Acoustical penetration and shear strength in gas‐charged sediment |
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| Authors: | Thomas Whelan III J M Coleman J N Suhayda H H Roberts |
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| Institution: | Coastal Studies Institute , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803 |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Methane concentrations and sediment shear strengths were measured in three foundation borings taken from areas of variable acoustical penetration in the Mississippi river delta front. Acoustically impenetrable or “turbid”; zones were associated with sedimentary methane concentrations above about 30 ml/liter, measured at atmospheric pressure. Sediments in the high‐gas, acoustically turbid zones demonstrated a smaller percentage increase in shear strength with depth than in zones of low gas concentration. The results indicate that a 3.5‐kHz system used for sub‐bottom profiles is unable to determine the thickness of gas‐charged sediments. |
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