Seafloor Stability Assessment of Jiaxie Seamount Group Using the “Weight-of-Evidence” (WoE) Method, Western Pacific Ocean
The deep sea is gradually being exploited, yet research on the stability of the deep seabed is scarce. In this study, the seafloor stability of the Jiaxie Seamount Group in the western Pacific Ocean was assessed using the weight-of-evidence (WoE) method based on seafloor topographic data. Slope fail...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/5/1001 |
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| Summary: | The deep sea is gradually being exploited, yet research on the stability of the deep seabed is scarce. In this study, the seafloor stability of the Jiaxie Seamount Group in the western Pacific Ocean was assessed using the weight-of-evidence (WoE) method based on seafloor topographic data. Slope failure features were identified by analyzing multibeam bathymetric data, revealing 21 failure zones and multiple debris accumulation areas. Topographic factors, such as water depth, slope, slope direction, planar curvature, profile curvature, and ruggedness, were selected as assessment indicators. These indicators were reclassified as evidence factors, and a WoE model was constructed to assess the failure probability in the study area. A stability zoning map indicated that over 93% of the area had high stability. In comparison, areas with low and very low stability comprised less than 4%, mainly located on steep ridges and rugged slopes. The model’s performance was validated through an ROC curve, yielding an AUC value of 0.929, indicating a high predictive capability. This study presents a statistical framework for assessing the stability of deep-sea floors and provides theoretical support for upcoming seabed mining and deep-sea engineering endeavors, despite limitations due to data constraints and dependence on visually interpreted slope failure zones. |
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| ISSN: | 2077-1312 |