Probability of Landslide Formation on the Norwegian Margin

Numerous landslides are located on the passive margin of Norway. According to their number and length of their headwalls, the margin can be divided into three segments (from south to north): Scandinavian, Barents Sea, and Svalbard. The fourth segment (Arctic) is the transition zone located north of the Svalbard archipelago. In the Scandinavian segment, on the continental slope and deeper, about 40 large underwater landslide bodies have been identified. The Barents Sea is dominated by deep-sea fan deposits, which are associated with landslides. No large landslides were found in the Svalbard segment. An analysis of published and original geological and geophysical data indicates that the most likely formation of new landslides can occur in the Svalbard segment, as well as on the Vestnesa Ridge.