Seabed stiffness refers to the ocean floor's resistance to deformation, a critical geophysical property influencing marine environments and engineering. This...
Seabed stiffness is a geotechnical property measuring the ocean floor's resistance to deformation under stress, essentially how 'hard' or 'soft' the seafloor is.
It is crucial for designing stable and safe foundations for offshore structures like wind turbines, oil platforms, and pipelines, mitigating risks from seafloor instability.
Measurements are usually conducted through geophysical surveys (e.g., seismic reflection), in-situ geotechnical tests like Cone Penetration Tests (CPT), and laboratory analysis of core samples.
Key factors include sediment type (e.g., sand, clay), compaction level, water content, burial depth, geological history, and the presence of gas or fluid within the sediments.