Supervisors
Main supervisor: Benjamin Bellwald, Prof II GEO-UIB, NGI
Co-supervisor: Berit Oline Hjelstuen, UiB-GEO
Project description
In this project, geological (gravity and piston cores), geophysical (TOPAS profiles), and geotechnical (fall-cone testing; shear strength; in particular for the newly collected data) data collected in previous UiB cruises and stored in-house will be analyzed. The database will likely also include geophysical and geological data collected during the GEOV231 student cruise in Spring 2027. The sediment cores compiled by Hans Holtedahl in Hardangerfjorden will also be included in the work.
The goals are to characterize turbidites using a data-driven approach, to improve the mass movement compilation of Norwegian fjords and lakes, and to distinguish climatic from seismic trigger of these deposits. The student will update the submarine mass movement register of Norwegian fjords, and evaluate if there are differences in spatio-temporal turbidite patterns by comparing different subaquatic systems and establish deglacial, early Holocene, mid-Holocene, and Late Holocene clusters.
The Petrel software will be used to interpret the TOPAS data. In addition, ArcGIS is to be used for mapping of turbidite distribution across the study area. The sediment laboratory at UiB will be used for MSCL and CT scanning, fall-cone testing, and grain-size analysis.
This project will (1) provide new knowledge about the timing of mass movements in Norwegian fjords, (2) improve the understanding of the properties of turbidites, and (3) contribute to new knowledge on spatio-temporal turbidite patterns.
Field-, lab- and analysis work
Interpretation of TOPAS data in the Petrel interpretation software. The TOPAS data is to be correlated with information from already analyzed sediment cores and bathymetric records. It will be some work in the sediment laboratory (EarthLab). ArcGIS will be used to compile and analyze information, and to generate maps. Only internal data is to be used for this project. TOPAS sub-bottom-profiles, bathymetry and shallow sediment cores are all available for the project. Newly collected data during the GEOV231 student cruise in Spring 2027 will likely also be included.
Proposed course plan during the master's degree (60 ECTS)
Some suggested courses are listed below – but will be decided upon after discussion between supervisor and student and the interest/background of the student. GEOV272 and GEOV231 are, however, needed.
GEOV272 (10 stp) Seismic Interpretation
GEOV300 (5 stp) Scientific writing and communication in Earth Science
GEOV222 (10 stp) Palaeoclimatology
GEOV217 (10 stp) Geohazards
GEOV231 (10 stp) Marine Geological Field-and Laboratory Course
GEOV230 (10 stp) Glacial geology and geomorphology
GEOV261 (10 stp) Basin analysis and subsurface interpretation
GEOV336 (10 stp) Field and Laboratory Course in Quaternary Geology