Marine geotechnical data for North Pacific sediments

Abstract

Geotechnical data from the published and unpublished literature are compiled in SI units and tabulated in a standardized format. Eight data sets are presented from a geographic area approximately bounded by 5° and 32° north latitude and 120° and 170° west longitude. The data exist in machine-readable form in the data bank of the Marine Geotechnical Laboratory, Lehigh University. Individual geotechnical property data from cores collected from DOMES sites A, B, and C--including cores collected from the Deepsea Ventures mine site, are grouped and plotted against depth below the seafloor. A least-squares regression predictor equation for each grouped property related to depth is presented together with related statistical data for the equations. Low correlation coeficients for each of the predictor equations, except for "undisturbed" and remolded shear strength, suggest that improved predictor equations may result by grouping geotechnical data only for similar sediment types, rather than considering data from several large geographical areas grouped together without regard to differing sediment types within the areas. The objective of this investigation was to compile existing published, and unpublished marine geotechnical data in a standardized format, keypunched, and entered in the Marine Geotechnical Laboratory (MGL) data bank at Lehigh University. In addition, results of geotechnical analyses of DOMES and Deepsea Ventures cores performed in the MGL were synthesized by developing predictor equations for geotechnical properties of cores, related to a maximum depth below the seafloor of one meter, collected from DOMES sites A, B, and C, and from the Deepsea Ventures mine claim, which includes site C. Geotechnical property data from cores collected on DOMES cruises RP-6- 0C-75 and RP- 8-0C- 76 and from cores provided by Deepsea Ventures, Inc. are presented in separate chapters in this open file report. Data from eight other sources are tabulated in this report. They are from analyses of cores collected in an area of the deep seafloor approximately bounded by 5° and 32° north latitude and 120° and 170° west longitude. This large area includes pelagic clay, calcareous ooze, and siliceous ooze (Frazer et al., 1972). More specific sediment data, which are related to metal content of pelagic nodules for the area, are summarized by Hartmann et al., (1973). Keller and Bennett (1968) and Keller (1969) have reviewed the distribution of sediments, shear strength, water content, and bulk density for the entire North Pacific Ocean basin. These studies provide a regional review that is useful f or orientation before considering the geotechnical properties of the more limited area reported in this paper.