration tests and geological boreholes of the site. The goals are to (i) interpret the EHR3D dataset with the seismic interpretation software Petrel and Paleoscan, and generate 10s of subsurface horizons (of glacigenic origin), (ii) map and characterize buried landforms in ArcGIS, (iii) establish a seismic stratigraphy for the site, including tying of the seismic surfaces to existing radiocarbon results of dated boreholes, and (iv) study the properties of glacigenic landforms by correlating geotechnical data with geophysical and geological results. The project further compares its findings with paleogeographic reconstructions of the sites in close vicinity (e.g., Ijmuiden, Nederwiek). The outcome of the project is (i) a comparison of glacial processes related to the three large glaciations in the area (Elsterian, Saalian, and Weichselian), ii) a paleogeographic reconstruction offshore the Netherlands, and iii) a catalogue of engineering properties of different glacigenic landforms.
Proposed course plan during the master's degree (60 ECTS):
Below are listed some suggested courses. However, courses will be decided upon after discussion between supervisor
and student and the interest/background of the student. and GEO231, however, are needed. and
are recommended.
(10 stp) * Seismic Interpretation
(5 stp) Scientific writing and communication in Earth Science
(10 stp) Palaeoclimatology
(10 stp) Marine Geological Field-and Laboratory Course
(5 stp) Advanced basin analysis
GEVO261 (10 stp) Basin analysis and subsurface interpretation
(10 stp) Geohazards
(10 stp) Glacial geology and geomorphology
(10 stp) Sequence Stratigraphy
Field- lab- and analysis
All seismic data and well information are available for the project (see
project description).
Student
Lars Andreas Huseby
Supervisor
Benjamin Bellwald