A marine geologist with Natural Resources Canada, Steve Blasco, wondered why the wreck of the Titanic did not sink completely into the ocean sediments at its resting place 4 km below the surface. Mr. Blasco used core samples of the sea floor at the site to determine that the Titanic now sits on a million year old marine landslide deposit. Presumably this deposit is stiffer than other types of marine sediments. Mr. Blasco has studied a number of other scientific aspects of the Titanic wreckage, including the bacteria that is causing the formation of ‘rusticles’ and will one day completely dissolve the vessel. His group has also found numerous life forms in the oxygen-deprived depths, and a discovery that the steel used in the construction of the hull was brittle because of high sulfur content steel, and the rivets were high in slag. [Source: Castanet.net. Image: destinosdeviagem.com]
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On March 21, 2008 a landslide caused the closure of Arizona State Route 87 between Payson and Phoenix near mile post 224. So far there are no official estimates as to the size, but based on aerial photos, it appears to be at least 50,000 sq-ft in plan. The offset at the head scarps was approximately 2-meters (6.6-ft) according to AZGS Geologists on site. It appears to have been a rotational slide as the toe of the landslide heaved the southbound roadway up by as much as 1-meter (3.3 ft). There was an existing soil-nail retaining wall on the slope that was destroyed by the slide as well. Lateral deformations can be seen in photos of the median barrier and the roadway striping. The deformations extended into the northbound lanes as well. More photos and links after the break. (Photo by ADOT)