Preliminary Submarine Geomorphology Study of the Taiwan Bank

Taiwan's unique natural conditions make it an ideal location for harnessing marine energy and conducting seafloor mining. However, its position at the oblique collision zone between the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate creates a highly active marine environment, which poses potential geohazards. The rapid erosion and deposition caused by extreme events make offshore southwestern Taiwan an excellent site for studying submarine geomorphology and seafloor instabilities. This research is vital not only for safeguarding marine resources but also for understanding potential marine geohazards. The Taiwan Bank, situated in the Taiwan Strait, is particularly notable for its abundant marine biological and non-biological resources. To protect the marine environment, we have conducted various geophysical and geological surveys to better understand the spatial and temporal variations of the seafloor. The most remarkable finding of our research is detecting the seafloor variations caused by human activities and extreme events. Additionally, subsurface seabed mapping has revealed numerous large faults and substantial sand wave bases that enable regional sand wave migration—both of which are critical factors that could compromise the seafloor stability.