Acoustical and mass physical properties of deep ocean recent marine sediments

Abstract

Eight cores obtained from the Monterey Submarine Fan in the Pacific Ocean 50 to 75 miles off Monterey, California, were sectioned to conduct vane shear, compressional wave speed, and viscoelastic measurements. After the cores were sectioned aboard ship utilizing a heated element technique, core sections were immediately subjected to vane shear measurements utilizing a Wykeham- Farrance Vane Shear Machine modified to produce a graphical display of torque versus angle of blade rotation. Compressional wave speed measurements were also made aboard ship. Wet density, water content, porosity, and grain size distribution of sediment from core sections were determined later in the laboratory. The relationship of sediment shear strength to mass physical properties and compressional wave speed is discussed. No correlations were apparent between shear strength of the sediment and any single mass physical property or the compressional wave speed of the sediment. A critical discussion of the vane shear test is presented with recommendations for test improvement